Subcompact luxury SUVs serve as entry points to a given brand, making a true luxury car experience accessible to a wide range of buyers. Their relatively modest price tags, good fuel economy, and SUV utility enable them to be both practical and premium, making for a compelling package. Two competitors on the more affordable end of this class are the all-new Acura ADX and the more established Lexus UX.
Let’s take a closer look at these small luxury SUVs and see which is right for you.
2025 Acura ADX
The Acura ADX is the newest model for Honda’s luxury brand. It serves as the marque’s smallest SUV with the lowest starting price. One could think of it as an SUV version of the Acura Integra, a hatchback with which we’re quite taken. The Acura ADX is poised to bring affordable luxury to the masses.
Acura ADX Highlights
Bigger interior: The Lexus UX is kind of like a hatchback on stilts, while the Acura ADX feels more like an SUV. This is primarily because the Acura is much roomier, with an extra 4.6 inches of rear legroom and a substantial 42% more cargo room behind the back seats compared to the Lexus.
Turbo engine: The horsepower ratings of these two SUVs are almost identical, but a perky turbo engine gives the Acura ADX notably more torque than the Lexus UX. If an engaging drive is an important part of the luxury car experience for you, this is something worth considering.
Value leader: There’s not a huge price gap between the ADX and the UX, but the Acura ADX earns the distinction of the lowest starting price in the subcompact luxury SUV class. In an automotive market where affordability is on everyone’s mind, this is a real luxury SUV that starts well under $40,000.
Read our Acura ADX Expert Review or see Acura ADX models for sale near you.
2025 Lexus UX
The Lexus UX has been the luxury brand’s most affordable SUV offering for some time now. Although it may be showing its age compared to the brand-new Acura ADX, the UX remains one of the most practical and frugal luxury SUVs available. With hybrid efficiency and class-leading resale value, this is a luxury vehicle that’s also a prudent financial decision.
Lexus UX Highlights
43 mpg: The Lexus earns up to 43 mpg combined in front-wheel-drive form, and gives up only one mpg if you opt for all-wheel drive. Not only is this much more efficient than the ADX, which tops out at 28 combined mpg, but the UX uses regular-grade gas while the ADX requires premium. This adds up to a significant difference in fuel costs.
12.3-inch touchcreen: While the standard 8-inch touchscreen is an inch smaller than what comes on the Acura, the Lexus UX can be had with a larger one, measuring 12.3 inches. It’s optional on the Premium trim or standard on the F Sport Handling variant.
Better resale value: The Lexus brand is the consistent winner of our Best Resale Value Award for a luxury brand, so it doesn’t surprise us that the Lexus UX has the best resale value in its class. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.
Read our Lexus UX Expert Review or see Lexus UX models for sale near you.
Similarities
The Acura ADX and Lexus UX go head-to-head as close rivals in the subcompact luxury SUV class. Their pricing and performance are similar, as are their offerings of standard and optional features.
Pricing
New 2025 Acura ADX Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
TBD |
TBD |
|||
$39,350 |
$38,211 |
|||
$43,350 |
$42,172 |
New 2025 Lexus UX Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$37,690 |
$36,002 |
|||
$40,890 |
$38,729 |
|||
$41,640 |
$39,671 |
|||
$46,155 |
$43,273 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Acura ADX vehicles and New 2025 Lexus UX vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 Acura ADX | 2025 Lexus UX | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
| Range | N/A | N/A |
| Towing Capacity | N/A | N/A |
| Payload Capacity | N/A | N/A |
| Curb Weight | 3,369 pounds | 3,455 pounds |
| Minimum Ground Clearance | 7.3 inches | N/A |
| Horsepower | 190 hp @ 6,000 rpm | 196 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 179 lb-ft @ 1,700 rpm | N/A |
| Transmission | Automatic, CVT | Automatic, ECVT |
| Fuel Economy | N/A | 45 city/41 highway/43 combined mpg |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 6 years/70,000 miles | 6 years/70,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | Not rated | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 104.5 inches | 103.9 inches |
| Overall Length | 185.8 inches | 177.0 inches |
| Width With Mirrors | N/A | 72.4 inches |
| Width Without Mirrors | 72.5 inches | N/A |
| Height | 63.8 inches | 60.6 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 37.0 feet | N/A |
| Headroom, Front | 38.4 inches | 37.3 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 38.0 inches | 36.3 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.9 inches | 42.0 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 37.7 inches | 33.1 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 56.6 inches | 55.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 55.2 inches | 52.9 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 55.1 cubic feet | 17.2 cubic feet |
| Bed Length | N/A | N/A |
Specification table reflects the typical configuration of vehicles shown.
Conclusion
For drivers looking to use a small luxury SUV as a family vehicle, the Acura ADX is the way to go because of its much roomier interior. However, for drivers who won’t have passengers or bulky cargo very often, the much more efficient Lexus UX is the value play. The right premium SUV for you depends on your priorities, but neither of these disappoints when it comes to value.
