Compare the2027 Kia Seltos VS 2026 Acura ADX

Both the Seltos and ADX have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Seltos S/EX/X-Line S/X-Line SX has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The ADX’s Rear Cross Traffic Monitor doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Seltos and the ADX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all-wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

The Seltos comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The ADX’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Seltos 4 years and 30,000 miles longer than Acura covers the ADX. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the ADX ends after only 6 years or 70,000 miles.

There are almost 3 times as many Kia dealers as there are Acura dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Seltos’ warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in initial quality. With 17 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in long-term dependability. With 53 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Acura is rated below average.

The Seltos X-Line SX’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder produces 16 lbs.-ft. more torque (195 vs. 179) than the ADX’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Seltos X-Line SX 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Acura ADX:

	Seltos	ADX
Zero to 60 MPH	8.2 sec	8.7 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	23.7 sec	24 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	9 sec	9.3 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	5.8 sec	6 sec
Quarter Mile	16.4 sec	16.9 sec
Top Speed	132 MPH	125 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the Seltos gets better mileage than the ADX:

			MPG
Seltos
	FWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	28 city/33 hwy
	AWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	26 city/30 hwy
ADX
	FWD	1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	26 city/31 hwy
	AWD	1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/30 hwy

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Kia Seltos uses regular unleaded gasoline. The ADX requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Kia Seltos higher (6 out of 10) than the Acura ADX (5). This means the Seltos produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the ADX every 15,000 miles.

The Seltos has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The ADX’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Seltos’ wheelbase is 1.4 inches longer than on the ADX (105.9 inches vs. 104.5 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Seltos’ turning circle is 1.8 feet tighter than the ADX’s (35.2 feet vs. 37 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Seltos LX has a greater minimum ground clearance than the ADX (7.5 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the Seltos to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Seltos X-Line SX’s minimum ground clearance is .8 inch higher than on the ADX (8.1 vs. 7.3 inches).

The Kia Seltos may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 50 to 250 pounds less than the Acura ADX.

The Seltos is 11.4 inches shorter than the ADX, making the Seltos easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Seltos has 6.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the ADX (103.4 vs. 97.3).

The Seltos has 2.1 inches more front headroom, 1.1 inches more front hip room, .9 inches more rear headroom, 1.3 inches more rear legroom, 6.6 inches more rear hip room and .2 inches more rear shoulder room than the ADX.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Seltos’ rear seats recline. The ADX’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Seltos has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the ADX with its rear seat up (27.8 vs. 24.4 cubic feet). The Seltos has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the ADX with its rear seat folded (64.2 vs. 55.1 cubic feet).

Standard on the Seltos uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The ADX doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The power windows standard on both the Seltos and the ADX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Seltos is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The ADX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

Compared to the Acura ADX, the Kia Seltos eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its optional integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.

Compared to the Acura ADX’s traditional radio, the Kia Seltos equipped with standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks.

The Kia Seltos outsold the Acura ADX by almost three to one during 2025.