Lexus, which is made by Toyota, is reputed for its high quality and dependability. Lexus tends to be more demure, offering a smooth, stylish ride over punchy performance. Acura, which is made by Honda, focuses more on power and speed and is generally priced better.

Before you make your choice, it’s important to consider what you’re looking for in a car. Then, read on for a head-to-head comparison of Acura vs. Lexus in terms of price and performance.

When it comes to Acura vs. Lexus, which is better? We compare the two brands in terms of price and performance.

Acura vs. Lexus: Price

If you’re looking for affordability, you’d better go with an Acura, at least according to

Motor Biscuit

. The site argues that you can buy a comparable Acura for a far cheaper price than a Lexus—and it will have similar standard features, better performance, and more space.

Motor Biscuit compares the Acura ILX, which starts at about $25,000, to the Lexus IS sedan, which starts at about $38,000, a $13,000 price difference that is certainly enough to make car-buyers think twice.

However,

U.S. News

doesn’t agree that Acura is necessarily cheaper than Lexus. While the site concedes that Lexus’ starting prices are far higher than Acura’s, it points out that Acura’s NSX sports car starts at a staggering $157,500. This bumps the average Acura starting price up to $60,000, while Lexus’ average starting price is only around $50,000.

Whether you’re looking for an entry level car or something sportier will make a big difference in terms of price. For the former, you may want to choose an Acura, and for the latter, a Lexus.

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Acura vs. Lexus: Performance

Motor Biscuit asserts that Acura is the undisputed winner in this category, as is suggested by the brand’s “Precision Crafted Performance” slogan. Since the automaker’s launch in 1986, it has honed a reputation based on high performance and power that it continues to deliver today with its second generation NSX and soon-to-come TLX.

Acura manages to combine sportiness and luxury on these models, refusing to cut corners on stylish extras. Some Acura models, such as the MDX, offer luxurious features such as plush Milano leather, wood grain trim, and contrast stitching.

U.S. News agrees on this front: Acura has higher performance ratings than Lexus. That being said, the difference isn’t as stark as Motor Biscuit makes it out to be.

According to U.S. News’ ranking system, Lexus’ lowest performing car scored a 5.9 out of 10, while Acura’s score a 6.8—a hefty difference. When comparing the automakers’ highest performing cars, however, the difference isn’t so steep, with Lexus scoring an 8.9 and Acura scoring a 9.0.

Overall, Lexus’ brand average for performance came in at a 7.0, while Acura’s was a 7.8, situating it as a solidly better brand for performance.

Which is better: Acura or Lexus?

MORE: Lexus IS vs. ES: Which Model Is Better?

With the above ratings in mind, it seems that Acura is the overall top pick. That being said, while performance and price may be foremost in some car-buyers’ minds, others will have different priorities when choosing a car.

U.S. News added that both brands had impressive safety ratings of 9.3 out of 10, and didn’t conclude which brand was safer. The site scored Acura higher in terms of car interior and Lexus higher in terms of fuel economy. For small and midsize cars, Lexus won for best overall, while Acura took the cake for large cars.

It’s ultimately up to car-buyers to decide which of these features are most important to them and make their choices accordingly. If you prefer power and price, go for Acura. If you appreciate elegance and comfort, go for Lexus. It may be worth noting, however, that Motor Biscuit declared Acura the winner of this Acura vs. Lexus competition.

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