Compare the2022 Acura RDXVS 2021 Volvo V60

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 V60 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the RDX and the V60 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, 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 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Acura RDX is safer than the Volvo V60:

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

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 V60:

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

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the RDX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the V60. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the V60 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 V60 T5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Acura RDX is faster than the V60 T5 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

Both the RDX and the V60 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 V60.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Acura RDX uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The V60 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The RDX has 1.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the V60 (17.1 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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 V60.

The RDX stops much shorter than the V60:

For better traction, the RDX A-Spec’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the V60 (255/40R20 vs. 235/45R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RDX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the V60. The RDX A-Spec’s 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the V60.

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 V60 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 V60, 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.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the RDX is 1.2 inches wider in the front and 1.7 inches wider in the rear than on the V60.

For greater off-road capability the RDX has a 2.8 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the V60 (8.2 vs. 5.4 inches), allowing the RDX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The RDX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The V60 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The RDX has 10 cubic feet more passenger volume than the V60 (104 vs. 94).

The RDX has 1.2 inches more front headroom, 3.6 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, 3.2 inches more rear legroom and 2.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the V60.

The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the V60 with its rear seat up (31.1 vs. 23.2 cubic feet). The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the V60 with its rear seat folded (79.8 vs. 50.9 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the RDX’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The V60 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 V60 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 V60 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Acura RDX offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The V60 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Insurance will cost less for the RDX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the RDX will cost $580 to $9130 less than the V60 over a five-year period.

The RDX will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the RDX will retain 49.86% to 51.01% of its original price after five years, while the V60 only retains 42.19% to 43.68%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the RDX is less expensive to operate than the V60 because it costs $209 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the RDX than the V60, including $76 less for a water pump, $31 less for a muffler, $143 less for fuel injection, $321 less for a fuel pump and $269 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 $6113 to $21015 less than for the Volvo V60.

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

The Acura RDX outsold the Volvo 60 Series by almost four to one during the 2021 model year.