2022 Kia Sorento vs 2021 Acura RDX

The 2021 Acura RDX, particularly in the A-Spec trim, presented a sleek and sporty appearance without resorting to excessive blacked-out trim or aggressive performance design cues. Its styling changes were subtle yet effective, conveying a sense of sportiness without overpromising on acceleration and handling. Acura wisely avoided giving the RDX an off-road appearance, focusing instead on its role as a daily driver and road-tripper. The A-Spec trim sat in the middle of the RDX's trim hierarchy, with a base price starting at $44,505, and the A-Spec trim priced at $50,305. The interior of the RDX A-Spec was equally sporty, featuring quality materials, a sport steering wheel, and unique gauges, although the red markings on a brushed silver background were difficult to read during the day.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Sorento, especially in the X-Line trim, exuded a rugged and stylish presence. The X-Line trim added rugged bumpers, matte-finish wheels, and robust roof rails, enhancing the Sorento's already attractive design. The Sorento's interior was luxurious, with features like leather upholstery and simulated wood trim, and it offered a rock-solid construction. The second-row captain's chairs were designed with kids in mind, featuring cupholders, USB charging ports, and rear climate control vents. However, the third-row seat was less accommodating for adults, and the cargo space was limited with the third row in use. The Sorento's pricing ranged from $34,595 to $48,085 for the gas-only powertrain, with hybrid and plug-in hybrid options available.

The 2021 Acura RDX was equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 272 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque from 1,600 rpm to 4,500 rpm. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and the torque-vectoring SH-AWD system, which could deliver up to 70% of engine output to the rear wheels. The RDX offered an Integrated Dynamics System with driving modes like Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, allowing drivers to tailor the powertrain and steering response. The A-Spec trim came with exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels and performance all-season tires, enhancing handling. However, the lack of adaptive dampers and rev-matching in Sport or Sport+ mode were noted drawbacks. Despite these, the RDX A-Spec was praised for its broad torque curve, precise steering, and fade-resistant brakes.

The 2022 Kia Sorento offered a standard 191-horsepower 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, which was considered underwhelming. However, the turbocharged 2.5-litre engine, available from the X-Line trim, delivered 281 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 311 pound-feet of torque between 1,700 rpm and 4,000 rpm. This engine was paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission, providing a more engaging driving experience. The Sorento's suspension was tuned for a balance of compliance and composure, making it feel more like a sports sedan. Fuel consumption was higher than expected, with an average of 11.5 L/100 km during testing. Despite this, the Sorento's performance was lively, with excellent body motion control and responsive brakes.

The 2021 Acura RDX, though classified as a compact SUV, offered impressive passenger and cargo space. The front seats were comfortable, with 12-way power adjustment and heating as standard, while the A-Spec trim added ventilation. However, rear-seat comfort was compromised due to the low and flat cushion design. Cargo space was competitive, with 835 litres behind the rear seat and 1,668 litres with the rear seats folded. The RDX also featured a deep storage well and three separate storage compartments under the cargo floor.

The 2022 Kia Sorento's interior was luxurious, with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The second-row captain's chairs were designed for children, with convenient storage solutions and a panoramic sunroof. However, the third-row seat was cramped for adults, and cargo space was limited with the third row in use. Folding the third-row seat expanded the cargo space to 1,274 litres, and folding the second-row seats increased it to 2,139 litres. The Sorento also featured a "smart" power tailgate for easier loading.

The 2021 Acura RDX featured the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system, which used a touch-sensing pad on the centre console instead of a touchscreen. While it improved upon the Lexus approach, it still required a learning curve and could be distracting. The A-Spec trim included a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, which delivered excellent sound quality.

The 2022 Kia Sorento offered an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on lower trims, while higher trims featured a 10.25-inch display with navigation and Kia Connect services. The infotainment system was intuitive, but the voice recognition system was less effective than Hyundai's. The Sorento SX trim included a 12-speaker Bose premium surround-sound system, and a wireless phone charger was standard from the LX Premium trim.

The 2021 Acura RDX came with a suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. However, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert were only available on higher trims. The RDX earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four-star ratings for frontal-impact and rollover resistance.

The 2022 Kia Sorento offered a comprehensive list of safety features, including a rear-seat reminder system and Junction Assist. The Blind View Monitor system was available on the SX trim, providing live video feeds of blind spots. The Sorento also featured Highway Driving Assist, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system. The Sorento received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four-star ratings for frontal-impact and rollover resistance.