2025 Acura RDX vs 2025 Kia Telluride
Comparison Overview
Deciding between a premium compact crossover and a larger, more budget-friendly mid-size SUV often comes down to budget versus size. The 2025 Acura RDX asks for $44,700, positioning itself as the premium entry, slightly edging out the 2025 Kia Telluride which starts at a much lower $36,390—an $8,310 difference. While the RDX offers slightly better fuel economy at 23 MPG combined versus the Telluride's 22 MPG, that efficiency boost requires using premium unleaded, whereas the Telluride runs on regular. Power-wise, the Telluride boasts 291 hp compared to the RDX's 272 hp, although the RDX generates slightly more torque at 280 lb-ft. Furthermore, the Telluride is significantly larger; it measures 196.9 inches long, offering more presence than the 187.4-inch RDX, though surprisingly, the RDX offers more maximum cargo space at 29.5 cu ft against the Telluride's 21 cu ft (based on provided data).
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Acura RDX
The RDX’s better combined MPG (23 vs 22) and slightly smaller footprint make it marginally easier for city maneuvering and slightly cheaper to run.
2025 Kia Telluride
The Telluride is substantially larger in overall dimensions (196.9 inches long and 78.3 inches wide) suggesting a more accommodating interior layout, despite the cargo spec provided.
2025 Kia Telluride
The Telluride produces more peak horsepower at 291 hp, appealing to those prioritizing raw power figures.
2025 Kia Telluride
Saving $8,310 upfront while still delivering superior horsepower makes the Telluride the clear value winner here.
Choose the Acura RDX if...
- You prefer the specific handling characteristics and premium feel associated with the Acura brand.
- You prioritize achieving the slightly better 27 MPG highway rating, even if it requires premium fuel.
- You want a slightly more nimble vehicle at 187.4 inches in length for tight city parking.
Choose the Kia Telluride if...
- Sticking to a strict budget and preferring regular unleaded fuel is paramount.
- Maximum usable cabin space is more important than official cargo capacity numbers suggest.
- You want the higher peak power output of 291 horsepower for daily driving.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Acura RDX | Kia Telluride |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 187.4" | 196.9" |
| Width | 74.8" | 78.3" |
| Height | 65.7" | 68.9" |
| Wheelbase | 108.3" | 114.2" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Acura | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | — | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Acura | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.0 L | 3.8 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | V6 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 272 hp @ 6500 rpm | 291 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 280 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm | 262 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 24 |
| 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 | 10-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| [object Object] | ✓ | — |
| [object Object] | ✓ | — |
| Hill Descent Control | — | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Acura | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | premium unleaded (recommended) | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 21/27 MPG | 20/26 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 23 MPG | 22 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 359.1/461.7 mi. | 376.0/488.8 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.1 gal. | 18.8 gal. |
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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Universal Remote Transmitter | ✓ | — |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | — |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | ✓ | — |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | — | ✓ |
| Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry | — | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | — | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Acura | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 10.2 in | 12.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 9 | 6 |
| Subwoofer Count | 1 | — |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | ✓ | — |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | — |
| Android Auto (Wired) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Acura | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 4 |
| Moonroof Type | 1st Row Power Glass | — |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reverse Tilt Passenger Mirror | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Acura | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.0 in. | 40.9 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 42.0 in. | 41.4 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 60.0 in. | 61.6 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 55.0 in. | 58.9 in. |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | — |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | — |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Lumbar Support | Power | — |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 6-way |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 6-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Acura | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 38.0 in. | 40.2 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.0 in. | 42.4 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 57.0 in. | 61.2 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 50.0 in. | 58.0 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Acura | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 19 x 8.0 in | 18 x 7.5 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 235/55R19 | P245/60R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Material | — | Alloy |
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. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Acura RDX and 2025 Kia Telluride.
How much more space does the RDX have for cargo compared to the Telluride based on these numbers?
Based strictly on the provided specs, the 2025 Acura RDX offers 29.5 cu ft of cargo capacity, which is significantly more than the 21 cu ft listed for the 2025 Kia Telluride.
Is the RDX's all-wheel drive standard, while the Telluride's standard configuration is FWD?
Yes, the specifications indicate the 2025 Acura RDX comes standard with all-wheel drive, whereas the base 2025 Kia Telluride listed uses a front-wheel drive configuration.
What is the practical impact of the RDX recommending premium fuel?
Using premium unleaded in the RDX will result in higher recurring fuel costs compared to the Telluride, which accepts regular unleaded, even though the RDX is marginally more efficient (23 MPG combined).
Which vehicle offers more horsepower, and what are the torque figures?
The 2025 Kia Telluride offers more horsepower with 291 hp versus the RDX's 272 hp. However, the RDX produces higher torque at 280 lb-ft compared to the Telluride's 262 lb-ft.
How big is the difference in physical size between these two crossovers?
The Kia Telluride is substantially larger, measuring 196.9 inches long and 78.3 inches wide, compared to the Acura RDX's length of 187.4 inches and width of 74.8 inches.
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