2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio vs 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

$48,995 · Crossover

$40,490 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Prepare for a fascinating showdown between Italian passion and plug-in practicality! The 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio radiates visceral emotion, promising spirited handling derived from its 280 hp powertrain demanding premium fuel. Contrast this with the intelligent efficiency of the 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid, which offers an incredible 33 miles of electric range and a commanding 36 MPG combined. The price gap is significant: the Stelvio starts at $48,995, while the Kia undercuts it substantially at $40,490, representing an $8,505 savings. Furthermore, the Kia offers double the utility, boasting 34.5 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Alfa’s 18.5 cu ft. While the Alfa aims for raw driving thrill, the Kia delivers superior fuel economy and expansive utility, making each a potent contender in the compact crossover arena.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

Choose the Alfa Romeo Stelvio if...

Uncompromising auditory and tactile driving feedback is your highest priority.
You are willing to pay an initial premium and premium unleaded price for Italian style.
Maximum cargo space is less important than dynamic chassis tuning.

Choose the Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid if...

Reducing fuel expenditures is a primary concern, especially with 36 MPG combined.
You need substantial cargo volume, nearly doubling what the Alfa offers.
A lower entry price of $40,490 better aligns with your budget.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Alfa Romeo Stelvio	Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
Length	184.6"	184.4"
Width	74.9"	73.4"
Height	66.0"	66.9"
Wheelbase	111.0"	108.5"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Kia
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
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	✓	✓
Adaptive Headlights	✓	—
Self-Leveling Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Headlight Washers	✓	—
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	—	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Kia
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	1.6 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	plug-in hybrid
Horsepower	280 hp @ 5200 rpm	268 hp
Torque	306 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm	271 lb-ft
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Single overhead cam (SOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Kia
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓
Center Differential Type	—	Locking

Fuel

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Kia
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (required)	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	22/28 MPG	35/36 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	24 MPG	36 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	371.8/473.2 mi.	388.5/399.6 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	16.9 gal.	11.1 gal.
EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe)	—	87/78 MPGe
EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe)	—	83 MPGe
EPA Electric Driving Range	—	33 mi.
EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi)	—	43
Charging Time (240V)	—	2.0 hr.
DC Fast Charging Port Type	—	SAE J1772

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Alfa Romeo	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	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Simulated Alloy Trim on Steering Wheel	✓	—
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	—
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	—
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Kia
Infotainment Display	8.8 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	8	6
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	6 months	3 months
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Kia
One-Touch Power Windows	4	2
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Moonroof Type	—	1st Row Power Glass Extended

Frontseats

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Kia
Front Head Room	40.2 in.	39.6 in.
Front Leg Room	36.6 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.5 in.	57.5 in.
Seat Material: Leather	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Driver Seat Memory Settings	3	—
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	6-way	—
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	—
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Front Hip Room	—	54.8 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Kia
Rear Head Room	38.9 in.	39.1 in.
Rear Leg Room	31.9 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	56.0 in.	55.6 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Heated Rear Seats (Multi-Level)	✓	—
Rear Hip Room	—	53.4 in.
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Kia
Wheel Material	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
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy

Suspension

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Kia
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	—	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Kia
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	12 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
EV Battery Warranty	—	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Hybrid Component Warranty	—	10 yr./ 100000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio and 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid.

How much more powerful is the Alfa Romeo Stelvio compared to the Kia Sportage PHEV?

The 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio has 280 hp, which is 12 hp more than the 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid's 268 hp. Both models feature all-wheel drive capability.

Is the performance difference worth the significant MPG gap?

The Kia offers a 36 MPG combined rating versus the Alfa’s 24 MPG combined, a massive 12 MPG difference. Buyers must weigh the Stelvio’s extra 12 hp against substantially higher fuel costs over ownership.

Which crossover offers better utility for hauling gear?

The 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid is the clear utility champion, offering 34.5 cu ft of cargo capacity. The 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio provides only 18.5 cu ft in comparison.

Does the higher price of the Stelvio reflect a difference in size?

Physically, the vehicles are nearly identical in footprint; the Stelvio is slightly longer at 184.6 inches compared to the Sportage's 184.4 inches. The higher price reflects brand positioning and performance tuning.

What impact does the required fuel type have on running costs?

The Alfa Romeo mandates premium unleaded fuel, adding to the overall cost of operation. The Kia Sportage PHEV operates efficiently on regular unleaded.