2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid vs 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

$39,730 · Crossover

$40,490 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between the 2025 Hyundai Tucson PHEV and the 2026 Kia Sportage PHEV can be tricky, as they share the same powertrain architecture. The main dilemma often revolves around the minor differences in efficiency and utility. The Sportage edges out the Tucson slightly with a Combined MPG of 36 versus 35, and boasts a marginally better Electric Range of 33 miles compared to the Tucson's 32 miles. However, the Tucson starts slightly lower at an MSRP of $39,730 versus the Kia's $40,490. Both offer robust power with 268 hp, but the Sportage delivers more twist with 271 lb-ft of torque. Furthermore, the Kia offers more usable space, providing 34.5 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Hyundai's 31.9 cu ft, making it a more practical choice for hauling gear, despite being slightly longer overall at 184.4 inches.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The 2026 Kia Sportage wins for commuters due to its slightly superior 33-mile electric range and 36 MPG combined efficiency.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia Sportage is the better family choice because it offers 34.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity, significantly more than the Tucson's 31.9 cubic feet.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

Enthusiasts will prefer the Kia Sportage as it produces 271 lb-ft of torque, slightly outperforming the Tucson's 258 lb-ft.

💰 Best Value

2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid

The 2025 Hyundai Tucson offers better immediate value by starting at an MSRP of $39,730, undercutting the Kia by $760.

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

You need the lowest initial purchase price, as the Tucson starts at $39,730.
You prioritize a slightly more compact exterior size, measuring 182.7 inches in length.
You don't mind trading 1 mile of electric range for a lower starting cost.

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

You need maximum utility, given the Sportage offers 34.5 cu ft of cargo space.
You want the marginal edge in efficiency, achieving 36 combined MPG.
You prefer the extra pulling power provided by 271 lb-ft of torque.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid	Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
Length	182.7"	184.4"
Width	73.4"	73.4"
Height	66.3"	66.9"
Wheelbase	108.5"	108.5"

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	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
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	268 hp
Torque	258 lb-ft	271 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	Locking
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓

Fuel

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	35/35 MPG	35/36 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	35 MPG	36 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	388.5/388.5 mi.	388.5/399.6 mi.
EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe)	80/73 MPGe	87/78 MPGe
EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe)	77 MPGe	83 MPGe
EPA Electric Driving Range	32 mi.	33 mi.
EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi)	44	43
Charging Time (240V)	2.0 hr.	2.0 hr.
Fuel Tank Capacity	11.1 gal.	11.1 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	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓
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	2
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Moonroof Type	—	1st Row Power Glass Extended

Frontseats

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Front Head Room	40.1 in.	39.6 in.
Front Leg Room	41.1 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.6 in.	57.5 in.
Front Hip Room	54.5 in.	54.8 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	4-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Rear Head Room	39.5 in.	39.1 in.
Rear Leg Room	41.3 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	56.0 in.	55.6 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.9 in.	53.4 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓

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

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 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid.

How much more electric range does the Sportage offer over the Tucson?

The 2026 Kia Sportage PHEV provides 33 miles of electric range on a full charge. This is just one mile better than the 2025 Hyundai Tucson PHEV, which is rated for 32 miles.

Is the difference in cargo space significant between these two crossovers?

Yes, the difference is noticeable for frequent haulers. The Kia Sportage boasts 34.5 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear seats, while the Hyundai Tucson offers 31.9 cubic feet, giving the Kia a clear advantage in utility.

Do these two vehicles have the same horsepower?

Yes, both the 2025 Tucson PHEV and the 2026 Sportage PHEV share the same 268 horsepower output from their hybrid systems, meaning acceleration performance will feel very similar.

Which car requires premium fuel?

Neither vehicle requires premium fuel; both the Hyundai Tucson and the Kia Sportage PHEV models are designed to run on regular unleaded fuel, which saves money at the pump.

Are the transmissions and drive types different in the Tucson vs. Sportage PHEVs?

No, both crossovers come equipped with the same mechanical setup for driving dynamics, featuring a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission and All-Wheel Drive capability.

What is the price difference between the base MSRPs?

The 2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid starts at $39,730, making it $760 less expensive than the 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid, which begins at $40,490.