2025 Honda Pilot vs 2025 Kia Sorento
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Honda Pilot bursts onto the scene with 285 horsepower, delivering raw utility and a commanding presence at 199.9 inches long. It’s a powerhouse option, though its 22 combined MPG reflects that robust engine. Contrast this with the nimble 2025 Kia Sorento, an efficiency champion boasting 31 MPG highway, making it the smarter daily runner for frugal drivers. The Pilot carries a significant MSRP premium of $40,200 compared to the Sorento’s $31,990 entry point. Performance enthusiasts will note the Pilot's commanding 262 lb-ft of torque versus the Sorento’s 181 lb-ft. While the Pilot offers more sheer interior volume, the Sorento significantly undercuts the competition on price and fuel consumption, providing a compelling value proposition for budget-conscious families prioritizing frugality over outright power.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Kia Sorento
The 2025 Kia Sorento wins for commuters due to its superior 26 combined MPG, offering significant savings over the Pilot's 22 MPG.
2025 Honda Pilot
The larger 2025 Honda Pilot offers superior dimensions and likely more passenger comfort and 18.6 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Sorento's 12.6 cu ft.
2025 Honda Pilot
The 2025 Honda Pilot is the enthusiast's choice with 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, easily outpacing the Sorento’s 191 hp output.
2025 Kia Sorento
The 2025 Kia Sorento offers substantially better value by undercutting the Honda Pilot's MSRP by $8,210.
Choose the Honda Pilot if...
- You require maximum power, benefiting from the Pilot's 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque.
- Your priority is maximum interior capacity, utilizing the Pilot's greater length (199.9 inches) and 18.6 cu ft cargo volume.
- You prefer the smoother power delivery and gear ratio spread provided by the Pilot's 10-speed automatic transmission.
Choose the Kia Sorento if...
- Budget is the primary constraint, as the Sorento is $8,210 less expensive than the Pilot.
- Fuel efficiency is paramount, with the Sorento achieving 26 combined MPG versus the Pilot's 22 MPG.
- You prefer a slightly more manageable footprint, as the Sorento is notably shorter and narrower than the Pilot.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Honda Pilot | Kia Sorento |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 199.9" | 189.6" |
| Width | 78.5" | 74.8" |
| Height | 71.0" | 66.7" |
| Wheelbase | 113.8" | 110.8" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Honda | 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | — |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Fog 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Honda | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 3.5 L | 2.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | V6 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 285 hp @ 6100 rpm | 191 hp @ 6100 rpm |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm | 181 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 24 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cylinder Deactivation | ✓ | — |
Drive Train
| Feature | Honda | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 10-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Honda | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 19/27 MPG | 23/31 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 22 MPG | 26 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 351.5/499.5 mi. | 407.1/548.7 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 17.7 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Honda | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | — |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Rear Seat Easy Entry | ✓ | — |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | — |
| Driver Vanity Mirror | ✓ | — |
| Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry | — | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | — | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Honda | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 7.0 in | 12.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stereo Power | 240W | — |
| Speaker System | 7 | 6 |
| Subwoofer Count | 1 | — |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | — |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | — | 3 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Honda | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 1 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Honda | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.5 in. | 40.3 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.0 in. | 41.4 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 61.9 in. | 59.1 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 58.4 in. | 55.6 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | — |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | 4-way | — |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 6-way |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 4-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Honda | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.2 in. | 39.1 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 40.8 in. | 41.7 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 61.7 in. | 58.1 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 57.4 in. | 55.1 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Honda | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 20 x 8.0 in | 17 x 7.0 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 255/50R | 235/65R17 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Material | — | Alloy |
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. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 2 yr./ 24000 mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Honda Pilot and 2025 Kia Sorento.
What is the primary performance advantage of the 2025 Honda Pilot over the Kia Sorento?
The 2025 Honda Pilot boasts a significant power advantage, producing 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, compared to the 2025 Kia Sorento's 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. This 94 hp difference means the Pilot will feel substantially quicker when merging or passing.
How much more affordable is the Kia Sorento compared to the Honda Pilot?
The Kia Sorento offers exceptional value, with an MSRP of $31,990, which is $8,210 less than the Honda Pilot's starting price of $40,200. This large price gap allows buyers to save significantly upfront with the Sorento.
Which crossover is better for long highway commutes based on fuel economy?
The 2025 Kia Sorento is the clear winner for fuel efficiency, achieving an estimated 31 MPG highway and 26 combined MPG. The Honda Pilot trails slightly with 27 MPG highway and 22 combined MPG.
Is the Honda Pilot significantly larger than the Kia Sorento?
Yes, the Pilot is substantially larger in scale; it measures 199.9 inches long and 71.0 inches tall, while the Sorento is shorter at 189.6 inches and lower at 66.7 inches. This results in more accessible cargo capacity for the Pilot.
Do both vehicles require premium fuel?
Neither vehicle demands premium fuel; both the 2025 Honda Pilot and the 2025 Kia Sorento are designed to run happily on regular unleaded gasoline, helping to keep ownership costs down regardless of your choice.
Which vehicle offers more utility space for gear?
The 2025 Honda Pilot provides more dedicated storage, offering 18.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the third row. The 2025 Kia Sorento trails in this metric, offering 12.6 cubic feet in the same configuration.
More Mid-Range SUVs ($30k-$50k)
View allVehicle Details
Compare More Vehicles
Use our interactive comparison tool to compare up to 4 vehicles at once
Open Comparison Tool