2025 Honda Pilot vs 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

$40,200 · Crossover

$39,890 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Honda Pilot bursts onto the scene with a robust 285 hp V6 engine, delivering accessible power and a commanding presence at 199.9 inches long. It embodies traditional, rugged utility for those who demand immediate gas performance. Conversely, the 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid excites with its forward-thinking efficiency, boasting a fantastic 35 combined MPG rating and an exclusive 34 miles of electric-only driving range. While the Pilot offers a stronger 262 lb-ft of torque, the Kia counters with superior overall economy. This battle pits raw, naturally aspirated muscle against electrified ingenuity; the Pilot’s 19 MPG city rating contrasts sharply with the Kia’s ability to often run on pure electric power, making the 13 MPG combined efficiency gap a huge consideration for high-mileage drivers.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The Sportage PHEV wins for commuters due to its superior 35 combined MPG and 34 miles of electric-only range, drastically cutting running costs.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot offers significantly more space, evident in its greater overall dimensions and larger passenger/cargo volume, despite its lower fuel economy.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Honda Pilot

The Pilot's naturally aspirated 285 hp engine and 262 lb-ft of torque provide a more traditional and immediately accessible performance feel compared to the hybrid system.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

Despite a similar $40,200 MSRP for the Pilot, the Kia’s massive long-term fuel savings and lower entry price of $39,890 establish it as the better value proposition.

Choose the Honda Pilot if...

You prioritize the commanding presence and tried-and-true reliability of a naturally aspirated engine delivering 285 hp.
Your needs frequently involve maximizing interior capacity, relying on the Pilot's larger footprint.
You require the 10-speed shiftable automatic transmission for specific driving modulation, regardless of the 22 combined MPG.

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

Cutting fuel costs is paramount, leveraging the 35 combined MPG efficiency versus the Pilot's 22 MPG.
You can utilize the 34 miles of all-electric range for daily zero-emission commuting.
You value the agility and stability provided by the standard All-Wheel Drive system over the Pilot's FWD setup.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Honda Pilot	Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
Length	199.9"	183.5"
Width	78.5"	73.4"
Height	71.0"	66.9"
Wheelbase	113.8"	108.5"

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	1.6 L
Number of Cylinders	V6	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	plug-in hybrid
Horsepower	285 hp @ 6100 rpm	261 hp
Torque	262 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm	258 lb-ft
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	6-speed 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)	19/27 MPG	36/35 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	22 MPG	35 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	351.5/499.5 mi.	399.6/388.5 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.5 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	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	✓	—
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Cruise 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	✓	—
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Honda	Kia
Front Head Room	40.5 in.	37.8 in.
Front Leg Room	41.0 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	61.9 in.	57.5 in.
Front Hip Room	58.4 in.	54.8 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	4-way	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Honda	Kia
Rear Head Room	40.2 in.	38.0 in.
Rear Leg Room	40.8 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	61.7 in.	55.6 in.
Rear Hip Room	57.4 in.	53.4 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	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	20 x 8.0 in	19 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	255/50R	235/55R19
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	—

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.	—
EV Battery Warranty	—	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Hybrid Component Warranty	—	10 yr./ 100000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Honda Pilot and 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid.

Is the 2025 Kia Sportage PHEV truly more practical for family hauling than the 2025 Honda Pilot?

While the Pilot is physically larger (199.9 inches long), the Sportage PHEV boasts significantly more cargo room, offering 34.5 cu ft compared to the Pilot's 18.6 cu ft in the listed configuration. However, the Pilot’s larger overall dimensions likely translate to more passenger volume.

How much power difference is there, and does it matter in these crossovers?

The Honda Pilot holds a slight edge with 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque versus the Kia's 261 hp and 258 lb-ft. For daily driving, this 4 hp difference is negligible, but the Pilot delivers that power via a traditional 10-speed automatic setup.

If I drive mostly in the city, which vehicle offers the best fuel economy?

The Kia Sportage PHEV is the clear winner, offering 36 MPG in the city and the ability to drive 34 miles purely on electricity before engaging that efficient gas engine. The Pilot manages only 19 MPG in city driving.

Why choose the front-wheel drive Pilot over the all-wheel drive Sportage PHEV?

The choice depends on environment; the Pilot is configured with FWD, which is often adequate for dry climates. The Kia offers standard AWD, providing better traction and stability in inclement weather, which can be a critical safety factor.

Are the purchase prices drastically different between these two models?

No, the pricing is surprisingly close, with the Kia Sportage PHEV starting at $39,890 and the Honda Pilot starting at $40,200. This narrow price gap makes the Kia’s efficiency benefits even more compelling for long-term ownership value.

Does the Pilot have a larger fuel tank if I plan on long road trips without charging access?

Specific fuel tank sizes are not provided, but given the Pilot's much lower 22 combined MPG rating, its total range on a single tank will likely be shorter than the Kia's when the Kia is running in hybrid mode.