Compared: 2023 Acura RDX vs. 2023 Volvo XC60

These two luxury crossovers carve their own niches in the segment.

Mark Hacking | 

Aug 21, 2024 | 2 min read

Acura | Volvo

The 2023 Acura RDX and 2023 Volvo XC60 approach the premium compact SUV market differently. The Acura has the edge in pricing, but the Volvo provides far more choice in powertrains.

Buyers can have either crossover with front- or all-wheel drive — which Acura calls SH-AWD — but those who want a fuel-efficient machine might be better served by the Volvo.

Acura

The RDX Is Priced Lower

All versions of the RDX feature a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 272 horsepower. The least expensive model has a base price of $43,000, and optioning AWD adds $2,200.

The Volvo XC60 lineup is more varied. There are three different powertrains — B5, B6, and T8 — all of which use the same turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder as the starting point. The B5 setup pairs that engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system to make 247 horses.

Volvo

The B6 ups the power rating to 295 horsepower with the help of a supercharger. Then there's the T8 plug-in hybrid powertrain, which boasts two electric motors to produce 455 horsepower. XC60s come standard with AWD apart from the base B5, where it's optional.

The front-drive B5 starts at about $45,000. At the top end, the Polestar Engineered version of the T8 begins around $75,000.

Acura

The XC60 and RDX Are Feature Packed

Both models come well equipped with desirable features such as lane-keeping assistance, dual-zone automatic climate control, and leatherette upholstery. The RDX's cabin features a 10.2-inch central display with a touchpad controller, whereas the XC60's dash holds a 9.0-inch touchscreen. As for the instrument cluster, the Volvo has the Acura beat with a 12.0-inch digital display. The RDX makes do with a 7.0-inch screen between the gauges.

Buyers of any RDX will enjoy heated front seats and adaptive cruise control — two features where Volvo charges extra.

Volvo

The RDX Is Behind in Fuel Economy

The front-drive RDX returns an EPA-estimated 22/28/24 mpg city/highway/combined, while the SH-AWD model sees 21/27/23 mpg. These figures are low for the class.

There's a wide range of fuel-economy figures attached to the XC60 — understandable given the different powertrains available. Due to its ability to run on electricity for up to 35 miles, the XC60 Recharge has the best rating of these two: 63 MPGe combined. With a depleted battery, it sees 28 mpg combined.

The crossover SUV records 23/30/26 mpg when equipped with the B5 engine and front-wheel drive. AWD lowers those estimates to 23/29/25 mpg. The B6 model is estimated at 21/27/23 mpg.

All vehicle pricing includes MSRP plus destination charges (set at the time of publication), and will be rounded to the nearest thousand.

Mark Hacking

Mark Hacking is an award-winning writer with more than 20 years experience covering the automotive scene for some of the world's most popular publications. Mark holds an FIA International Race license and has his sights set on competing in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in the future. He was the first automotive journalist to race in the Ferrari Challenge series (in 2013) and the Jaguar I-PACE eTrophy series (in 2019).