2025 Acura ADX vs 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

$35,000 · Crossover

$39,890 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical distinction between the 2025 Acura ADX and the 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid lies in their powertrain output, where the Sportage Plug-In Hybrid delivers an extra 71 horsepower (261 hp vs. 190 hp) and 79 lb-ft more torque (258 lb-ft vs. 179 lb-ft). This power differential accompanies a $4,890 MSRP increase for the Kia, priced at $39,890 compared to the ADX’s $35,000 entry. Fuel economy presents another substantial divergence; the Sportage PHEV achieves 35 combined MPG and offers an electric range of 34 miles, while the ADX achieves a lower 28 combined MPG using only premium unleaded (recommended). Furthermore, the Sportage PHEV offers superior utility, boasting 34.5 cu ft of cargo capacity versus the ADX’s 24.4 cu ft. While the ADX is marginally longer at 185.8 inches, the Kia is notably taller at 66.9 inches, suggesting a potentially airier cabin experience.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

Superior combined MPG of 35 and the benefit of 34 miles of electric-only range significantly lower operational costs for frequent driving.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The Sportage PHEV offers 10.1 cubic feet more cargo space (34.5 cu ft vs. 24.4 cu ft) and standard All-Wheel Drive, adding practicality.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

With 261 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, the Kia offers substantially greater performance potential than the 190 hp Acura ADX.

💰 Best Value

2025 Acura ADX

The ADX presents a lower entry point at $35,000, costing $4,890 less while still offering respectable fuel economy metrics.

Choose the Acura ADX if...

Budget constraints mandate a starting MSRP under $36,000.
A focus on maximizing initial cost savings is the top priority.
Driver primarily uses the vehicle in circumstances where premium fuel use is acceptable for slightly less efficiency.

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

Access to daily electric-only driving (34 miles range) is desired to reduce gasoline consumption.
Maximum cargo volume (34.5 cu ft) and higher power output (261 hp) are necessary requirements.
Standard All-Wheel Drive capability is preferred over the ADX's FWD configuration.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Acura ADX	Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
Length	185.8"	183.5"
Width	72.5"	73.4"
Height	63.8"	66.9"
Wheelbase	104.5"	108.5"

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	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓

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 automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓
Center Differential Type	—	Locking

Fuel

Feature	Acura	Kia
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (recommended)	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	26/31 MPG	36/35 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	28 MPG	35 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	364.0/434.0 mi.	399.6/388.5 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.0 gal.	11.1 gal.
EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe)	—	88/79 MPGe
EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe)	—	84 MPGe
EPA Electric Driving Range	—	34 mi.
EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi)	—	40
Charging Time (240V)	—	2.0 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	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Cruise Control	—	✓
Front Seatback Storage	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓
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	✓	—
Android Auto (Wired)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

Feature	Acura	Kia
One-Touch Power Windows	1	2
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass	1st Row Power Glass Extended
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Reverse Tilt Dual Mirrors	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Acura	Kia
Front Head Room	38.4 in.	37.8 in.
Front Leg Room	41.9 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	56.6 in.	57.5 in.
Front Hip Room	54.0 in.	54.8 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	4-way
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power

Rearseats

Feature	Acura	Kia
Rear Head Room	38.0 in.	38.0 in.
Rear Leg Room	37.7 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.2 in.	55.6 in.
Rear Hip Room	47.4 in.	53.4 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓

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

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 Sportage Plug-In Hybrid.

How does the required fuel type impact the long-term cost of ownership between these models?

The 2025 Acura ADX specifically recommends premium unleaded fuel, which carries a higher per-gallon cost than the regular unleaded used by the 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid, potentially offsetting some of the ADX's lower initial MSRP.

Which crossover provides better handling dynamics based solely on drivetrain specifications?

The Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid features All-Wheel Drive, generally offering superior traction and stability compared to the front-wheel drive system standard on the Acura ADX.

Is the physical size difference meaningful for parking or garage fitment?

The difference is minor, with the ADX being 2.3 inches longer (185.8 in) but the Kia being 1.4 inches wider (73.4 in) and 3.1 inches taller (66.9 in), suggesting the Kia occupies slightly more vertical and horizontal space.

What specific efficiency gain results from choosing the Kia PHEV over the Acura?

Switching to the Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid results in a 7 MPG increase in combined fuel economy (35 MPG vs. 28 MPG), alongside the capability to drive 34 miles solely on electric power.

Does the higher horsepower in the Kia translate to faster acceleration?

Although specific 0-60 mph times are not provided, the 71 hp and 79 lb-ft torque advantage possessed by the 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid strongly indicates significantly quicker acceleration capabilities.