Compare the2026 Acura RDXVS 2026 Volvo XC40

The Acura RDX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The XC40 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the RDX. But it costs extra on the XC40.

The Acura RDX comes with a standard Surround-View Camera System and it also offers an optional rear camera washer to make backing always safe, regardless of road dirt or grime, while the Volvo XC40 doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

Both the RDX and the XC40 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver 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 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 Volvo XC40:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Acura RDX is safer than the XC40:

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the RDX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the XC40. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the XC40 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 29 points higher than the XC40.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the RDX first among compact premium suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The XC40 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Acura vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. With 60 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Acura higher than Volvo.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura 10 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

The RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 78 more horsepower (272 vs. 194) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 221) than the XC40 B4’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 25 more horsepower (272 vs. 247) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 258) than the XC40 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Acura RDX uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The XC40 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The RDX has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC40 (17.1 vs. 14.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Acura RDX higher (5 out of 10) than the Volvo XC40 (4). This means the RDX produces up to 5.2 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the XC40 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 XC40.

The RDX stops shorter than the XC40:

For better traction, the RDX A-Spec’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XC40 (255/45R20 vs. 245/45R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RDX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the XC40.

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 XC40 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The RDX offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The XC40’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the RDX’s wheelbase is 1.9 inches longer than on the XC40 (108.3 inches vs. 106.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the RDX is 1.2 inches wider in the front and .7 inches wider in the rear than on the XC40.

The RDX A-Spec handles at .82 G’s, while the XC40 B5 Plus AWD pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The RDX A-Spec executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the XC40 B5 Plus AWD (27 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the RDX has a greater minimum ground clearance than the XC40 (8.2 vs. 8.1 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 XC40 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The RDX has 6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XC40 (104 vs. 98).

The RDX has .6 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front legroom, .3 inches more front hip room, 3 inches more front shoulder room, 2.3 inches more rear legroom and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the XC40.

The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XC40 with its rear seat up (31.1 vs. 20.4 cubic feet). The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XC40 with its rear seat folded (79.8 vs. 57.5 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the RDX’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The XC40 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Volvo. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 25% lower rating, Volvo is ranked 23rd.

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 XC40 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The RDX Advance has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The XC40 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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 XC40 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

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 XC40 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Acura RDX has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Volvo charges extra for Homelink® on the XC40.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Acura RDX retains 52.21% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 51.74% resale value of the 2025 Volvo XC40 after five years, which can save the Acura’s owner.

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

The Acura RDX outsold the Volvo EX40/XC40 by 64% during 2024.