2025 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2026 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

$40,700 · Crossover

$48,290 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical divergence between the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse and the 2026 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) lies in fuel economy, with the Sorento PHEV achieving a combined 33 MPG against the Traverse's 23 MPG, representing a 10 MPG advantage. Power output also separates the two; the Traverse delivers 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque, substantially exceeding the Sorento’s 261 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. This performance gap is notable given the Traverse's $40,700 MSRP compared to the Sorento's higher $48,290 price tag, representing a $7,590 initial investment difference. Furthermore, the Traverse offers superior exterior dimensions at 204.5 inches in length, while the Sorento maximizes utility with a 30-mile electric-only range supplementing its hybrid function. The Traverse also boasts a larger 22.9 cu ft of cargo capacity versus the Sorento's 12.6 cu ft.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

The 2026 Kia Sorento PHEV offers a 33 combined MPG and 30 miles of electric range, making it vastly more economical for daily travel than the Traverse's 23 MPG combined rating.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse provides a significantly larger 22.9 cu ft of standard cargo capacity compared to the Sorento's 12.6 cu ft, better accommodating family gear.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Chevrolet Traverse

The Traverse clearly leads in outright performance metrics with 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque, outpacing the Sorento's 261 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Chevrolet Traverse

Despite having lower MPG and power, the Traverse wins on upfront value by offering a $7,590 lower MSRP and superior cargo volume.

Choose the Chevrolet Traverse if...

Your primary requirement is maximum passenger/cargo space, utilizing its 22.9 cu ft capacity.
You prioritize engine output, benefiting from 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque.
Maintaining the lowest initial purchase price is critical, starting at $40,700 MSRP.

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

Fuel efficiency is paramount, leveraging the 33 combined MPG and 30 miles of all-electric driving.
You require standard All-Wheel Drive capabilities versus the Traverse's FWD base.
You prefer a shorter vehicle profile for easier urban maneuverability (189.6 inches long).

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Chevrolet Traverse	Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
Length	204.5"	189.6"
Width	79.6"	74.8"
Height	69.6"	66.9"
Wheelbase	121.0"	110.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Chevrolet	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	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Third Row 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 Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	2	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Chevrolet	Kia
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	1.6 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	plug-in hybrid
Horsepower	328 hp @ 5500 rpm	261 hp
Torque	326 lb-ft @ 3500 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	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Chevrolet	Kia
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Chevrolet	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/27 MPG	33/34 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	23 MPG	33 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	388.0/523.8 mi.	409.2/421.6 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	19.4 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	Chevrolet	Kia
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt Steering Wheel	✓	—
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	✓	—
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	—
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	—
Sun Sensor	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	—	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Chevrolet	Kia
Infotainment Display	17.7 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	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	Chevrolet	Kia
One-Touch Power Windows	4	1
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Chevrolet	Kia
Front Head Room	42.6 in.	40.3 in.
Front Leg Room	44.3 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	62.3 in.	59.1 in.
Front Hip Room	58.7 in.	55.6 in.
Seat Material: Premium Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Chevrolet	Kia
Rear Head Room	40.0 in.	39.1 in.
Rear Leg Room	41.5 in.	40.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	62.2 in.	58.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	58.6 in.	55.1 in.
Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	✓
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Chevrolet	Kia
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Diameter	18 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	255/65R18	235/55R19
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Size	—	19 x 7.5 in

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Chevrolet	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 Chevrolet Traverse and 2026 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

What is the core powertrain difference between the Traverse and the Sorento PHEV?

The 2025 Traverse uses a conventional 8-speed automatic engine delivering 328 hp. In contrast, the 2026 Sorento PHEV pairs its 6-speed automatic with an electric motor, resulting in lower power (261 hp) but offering 30 miles of pure EV driving before utilizing the hybrid fuel economy.

How much more expensive is the Sorento PHEV compared to the Traverse?

The 2026 Kia Sorento PHEV has an MSRP of $48,290, which is $7,590 higher than the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse starting price of $40,700.

Which crossover provides better real-world utility space based on specs?

The Chevrolet Traverse offers significantly more cargo volume at 22.9 cu ft compared to the Sorento PHEV's 12.6 cu ft. Additionally, the Traverse is physically larger, measuring 204.5 inches long versus the Sorento's 189.6 inches.

Is the Sorento PHEV more fuel-efficient than the standard Traverse?

Yes, the Sorento PHEV is substantially more efficient, achieving a combined 33 MPG, whereas the Traverse is rated at 23 MPG combined for its standard FWD configuration.

Do the drive types differ between these base models?

The base 2025 Chevrolet Traverse comes standard with Front Wheel Drive (FWD) paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The 2026 Kia Sorento PHEV includes All-Wheel Drive (AWD) as standard, coupled with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Which vehicle is recommended for drivers prioritizing acceleration?

Enthusiasts focused purely on power output should choose the Traverse, as its 328 hp output provides a 67 hp advantage over the Sorento PHEV's 261 hp.