2021 Volvo XC40 vs 2022 Acura RDX

The 2021 Volvo XC40 possessed a more traditional SUV styling compared to most other small luxury crossovers, displaying a tall, flat roof and an upright rear hatch. True to Volvo's design language, the XC40 featured familial cues like the “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille. For a slightly retro look, gasoline models even offered a contrasting white roof. Distinct in its category, the XC40 Recharge differentiated itself with a blanked-off grille, specific “Recharge” badging, and uniquely designed alloy wheels. It came standard with 19-inch wheels while 20-inch wheels were optional. The Recharge also showcased a glossy black roof and mirror caps and a unique rear bumper to account for the lack of exhaust tips. It even introduced a model-exclusive color—Sage Green Metallic. The charging port was cleverly placed where the fuel filler would normally be, adding to its seamless aesthetic. Underpinned by Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), which also supported the Polestar 2, the XC40's platform was engineered to accommodate both gasoline and electric powertrains comfortably. The interior was minimalist yet premium, boasting high-quality materials, real metal trim on the dashboard, and a luxurious combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery. The design coherence in elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen and air vents provided a seamless and elegant interior experience. Volvo avoided the common trend of compromise in interior design, ensuring a truly luxurious feel. By comparison, the 2022 Acura RDX required a closer inspection to notice its styling changes. Inspired by the larger MDX model, the RDX incorporated subtle modifications to its grille surround and front and rear bumper styling and featured updated wheel designs and paint colors. The limited-production RDX PMC Edition stood out with its exclusive Long Beach Blue Pearl paint and Orchid white interior. The PMC Edition, named after Acura’s Performance Manufacturing Center, illustrated a blend of artisan craftsmanship, adding a bespoke touch to the RDX lineup, which included base model and packages named Technology, A-Spec, Advance, and A-Spec Advance. The price range varied from $42,300 to $53,300, not including the destination charge. Our test vehicle with the A-Spec Advance package impressed with additional features like the extra-cost Apex Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid interior, totaling $53,645 with the destination fee. The RDX A-Spec Advance radiated a flair for style, combining high-quality materials, solid build quality, and a quieter interior, aligning with its substantial MSRP. Although we didn't fully appreciate the new vertical air inlets bracketing the front fascia, the RDX maintained a distinct stylish edge over many rivals.

For the 2021 Volvo XC40, Volvo offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, positioning the electric Recharge at the pinnacle. The two gasoline options both incorporated a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base FWD T4 generated 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the AWD T5 produced 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. Sharing its powertrain with the Polestar 2, the Recharge boasted dual electric motors, one on each axle, providing AWD capabilities and a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft. A 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack ensured a substantial electric range, with 75 kWh usable. Volvo quoted a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.7 seconds for the Recharge, 6.1 seconds for the T5, and 8.1 seconds for the T4. All versions were electronically limited to a top speed of 112 mph. While the Recharge model was 0.1 seconds quicker in the 0 to 60 mph sprint compared to vehicles like the Tesla Model Y Long Range and Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium, it trailed behind the Model Y Performance and Mach-E GT Performance Edition by 1.2 seconds, and the mechanically similar Polestar 2 by 0.3 seconds. Yet, the Recharge emphasized a traditional luxury character focusing on quiet and comfort over sheer speed, offering excellent ride quality even with optional 20-inch wheels on rough roads. Additionally, the Recharge could perform one-pedal driving using regenerative braking, enhancing the efficiency and ease of driving, with a towing capacity of up to 2,000 pounds. The 2022 Acura RDX stood firm with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 272 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque between 1,600 rpm and 4,500 rpm. The engine’s swift response contributed to the RDX's enjoyable driving character. However, heavy-footed driving hampered fuel economy, yielding an average of 20.6 mpg compared to its EPA rating of 23 mpg during testing. Equipped with a standard 10-speed automatic transmission and paddle shifters, the drivetrain exhibited seamless performance, though sound-deadening measures detracted from the visceral enjoyment of using the paddles. The RDX’s FWD was standard on the base, Technology, and A-Spec packages, while the Advance and A-Spec Advance trims benefited from Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. This torque-vectoring system could distribute up to 70 percent of power to a single rear wheel, enhancing cornering dynamics. For 2022, Acura revised the Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) to offer more distinct driving modes, and re-tuned the adaptive-damping suspension for both Comfort and Sport modes, providing a smoother ride and more responsiveness, respectively. Enhanced Active Sound Control and additional sound insulation measures marked a significant improvement in cabin quietness compared to the previous model, emphasizing a refined driving experience. While the RDX's driving dynamics were commendable with comfortable seats and a torquey engine, it lacked the genuine thrill of German competitors like Audi SQ5, BMW X3 M40i, and Mercedes-AMG GLC 43, falling short of earning the Type S performance badge.

