2025 Honda Ridgeline vs 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

$40,150 · Crossover

$40,490 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the 2025 Honda Ridgeline and the 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid presents a classic dilemma: rugged utility versus groundbreaking efficiency. Many buyers wonder if a truck-like platform is truly necessary when an SUV can handle daily duties better. The Ridgeline, priced at an MSRP of $40,150, offers a more traditional truck feel with 280 hp, but trails significantly in fuel economy at only 21 combined MPG. In stark contrast, the Sportage PHEV, though slightly pricier at $40,490, achieves a stunning 36 combined MPG, boosted by its 33 miles of all-electric range. Furthermore, the Kia offers vastly superior practical space, boasting 34.5 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Ridgeline's minimal 7.3 cu ft. This 15 MPG gap in efficiency, alongside the massive difference in storage, makes the Kia the practical choice for most drivers covering significant distances.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The Sportage PHEV wins easily due to its superior 36 combined MPG and 33 miles of electric-only driving, significantly cutting fuel costs.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

With 34.5 cu ft of cargo space versus the Ridgeline's 7.3 cu ft, the Kia offers significantly more room for strollers, gear, and groceries.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Honda Ridgeline

Enthusiasts seeking conventional truck-like mechanicals will appreciate the Ridgeline's 262 lb-ft of torque and 9-speed transmission setup.

💰 Best Value

2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

Despite a nearly identical starting price, the Kia's major fuel savings and vastly increased cargo utility make it the better overall value proposition.

Choose the Honda Ridgeline if...

You require the specific configuration of a crossover body built on a truck platform, even with only 7.3 cu ft of cargo space.
You prefer a traditional 9-speed shiftable automatic transmission paired with 280 horsepower.
You value the 24 highway MPG rating over hybrid efficiency for mixed driving scenarios.

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

Minimizing fuel stops is key, benefiting from the 36 combined MPG and 33 miles of all-electric range.
You need substantial cargo room, as the Kia offers 34.5 cu ft compared to the Honda's 7.3 cu ft.
You want nearly the same horsepower (268 hp) with significantly higher torque (271 lb-ft) for quicker initial acceleration.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Honda Ridgeline	Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
Length	210.2"	184.4"
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	268 hp
Torque	262 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm	271 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	—	Locking
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Honda	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	18/24 MPG	35/36 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	21 MPG	36 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	351.0/468.0 mi.	388.5/399.6 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	19.5 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	✓	✓
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	—	✓
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	✓	—
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.	39.6 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.	39.1 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 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid.

Is the 2025 Honda Ridgeline actually a true truck, or is it more like a crossover?

The Ridgeline is structurally built on a crossover unibody platform, sharing architecture with other Honda SUVs. While it has a bed for hauling, its 210.2-inch length and 70.8-inch height give it a substantial presence, but it lacks the body-on-frame construction of traditional pickups.

How much money could I save annually by choosing the Kia Sportage PHEV over the Ridgeline?

Given the 15 MPG difference (36 MPG vs. 21 MPG), savings are substantial, especially if you drive a lot. If you average 15,000 miles per year, the Kia will consume roughly 417 gallons of fuel, while the Honda will consume about 714 gallons, leading to significant savings at the pump.

Does the Kia Sportage PHEV require a special charger for its electric range?

The provided specifications mention its 33-mile electric range and its use of regular unleaded fuel, but do not detail charging level requirements. Generally, PHEVs are compatible with standard home outlets, though Level 2 charging offers faster battery replenishment.

Which vehicle is easier to park in tight city spaces?

The 2026 Kia Sportage PHEV is notably smaller and more maneuverable than the Ridgeline, measuring 184.4 inches long compared to the Honda's 210.2 inches. Its slightly smaller width (73.4 inches vs. 78.6 inches) will also aid in navigating tighter parking garages.

How does the horsepower and torque compare between the two AWD models?

The 2025 Ridgeline has a slight edge in raw horsepower with 280 hp compared to the Kia's 268 hp. However, the Kia compensates with higher torque at 271 lb-ft versus the Honda's 262 lb-ft, which often translates to better immediate acceleration off the line.