2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid vs 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

$39,730 · Crossover

$47,990 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the 2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) and the 2025 Kia Sorento PHEV often comes down to balancing size against savings. If you prioritize getting the most EV miles for your dollar, the Tucson leads with a 32-mile electric range compared to the Sorento’s 30 miles. Performance is remarkably similar, with the Tucson offering a slight edge at 268 horsepower versus the Sorento’s 261 hp, though both deliver the same 258 lb-ft of torque. However, the Sorento demands an $8,260 premium ($47,990 vs. $39,730). This price gap is significant, especially when considering cargo space: the Tucson offers substantially more utility at 31.9 cubic feet compared to the Sorento's mere 12.6 cubic feet. While both offer AWD and use regular unleaded, the Tucson provides better fuel economy when the battery is depleted, achieving 35 combined MPG versus the Sorento’s 33 combined MPG. The choice hinges on whether the Sorento’s larger footprint justifies the higher entry cost and reduced cargo capacity.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid

The Tucson wins for commuters due to its superior 35 combined MPG rating, ensuring lower running costs than the Sorento’s 33 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

Despite having significantly less usable space (12.6 cu ft vs 31.9 cu ft), the Sorento’s longer body (189.6 inches) suggests a potentially more spacious passenger cabin, which is critical for families.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid

The Tucson offers a slight power advantage with 268 horsepower, beating the Sorento's 261 horsepower output.

💰 Best Value

2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid

The Tucson saves buyers $8,260 upfront and offers better efficiency and substantially more cargo volume for its lower MSRP.

Choose the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid if...

You need the absolute lowest upfront cost, starting at only $39,730.
Maximum cargo space is essential, as the Tucson provides 31.9 cubic feet versus the Sorento's 12.6.
You want slightly better efficiency, offering 35 combined MPG compared to the Sorento's 33.

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

You absolutely require a longer vehicle body (189.6 inches) for perceived passenger room.
You are comfortable paying $8,260 more for the Kia badge and slightly different proportions.
Your primary daily driving will be within the 30-mile electric range, as the MPG difference is minor otherwise.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid	Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
Length	182.7"	189.6"
Width	73.4"	74.8"
Height	66.3"	66.9"
Wheelbase	108.5"	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	1.6 L	1.6 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	plug-in hybrid	plug-in hybrid
Horsepower	268 hp	261 hp
Torque	258 lb-ft	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	6-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓

Fuel

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	35/35 MPG	33/34 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	35 MPG	33 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	388.5/388.5 mi.	409.2/421.6 mi.
EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe)	80/73 MPGe	77/71 MPGe
EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe)	77 MPGe	74 MPGe
EPA Electric Driving Range	32 mi.	30 mi.
EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi)	44	45
Charging Time (240V)	2.0 hr.	3.4 hr.
Fuel Tank Capacity	11.1 gal.	12.4 gal.
DC Fast Charging Port Type	SAE J1772	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	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	—
Extended Cabin Cooling	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓
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	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Front Head Room	40.1 in.	40.3 in.
Front Leg Room	41.1 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.6 in.	59.1 in.
Front Hip Room	54.5 in.	55.6 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way

Rearseats

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Rear Head Room	39.5 in.	39.1 in.
Rear Leg Room	41.3 in.	40.7 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	56.0 in.	58.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.9 in.	55.1 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	—
Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

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
Spare Tire Location	—	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.
Hybrid Component 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

What is the main real-world difference in electric driving range?

The 2025 Tucson PHEV leads slightly with an official 32-mile electric range. The Sorento PHEV offers 30 miles on a full charge, meaning both vehicles should cover most short daily commutes without using gasoline.

Why is the Kia Sorento PHEV so much more expensive?

The Sorento commands an $8,260 higher MSRP ($47,990 vs. $39,730 for the Tucson). This premium often reflects its larger footprint and potential third-row seating availability, although its cargo capacity is surprisingly smaller.

Which SUV is physically bigger?

The Kia Sorento is longer (189.6 inches vs. 182.7 inches) and slightly wider and taller. However, despite its larger exterior dimensions, it offers significantly less specified cargo volume behind the second row at only 12.6 cubic feet.

Do these vehicles require premium fuel?

No, both the 2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid and the 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid are specified to run on regular unleaded fuel, which helps keep running costs down after the battery is depleted.

How close are their horsepower ratings?

Their power outputs are very close, with the Tucson making 268 hp and the Sorento offering 261 hp. Both vehicles share the identical torque figure of 258 lb-ft, ensuring similar pulling power.

Is the Tucson’s better MPG consistent across both models?

Yes, the Tucson has better fuel economy overall, achieving 35 combined MPG versus the Sorento’s 33 combined MPG. Both utilize an All-Wheel Drive system and a 6-speed automatic transmission.