2025 Buick Envision vs 2026 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

$38,000 · Crossover

$48,290 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between the polished comfort of the 2025 Buick Envision and the forward-thinking efficiency of the 2026 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) often boils down to initial cost versus long-term savings. The sticker price shows a significant gap, with the Kia starting at $48,290 compared to the Buick's $38,000 MSRP, a difference of $10,290 right off the bat. While the Envision runs on recommended premium fuel and achieves a combined 24 MPG, the Sorento PHEV offers a compelling alternative with a combined 33 MPG rating, plus an added 30 miles of pure electric range. Power is surprisingly close, with the Kia netting 261 hp against the Buick's 228 hp, although both offer ample torque at 258 lb-ft. For city dwellers prioritizing fuel economy and a slight electric boost, the Kia's efficiency metrics are a strong draw, while the Envision maintains a distinct edge in cargo volume at 25.2 cubic feet versus the Kia's 12.6 cubic feet.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia Sorento PHEV wins for commuters due to its 30 miles of electric range and superior combined 33 MPG efficiency.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Buick Envision

The Buick Envision is better suited for families, offering nearly double the cargo capacity at 25.2 cubic feet compared to the Kia's 12.6 cubic feet.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

The 2026 Kia Sorento PHEV appeals more to enthusiasts with 33 more horsepower, delivering 261 hp total.

💰 Best Value

2025 Buick Envision

The Buick Envision provides better immediate value by costing $10,290 less than the Sorento PHEV.

Choose the Buick Envision if...

You want to save $10,290 upfront, as the MSRP is significantly lower at $38,000.
You frequently haul a lot of gear, given its superior 25.2 cubic feet of cargo space.
You prefer the traditional driving characteristics of a gasoline engine without needing to plug in regularly.

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

Your daily commute is under 30 miles, allowing you to leverage the pure EV range before using fuel.
Maximizing fuel economy is critical, as the 33 MPG combined beats the Buick's 24 MPG.
You prefer more outright power, benefiting from the Kia's 261 horsepower output.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Buick Envision	Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
Length	182.7"	189.6"
Width	74.1"	74.8"
Height	64.6"	66.9"
Wheelbase	109.0"	110.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

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

Engine

Feature	Buick	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	228 hp @ 5000 rpm	261 hp
Torque	258 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm	258 lb-ft
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Cylinder Deactivation	✓	—

Drive Train

Feature	Buick	Kia
Transmission Type	9-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓

Fuel

Feature	Buick	Kia
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (recommended)	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	22/28 MPG	33/34 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	24 MPG	33 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	354.2/450.8 mi.	409.2/421.6 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	16.1 gal.	12.4 gal.
EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe)	—	77/71 MPGe
EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe)	—	74 MPGe
EPA Electric Driving Range	—	30 mi.
EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi)	—	45
Charging Time (240V)	—	3.4 hr.
DC Fast Charging Port Type	—	SAE J1772

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Buick	Kia
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Front View Camera	✓	—
Side View Camera	✓	—
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	—
Sun Sensor	✓	—
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Buick	Kia
Infotainment Display	30.0 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Premium Speaker Brand	Bose	—
Speaker System	9	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—

Power Feature

Feature	Buick	Kia
One-Touch Power Windows	4	1
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Buick	Kia
Front Head Room	39.6 in.	40.3 in.
Front Leg Room	40.4 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	56.7 in.	59.1 in.
Front Hip Room	55.1 in.	55.6 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	✓
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	2	—
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Buick	Kia
Rear Head Room	38.9 in.	39.1 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.3 in.	40.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.9 in.	58.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	47.4 in.	55.1 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Buick	Kia
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Diameter	18 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P245/45R20	235/55R19
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Size	—	19 x 7.5 in

Suspension

Feature	Buick	Kia
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Buick	Kia
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	6 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	1 yr./ unlimited mi.	—
EV Battery Warranty	—	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Hybrid Component Warranty	—	10 yr./ 100000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Buick Envision and 2026 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

How much more fuel-efficient is the 2026 Kia Sorento PHEV than the 2025 Buick Envision?

The Kia Sorento PHEV is notably more efficient, achieving a combined 33 MPG, which is 9 MPG better than the Buick Envision’s combined rating of 24 MPG. This efficiency is enhanced by the Kia’s 30 miles of dedicated electric range for shorter trips.

Is the higher price of the Kia Sorento PHEV worth the added features?

The Kia commands a $10,290 premium over the Buick, starting at $48,290 versus $38,000. Whether it’s 'worth it' depends on your driving habits and if you plan to utilize the electric range to offset fuel costs.

Which vehicle is better for carrying large amounts of luggage or equipment?

The 2025 Buick Envision is the clear cargo champion in this comparison, offering 25.2 cubic feet of space. The 2026 Kia Sorento PHEV provides significantly less, at only 12.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats.

Do both vehicles use the same type of fuel, and does it affect running costs?

No, the Buick Envision recommends premium unleaded fuel, which is typically more expensive. In contrast, the Kia Sorento PHEV uses regular unleaded, helping to lower the operational costs associated with its 33 MPG rating.

How significant is the difference in horsepower between these two AWD crossovers?

The Kia Sorento PHEV has a distinct power advantage, producing 261 horsepower compared to the Buick Envision’s 228 horsepower, giving the Kia 33 more ponies under the hood.

Are these vehicles similar in physical size for parking and maneuvering?

The Buick Envision is slightly smaller and easier to maneuver, measuring 182.7 inches long and 64.6 inches tall. The Kia Sorento PHEV is the larger vehicle, stretching 189.6 inches long and standing 66.9 inches high.