Compare the2023 Acura RDXVS 2023 Cadillac XT4

The RDX’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the XT4.

Both the RDX and the XT4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger 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, 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 Cadillac XT4:

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 Cadillac XT4:

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

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the RDX its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 29 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The XT4 has not been fully tested, yet.

Acura pays for scheduled maintenance on the RDX for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Acura will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Cadillac only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the XT4.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the RDX’s reliability 32 points higher than the XT4.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura 9 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

The RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 37 more horsepower (272 vs. 235) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 258) than the XT4’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Acura RDX is faster than the Cadillac XT4:

The RDX has 1.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the XT4 FWD’s standard fuel tank (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 a nine-speed automatic is available for the XT4.

The RDX stops much shorter than the XT4:

For better traction, the RDX A-Spec’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XT4 (255/45R20 vs. 245/45R20).

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 XT4’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 XT4.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the RDX is 1 inch wider in the front and 1.6 inches wider in the rear than on the XT4.

The RDX AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the XT4 Sport AWD (27.2 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the RDX has a 1.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the XT4 (8.2 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the RDX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The RDX has 2.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XT4 (104 vs. 101.3).

The RDX has .2 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front hip room, 2.7 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear hip room and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the XT4.

The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XT4 with its rear seat up (31.1 vs. 22.5 cubic feet). The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XT4 with its rear seat folded (79.8 vs. 48.9 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the RDX’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The XT4 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The RDX’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The XT4’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the RDX the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the XT4 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The RDX has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The XT4 doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

Insurance will cost less for the RDX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the RDX will cost $240 to $1120 less than the XT4 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 47.35% to 49.21% of its original price after five years, while the XT4 only retains 45.4% to 45.5%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the RDX is less expensive to operate than the XT4 because it costs $346 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the RDX than the XT4, including $106 less for a water pump, $438 less for a muffler, $171 less for fuel injection and $732 less for a timing belt/chain.

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

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its February 2019 issue and the Acura RDX AWD won out over the Cadillac XT4 Sport AWD.

The Acura RDX outsold the Cadillac XT4 by 14% during 2022.