Compare the2023 BMW X2VS 2023 Acura RDX

Both the X2 and the RDX 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, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, and available all wheel drive.

The X2’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the RDX’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X2 for 1 year and 12000 miles longer than Acura pays for maintenance for the RDX (3/36,000 vs. 2/24,000).

There are over 30 percent more BMW dealers than there are Acura dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the X2’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X2 third among small premium SUVs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The RDX isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 27 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Acura is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW third in overall reliability. Acura is ranked 8th.

The X2 M35i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 29 more horsepower (301 vs. 272) and 51 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 280) than the RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the BMW X2 xDrive28i is faster than the Acura RDX:

On the EPA test cycle the X2 gets better mileage than the RDX:

Regenerative brakes improve the X2’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The RDX doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The X2’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The RDX doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the X2’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the RDX:

The X2’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the RDX are solid, not vented.

The X2 stops much shorter than the RDX:

The X2’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the RDX’s standard 55 series tires. The X2 M35i’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the RDX A-Spec’s 45 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X2 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The RDX doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X2 xDrive28i handles at .91 G’s, while the RDX A-Spec AWD pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X2 sDrive28i xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.8 seconds quicker than the RDX AWD (25.9 seconds @ .68 average G’s vs. 27.7 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the X2’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the RDX’s (37.2 feet vs. 38.9 feet).

The BMW X2 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 300 pounds less than the Acura RDX.

The X2 is 1 foot, 3.2 inches shorter than the RDX, making the X2 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X2’s rear seats recline. The RDX’s rear seats don’t recline.

The X2 has a higher standard payload capacity than the RDX (941 vs. 838 lbs.).

The X2 has a higher maximum payload capacity than the RDX (970 vs. 838 lbs.).

The X2’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The RDX’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Consumer Reports rated the X2’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the RDX’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the X2 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The RDX doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The X2’s optional Parking Assistant can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The RDX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the BMW X2 will be $505 to $3855 less than for the Acura RDX.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the BMW X2 and the Acura RDX, based on reliability, safety and performance.