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Acura RDX vs Volvo XC90

2026 Acura RDX vs 2026 Volvo XC90 — two rivals compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Acura RDX

2026 Acura RDX

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WD
VS3 – 4Volvo XC90 wins 4 of 7 categories
Volvo XC90

2026 Volvo XC90

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Volvo XC90 is more fuel-efficient: 27 vs 23 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $500 a year less in fuel for the Volvo XC90 (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Volvo XC90 is the bigger car, about 8 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Acura RDX has had fewer recall campaigns (15 vs 28).

The two cars

The 2026 Acura RDX is a small SUV offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and all-wheel drive. It measures about 188 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,090 lb (A-Spec 4dr SUV).

The 2026 Volvo XC90 is a standard SUV offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive. It measures about 196 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 117-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,449 lb (4dr SUV).

Buying used? The 2023 RDX and the 2018 XC90 have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2019 RDX and the 2016 XC90.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Premium Gasoline
Fuel
Plug-in Hybrid, Hybrid
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

23 MPG
Best combined MPG
27 MPG
21 city
City / highway MPG (best)
26 city
$3,550
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$3,050

Performance & space

272 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
455 hp
–
Seats (most)
7
187.8 in
Length
195.7 in
74.8 in
Width
79.1 in
65.7 in
Height
70.1 in
4,035 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,449 lb

Safety & reliability

12
Driver-assist features standard
13
0
Recalls (2026)
1
15
Recalls, all years since 2005
28
1
Owner complaints (latest year)
8

Interest

6,945
Wikipedia views, 30 days
17,920

Buying used

2023
Best used year
2018
2019
Year to avoid
2016

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Acura RDX if…

  • You want something easier to park (8 in shorter)
  • You put reliability history first (15 vs 28 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Volvo XC90 if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (27 vs 23 MPG)
  • You want more power (up to 455 vs 272 hp)
  • You want more room (8 in longer)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option

Pros & cons of each

2026 Acura RDX

  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
  • Modest powerUp to 272 hp, versus about 349 hp for similar 2026 models.

2026 Volvo XC90

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 27 MPG combined — 35% better than the average 2026 standard SUV (20 MPG).
  • Strong performanceUp to 455 hp, versus about 335 hp for similar 2026 models.
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
  • Seats up to 73 rows of seating.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Full 2026 Acura RDX specs →Full 2026 Volvo XC90 specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →