The XD is an exceptional value. The safety features are described as passive... you simply hold it in your hand and fire. As a DAO pistol (with a single action trigger) it is a point and shoot proposition, with no decockers, hammers, manual safety's, etc.
It is very much like the Glock pistols, except that it can not be discharged unless you have the grip safety engaged (hold it properly) and pull the trigger. It shares the barrel lock up and take down lever of the sig and the grip angle and grip safety of the 1911.
I own both a sig and an XD subcompact. I carry the XD daily as it weighs 1/2 1b less than my sig and still performs flawlessly.
As far as accuracy, both are capable of more than adequate combat accuracy and will shoot better than most people can shoot them.