2025 Honda Ridgeline vs 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

$40,150 · Crossover

$39,890 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the 2025 Honda Ridgeline and the 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid often boils down to prioritizing utility versus efficiency for your daily drive. The Ridgeline, priced at $40,150, offers a traditional truck footprint (210.2 inches long) and 280 horsepower, leaning into capability. However, the Sportage PHEV provides a significant financial advantage: at $39,890, it delivers a combined 35 MPG, crushing the Ridgeline’s 21 MPG rating, plus an extra 34 miles of pure electric range. While the Honda provides AWD and 262 lb-ft of torque, the Kia counters with substantially more practicality, boasting 34.5 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Ridgeline’s limited 7.3 cu ft. If your route involves regular highway miles or short electric commutes, the fuel economy gap is too large to ignore.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia Sportage PHEV wins easily due to its superior combined 35 MPG fuel economy and 34 miles of all-electric range, significantly lowering running costs.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia offers nearly five times the functional storage with 34.5 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Ridgeline's restrictive 7.3 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Honda Ridgeline

The Honda Ridgeline is the choice for performance fans, offering slightly higher horsepower at 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The Sportage PHEV is marginally cheaper upfront ($39,890 vs $40,150) while offering massive long-term savings via its superior fuel efficiency.

Choose the Honda Ridgeline if...

You need the more powerful engine, as the Ridgeline boasts 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque.
Your usage truly demands truck bed utility, even though the Ridgeline's 7.3 cu ft cargo capacity is small for a truck.
You prefer the reliability of a 9-speed shiftable automatic transmission over the Kia's 6-speed unit.

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

Fuel savings are critical, given the Sportage PHEV’s substantial 14 MPG advantage (35 combined vs. 21).
You need practical hauling space, as the Kia provides 34.5 cu ft of enclosed storage.
You frequently take short trips where utilizing the 34 miles of electric range eliminates most gas stops.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Honda Ridgeline	Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
Length	210.2"	183.5"
Width	78.6"	73.4"
Height	70.8"	66.9"
Wheelbase	125.2"	108.5"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Honda	Kia
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
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 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	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
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	280 hp @ 6000 rpm	261 hp
Torque	262 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm	258 lb-ft
Number of Valves	24	16
Camshaft Type	Single overhead cam (SOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Cylinder Deactivation	✓	—

Drive Train

Feature	Honda	Kia
Transmission Type	9-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
[object Object]	✓	—
[object Object]	✓	—
Center Differential Type	—	Locking
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Honda	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	18/24 MPG	36/35 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	21 MPG	35 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	351.0/468.0 mi.	399.6/388.5 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	19.5 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	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Cruise Control	—	✓
Rear Door Pockets	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Honda	Kia
Infotainment Display	9.0 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Stereo Power	215W	—
Speaker System	7	6
Subwoofer Count	1	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Android Auto (Wired)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Honda	Kia
Front Head Room	40.1 in.	37.8 in.
Front Leg Room	40.9 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	62.0 in.	57.5 in.
Front Hip Room	59.1 in.	54.8 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	8-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	4-way
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Honda	Kia
Rear Head Room	38.8 in.	38.0 in.
Rear Leg Room	36.7 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	61.5 in.	55.6 in.
Rear Hip Room	56.6 in.	53.4 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Honda	Kia
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Diameter	18 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	245/60R	235/55R19
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—
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.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	1 yr./ 12000 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 Ridgeline and 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid.

How much larger is the Kia Sportage PHEV on the road compared to the Honda Ridgeline?

The Ridgeline is substantially larger overall, measuring 210.2 inches long and 78.6 inches wide, whereas the Sportage PHEV is a more compact crossover at 183.5 inches long and 73.4 inches wide.

Can the Honda Ridgeline handle daily commuting better than the hybrid Kia?

While both offer AWD, the Kia is better suited for commuting due to its fuel economy; its 35 MPG combined will save you money compared to the Ridgeline's 21 MPG combined.

What is the real-world cargo capacity difference between these two vehicles?

This is a major differentiator: the Kia offers a spacious 34.5 cu ft of enclosed cargo volume, while the Ridgeline's open bed is limited to just 7.3 cu ft.

Do either of these vehicles require premium fuel?

No, both the 2025 Honda Ridgeline and the 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid are specified to run on regular unleaded fuel.

Is the price difference between the two significant enough to impact the value proposition?

The Kia starts slightly lower at $39,890 compared to the Ridgeline’s $40,150, and when combined with the huge fuel efficiency gains, the Kia offers a stronger initial value.