Compare the2026 Acura RDXVS 2026 BMW X1

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Acura RDX are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X1 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

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 BMW X1 doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

Both the RDX and the X1 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, 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 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Acura RDX is safer than the BMW X1:

	RDX	X1
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	26%	35.1%
Neck Stress	262 lbs.	299 lbs.
Neck Compression	23 lbs.	77 lbs.

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

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 BMW X1:

	RDX	X1
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	63	77
Chest Movement	.6 inches	.8 inches
Abdominal Force	130 lbs.	142 lbs.
Hip Force	217 lbs.	330 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	462 lbs.	676 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	11 inches	14 inches
Spine Acceleration	39 G’s	42 G’s

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 X1:

	RDX	X1
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Peak Forces	no contact	48 G’s
Neck Compression	45 lbs.	67 lbs.
Shoulder Force	223 lbs.	245 lbs.
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Head Protection	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	67 lbs.	134 lbs.
Neck Compression	156 lbs.	201 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	736 lbs.	959 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the RDX is 2.4% less likely to roll over than the X1.

Warranty

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the RDX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X1. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the X1 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Reliability

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 23 points higher than the X1.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the RDX first among compact premium suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The X1 isn’t in the top three in its category.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura 3 places higher in reliability than BMW.

Engine

The RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 31 more horsepower (272 vs. 241) than the X1 xDrive28i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Acura RDX is faster than the X1 xDrive28i:

	RDX	X1
Zero to 30 MPH	3 sec	3.2 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7 sec	7.1 sec

Fuel Economy and Range

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Acura RDX uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The X1 M35i xDrive requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The RDX has 2.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the X1 (17.1 vs. 14.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The RDX has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The X1 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura RDX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the X1.

Brakes and Stopping

The RDX stops shorter than the X1:

	RDX	X1
60 to 0 MPH	116 feet	119 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	129 feet	136 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the RDX has larger standard tires than the X1 (235/55R19 vs. 225/55R18). The RDX A-Spec’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X1 (255/45R20 vs. 245/45R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RDX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the X1.

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 X1 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the RDX’s wheelbase is 2.3 inches longer than on the X1 (108.3 inches vs. 106 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the RDX is 2 inches wider in the front and 2.5 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the X1.

For greater off-road capability the RDX has a greater minimum ground clearance than the X1 (8.2 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the RDX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The RDX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The X1 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The RDX has 1.2 inches more front legroom, 3.6 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear legroom and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the X1.

Cargo Capacity

The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the X1 with its rear seat up (31.1 vs. 25.7 cubic feet). The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the X1 with its rear seat folded (79.8 vs. 57.2 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the RDX’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The X1 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 9% lower rating, BMW is ranked 10th.

Ergonomics

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the RDX has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the X1 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The RDX’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The X1 doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

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 X1 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Both the RDX and the X1 have standard heated front seats. The RDX Advance also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the X1.

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 X1 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. BMW charges extra for Homelink® on the X1.

Economic Advantages

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Acura RDX retains 52.21% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 49.64% resale value of the 2025 BMW X1 after five years, which can save the Acura’s owner.

Recommendations

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

	RDX	X1
Consumer Reports® Recommends	TRUE	TRUE

The Acura RDX outsold the BMW X1 by 67% during 2024.

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