2025 GMC Terrain vs 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

$30,000 · Crossover

$47,990 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between practicality and power often stumps crossover shoppers. If saving upfront cash is the main goal, the 2025 GMC Terrain starts at a very appealing $30,000, significantly undercutting the $47,990 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid. However, the Sorento delivers substantial performance gains, boasting 261 hp compared to the Terrain’s 175 hp, along with standard All-Wheel Drive. Fuel economy is another key battleground: the Kia PHEV achieves a combined 33 MPG, narrowly beating the Terrain's 27 MPG combined rating, though the Terrain relies solely on a gas engine while the Kia offers an electric range of 30 miles. Despite its lower price, the Terrain offers almost double the cargo space at 29.8 cu ft versus the Sorento's 12.6 cu ft. This comparison highlights a trade-off between budget-friendliness and advanced hybrid performance features.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

The Sorento PHEV’s 30 miles of electric range provides significant, silent, zero-emission commuting savings.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 GMC Terrain

The GMC Terrain offers substantially more accessible cargo capacity at 29.8 cu ft compared to the Sorento's 12.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

The Sorento generates 261 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, far outpacing the Terrain’s 175 hp output.

💰 Best Value

2025 GMC Terrain

The Terrain offers a massive $17,990 lower starting MSRP, making it the obvious choice for budget-conscious buyers.

Choose the GMC Terrain if...

You must keep your initial purchase price under $31,000, as the MSRP is only $30,000.
You frequently haul large items and need the superior 29.8 cu ft of cargo volume.
You prefer a simple, traditional gas powertrain experience over hybrid complexity.

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

You prioritize daily efficiency, leveraging the 30 miles of electric range before relying on regular unleaded fuel.
You need better traction, as the Sorento comes standard with All-Wheel Drive.
You desire significantly more power, benefiting from the 261 hp available from the hybrid system.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	GMC Terrain	Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
Length	181.0"	189.6"
Width	74.5"	74.8"
Height	66.2"	66.9"
Wheelbase	107.5"	110.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	GMC	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	✓	✓
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	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	—
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓

Engine

Feature	GMC	Kia
Base Engine Displacement	1.5 L	1.6 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	plug-in hybrid
Horsepower	175 hp @ 5800 rpm	261 hp
Torque	203 lb-ft @ 2000 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	GMC	Kia
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	GMC	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	26/28 MPG	33/34 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	27 MPG	33 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	384.8/414.4 mi.	409.2/421.6 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.8 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	GMC	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	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
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	GMC	Kia
Infotainment Display	15.0 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	GMC	Kia
One-Touch Power Windows	4	1
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	GMC	Kia
Front Head Room	40.0 in.	40.3 in.
Front Leg Room	40.6 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.7 in.	59.1 in.
Front Hip Room	55.3 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	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	GMC	Kia
Rear Head Room	39.2 in.	39.1 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.2 in.	40.7 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.7 in.	58.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	51.0 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	GMC	Kia
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	17 x 7.0 in	19 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/65R17	235/55R19
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	GMC	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 GMC Terrain and 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

How much power difference will I notice between these two crossovers?

The difference in power output is quite significant; the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid produces 261 horsepower, which is 86 hp more than the 2025 GMC Terrain's 175 hp. This means the Sorento will feel much quicker during acceleration and merging.

Is the Kia Sorento's higher price justified by its fuel economy advantage?

The Sorento, achieving a combined 33 MPG, is slightly more efficient than the Terrain’s 27 MPG combined. Crucially, the Sorento also offers 30 miles of pure electric range, which can significantly lower fuel costs for drivers with short commutes.

Which vehicle offers more usable space for hauling cargo?

The 2025 GMC Terrain is the clear winner for sheer capacity, offering 29.8 cubic feet of cargo room. The Kia Sorento PHEV provides only 12.6 cubic feet, likely due to battery placement for its hybrid components.

Do I have to use premium fuel in either of these models?

No, fortunately, both the 2025 GMC Terrain and the 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid are designed to run on regular unleaded fuel, keeping running costs predictable.

What is the main difference in drivetrain capability?

The standard 2025 GMC Terrain comes with Front Wheel Drive, whereas the 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid includes All-Wheel Drive, offering better stability in slick conditions.

How much money can I save initially by choosing the Terrain?

The initial savings are substantial: the Terrain starts at $30,000, meaning you save exactly $17,990 by opting for the Terrain over the Sorento PHEV's $47,990 starting MSRP.