2025 Honda Ridgeline vs 2026 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

$40,150 · Crossover

$48,290 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the rugged utility of the 2025 Honda Ridgeline and the efficiency of the 2026 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid presents a classic dilemma: capability versus economy. The Ridgeline starts firmly ahead on sticker price at $40,150 compared to the Kia's higher $48,290 MSRP, making it immediately more accessible. However, the Sorento PHEV claws back costs quickly through fuel savings, boasting a 33 combined MPG versus the Ridgeline's 21 combined MPG, a significant 12 MPG difference. While the Ridgeline offers a slightly higher output with 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, the Kia provides 30 miles of pure electric range, ideal for daily errands. The Ridgeline is longer at 210.2 inches, which might matter for parking, while the Kia optimizes space internally, offering a larger 12.6 cu ft of cargo capacity over the Honda's 7.3 cu ft.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

The Sorento PHEV wins for commuters due to its superior 33 combined MPG and 30 miles of electric range, drastically cutting daily fuel stops.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

Families will prefer the Sorento's larger 12.6 cu ft cargo area and better fuel economy for road trips, despite the Ridgeline being slightly longer.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Honda Ridgeline

The Ridgeline appeals more to enthusiasts with its higher 280 hp output and 262 lb-ft of torque compared to the Sorento's 261 hp and 258 lb-ft.

💰 Best Value

2025 Honda Ridgeline

The Ridgeline provides better initial value with an MSRP nearly $8,140 lower than the Sorento PHEV.

Choose the Honda Ridgeline if...

You need the lowest upfront cost, as the Ridgeline starts at $40,150.
Your work or hobbies require more raw power, leveraging the Ridgeline's 280 horsepower.
You prefer the traditional utility feel of a larger vehicle, evident in its 210.2-inch length.

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

Reducing ongoing fuel costs is a priority, given the Sorento’s 12 MPG advantage (33 vs 21 combined).
You frequently haul gear or groceries and can utilize the Sorento's 12.6 cu ft of cargo space.
Your daily driving is short enough to cover entirely on the Sorento's 30 miles of electric range.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Honda Ridgeline	Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
Length	210.2"	189.6"
Width	78.6"	74.8"
Height	70.8"	66.9"
Wheelbase	125.2"	110.8"

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	—	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
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 shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
[object Object]	✓	—
[object Object]	✓	—
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Honda	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	18/24 MPG	33/34 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	21 MPG	33 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	351.0/468.0 mi.	409.2/421.6 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	19.5 gal.	12.4 gal.
EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe)	—	77/71 MPGe
EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe)	—	74 MPGe
EPA Electric Driving Range	—	30 mi.
EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi)	—	45
Charging Time (240V)	—	3.4 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	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Rear Door Pockets	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓
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	✓	—
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

Feature	Honda	Kia
One-Touch Power Windows	2	1
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Honda	Kia
Front Head Room	40.1 in.	40.3 in.
Front Leg Room	40.9 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	62.0 in.	59.1 in.
Front Hip Room	59.1 in.	55.6 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	8-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	—
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Honda	Kia
Rear Head Room	38.8 in.	39.1 in.
Rear Leg Room	36.7 in.	40.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	61.5 in.	58.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	56.6 in.	55.1 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

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	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	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 2026 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

What is the real-world difference in fuel savings between these two crossovers?

The Kia Sorento PHEV offers a significant advantage with 33 combined MPG versus the Honda Ridgeline's 21 combined MPG. This 12 MPG difference means the Sorento will require substantially less money spent on regular unleaded fuel over the year.

Does the Ridgeline’s higher horsepower translate to a better driving experience than the Sorento PHEV?

The Ridgeline offers slightly more punch with 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque compared to the Sorento's 261 hp and 258 lb-ft. However, the Sorento's initial electric boost and 6-speed automatic might feel smoother for city driving, while the Honda’s 9-speed is designed for varied terrain.

Which vehicle is better if I occasionally carry bulky items, given the cargo differences?

The Sorento PHEV provides significantly more dedicated storage volume at 12.6 cubic feet, substantially outclassing the Ridgeline’s 7.3 cubic feet of enclosed cargo capacity. If you rarely use the Ridgeline's bed for true truck duties, the Kia offers better interior stowage.

How does the initial purchase price gap affect long-term ownership costs?

The Ridgeline has an $8,140 lower MSRP starting at $40,150. While you save upfront, this gap might close quickly; owners who drive long distances may find the Sorento's superior fuel efficiency negates the initial price difference over several years.

Are both vehicles suitable for adverse weather, considering their drive types?

Yes, both come standard with All-Wheel Drive systems, making them capable choices for rain or light snow. The Ridgeline utilizes a 9-speed automatic transmission, while the Sorento PHEV uses a 6-speed shiftable automatic, but both offer enhanced traction over two-wheel-drive competitors.

Is the size difference important for daily city maneuvering?

The Sorento PHEV is notably smaller, measuring 189.6 inches long and 74.8 inches wide, compared to the Ridgeline's 210.2-inch length and 78.6-inch width. The Kia will generally be easier to fit into tight parking spaces.