Compare the2024 Acura RDXVS 2023 BMW X6

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Acura RDX are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X6 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the RDX and the X6 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, 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 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 X6 has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the RDX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X6. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the X6 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

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 30 points higher than the X6.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura fourth in overall reliability. BMW is ranked 9th.

On the EPA test cycle the RDX gets better mileage than the X6:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Acura RDX uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The X6 requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The RDX has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The X6 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Acura RDX higher (6 out of 10) than the BMW X6 (3). This means the RDX produces up to 23.4 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the X6 every 15,000 miles.

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 X6.

The RDX stops shorter than the X6:

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 X6 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For better maneuverability, the RDX’s turning circle is 2.4 feet tighter than the X6’s (38.9 feet vs. 41.3 feet).

For greater off-road capability the RDX has a greater minimum ground clearance than the X6 xDrive40i (8.2 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the RDX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Acura RDX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 850 to 1050 pounds less than the BMW X6.

The RDX is 7.4 inches shorter than the X6, making the RDX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The RDX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The X6 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The RDX has .3 inches more front headroom, 1.2 inches more front legroom, .8 inches more rear headroom and 2.7 inches more rear legroom than the X6.

The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the X6 with its rear seat up (31.1 vs. 27.4 cubic feet). The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the X6 with its rear seat folded (79.8 vs. 59.6 cubic feet).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 5% lower rating, BMW is ranked 7th.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the RDX has a standard rear wiper. The X6 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

Insurance will cost less for the RDX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the RDX will cost $8010 to $9805 less than the X6 over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the RDX is less expensive to operate than the X6 because it costs $200 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the RDX than the X6, including $776 less for a water pump, $1171 less for a muffler, $113 less for a starter, $187 less for fuel injection, $265 less for a fuel pump, $225 less for front struts, $499 less for a timing belt/chain and $1101 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Acura RDX will be $29912 to $43668 less than for the BMW X6.

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

The Acura RDX outsold the BMW X6 by almost four to one during 2023.