2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

$39,035 · Crossover

$40,490 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the rugged appeal of the 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L and the efficiency of the 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid presents a classic dilemma: power and size versus fuel economy. While the Jeep starts slightly lower at an MSRP of $39,035 and boasts a higher output of 293 horsepower, its 21 combined MPG lags significantly behind the Kia’s stellar 36 combined MPG. The Sportage, priced at $40,490, counters the Jeep's power with a crucial 33-mile electric range, meaning daily errands might cost almost nothing in gas. Furthermore, the Jeep’s large 204.9-inch length emphasizes interior space, though the Sportage offers nearly double the usable storage at 34.5 cubic feet versus the Jeep's 17.2 cubic feet of listed cargo area, making daily utility a complex calculation between these two distinct crossovers.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The 2026 Kia Sportage PHEV dominates for commuting due to its exceptional 36 combined MPG and dedicated 33-mile electric range.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

The larger 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, with its 204.9-inch length, offers more assumed passenger volume, despite the Sportage having superior cargo capacity.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

The 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L delivers more horsepower at 293 hp compared to the Kia's 268 hp, appealing to those who prioritize peak output.

💰 Best Value

2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

Despite a slightly higher MSRP, the Kia's vastly superior fuel economy (36 MPG vs 21 MPG) promises much lower operational costs over time.

Choose the Jeep Grand Cherokee L if...

You regularly need the extra size provided by its 204.9-inch length for passengers or a larger vehicle footprint.
You prefer the slightly higher maximum output of 293 horsepower.
You value the standard 8-speed automatic transmission and traditional rear-wheel-drive layout.

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

Your budget strongly favors low running costs, capitalizing on the 36 combined MPG rating.
You can utilize the 33 miles of pure electric range for most daily trips.
Maximum storage is critical, as its 34.5 cu ft of cargo space easily beats Car 1's 17.2 cu ft.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Jeep Grand Cherokee L	Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
Length	204.9"	184.4"
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	268 hp
Torque	260 lb-ft @ 4000 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	Jeep	Kia
Transmission Type	8-speed automatic	6-speed shiftable 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	35/36 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	21 MPG	36 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	437.0/598.0 mi.	388.5/399.6 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	23.0 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	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	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
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	✓	✓
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
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.	39.6 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.	39.1 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 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid.

How does the fuel savings really stack up between these two crossovers?

The difference is significant; the Kia Sportage PHEV achieves 36 combined MPG while the Jeep Grand Cherokee L only manages 21 combined MPG, representing a massive 15 MPG advantage for the Kia.

Which vehicle is better for towing or hauling heavier loads based on torque?

The 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid offers marginally more torque at 271 lb-ft compared to the Jeep's 260 lb-ft, which could translate to slightly better pulling power.

Is the 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L significantly larger than the Kia Sportage PHEV?

Yes, the Jeep is noticeably bigger; it measures 204.9 inches long compared to the Kia's 184.4 inches, resulting in a difference of over 20 inches in overall length.

Can I run purely on electric power with the Kia?

The 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid is equipped with a 33-mile electric range, allowing many commuters to bypass gasoline use entirely for shorter trips.

If I need to carry a lot of luggage, which crossover wins?

The Kia Sportage is the clear winner for cargo; it offers 34.5 cubic feet, more than double the 17.2 cubic feet available in the Jeep Grand Cherokee L.

Do both vehicles require premium gasoline?

Neither vehicle mandates premium fuel; both the 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L and the 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid run happily on regular unleaded fuel.