2025 Acura ADX vs 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

$35,000 · Crossover

$47,990 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical discrepancy between the 2025 Acura ADX and the 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid is the $12,990 difference in Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), starting at $35,000 for the Acura versus $47,990 for the Kia. Power output substantially separates these models; the Kia delivers 261 lb-ft of torque and 261 horsepower, compared to the Acura's 179 lb-ft and 190 horsepower. Fuel efficiency shows a 5 MPG advantage for the Kia in combined estimates (33 MPG vs. 28 MPG), although the Acura requires premium unleaded, while the Kia runs on regular. Dimensionally, the Kia is larger in length (189.6 inches vs. 185.8 inches), width (74.8 inches vs. 72.5 inches), and height (66.9 inches vs. 63.8 inches). Conversely, the Acura offers significantly more standard cargo volume at 24.4 cubic feet compared to the Kia's 12.6 cubic feet.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Acura ADX

The Acura ADX offers a $12,990 lower entry price and strong highway MPG despite needing premium fuel.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia provides greater overall exterior dimensions and standard All-Wheel Drive capability.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid possesses a 71 hp advantage and substantially higher torque figures (261 lb-ft vs. 179 lb-ft).

💰 Best Value

2025 Acura ADX

The Acura achieves comparable fuel economy at a drastically lower initial outlay of $35,000.

Choose the Acura ADX if...

Budgetary constraints prioritize the lowest initial MSRP available ($35,000).
Maximum inherent cargo volume (24.4 cu ft) is a primary operational requirement.
Front-wheel drive configuration is acceptable for the intended driving environment.

Choose the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid if...

Access to 30 miles of pure electric range is beneficial for daily driving segments.
Superior power output (261 hp) and standard All-Wheel Drive are necessary.
Willingness to pay $12,990 more for a Plug-In Hybrid powertrain is present.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Acura ADX	Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
Length	185.8"	189.6"
Width	72.5"	74.8"
Height	63.8"	66.9"
Wheelbase	104.5"	110.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Acura	Kia
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	—
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Acura	Kia
Base Engine Displacement	1.5 L	1.6 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	plug-in hybrid
Horsepower	190 hp @ 6000 rpm	261 hp
Torque	179 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm	258 lb-ft
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Acura	Kia
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Acura	Kia
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (recommended)	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	26/31 MPG	33/34 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	28 MPG	33 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	364.0/434.0 mi.	409.2/421.6 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.0 gal.	12.4 gal.
EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe)	—	77/71 MPGe
EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe)	—	74 MPGe
EPA Electric Driving Range	—	30 mi.
EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi)	—	45
Charging Time (240V)	—	3.4 hr.
DC Fast Charging Port Type	—	SAE J1772

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Acura	Kia
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	—
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Front Seatback Storage	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Acura	Kia
Infotainment Display	9.0 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	8	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

Feature	Acura	Kia
One-Touch Power Windows	1	1
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass	—
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Reverse Tilt Dual Mirrors	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Acura	Kia
Front Head Room	38.4 in.	40.3 in.
Front Leg Room	41.9 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	56.6 in.	59.1 in.
Front Hip Room	54.0 in.	55.6 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Acura	Kia
Rear Head Room	38.0 in.	39.1 in.
Rear Leg Room	37.7 in.	40.7 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.2 in.	58.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	47.4 in.	55.1 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	—
Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Acura	Kia
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	18 x 7.0 in	19 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	225/55R H	235/55R19
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Inside Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Acura	Kia
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Acura	Kia
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	6 yr./ 70000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	1 yr./ 12000 mi.	—
EV Battery Warranty	—	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Hybrid Component Warranty	—	10 yr./ 100000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Acura ADX and 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

How does the mandated fuel type affect long-term ownership costs?

The 2025 Acura ADX requires premium unleaded fuel, potentially increasing annual running costs compared to the 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid, which specifies regular unleaded, offsetting some of the Kia's 5 MPG efficiency gain.

Which crossover provides a larger passenger and load space configuration?

The 2025 Acura ADX offers more than double the usable cargo area at 24.4 cubic feet versus the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s 12.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats.

What is the performance difference given the engine specifications?

The Kia provides 71 more horsepower and 80 additional lb-ft of torque than the Acura, translating to notably quicker acceleration potential.

Does the Kia's hybrid technology significantly boost its efficiency over the Acura?

Yes, the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid achieves 33 combined MPG versus the ADX’s 28 MPG, a 5 MPG differential, plus the added benefit of 30 miles of electric-only driving.

What justifies the $12,990 price gap between the two crossovers?

The price premium for the Kia is associated with its advanced Plug-In Hybrid powertrain, standard All-Wheel Drive, and higher inherent performance metrics.