In-Depth Acura Vs. Lexus Brand Comparison (2024)

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The Acura vs. Lexus brand debate has been raging since the 1980s, and when you get into it today, you'll find that the same points that differentiate these brands are still in play. Think of it like this: A Lexus vehicle is a luxury-overhauled Toyota automobile, while an Acura model is a luxury-and-performance overhaul to a Honda vehicle.

Acura vs. Lexus History, Brand Focus & Luxury

Acura vs. Lexus origin stories begin with the Acura brand. They arrived first, launching in 1986 to make similarly upscale versions of Honda vehicles. The Lexus company debuted in 1989 to sell luxury versions of Toyota vehicles.

Unlike Lexus automakers that focused on laid-back driving, Acura engineers added immense sportiness on top of the comfort. This merging of luxury and performance still defines every new Acura vehicle, and it's the most significant difference in the Acura vs. Lexus comparison.

You'll also see more Acura vehicles racing in top-level motorsports, like IMSA and INDYCAR. The Acura brand sponsors high-level race events and even sells a purpose-built racecar (the Integra Type S DE5). The Acura brand also builds sports-prototype class racecars: the ultimate testing ground for automotive innovation.

The Lexus brand is also known to compete in IMSA. But, Acura vs. Lexus racetrack battles usually end the same way: At the 2024 24 Hours of Daytona (IMSA racing's crown jewel), an Acura ARX-06 sports-prototype racecar scored a third-place class and overall finish,¹ while the best-performing Lexus vehicle, an RC F GT3, came in 11th place for its class and 48th place overall.¹

The Acura vs. Lexus debate centers on luxury, too. Let's consider two midsize sedans from both brands: the Acura TLX and Lexus ES.

Starting off, the TLX offers available contrast-stitched and piped perforated Milano premium leather upholstery on heated and ventilated 16-way power front seats. Power lumbar, thigh extensions, and side bolsters are also available. Meanwhile, the midsize Lexus ES sedan reaches its most luxurious state with comparable semi-aniline leather upholstery; it only has 14-way power adjustability and lacks stitching, piping, and power side bolsters. Also, the sportiest Lexus ES, the F SPORT HANDLING, reduces front-seat adjustability (10-way) and has synthetic upholstery, while the sportiest TLX, the Type S, offers the aforementioned 16-way power seats.

So, if sportiness that's been proven at the highest level mixed with exceptional luxury is your style, the Acura brand will be your natural winner in the Lexus vs. Acura comparison.

Acura vs. Lexus Model Lineup

The Acura vs. Lexus model lineup both includes sedans and SUVs. While the Lexus lineup has more models, navigating it can be rather confusing (like the 14 SUV models, each with around six to eight trim levels). The Acura lineup doesn't require a spreadsheet to understand, providing five models to choose from, including SUVs and sedans, each with around three to six trim levels.

Regardless, each brand has a compact sedan (Acura Integra and Lexus IS), a midsize sedan (Acura TLX and Lexus ES), a compact SUV (Acura RDX and Lexus NX), a midsize SUV (Acura MDX and Lexus RX), and an all-electric SUV (Acura ZDX and Lexus RZ). Both brands have also had supercars in the past (Acura NSX and Lexus LFA).

With the differences we mentioned in the previous section coming into play, we think the choice is obvious. Whether it's a new Acura TLX or MDX, we'd be happy to help you experience the brand's spirit of Precision Crafted Performance.

Acura vs. Lexus Specs & Value

While there are too many models to do a thorough Acura vs. Lexus specs comparison on this page, we can compare turbocharged compact sedans, the new Acura Integra and Lexus IS 300, to give you a taste. For starters, the Integra has a near-five-figure-lower starting price yet offers equivalent standard features like an eight-way power driver's seat with synthetic leather upholstery.

Despite costing less and making 200 horsepower (the IS 300 sedan delivers 241 horsepower), the Acura Integra goes from 0 to 60 mph in a Car and Driver verified 7.0 seconds,² while the IS 300 has a manufacturer-stated 0-60 mph time of 6.9 seconds. The Integra delivers an EPA-estimated 30/37/33 MPG (City/Highway/Combined),³ annihilating the IS 300 sedan's maximum EPA-estimated rating of 21/31/25 MPG (City/Highway/Combined).⁴

Integra sedans can also have a manual transmission; no Lexus model offered today includes a manual transmission. With models like the new Acura RDX providing much more standard power than the Lexus NX, and the same story in larger Lexus vs. Acura SUVs, an Acura vehicle is the top choice for fun and fully luxurious driving.

Acura vs. Lexus Reliability & Safety Ratings

For reliability, let's see how the experts rank the Acura vs. Lexus brand. We're sure that you'll be confident in your new Acura MDX thanks to the Acura company's commitment to reliability:

Acura RepairPal Brand Ranking: Second place out of 32 brands⁵
Lexus RepairPal Brand Ranking: Seventh place out of 32 brands⁶

As for Acura vs. Lexus safety, the Acura brand currently has two 2024 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award recipients in its lineup (the Integra and RDX),⁷ while the Lexus brand has none.⁸

Learn More About the Acura Lineup Today

Whether it's the ability to enjoy motorsports pedigree and top-class luxury or superb efficiency and safety, an Acura vehicle satisfies across the board. Of course, merely hearing about them is one thing, and taking the wheel is another. Come by Phil Smith Acura today and explore the full benefits of a new Acura vehicle in person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Acura brand better than the Lexus brand?

Acura automakers can be better than the Lexus brand when it comes to blending sportiness with comfort and offering value, safety, and reliability in the luxury car world. For example, the Acura brand has a five-spot-higher RepairPal reliability ranking,^5,6 more 2024 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ awarded vehicles,^7,8 and more involvement in motorsports, which trickles down into the engineering of all Acura vehicles.

Which has safer vehicles: the Acura or Lexus brand?

While Acura vs. Lexus safety sees great engineering on both sides, the Acura brand ranks higher when comparing their 2024 IIHS safety ratings. Specifically, while the 2024 Acura vehicle lineup includes two different 2024 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award winners,⁷ the 2024 Lexus model lineup does not have any 2024 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ awarded vehicles to note.⁸

Which is more reliable: Lexus or Acura automakers?

Both the Acura and Lexus brands were created to reshape the luxury car market with a focus on reliability, catching the established European brands off guard with their long-lasting and easy-to-own vehicles. Among 32 car brands, Acura automakers are ranked in second place for reliability by RepairPal,⁵ while the Lexus brand is ranked in seventh place by them.⁶