2025 Acura RDX vs 2026 Kia Sorento

$44,700 · Crossover

$32,190 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical divergence between the 2025 Acura RDX and the 2026 Kia Sorento is the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), with the RDX positioned $12,510 higher at $44,700 compared to the Sorento's $32,190. This price differential is coupled with a substantial 81 horsepower gap; the RDX generates 272 hp, significantly outpacing the Sorento's 191 hp, alongside 280 lb-ft of torque versus the Sorento's 181 lb-ft. Fuel economy favors the Sorento, achieving 26 MPG combined on regular unleaded, while the RDX manages 23 MPG combined, requiring premium fuel. Dimensionally, the Sorento is 2.2 inches longer, but the RDX offers substantially greater utility with 29.5 cu ft of cargo volume compared to the Sorento's 12.6 cu ft. Furthermore, the RDX comes standard with all-wheel drive and a 10-speed automatic transmission, whereas the Sorento utilizes front-wheel drive and an 8-speed automatic.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

Choose the Acura RDX if...

Driver prioritization of performance metrics, specifically requiring 272 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque.
Need for a standard all-wheel drive configuration combined with a 10-speed transmission.
Cargo capacity of 29.5 cu ft is necessary, significantly exceeding the competitor's volume.

Choose the Kia Sorento if...

Strict adherence to a lower initial purchase price, saving $12,510 compared to the RDX.
Maximizing fuel economy using regular unleaded gasoline, achieving 26 MPG combined.
A front-wheel drive configuration is acceptable for primary use.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Acura RDX	Kia Sorento
Length	187.4"	189.6"
Width	74.8"	74.8"
Height	65.7"	66.7"
Wheelbase	108.3"	110.8"

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	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Acura	Kia
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	272 hp @ 6500 rpm	191 hp @ 6100 rpm
Torque	280 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm	181 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
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	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	23/31 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	23 MPG	26 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	359.1/461.7 mi.	407.1/548.7 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.1 gal.	17.7 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	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Single Zone Climate 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	✓	—

Power Feature

Feature	Acura	Kia
One-Touch Power Windows	4	1
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass	—
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Reverse Tilt Passenger Mirror	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Acura	Kia
Front Head Room	40.0 in.	40.3 in.
Front Leg Room	42.0 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	60.0 in.	59.1 in.
Front Hip Room	55.0 in.	55.6 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	—
Seat Material: Cloth	—	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	—	6-way
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Acura	Kia
Rear Head Room	38.0 in.	39.1 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.0 in.	41.7 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	57.0 in.	58.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	50.0 in.	55.1 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Acura	Kia
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	19 x 8.0 in	17 x 7.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/55R19	235/65R17
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 2026 Kia Sorento.

What is the significance of the RDX requiring premium unleaded fuel?

The 2025 Acura RDX recommends premium fuel to achieve its 272 hp output, which contributes to its higher long-term operating cost compared to the Sorento, which uses regular unleaded.

How does the transmission setup differ between the two crossovers?

The Acura RDX utilizes a more complex 10-speed shiftable automatic transmission, whereas the Kia Sorento employs an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Despite being shorter, why does the RDX have nearly double the cargo capacity?

The 2025 Acura RDX measures 29.5 cu ft, while the 2026 Kia Sorento only measures 12.6 cu ft, indicating the RDX prioritizes dedicated cargo volume behind the rear seats.

Is the physical size difference noticeable between these two crossovers?

The 2026 Kia Sorento is 2.2 inches longer (189.6 inches vs 187.4 inches) and 1.0 inch taller, while both share the identical width of 74.8 inches.

How does the drivetrain affect the base models' intended use?

The RDX comes standard with AWD, suggesting a focus on variable traction and performance, while the Sorento is FWD, aligning with more cost-conscious, pavement-focused commuting.