2025 Hyundai Palisade vs 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

$37,200 · Crossover

$47,990 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between the versatile 2025 Hyundai Palisade and the efficient 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid often comes down to budget versus long-term fuel savings. The Palisade starts significantly lower at $37,200 compared to the Sorento PHEV's $47,990, creating a $10,790 initial hurdle for the Kia. However, the Sorento fights back with superior efficiency, boasting a 33 MPG combined rating versus the Palisade's 22 MPG combined, meaning less money spent at the pump over time. Power delivery is similar, with the Palisade offering a slight edge at 291 hp compared to the Kia's 261 hp. While the Palisade is the larger vehicle at 196.7 inches long with 18 cubic feet of cargo space, the Sorento offers a 30-mile electric-only range that the standard gasoline Palisade cannot match. Your choice hinges on whether you prioritize upfront affordability or advanced, low-emissions daily driving.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia Sorento PHEV wins for commuters due to its excellent 33 MPG combined rating and 30 miles of pure electric driving capability.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Hyundai Palisade

The Hyundai Palisade is the family winner because its larger exterior dimensions translate to a more spacious 18 cu ft of cargo capacity behind the third row.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Hyundai Palisade

The Palisade appeals slightly more to enthusiasts with its greater output of 291 horsepower compared to the Sorento's 261 horsepower.

💰 Best Value

2025 Hyundai Palisade

The Palisade offers significantly better value initially, starting at a full $10,790 less than the Sorento PHEV.

Choose the Hyundai Palisade if...

You need the absolute lowest initial purchase price, starting at $37,200.
You frequently haul larger items and need the superior 18 cu ft of cargo capacity.
You prefer the slight performance boost offered by its 291 hp engine.

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

Saving money on fuel is critical, capitalizing on its 33 MPG combined efficiency.
Your daily commute is under 30 miles, allowing for frequent electric-only operation.
You desire All-Wheel Drive capability right out of the box, unlike the standard FWD Palisade.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Hyundai Palisade	Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
Length	196.7"	189.6"
Width	77.8"	74.8"
Height	68.9"	66.9"
Wheelbase	114.2"	110.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Front Cross Traffic Alert	✓	—
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear 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	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	—
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Base Engine Displacement	3.8 L	1.6 L
Number of Cylinders	V6	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	plug-in hybrid
Horsepower	291 hp @ 6000 rpm	261 hp
Torque	262 lb-ft @ 5200 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	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	19/26 MPG	33/34 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	22 MPG	33 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	357.2/488.8 mi.	409.2/421.6 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.8 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	Hyundai	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	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Power Rear Seat Easy Entry	✓	—
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	—
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months
Speaker System	—	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Front Head Room	40.7 in.	40.3 in.
Front Leg Room	44.1 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	61.2 in.	59.1 in.
Front Hip Room	58.1 in.	55.6 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
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	Hyundai	Kia
Rear Head Room	40.1 in.	39.1 in.
Rear Leg Room	42.4 in.	40.7 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	60.8 in.	58.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	57.7 in.	55.1 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	—
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	✓
Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	19 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	245/60R18	235/55R19
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy

Suspension

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Basic Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	7 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	—
EV Battery Warranty	—	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Hybrid Component Warranty	—	10 yr./ 100000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Hyundai Palisade and 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

What is the true fuel cost difference between these two crossovers?

The 2025 Palisade is rated at 22 MPG combined, while the 2025 Sorento PHEV achieves 33 MPG combined; this 11 MPG advantage, plus the Sorento's 30-mile electric range, means the Kia will cost substantially less to operate annually for high-mileage drivers.

Is the Palisade much larger inside than the Sorento PHEV?

Yes, the Palisade is physically larger, measuring 196.7 inches long versus the Sorento's 189.6 inches. This size difference results in 18 cu ft of cargo space for the Palisade compared to the Sorento's 12.6 cu ft, which is a significant difference when the third rows are in use.

Why is the Kia Sorento PHEV so much more expensive upfront?

The Sorento PHEV commands a $47,990 MSRP because it incorporates advanced hybrid technology, including a battery pack providing a 30-mile electric range, which is not present in the standard gasoline-only Palisade starting at $37,200.

Which car provides better driving engagement?

For raw power, the Palisade wins with 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, which edges out the Sorento's 261 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, though the Sorento offers standard AWD.

Do both vehicles require premium fuel?

No, fortunately, both the 2025 Hyundai Palisade and the 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid specify using regular unleaded fuel, keeping running costs predictable for both models.

What are the key differences in handling capabilities?

The Sorento PHEV comes standard with All Wheel Drive, while the Palisade is listed with Front Wheel Drive as standard, giving the Kia a potential advantage in adverse weather or slippery conditions.