Compare the2023 Acura MDXVS 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Acura MDX have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Kia Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The Acura MDX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The MDX offers an optional Low-Speed Braking Control that use rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The MDX Advance has a standard Surround-View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Sorento Hybrid only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the MDX and the Sorento Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the MDX its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 81 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Sorento Hybrid is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2022.

Warranty

The MDX’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Sorento Hybrid runs out after 100,000 miles.

Acura pays for scheduled maintenance on the MDX for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Acura will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Sorento Hybrid.

Engine

The MDX’s standard 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 63 more horsepower (290 vs. 227) and 9 lbs.-ft. more torque (267 vs. 258) than the Sorento Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The MDX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 128 more horsepower (355 vs. 227) and 96 lbs.-ft. more torque (354 vs. 258) than the Sorento Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Acura MDX V6 is faster than the Kia Sorento Hybrid:

	MDX	Sorento Hybrid
Zero to 60 MPH	7.5 sec	8.4 sec
Quarter Mile	15.8 sec	16.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	88.6 MPH	87.2 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the MDX’s fuel efficiency. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The MDX has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura MDX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Sorento Hybrid.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the MDX’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Sorento Hybrid:

	MDX	MDX Type S	Sorento Hybrid
Front Rotors	13.8 inches	14.3 inches	12.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13 inches	12.8 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the MDX has larger standard tires than the Sorento Hybrid (255/55R19 vs. 235/65R17). The MDX Type S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sorento Hybrid (275/40R21 vs. 235/65R17).

The MDX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sorento Hybrid S’ standard 65 series tires. The MDX Type S’ tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Sorento Hybrid EX’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the MDX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Sorento Hybrid S. The MDX Type S’ 21-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the Sorento Hybrid EX.

The MDX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the MDX can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

Suspension and Handling

The MDX offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Sorento Hybrid’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The MDX Type S has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The MDX’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the MDX’s wheelbase is 3 inches longer than on the Sorento Hybrid (113.8 inches vs. 110.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the MDX is 2.7 inches wider in the front and 2.3 inches wider in the rear than on the Sorento Hybrid.

The MDX SH-AWD handles at .82 G’s, while the Sorento Hybrid EX pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The MDX SH-AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Sorento Hybrid EX (27.2 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 27.7 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the MDX has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Sorento Hybrid (7.3 vs. 6.85 inches), allowing the MDX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The MDX Type S’ minimum ground clearance is 2.55 inches higher than on the Sorento Hybrid (9.4 vs. 6.85 inches).

Chassis

The MDX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The MDX has standard seating for 7 passengers; the Sorento Hybrid can only carry 6.

The MDX has 33.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Sorento Hybrid (139.1 vs. 105.3).

The MDX has .2 inches more front legroom, 3.7 inches more front hip room, 2.8 inches more front shoulder room, 2.7 inches more rear hip room, 2.2 inches more rear shoulder room and 2.2 inches more third row shoulder room than the Sorento Hybrid.

Cargo Capacity

The MDX’s cargo area provides more volume than the Sorento Hybrid.

	MDX	Sorento Hybrid
Behind Third Seat	18.1 cubic feet	12.6 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	48.4 cubic feet	38.5 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	95 cubic feet	75.5 cubic feet

Towing

The MDX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Sorento Hybrid’s (3500 vs. 2000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Kia Sorento Hybrid is only 2000 pounds. The MDX SH-AWD offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The MDX uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Sorento Hybrid uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Kia. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 37% lower rating, Kia is ranked 26th.

Ergonomics

When three different drivers share the MDX, the memory system makes it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat (memory seat optional for the front passenger), steering wheel position and outside mirror angle. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer a memory system.

The MDX’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The MDX Advance has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning, navigation instruction and incoming text message readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The MDX’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Sorento Hybrid’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the MDX the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Sorento Hybrid can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The MDX’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Sorento Hybrid’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted. The MDX’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the MDX to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the MDX is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Sorento Hybrid’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the MDX and the Sorento Hybrid have standard heated front seats. The MDX Advance also has standard heated second row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated second row seats aren’t available in the Sorento Hybrid.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the MDX keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the MDX’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The MDX Type S Advance has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Sorento Hybrid.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Acura MDX has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Sorento Hybrid EX offers wireless charging.

The MDX offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Acura MDX, based on reliability, safety and performance.