2025 Hyundai Palisade vs 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

$37,200 · Crossover

$40,490 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical divergence between the 2025 Hyundai Palisade and the 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid lies in fuel economy, with the Sportage achieving a 36 combined MPG versus the Palisade's 22 combined MPG, a 14 MPG advantage. Despite the Kia's superior efficiency, the Palisade undercuts the price significantly at an MSRP of $37,200 compared to the Kia's $40,490. Performance metrics are slightly varied; the Palisade delivers 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, narrowly beating the Sportage’s 268 hp, though the Kia counters with slightly more torque at 271 lb-ft. Size also favors the Hyundai, measuring 196.7 inches in length against the Kia's 184.4 inches. However, the Kia compensates for its smaller footprint with a cargo capacity of 34.5 cu ft, substantially more than the Palisade's 18 cu ft, alongside an added 33 miles of electric range.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid wins due to its vastly superior 36 combined MPG rating and 33 miles of electric-only range.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Hyundai Palisade

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade offers superior physical dimensions, including a larger exterior length (196.7 inches) and likely more spacious interior volume.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Hyundai Palisade

The Hyundai Palisade produces higher peak gasoline engine output with 291 hp compared to the Kia's 268 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Hyundai Palisade

The Palisade presents a lower entry price point at $37,200, saving buyers $3,290 upfront over the Sportage PHEV.

Choose the Hyundai Palisade if...

Maximum gasoline-only power output of 291 hp is prioritized over efficiency.
A lower base MSRP of $37,200 is a deciding factor in the purchase.
Need for maximum physical length (196.7 inches) and potentially greater passenger accommodation is required.

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

Achieving 36 combined MPG and operating on electric power for 33 miles is essential.
The buyer requires significantly more measurable cargo volume (34.5 cu ft vs. 18 cu ft).
All-wheel drive is preferred over the standard front-wheel drive offered by Car 1.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Hyundai Palisade	Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
Length	196.7"	184.4"
Width	77.8"	73.4"
Height	68.9"	66.9"
Wheelbase	114.2"	108.5"

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	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓

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	268 hp
Torque	262 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm	271 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	—	Locking
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	19/26 MPG	35/36 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	22 MPG	36 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	357.2/488.8 mi.	388.5/399.6 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.8 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	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	—	✓
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	2
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Moonroof Type	—	1st Row Power Glass Extended

Frontseats

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Front Head Room	40.7 in.	39.6 in.
Front Leg Room	44.1 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	61.2 in.	57.5 in.
Front Hip Room	58.1 in.	54.8 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 Manual Adjustments	—	4-way
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.	39.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	60.8 in.	55.6 in.
Rear Hip Room	57.7 in.	53.4 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—

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	—
Spare Tire Location	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 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid.

How does the fuel economy difference translate practically between the two crossovers?

The 2026 Kia Sportage PHEV offers a 14 MPG advantage, achieving 36 combined MPG compared to the 2025 Hyundai Palisade's 22 combined MPG, which translates to significantly lower running costs over high mileage.

Which vehicle offers more utility space for cargo?

The 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid provides substantially more storage with 34.5 cu ft of cargo capacity, nearly doubling the Palisade's 18 cu ft.

Is the Hyundai Palisade faster based on horsepower figures?

Yes, the Palisade is rated higher in peak power with 291 hp, exceeding the Sportage PHEV's 268 hp, although the Kia has slightly more torque at 271 lb-ft.

What is the cost implication of choosing the plug-in hybrid technology?

Opting for the 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid increases the entry MSRP by $3,290, costing $40,490 compared to the Hyundai Palisade's $37,200.

Does the drivetrain differ between these two models?

Yes, the standard Hyundai Palisade is offered in front-wheel drive, while the 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid comes standard with all-wheel drive.

How do the physical sizes of the vehicles compare?

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade is the larger vehicle, measuring 196.7 inches in length and 68.9 inches in height, compared to the Sportage's 184.4 inches in length and 66.9 inches in height.