2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

$34,300 · Crossover

$47,990 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the all-new 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe and the 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid boils down to upfront cost versus long-term running expenses. The Santa Fe is significantly cheaper, starting at just $34,300 compared to the Sorento PHEV's steep $47,990 MSRP—a difference of $13,690 right off the lot. However, efficiency swings heavily in Kia's favor, achieving 33 combined MPG versus the Santa Fe's 24 combined MPG. The Santa Fe counters with a slight advantage in output, offering 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque to the Kia's 261 hp and 258 lb-ft. Furthermore, the Hyundai is marginally longer at 190.2 inches, providing a tiny edge in cargo space at 14.6 cubic feet compared to the Sorento's 12.6 cu ft. The decision hinges on whether that high initial investment for 30 miles of electric range is worth the fuel savings.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

The Sorento PHEV offers an all-electric range of 30 miles, making many daily commutes emission-free and highly efficient.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe offers slightly more usable space, boasting 14.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Sorento's 12.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe pulls ahead dynamically with 277 horsepower and significantly more torque at 311 lb-ft versus the Sorento's 258 lb-ft.

💰 Best Value

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe wins on immediate value due to its $13,690 lower starting MSRP compared to the Sorento PHEV.

Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe if...

You need the absolute lowest purchase price, as the Santa Fe starts at $34,300.
You prefer stronger traditional acceleration, benefiting from the Santa Fe's 277 horsepower.
You appreciate the marginally larger cargo area measuring 14.6 cubic feet for hauling gear.

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

You prioritize maximizing fuel economy, as the Sorento PHEV achieves 33 combined MPG.
Your driving pattern allows frequent use of the 30-mile all-electric range.
You specifically need All-Wheel Drive capability, which the Sorento PHEV includes standard.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Hyundai Santa Fe	Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
Length	190.2"	189.6"
Width	74.8"	74.8"
Height	67.7"	66.9"
Wheelbase	110.8"	110.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear 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	✓	✓
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 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	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	1.6 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	plug-in hybrid
Horsepower	277 hp @ 5800 rpm	261 hp
Torque	311 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	258 lb-ft
Number of Valves	16	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 automated manual	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/29 MPG	33/34 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	24 MPG	33 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	354.0/513.3 mi.	409.2/421.6 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.7 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	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	—
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

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

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Front Head Room	41.1 in.	40.3 in.
Front Leg Room	44.4 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.5 in.	59.1 in.
Front Hip Room	56.5 in.	55.6 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Rear Head Room	40.6 in.	39.1 in.
Rear Leg Room	42.3 in.	40.7 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.1 in.	58.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	54.9 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 Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	19 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/60R18	235/55R19
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted

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 Santa Fe and 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

How much more expensive is the 2025 Kia Sorento PHEV than the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe?

The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid has a significantly higher MSRP of $47,990 compared to the Santa Fe's base price of $34,300. This creates an upfront cost difference of $13,690 that buyers must account for.

Which vehicle offers better fuel efficiency for long highway trips?

The Kia Sorento PHEV is superior for fuel economy, offering 33 combined MPG compared to the standard Santa Fe's 24 combined MPG. Although the Santa Fe uses regular unleaded, the Kia's hybrid system drastically lowers long-term fuel consumption.

Does one vehicle have substantially more power for passing maneuvers?

Yes, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe holds the horsepower advantage with 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. The Kia Sorento PHEV is rated lower at 261 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.

What is the practical benefit of the Sorento PHEV's electric range?

The Sorento PHEV can travel up to 30 miles on electricity alone before needing gasoline. For many drivers, this covers the entire round-trip commute or daily errands without consuming any fuel.

Are there significant differences in size that impact parking or cargo?

The vehicles are dimensionally similar, with the Santa Fe being slightly longer (190.2 inches vs. 189.6 inches). However, the Santa Fe provides 2.0 cubic feet more cargo space (14.6 cu ft vs. 12.6 cu ft).

Do I need premium fuel for either of these crossovers?

Both the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe and the 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid are designed to run on regular unleaded fuel, keeping operational costs predictable.