Compare the2025 Volvo XC60VS 2024 Acura ZDX

The XC60’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The ZDX doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Volvo XC60 offers optional built in child booster seats. They’re more crash worthy than an added child seat because of their direct attachment to the seat. Acura doesn’t offer the convenience and security of a built-in child booster seat in the ZDX. Their owners must carry a heavy booster seat in and out of the vehicle; XC60 owners can just fold their built-in child seat up or down.

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the XC60 deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The XC60’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The ZDX’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

The XC60 has standard Post-impact braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The ZDX doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the XC60. But it costs extra on the ZDX.

The XC60’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The ZDX doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the XC60 and the ZDX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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 XC60’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the ZDX’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the XC60 for 2 years and 18000 miles longer than Acura pays for maintenance for the ZDX (3/30,000 vs. 1/12000).

As tested in Car and Driver the XC60 T8 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the ZDX Type S electric motors:

The XC60 T8 Extended Range’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 561 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The ZDX’s range is only 278 to 313 miles, after which the minimum time to recharge is 42 minutes for only an 80% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge using a conventional 110-volt outlet can take up to 29 hours and 24 minutes.

The XC60 has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The ZDX doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and a locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

For better stopping power the XC60’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the ZDX:

The XC60 stops shorter than the ZDX:

The XC60’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the ZDX Type S’ 40 series tires.

The XC60 B6 has a standard space-saver spare (not available on T8) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the ZDX; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The XC60 Ultimate has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The XC60’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The ZDX doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The XC60 handles at .88 G’s, while the ZDX Type S pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the XC60’s turning circle is 2.2 feet tighter than the ZDX’s (37.4 feet vs. 39.6 feet).

For greater off-road capability the XC60 has a 1.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the ZDX (8.5 vs. 7 inches), allowing the XC60 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Volvo XC60 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1250 to 1300 pounds less than the Acura ZDX.

The XC60 is 1 foot shorter than the ZDX, making the XC60 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The XC60 has .2 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom and 1 inch more rear headroom than the ZDX.

The XC60 has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the ZDX with its rear seat folded (63.3 vs. 63 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the XC60. The ZDX doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the XC60 to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Acura doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the ZDX.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the XC60 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The ZDX doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The XC60 offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The ZDX doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the XC60 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The ZDX doesn’t offer cornering lights. The XC60 also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The XC60’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The ZDX has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The XC60 Ultra offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the ZDX.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the XC60 as the 2018 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The ZDX has never been chosen.