The 2021 Volvo XC40, alongside its Recharge variant, claimed no difference in passenger or cargo space. However, the XC40 Recharge did not offer generous space, falling short in legroom for the front and rear seats compared to the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. It also lagged in headroom compared to the Tesla and featured a substantially smaller cargo area. The Recharge’s frunk was minimal, taken up mostly by powertrain components under the hood. In the gasoline versions, the XC40 held its ground against rivals like the Audi Q3 and BMW X1 in terms of interior space, but it still highlighted the segment's lower bar for utility. Clever storage solutions somewhat offset the lack of overall space. These included a removable trash bin in the center console, a glovebox door-integrated bag hook, and extra-large door bins thanks to the repositioning of Harman Kardon system’s speakers onto the dashboard. Additionally, storage cubbies ahead of the shifter and phone-shaped compartments, along with an optional wireless charging pad added practicality. However, second-row occupants missed out on phone-charging options. The 2022 Acura RDX, despite being a compact SUV, provided ample room for four adults and their luggage. The standard panoramic sunroof added to a sense of spaciousness. The RDX's interior design emphasized a sporty driving position and a dramatically positioned oversized IDS driving mode knob at the center of the dashboard. However, the control layout required a learning curve with its transmission buttons and the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system control pad. Additionally, the A-Spec, A-Spec Advance, and PMC Editions' metallic gauge faces with red markings proved difficult to read in low light. Despite these quirks, the RDX was enjoyable to operate with standard 12-way power-adjustable heated front seats, optional ventilation, a new-for-2022 thick-rimmed flat-bottom steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, and Iconic Drive ambient lighting available from the Technology package onwards. However, the back seat wasn’t as accommodating for adults, offering flat cushions and a lack of support, though it was fine for children and folded flat for cargo purposes. Heated rear seats were available on some trims. The RDX featured a standard power liftgate with hands-free operation option, opening to a spacious 29.5 cubic feet of cargo space, with additional hidden storage compartments beneath the load floor. Folding the back seat expanded the cargo area to a generous 58.9 cubic feet.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge introduced the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, first seen on the Polestar 2, while the gasoline models retained Volvo's older system. Notable for its integration of Google apps, the system provided Google Assistant and Google Maps, offering Android users seamless synchronization with their personal accounts. It also included conventional Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity, but the default interface mirrored Google's familiar display, which might not appeal to everyone. The XC40 Recharge offered a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge also premiered over-the-air (OTA) update capabilities, allowing for software updates remotely, a feature popularized by Tesla. This included updates for any vehicle function controlled by software. Additionally, Recharge models eliminated the traditional start button, offering a more intuitive system where drivers could simply get in and shift out of park. Conversely, the 2022 Acura RDX’s True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system paired a 10.2-inch display with a sectioned touchpad controller on the center console. The touchpad’s sections corresponded directly to areas on the screen, requiring users to match their touch on the pad with the cursor on the display. This system proved more complex than a conventional touchscreen, necessitating user acclimation. Despite the TTI’s complexity, other technology enhancements for the RDX included Amazon Alexa Built-in for natural voice recognition, new wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and a wireless charging pad. Standard features spanned satellite radio, AcuraLink connected services with Wi-Fi hotspot access, and, from the Technology package upwards, a navigation system. Three premium sound systems crowned the RDX’s impressive tech suite. The base model featured a nine-speaker setup, the Technology package upgrade offered a 12-speaker ELS Studio system, and higher trims boasted a 16-speaker ELS Studio 3D surround-sound system. Packages like Advance and A-Spec Advance even included a 10.5-inch head-up display.

The gasoline 2021 Volvo XC40 excelled in safety, attaining the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). While the electric XC40 Recharge hadn’t been specifically rated, Volvo anticipated strong crash-test performance due to its robust safety cage around the battery and redesigned front crash structure. Volvo equipped the XC40 with an extensive array of standard safety features such as lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, rear parking sensors, hill-start assist, and hill-descent control. Optional features included advanced technologies like traffic-sign recognition, reverse automatic emergency braking, driver-alertness monitor, run-off road mitigation, oncoming lane mitigation, and the Pilot Assist driver-assistance system combining adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering. The Recharge model showcased Volvo’s latest sensor suite with a scalable design, promising future advancements in driver aids and enhanced performance through cloud data integration. The 2022 Acura RDX similarly prioritized safety, implementing structural upgrades aimed at improving side-impact safety, aspiring to retain its IIHS Top Safety Pick+ status. Furthermore, the RDX introduced a rear seatbelt reminder system alongside its standard AcuraWatch suite of driver assistance features, now bolstered with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring with lane-change assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added front and rear parking sensors with low-speed automatic braking. AcuraWatch’s adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems, while improved, were not as seamless as some competitors, occasionally issuing false warnings or unnecessary steering corrections. Nevertheless, the RDX secured a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA, with four-star ratings in frontal-impact and rollover resistance, and five stars in side-impact ratings.