2025 Acura RDX vs 2026 Kia Sorento Hybrid

$44,700 · Crossover

$38,890 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Shopping for a premium compact crossover often boils down to balancing performance desires against long-term running costs. Let's look at the 2025 Acura RDX versus the 2026 Kia Sorento Hybrid. A big difference appears immediately in the bank account: the RDX starts at $44,700, which is $5,810 more than the Sorento Hybrid's $38,890 starting price. Power seekers will gravitate toward the RDX, boasting 272 hp compared to the Sorento Hybrid’s 227 hp. However, that power comes with a thirst, as the RDX achieves only 23 combined MPG while running on premium fuel. The Sorento Hybrid crushes that efficiency, delivering an excellent 37 combined MPG using regular unleaded, a massive 14 MPG advantage that translates to real savings on nearly every fill-up over the RDX's 21/27 City/Highway figures. Cargo space also favors the RDX slightly, offering 29.5 cu ft versus the Sorento Hybrid’s 12.6 cu ft.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

Choose the Acura RDX if...

You prioritize stronger acceleration and prefer having 272 horsepower on tap.
You regularly haul larger items and need the superior 29.5 cu ft of cargo space.
You are comfortable paying $5,810 more upfront and accepting the lower 23 combined MPG.

Choose the Kia Sorento Hybrid if...

Minimizing fuel stops and maximizing mileage is your top concern (37 combined MPG).
You plan to use regular unleaded gasoline instead of premium.
You want the lower entry price point of $38,890 for your new crossover.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Acura RDX	Kia Sorento Hybrid
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	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Acura	Kia
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	1.6 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	hybrid
Horsepower	272 hp @ 6500 rpm	227 hp
Torque	280 lb-ft @ 1600 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	10-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable 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	37/36 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	23 MPG	37 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	359.1/461.7 mi.	654.9/637.2 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	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
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	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Acura	Kia
Rear Head Room	38.0 in.	39.1 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.0 in.	40.7 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	✓	✓
One-Piece Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Acura	Kia
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	19 x 8.0 in	19 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/55R19	235/55R19
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	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 RDX and 2026 Kia Sorento Hybrid.

How much more does it cost annually to run the Acura RDX on gas compared to the Sorento Hybrid?

Given the 14 MPG difference, the Sorento Hybrid will require significantly fewer fuel stops annually, especially since the RDX recommends premium fuel while the Sorento Hybrid uses regular.

Is the difference in physical size relevant between these two crossovers?

The 2026 Kia Sorento Hybrid is slightly longer (189.6 inches vs 187.4 inches) and taller (66.7 inches vs 65.7 inches), although their widths are identical at 74.8 inches.

Do both vehicles offer similar power delivery despite the horsepower gap?

The RDX offers 272 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque paired with a 10-speed automatic, while the Sorento Hybrid makes 227 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque connected to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Which vehicle offers better utility for big weekend trips?

The 2025 Acura RDX provides significantly more utility, offering 29.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity compared to the Sorento Hybrid's 12.6 cubic feet.

Are the driving dynamics drastically different based on the drivetrain specified?

The 2025 Acura RDX comes standard with all-wheel drive, whereas the 2026 Kia Sorento Hybrid listed here is front-wheel drive, which might affect performance in slippery conditions.