2025 Honda CR-V vs 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

$30,100 · Crossover

$40,490 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant quantifiable divergence between the 2025 Honda CR-V and the 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid is the $10,390 MSRP difference, with the CR-V starting at $30,100 compared to the Kia's $40,490. This price gap corresponds to notable performance metrics, as the Sportage PHEV delivers 268 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, substantially outperforming the CR-V's 190 hp and 179 lb-ft. Fuel economy also separates the two: the Kia achieves a 36 combined MPG, beating the CR-V's 30 combined MPG, plus offering a 33-mile electric-only range. Dimensionally, the vehicles are near-identical in length (184.8 in vs 184.4 in), but the CR-V offers superior utility with 39.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity versus the Kia's 34.5 cubic feet. The performance discrepancy is clear, but the CR-V maintains a notable advantage in raw, usable storage space.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The 2026 Kia Sportage PHEV wins for commuters due to its superior 36 combined MPG rating and 33 miles of electric-only driving capability.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Honda CR-V

The 2025 Honda CR-V is preferred for families because it offers greater overall cargo capacity at 39.3 cubic feet compared to the Kia's 34.5 cubic feet.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The Sportage PHEV appeals more to enthusiasts by delivering 268 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque, significantly exceeding the CR-V's 190 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Honda CR-V

The 2025 Honda CR-V provides better baseline value, starting $10,390 lower than the Sportage PHEV while still delivering a respectable 30 combined MPG.

Choose the Honda CR-V if...

You prioritize the lowest initial purchase price, starting at $30,100 MSRP.
You require maximum usable interior storage, evidenced by its 39.3 cu ft cargo capacity.
You prefer the simplicity and lower cost of maintenance associated with a traditional non-plug-in powertrain (190 hp).

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

Maximizing fuel efficiency is critical, boasting a 36 combined MPG and a 33-mile electric range.
You desire significantly higher performance figures, including 268 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) capability is necessary, compared to the standard FWD of the CR-V.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Honda CR-V	Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
Length	184.8"	184.4"
Width	73.5"	73.4"
Height	66.2"	66.9"
Wheelbase	106.3"	108.5"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Honda	Kia
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Driver Attention 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	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
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	✓	✓
Blind Spot Monitor	—	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Honda	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	190 hp @ 6000 rpm	268 hp
Torque	179 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm	271 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	Honda	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	—	Locking

Fuel

Feature	Honda	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	28/34 MPG	35/36 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	30 MPG	36 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	392.0/476.0 mi.	388.5/399.6 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.0 gal.	11.1 gal.
EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe)	—	87/78 MPGe
EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe)	—	83 MPGe
EPA Electric Driving Range	—	33 mi.
EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi)	—	43
Charging Time (240V)	—	2.0 hr.
DC Fast Charging Port Type	—	SAE J1772

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Honda	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	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Honda	Kia
Infotainment Display	7.0 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Stereo Power	160W	—
Speaker System	4	6
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Honda	Kia
Front Head Room	40.0 in.	39.6 in.
Front Leg Room	41.3 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.9 in.	57.5 in.
Front Hip Room	55.6 in.	54.8 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	4-way
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Honda	Kia
Rear Head Room	38.2 in.	39.1 in.
Rear Leg Room	41.0 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.9 in.	55.6 in.
Rear Hip Room	52.6 in.	53.4 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Honda	Kia
Wheel Material	Steel	—
Wheel Cover Type	✓	—
Wheel Diameter	17 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/65R	235/55R19
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	—	19 x 7.5 in

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Honda	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	3 yr./ 36000 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 Honda CR-V and 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid.

How much more powerful is the 2026 Kia Sportage PHEV than the 2025 Honda CR-V?

The Kia Sportage PHEV is significantly more powerful, generating 268 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. This compares favorably to the 2025 Honda CR-V, which produces 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque, representing a 78 hp difference.

Does the 2025 Honda CR-V have more cargo space than the 2026 Kia Sportage PHEV?

Yes, the Honda CR-V provides more cargo volume at 39.3 cubic feet. The 2026 Kia Sportage PHEV trails slightly with 34.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats.

What is the primary financial difference between these two crossovers?

The primary financial difference is the MSRP; the 2026 Kia Sportage PHEV starts at $40,490, which is $10,390 more than the Honda CR-V's starting price of $30,100.

How does the hybrid capability of the Kia affect its daily driving efficiency compared to the CR-V?

The Sportage PHEV is more efficient overall, achieving 36 combined MPG versus the CR-V's 30 combined MPG. Furthermore, the Kia allows for an estimated 33 miles of emission-free driving solely on electric power before engaging the gas engine.

Are the drive systems different between the two models?

Yes, the standard configuration for the 2025 Honda CR-V is Front Wheel Drive, while the 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid comes standard with All Wheel Drive.

Which vehicle uses a conventional automatic transmission?

The 2026 Kia Sportage PHEV utilizes a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission. Conversely, the 2025 Honda CR-V uses a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT).