Acura RDX vs. Kia Sportage
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Acura RDX and Kia Sportage contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Acura RDX and the Kia Sportage.
When comparing the Acura RDX's and the Kia Sportage's specifications and ratings, the Acura RDX has the advantage in the areas of reliability, overall quality score and base engine power. The Kia Sportage has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency and resale value. Based on this comparison of the Acura RDX's and the Kia Sportage's specifications and ratings, the Kia Sportage is a better car than the Acura RDX.
Pricing: A used 2024 Acura RDX ranges from $42,582 to $55,604 while a used 2024 Kia Sportage is priced between $28,546 to $38,671. For a new model, the Acura RDX's price is between $45,700 and $56,095, with the Kia Sportage priced between $29,294 and $39,594.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Acura RDX loses 46.4 percent of its value and the Kia Sportage loses 42.2 percent of its value. This means the Kia Sportage retains 4.2 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Acura RDX.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Acura RDX is 8.4 out of 10 while the Kia Sportage's quality rating is 8.2 out of 10. This results in the Acura RDX being ranked 2 out of 29 Best Luxury Small SUVs and the Kia Sportage being ranked 9 out of 19 Best Small SUVs.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Acura RDX is 8.5 out of 10. For the Kia Sportage the reliability rating is 7.6 out of 10. This gives the Acura RDX a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Kia Sportage.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Acura RDX’s base engine makes 272 horsepower, and the Kia Sportage base engine makes 187 horsepower. The RDX is rated to deliver an average of 23 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 462 miles. The Sportage is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 472 miles. This gives the Kia Sportage the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Acura RDX. The RDX uses premium unleaded, and the Sportage uses regular unleaded.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Acura RDX and the Kia Sportage have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars. When comparing IIHS evaluations, both the Acura RDX and the Kia Sportage have the same Top Safety Pick award.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$45,700 - $56,095
Starting MSRP:
$44,350
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
$50,139
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
$22,400 - $79,100
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$29,294 - $39,594
Starting MSRP:
$27,190
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact SUVs)
$27,871
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact SUVs)
$23,860 - $30,300
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$48,095
Price Range:
$42,582 - $55,604
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
$57,314
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
$27,806 - $84,530
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1,341
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
4,780
# Good or Great Deals:
177
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$33,304
Price Range:
$28,546 - $38,671
Category Avg Price:
(Compact SUVs)
$33,244
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact SUVs)
$29,649 - $36,546
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1,457
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
9,549
# Good or Great Deals:
397
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$20,710
Depreciation %:
46.7%
Resale Value $:
$23,640
Residual Value %:
53.3%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
50.5%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
40.4% - 56.6%
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$11,717
Depreciation %:
43.1%
Resale Value $:
$15,473
Residual Value %:
56.9%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact SUVs)
42%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact SUVs)
29.1% - 47.3%
Acura RDX Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.4 / 10
Reliability:
8.5 / 10
Retained Value:
7.6 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Kia Sportage Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.2 / 10
Reliability:
7.6 / 10
Retained Value:
7.9 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Acura RDX
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
12.5
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
12.3
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
10.7 - 13.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
35.1%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Sportage
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
10.2
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact SUVs)
10.9
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact SUVs)
9.9 - 13.4
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
8.7%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
6.8
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
3.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
0.8 - 26.1
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
5.7
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
2.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
1.8 - 18.3
Acura RDX Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 29Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
2 out of / 29Ranking
2 out of / 29Ranking
2 out of / 29Ranking
3 out of / 6Ranking
3 out of / 4Ranking
5 out of / 68Ranking
6 out of / 68Ranking
7 out of / 68Ranking
7 out of / 29Ranking
7 out of / 27Ranking
8 out of / 68Ranking
8 out of / 29Ranking
10 out of / 29Ranking
11 out of / 29Ranking
14 out of / 59Ranking
18 out of / 68Ranking
18 out of / 29Ranking
18 out of / 29Ranking
21 out of / 68Ranking
21 out of / 29Ranking
25 out of / 68Ranking
33 out of / 68Ranking
38 out of / 68Ranking
45 out of / 68Ranking
50 out of / 68Kia Sportage Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 19Ranking
1 out of / 7Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
7 out of / 67Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
8 out of / 20Ranking
8 out of / 19Ranking
8 out of / 14Ranking
9 out of / 19Ranking
10 out of / 19Ranking
10 out of / 19Ranking
10 out of / 19Ranking
11 out of / 67Ranking
11 out of / 19Ranking
11 out of / 19Ranking
11 out of / 13Ranking
13 out of / 30Ranking
14 out of / 59Ranking
14 out of / 19Ranking
17 out of / 67Ranking
18 out of / 67Ranking
27 out of / 67Ranking
27 out of / 67Ranking
31 out of / 67Ranking
33 out of / 67Ranking
35 out of / 67Ranking
36 out of / 67Ranking
43 out of / 67Ranking
44 out of / 67Ranking
46 out of / 67Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Acura RDX Trim Levels
SH-AWD, SH-AWD w/A-SPEC, SH-AWD w/Advance, SH-AWD w/Advance w/A-SPEC, SH-AWD w/Tech
Kia Sportage Trim Levels
SX, SX-Prestige, X-Line, X-Pro, X-Pro Prestige, EX, LX
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 70000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
TOP SAFETY PICK
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
TOP SAFETY PICK
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
272 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque:
280 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.068 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
187 hp @ 6100 rpm
Torque:
178 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.055 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
21 / 27 / 23
Range (city/hwy):
359 / 462 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 33 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
358 / 472 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Available
Quad Seats:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40 inches
Front Leg Room:
42 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
60 inches
Rear Head Room:
38 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57 inches
Cargo Space:
29.5 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
58.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
133.5 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.5 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
41.3 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.6 inches
Cargo Space:
39.6 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
74.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4014 lbs
Width:
74.8 inches
Height:
65.7 inches
Length:
187.4 inches
Wheelbase:
108.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.2 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3396 lbs
Width:
73.4 inches
Height:
65.4 inches
Length:
183.5 inches
Wheelbase:
108.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.1 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/55R19
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/65R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Majestic Black Pearl
Blue
Fathom Blue Pearl
Gray
Liquid Carbon Metallic
Red
Performance Red Pearl
Silver
Lunar Silver Metallic
White
Platinum White Pearl
Exterior Colors
Black
Ebony Black / Fusion Black
Blue
Not available
Gray
Gravity Gray / Steel Gray
Red
Not available
Silver
Everlasting Silver
White
Glacial White Pearl / Snow White Pearl
Interior Colors
Beige
Parchment
Black
Ebony
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Black
