2025 GMC Terrain vs 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

$30,000 · Crossover

$39,890 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 GMC Terrain arrives with rugged ambition and an accessible entry price of $30,000, relying on its capable 175 hp engine and 27 MPG combined efficiency to tackle daily duty. Conversely, the 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid shouts performance and cutting-edge efficiency, boasting a robust 261 hp and an astonishing 35 MPG combined rating, alongside 34 miles of pure electric running. The Sportage dominates on raw power metrics, showing an 86 hp advantage over the Terrain. While the Terrain offers a lower sticker price, the Sportage compensates with significant efficiency gains and superior utility, including 34.5 cubic feet of cargo space versus the Terrain's 29.8 cubic feet. This comparison pits accessible, conventional capability against electrified, punchy performance where the Kia's sophisticated powertrain costs $9,890 more but delivers dramatically better output.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The Sportage PHEV's superior efficiency, achieving 36 MPG in the city and offering 34 miles of electric range, minimizes daily running costs despite its higher initial price.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia offers greater practical utility with 34.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity and the assurance of standard All-Wheel Drive.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia Sportage PHEV is the clear performance leader, generating 261 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque compared to the Terrain's 175 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 GMC Terrain

The GMC Terrain wins on pure affordability, starting at $30,000, significantly undercutting the Kia's $39,890 MSRP.

Choose the GMC Terrain if...

Your primary concern is minimizing the initial purchase cost, as the Terrain starts at just $30,000.
You prioritize simplicity with a standard Front Wheel Drive setup and a traditional powertrain.
You don't mind slightly lower efficiency, accepting the 27 MPG combined rating for the lower entry price.

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

You want explosive power, leveraging the 261 hp engine for a much more engaging drive.
You prioritize fuel economy, benefitting from the 35 MPG combined rating and 34 miles of electric-only driving.
You need superior cargo capacity, as the Kia offers 34.5 cubic feet, noticeably more than the Terrain's 29.8 cubic feet.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	GMC Terrain	Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
Length	181.0"	183.5"
Width	74.5"	73.4"
Height	66.2"	66.9"
Wheelbase	107.5"	108.5"

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	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
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 automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓
Center Differential Type	—	Locking

Fuel

Feature	GMC	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	26/28 MPG	36/35 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	27 MPG	35 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	384.8/414.4 mi.	399.6/388.5 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.8 gal.	11.1 gal.
EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe)	—	88/79 MPGe
EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe)	—	84 MPGe
EPA Electric Driving Range	—	34 mi.
EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi)	—	40
Charging Time (240V)	—	2.0 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	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Cruise Control	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓
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	✓	—
Android Auto (Wired)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	—	✓

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	GMC	Kia
Front Head Room	40.0 in.	37.8 in.
Front Leg Room	40.6 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.7 in.	57.5 in.
Front Hip Room	55.3 in.	54.8 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	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 Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	GMC	Kia
Rear Head Room	39.2 in.	38.0 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.2 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.7 in.	55.6 in.
Rear Hip Room	51.0 in.	53.4 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓

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	—
Spare Tire Location	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 Sportage Plug-In Hybrid.

How much more powerful is the 2025 Kia Sportage PHEV than the 2025 GMC Terrain?

The Kia Sportage PHEV boasts significantly more muscle, producing 261 horsepower from its powertrain compared to the GMC Terrain's 175 horsepower, resulting in an 86 hp advantage for the Kia.

Is the higher cost of the Kia justified by its fuel savings?

The Kia costs $9,890 more upfront but yields better economy with 35 MPG combined versus the Terrain's 27 MPG combined, plus 34 miles of zero-emission driving, which should offset the initial premium over time.

Which vehicle offers better utility for carrying cargo?

The 2025 Kia Sportage PHEV is the more capacious choice, offering 34.5 cubic feet of cargo volume, while the 2025 GMC Terrain is slightly smaller at 29.8 cubic feet.

What is the difference in drivetrain configuration?

The standard 2025 GMC Terrain utilizes Front Wheel Drive paired with a Continuously Variable Transmission, whereas the 2025 Kia Sportage PHEV comes standard with All-Wheel Drive and a more traditional 6-speed automatic transmission.

Do both crossovers use the same type of fuel?

Yes, both the 2025 GMC Terrain and the 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid are specified to run on regular unleaded fuel, even though the Kia incorporates a large battery component.

Are the physical dimensions vastly different between the two models?

The dimensions are closely matched; the Kia is slightly longer at 183.5 inches versus the Terrain's 181.0 inches, and the Kia is marginally taller at 66.9 inches compared to the Terrain's 66.2 inches.