2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

$39,035 · Crossover

$39,890 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the spacious, traditionally powerful 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L and the efficiency-focused 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid presents a genuine dilemma for modern buyers. If absolute size and traditional V6 muscle are your priorities, the Jeep starts at $39,035 and delivers 293 horsepower, making it the clear performance leader on paper. However, that V6 comes at a significant running cost: it achieves only 21 combined MPG on regular unleaded. Conversely, the Kia, priced slightly higher at $39,890, sacrifices 32 horsepower, but offers revolutionary efficiency, hitting 35 combined MPG and providing 34 miles of pure electric range before switching to gas. Furthermore, the smaller Kia doubles the Jeep's cargo space, offering 34.5 cubic feet versus the Jeep's 17.2 cubic feet, a massive practical difference for hauling gear on weekend trips.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia Sportage PHEV wins for commuters due to its superior 35 combined MPG and 34 miles of electric-only driving capability.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

Families will prefer the Kia as it offers significantly more storage with 34.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity compared to the Jeep's 17.2 cubic feet.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

Enthusiasts seeking raw power will favor the Jeep Grand Cherokee L, which boasts 293 horsepower versus the Kia's 261 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

Despite a marginally higher MSRP, the Kia's drastic fuel savings (a 14 MPG efficiency gap) and potential electric-only commutes deliver superior long-term value.

Choose the Jeep Grand Cherokee L if...

You require the traditional RWD platform and appreciate the robust 293 hp output.
You need a larger exterior footprint, evident by its 204.9-inch length for a commanding road presence.
You prefer a vehicle that runs exclusively on regular unleaded gasoline without the need to plug in.

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

Minimizing fuel stops is critical, thanks to its 35 combined MPG rating.
You can utilize the 34 miles of all-electric range for most daily errands.
Maximizing utility is key, as the Sportage offers double the usable cargo space at 34.5 cubic feet.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Jeep Grand Cherokee L	Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
Length	204.9"	183.5"
Width	77.9"	73.4"
Height	71.5"	66.9"
Wheelbase	121.7"	108.5"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Jeep	Kia
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front 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
Brake Drying	✓	—
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Preparation System	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	—
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	2	3
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Jeep	Kia
Base Engine Displacement	3.6 L	1.6 L
Number of Cylinders	V6	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	plug-in hybrid
Horsepower	293 hp @ 6400 rpm	261 hp
Torque	260 lb-ft @ 4000 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	Jeep	Kia
Transmission Type	8-speed automatic	6-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	rear wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	—	Locking
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Jeep	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	19/26 MPG	36/35 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	21 MPG	35 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	437.0/598.0 mi.	399.6/388.5 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	23.0 gal.	11.1 gal.
EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe)	—	88/79 MPGe
EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe)	—	84 MPGe
EPA Electric Driving Range	—	34 mi.
EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi)	—	40
Charging Time (240V)	—	2.0 hr.
DC Fast Charging Port Type	—	SAE J1772

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Jeep	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	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	✓	—
Leatherette Steering Wheel	✓	—
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Cruise Control	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Jeep	Kia
Infotainment Display	8.4 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	6
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

Feature	Jeep	Kia
One-Touch Power Windows	2	2
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Moonroof Type	—	1st Row Power Glass Extended

Frontseats

Feature	Jeep	Kia
Front Head Room	39.8 in.	37.8 in.
Front Leg Room	41.3 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.2 in.	57.5 in.
Front Hip Room	57.4 in.	54.8 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	4-way
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Jeep	Kia
Rear Head Room	39.9 in.	38.0 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.4 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.0 in.	55.6 in.
Rear Hip Room	56.3 in.	53.4 in.
Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Jeep	Kia
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	18 x 8.0 in	19 x 7.5 in
Tire Size	265/60R18	235/55R19
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—

Suspension

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

Warranty

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L and 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid.

How much more powerful is the Jeep Grand Cherokee L than the Kia Sportage PHEV?

The Jeep Grand Cherokee L offers more outright power with 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. This gives it a 32 horsepower advantage over the Kia Sportage PHEV, which produces 261 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.

Is the fuel economy difference significant between these two crossovers?

Yes, the difference is substantial; the Jeep achieves only 21 combined MPG, whereas the Kia manages 35 combined MPG, representing a 14 MPG efficiency boost in favor of the plug-in hybrid.

Which vehicle is better for carrying cargo and luggage?

The Kia Sportage PHEV is vastly superior for cargo, offering 34.5 cubic feet of space. The Jeep Grand Cherokee L trails significantly with only 17.2 cubic feet of dedicated cargo capacity.

How far can the Kia drive purely on electricity?

The 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid is rated to travel 34 miles using only its battery power before needing to engage the gasoline engine.

Are both vehicles large SUVs, and what are their size differences?

Both are crossovers, but the Jeep Grand Cherokee L is substantially larger, measuring 204.9 inches long and 71.5 inches high. The Kia Sportage is more compact at 183.5 inches long and 66.9 inches high.

Does the powertrain choice affect the drive type (AWD vs RWD)?

Yes, the standard configuration listed has the Jeep Grand Cherokee L utilizing rear-wheel drive, while the Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid comes standard with all-wheel drive.