2025 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

$31,695 · Crossover

$47,990 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between compact capability and plug-in hybrid luxury often trips up savvy shoppers. The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport starts aggressively at $31,695, significantly undercutting the 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid's $47,990 MSRP—a staggering $16,295 difference. While the Bronco Sport offers a more rugged footprint (70.2 inches tall vs. Sorento's 66.9 inches) and boasts 32.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity, the Sorento PHEV delivers substantial power, generating 261 hp compared to the Bronco Sport's 181 hp. Efficiency is close but favors the Kia, which achieves a 33 combined MPG, slightly better than the Bronco Sport's 27 combined MPG, though the Kia's true appeal lies in its 30 miles of electric-only range before relying on gas.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia Sorento PHEV's 30 miles of electric range offers a zero-emission commute option that the Ford Bronco Sport cannot match.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Ford Bronco Sport

The Ford Bronco Sport offers nearly three times the primary cargo space at 32.5 cu ft compared to the Sorento's 12.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia Sorento PHEV clearly wins on performance with 261 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque versus the Bronco Sport's 181 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Ford Bronco Sport

The Ford Bronco Sport provides significantly lower entry cost at $31,695 while still offering capable AWD.

Choose the Ford Bronco Sport if...

You need maximum usable cargo space, as the Bronco Sport provides 32.5 cu ft.
Sticking close to a $32,000 budget is a primary concern, given its $31,695 starting price.
You prefer the slightly smaller dimensions (172.7 inches long) for easier city maneuvering.

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

You commute less than 30 miles daily and want to use its pure EV mode.
Performance is key, as the Sorento boasts 80 more horsepower (261 hp total).
You value maximizing fuel economy, even when running on gas, achieving 33 combined MPG.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Ford Bronco Sport	Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
Length	172.7"	189.6"
Width	74.3"	74.8"
Height	70.2"	66.9"
Wheelbase	105.1"	110.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

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

Engine

Feature	Ford	Kia
Base Engine Displacement	1.5 L	1.6 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 3	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	plug-in hybrid
Horsepower	181 hp @ 6000 rpm	261 hp
Torque	190 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm	258 lb-ft
Number of Valves	12	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

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

Fuel

Feature	Ford	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	25/30 MPG	33/34 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	27 MPG	33 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	400.0/480.0 mi.	409.2/421.6 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	16.0 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	Ford	Kia
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Front Seatback Storage	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Ford	Kia
Infotainment Display	8.0 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Ford	Kia
Front Head Room	41.5 in.	40.3 in.
Front Leg Room	42.4 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.3 in.	59.1 in.
Front Hip Room	55.2 in.	55.6 in.
Seat Material: Premium Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	—
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Ford	Kia
Rear Head Room	41.7 in.	39.1 in.
Rear Leg Room	36.9 in.	40.7 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.6 in.	58.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.4 in.	55.1 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	—
Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Ford	Kia
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Diameter	17 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	225/65R H	235/55R19
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Size	—	19 x 7.5 in

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Ford	Kia
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 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 Ford Bronco Sport and 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

Is the 2025 Kia Sorento PHEV worth the extra upfront cost over the Bronco Sport?

That depends entirely on your driving habits; the Sorento starts $16,295 higher. If you frequently utilize the 30 miles of electric range to offset gas purchases, the long-term savings might justify the initial investment.

Which vehicle is better equipped for hauling lots of gear?

The Ford Bronco Sport is the clear choice here, offering 32.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity, which is substantially more than the 12.6 cu ft available in the longer Kia Sorento PHEV.

How do their primary fuel sources compare?

The Bronco Sport exclusively uses regular unleaded gasoline, delivering 27 combined MPG. The Sorento PHEV uses regular unleaded but adds a 30-mile all-electric range, making its overall fuel consumption figures superior when utilizing the battery.

If I prioritize raw power, which crossover should I pick?

The Sorento PHEV is much stronger, producing 261 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The Bronco Sport lags significantly behind in output with only 181 hp.

Are these vehicles similarly sized for parking?

Not exactly; the Bronco Sport is the shorter vehicle at 172.7 inches in length, making it a bit more manageable. The Sorento PHEV is nearly 17 inches longer at 189.6 inches, although both are similarly wide at approximately 74.3 inches.

Does the Bronco Sport offer a significant fuel economy advantage?

No, the Bronco Sport gets 27 combined MPG. The Sorento PHEV beats this when operating on gas alone with 33 combined MPG, in addition to its all-electric driving capability.