Compare the2022 Acura RDXVS 2022 Volvo XC60

The Acura RDX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The XC60 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the RDX and the XC60 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Acura RDX is safer than the Volvo XC60:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the RDX its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 116 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The XC60 is only a standard “Top Pick” for 2019.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the RDX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the XC60. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the XC60 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Acura vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Acura 26th in initial quality. With 10 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 29th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Acura 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 35 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 25th.

The RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 22 more horsepower (272 vs. 250) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 258) than the XC60 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Acura RDX is faster than the Volvo XC60:

Both the RDX and the XC60 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All RDXs have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. A disable switch costs extra on the XC60.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Acura RDX uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The XC60 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura RDX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the XC60.

The RDX stops much shorter than the XC60:

The RDX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the XC60’s standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RDX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the XC60.

The RDX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The XC60 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The front and rear suspension of the RDX uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the XC60, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

The RDX AWD handles at .81 G’s, while the XC60 T8 eAWD Momentum pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The RDX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The XC60 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The RDX has .5 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear legroom and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the XC60.

The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XC60 with its rear seat up (31.1 vs. 21.6 cubic feet). The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XC60 with its rear seat folded (79.8 vs. 49.8 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the RDX’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The XC60 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Volvo. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 4% lower rating, Volvo is ranked 11th.

The RDX’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The XC60 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The RDX’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The XC60’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The RDX’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the XC60’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the RDX has standard extendable sun visors. The XC60 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Insurance will cost less for the RDX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the RDX will cost $10 to $4760 less than the XC60 over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the RDX is less expensive to operate than the XC60 because typical repairs cost much less on the RDX than the XC60, including $76 less for a water pump, $68 less for a starter, $199 less for fuel injection, $336 less for a fuel pump, $6 less for front struts and $18 less for a timing belt/chain.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Acura RDX will be $2577 to $14796 less than for the Volvo XC60.

The Acura RDX has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

The Acura RDX outsold the Volvo XC60 by 37% during the 2021 model year.