2021 Volvo XC40 vs 2021 Acura RDX

The 2021 Volvo XC40 presented a traditional SUV aesthetic, characterized by its tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, aligning seamlessly with Volvo's current lineup. Notable design elements included the "Thor’s Hammer" LED headlights and a simple oval grille, with gasoline models offering a retro touch through a white contrasting roof. The XC40 Recharge differentiated itself with a blanked-off grille, subtle "Recharge" badging, and unique alloy wheels, alongside a gloss black roof and mirror caps. Its Sage Green Metallic colour and charging port location further set it apart, while maintaining a low-key electric vehicle appearance. Inside, the XC40 boasted a minimalist design with high-quality materials, featuring real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery. The interior design was cohesive, with elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen and air vents blending harmoniously, offering a premium feel uncommon in this segment.

The 2021 Acura RDX, particularly in the A-Spec trim, showcased a sporty yet understated design, avoiding excessive blacked-out trim or off-road embellishments. The A-Spec trim added subtle styling changes that enhanced its sporty appeal without overpromising on performance. Positioned in the middle of the trim hierarchy, the RDX A-Spec was priced at $50,305, with the Elite and Platinum Elite trims offering fewer styling amendments and additional features. The RDX's interior, especially in the A-Spec trim, featured sport seats with simulated suede inserts, a sport steering wheel, and red ambient lighting, creating a sporty atmosphere. However, the gauge cluster's red markings on a brushed silver background were difficult to read, except at night. Despite this, the RDX's interior materials and design provided a unique and sporty feel, distinct from typical compact crossover SUV cabins.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a diverse powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge model at the top. The gasoline options included a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T4 variant delivered 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the T5 variant offered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge model shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring dual electric motors for all-wheel drive, producing a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque. It utilized a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack, with 75 kWh of usable capacity, enabling a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in 4.9 seconds. The T5 and T4 models achieved 0 to 100 km/h in 6.4 and 8.5 seconds, respectively. All versions were electronically limited to 180 km/h. The XC40 Recharge emphasized luxury and comfort, offering excellent ride quality and one-pedal driving capability, with a towing capacity of 900 kilograms.

The 2021 Acura RDX featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine across all models, producing 272 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque from 1,600 to 4,500 rpm. A 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and the torque-vectoring SH-AWD system were standard, enhancing handling and driving enjoyment. The Integrated Dynamics System allowed drivers to choose between Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ driving modes, adjusting powertrain response, steering effort, and suspension firmness. A-Spec models rode on exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels with performance all-season tires, contributing to improved handling. However, the lack of adaptive dampers in the A-Spec trim resulted in noticeable body motion on uneven roads. Despite this, the RDX A-Spec offered a rewarding driving experience, with precise steering, fade-resistant brakes, and an engaging engine sound in Sport+ mode.

The 2021 Volvo XC40, both in gasoline and Recharge variants, offered similar passenger and cargo space, though it was not particularly spacious compared to competitors like the Tesla Model Y or Ford Mustang Mach-E. The XC40 Recharge had less legroom and headroom, and a smaller cargo area, with a limited frunk due to powertrain hardware. The gasoline XC40 was more competitive in interior space against rivals like the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. Volvo compensated for the lack of space with clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin in the centre console, a bag hook in the glovebox door, and extra-large door bins due to relocated speakers. A wireless charging pad was optional, with a single USB-C port standard, though second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2021 Acura RDX, despite being a compact SUV, offered remarkable passenger and cargo space, making it an excellent value. The front seats were comfortable, with A-Spec trim featuring Alcantara and leather seats, 12-way power adjustment, and standard heating and ventilation. However, rear-seat comfort was compromised by a low and flat cushion, resulting in a lack of leg support and an uncomfortable seating position. Storage space was limited, with a large but inaccessible tray under the centre console. The RDX's cargo volume was competitive, with 835 litres behind the rear seat and a deep storage well for organizing items. Folding the rear seats provided 1,668 litres of cargo space, though Acura quoted a maximum value of 2,260 litres based on an unconventional measurement method.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, offering Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps, with Android phone users able to sync their accounts for customization. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Bluetooth connectivity, with a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Recharge models also had OTA update capability, allowing for software updates without dealership visits. The absence of a start button in Recharge models meant drivers simply shifted out of park to start the vehicle.

The 2021 Acura RDX introduced the True Touchpad Interface infotainment system, with standard satellite radio, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi tethering. The system used a touch-sensing pad on the centre console, mirroring the screen for intuitive control. While an improvement over Lexus's approach, the TTI still required a learning curve and could be distracting. The A-Spec trim included a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, delivering excellent sound quality. Acura's approach to limiting driver distraction included separating stereo and climate controls, offering smartphone projection, and integrating voice assistant technology.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA for gasoline models. The electric XC40 Recharge was expected to perform well in crash tests due to its safety cage and redesigned front crash structure. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Recharge model featured Volvo's latest sensor suite, scalable for future driver aids.

The 2021 Acura RDX came with a suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. However, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert were only available on higher trims. The RDX earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four-star ratings for frontal-impact and rollover resistance.