I just got my 2002 MDX. We turned to the MDX because although we love our 2000 RX300, our growing family required the extra two seats to be legal when we carpool our friends children.
My comparison observations after two weeks with the MDX follow:
MDX - What I like over the RX300
1) Bigger, with more luggage space with third row seats down.
2) Third rows seats
3) The NAV system - was not available on the RX300 until the 2001 model year.
4) The rear seat a/c controls
5) The memory side mirrors
6) The center console well power outlet
RX300 - What Lexus features I miss
1) Daylight driving lights
2) Arm rests- The front center console is to low and far away to be effective. With the console top open it is no help as a arm rest.
3) A straight gear shift pattern. The zipzag of the MDX does'nt do anything for me and my wife hates it.
4) The auto headlight feature that has the headlights come on when needed as opposed to on or off on the MDX.
5) The RX300 has a power oulet on the back side of the center console to service the backseat passengers. My portable VCR/TV set up works great in the Lexus, in the MDX I need to bring it up to the front and feed the power cord through the top of the center console to get it to the power outlet in the lower well. Yea, I guess I want them in both places or a hole in the back of the console that I could fish my power cord thru to the well location.
6) The rear mud flaps as standard equipment. What is Acura thinking, making this an option and not standard?
7) Not as tall, the roof is more accessible.
8) The antenna recoils into the rear quarter panel. The MDX's fixed unit on the roof causes all kinds of problems. Besides the meer 1/2 inch clearance the antenna allows me in my garage, I am truly fearful of taking the MDX to a car wash. I don't know if the antenna can take the car wash punishment or if the car wash's machinery will tear it off.
9) The Lexus stereo system.
10) Lexus service- my local Lexus dealer's service is open til midnight every night M-F and no appointments are necessary. This gives them a serious advantage in my eyes.
Ride, power, comfort and noise levels all seem comparable.
My comparison observations after two weeks with the MDX follow:
MDX - What I like over the RX300
1) Bigger, with more luggage space with third row seats down.
2) Third rows seats
3) The NAV system - was not available on the RX300 until the 2001 model year.
4) The rear seat a/c controls
5) The memory side mirrors
6) The center console well power outlet
RX300 - What Lexus features I miss
1) Daylight driving lights
2) Arm rests- The front center console is to low and far away to be effective. With the console top open it is no help as a arm rest.
3) A straight gear shift pattern. The zipzag of the MDX does'nt do anything for me and my wife hates it.
4) The auto headlight feature that has the headlights come on when needed as opposed to on or off on the MDX.
5) The RX300 has a power oulet on the back side of the center console to service the backseat passengers. My portable VCR/TV set up works great in the Lexus, in the MDX I need to bring it up to the front and feed the power cord through the top of the center console to get it to the power outlet in the lower well. Yea, I guess I want them in both places or a hole in the back of the console that I could fish my power cord thru to the well location.
6) The rear mud flaps as standard equipment. What is Acura thinking, making this an option and not standard?
7) Not as tall, the roof is more accessible.
8) The antenna recoils into the rear quarter panel. The MDX's fixed unit on the roof causes all kinds of problems. Besides the meer 1/2 inch clearance the antenna allows me in my garage, I am truly fearful of taking the MDX to a car wash. I don't know if the antenna can take the car wash punishment or if the car wash's machinery will tear it off.
9) The Lexus stereo system.
10) Lexus service- my local Lexus dealer's service is open til midnight every night M-F and no appointments are necessary. This gives them a serious advantage in my eyes.
Ride, power, comfort and noise levels all seem comparable.