2025 Acura ADX vs 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

$35,000 · Crossover

$40,490 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Trying to decide if stepping up to a plug-in hybrid is worth the extra cash upfront? That's the central question when comparing the 2025 Acura ADX and the 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid. The Acura ADX comes in quite appealingly at an MSRP of $35,000, significantly undercutting the Kia's $40,490 price tag. However, the Sportage PHEV packs a serious performance punch, offering 268 hp versus the ADX's 190 hp. This power difference is noticeable, as is the fuel economy; the Kia achieves a combined 36 MPG, easily beating the ADX's 28 MPG combined, plus it offers 33 miles of electric range. While the ADX is slightly longer at 185.8 inches, the Kia boasts substantially more cargo space, providing 34.5 cu ft versus the Acura's 24.4 cu ft. It’s a classic trade-off between upfront savings and long-term efficiency and power.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia’s superior 36 MPG combined efficiency and 33 miles of electric range make it the better daily workhorse despite the higher initial cost.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

With 34.5 cu ft of cargo capacity, the Sportage PHEV offers significantly more room for gear and family stuff than the ADX’s 24.4 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia dominates performance, delivering 268 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque compared to the Acura's 190 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Acura ADX

Saving $5,490 immediately on the sticker price makes the 2025 Acura ADX the clear choice for buyers prioritizing the lowest upfront cost.

Choose the Acura ADX if...

You need the lowest possible starting price, as the 2025 Acura ADX saves $5,490 initially.
You prefer the simplicity of a standard FWD setup.
Your driving primarily involves shorter trips where maximizing the premium unleaded engine isn't a daily concern.

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

You want to leverage 33 miles of pure electric driving capability before switching to gas.
More hauling room is essential, thanks to the nearly 10 cubic feet advantage in cargo capacity.
You value significantly higher power output, with 268 hp available under the hood.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Acura ADX	Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
Length	185.8"	184.4"
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	268 hp
Torque	179 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm	271 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	—	Locking

Fuel

Feature	Acura	Kia
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (recommended)	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	26/31 MPG	35/36 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	28 MPG	36 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	364.0/434.0 mi.	388.5/399.6 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.0 gal.	11.1 gal.
EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe)	—	87/78 MPGe
EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe)	—	83 MPGe
EPA Electric Driving Range	—	33 mi.
EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi)	—	43
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	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
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	✓	—
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.	39.6 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.	39.1 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 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid.

How does the fuel requirement difference affect long-term running costs between these two crossovers?

The 2025 Acura ADX recommends premium unleaded gasoline, which is usually more expensive than the regular unleaded the 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid uses. This difference, combined with the Kia's 8 MPG advantage, suggests the Kia might save more on fuel over time despite the higher initial purchase price.

Is the 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid’s extra horsepower immediately noticeable during highway merging?

Yes, the 78 hp difference is substantial; the Kia's 268 hp should provide notably stronger acceleration and passing power compared to the Acura's 190 hp.

Which vehicle is physically larger, even if cargo space differs?

The 2025 Acura ADX is slightly longer at 185.8 inches, but the 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid is noticeably taller at 66.9 inches, offering a bulkier presence.

How does the available electric-only range impact the ADX vs. Sportage PHEV matchup?

The Kia offers a specific 33-mile electric range, meaning many short daily errands can be completed with zero gasoline use. The ADX does not offer any dedicated electric driving mode.

Which crossover provides more security driving through inclement weather, based only on the specs provided?

The 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid includes an All-Wheel Drive system, typically offering better traction management than the standard Front Wheel Drive setup of the 2025 Acura ADX.