Compare the2024 Acura RDXVS 2024 Cadillac XT4

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the RDX. But it 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, 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 and available 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.

The Acura RDX achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The XT4 has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

Acura pays for scheduled maintenance on the RDX for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Acura will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, 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 38 points higher than the XT4.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura fourth in overall reliability. Cadillac is ranked 16th.

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.

The RDX has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the XT4. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

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 A-Spec handles at .82 G’s, while the XT4 Sport AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The RDX 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.

Insurance will cost less for the RDX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the RDX will cost $345 to $1160 less than the XT4 over a five-year period.

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 won out over the Cadillac XT4 Sport AWD.

The Acura RDX outsold the Cadillac XT4 by 73% during 2023.