Compare the2024 Acura RDXVS 2023 BMW X2

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 X2 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests front crash prevention systems. With a score of 6 points, IIHS rates the Collision Mitigating Braking System in the RDX as “Superior.” The X2 scores only 4 points and is rated only “Advanced.”

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the RDX. But it costs extra on the X2.

The RDX Advance has a standard Surround-View Camera System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The X2 only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The RDX’s blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. The X2 doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the RDX’s standard Rear Cross Traffic Monitor uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The X2 doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

Compared to metal, the RDX’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The BMW X2 has a metal gas tank.

Both the RDX and the X2 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, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems and rearview cameras.

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 X2 has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the RDX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X2. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the X2 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 X2.

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.

The RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 44 more horsepower (272 vs. 228) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 258) than the X2’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Acura RDX is faster than the BMW X2 2.0:

The RDX has a gallon more fuel capacity than the X2 (17.1 vs. 16.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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 X2 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

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 X2.

The RDX stops shorter than the X2:

For better traction, the RDX has larger standard tires than the X2 (235/55R19 vs. 225/50R18). The RDX A-Spec’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X2 (255/45R20 vs. 225/50R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RDX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the X2.

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 X2 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the RDX’s wheelbase is 3.2 inches longer than on the X2 (108.3 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the RDX is 2.4 inches wider in the front and 3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the X2.

For greater off-road capability the RDX has a greater minimum ground clearance than the X2 (8.2 vs. 7.2 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 X2 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The RDX has 9.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the X2 (104 vs. 94.1).

The RDX has .4 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more front legroom, 4.1 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, 1.7 inches more rear legroom and 2.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the X2.

The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the X2 with its rear seat up (31.1 vs. 21.6 cubic feet). The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the X2 with its rear seat folded (79.8 vs. 50.1 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the RDX’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The X2 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the RDX Advance’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The X2 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The RDX has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The X2 has no towing capacity.

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.

The RDX offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The X2 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

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 X2 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The RDX’s standard Smart Entry allow you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Comfort Go standard on the X2 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle The RDX’s optional 4-Door Smart Entry also allows you to unlock the doors from either rear door handle. The X2’s optional Comfort Access doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the RDX has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the X2 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The RDX’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the X2’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

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 X2 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The RDX has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the X2. The RDX Advance also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the X2.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the RDX A-Spec/Advance keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The X2 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Insurance will cost less for the RDX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the RDX will cost $2285 to $2880 less than the X2 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 53.7% to 55% of its original price after five years, while the X2 only retains 51.47% to 51.73%.

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

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its January 2019 issue and they ranked the Acura RDX higher than the BMW X2 xDrive28i.

The Acura RDX outsold the BMW X2 by over 205 to one during 2023.