2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid vs 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid excites with its superb efficiency, boasting a combined 34 MPG thanks to its regular unleaded powertrain and 227 hp engine. Contrastingly, the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV captivates drivers with electric-only freedom, delivering a vital 38 miles of range alongside a punchier 248 hp. The Kia measures 189.6 inches long, offering a slight advantage in overall length, while the Mitsubishi counters with a more agile 26 MPG combined rating when running on gasoline. Where the Sorento offers excellent economy, the Outlander PHEV provides powerful AWD capability and significant all-electric commuting potential for nearly $1,800 less than its starting MSRP of $40,445, though the Kia undercuts it at $38,690. This showdown pits pure hybrid stamina against plug-in flexibility and superior horsepower.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid
The Kia Sorento Hybrid offers a superior 34 MPG combined economy, minimizing stops at the pump compared to the Outlander PHEV's 26 MPG combined gasoline rating.
2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
The Outlander PHEV's All-Wheel Drive system and slightly greater height (68.5 inches vs 66.7 inches) offer enhanced capability and passenger confidence.
2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV provides 21 more horsepower (248 hp vs 227 hp) and the engaging AWD system for superior dynamic performance.
2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid
The Kia Sorento Hybrid wins on value, delivering excellent fuel economy for a lower MSRP of $38,690 compared to the Outlander PHEV's $40,445 starting price.
Choose the Kia Sorento Hybrid if...
- You prioritize ultimate long-distance fuel economy, leveraging the Sorento Hybrid's segment-leading 34 MPG combined rating.
- You prefer the smooth predictability of a traditional 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission over a direct drive setup.
- Keeping the initial purchase price under $40,000 is crucial, as the Sorento starts at $38,690.
Choose the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV if...
- Your daily commute is under 38 miles, allowing significant travel powered solely by electric energy.
- You require All-Wheel Drive capability and benefit from the extra 21 horsepower (248 hp total) for acceleration.
- You need slightly more vertical clearance and cargo space, as the Outlander PHEV is 68.5 inches tall and offers 12.8 cu ft of cargo room.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Kia Sorento Hybrid | Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 189.6" | 185.4" |
| Width | 74.8" | 84.4" |
| Height | 66.7" | 68.5" |
| Wheelbase | 110.8" | 106.5" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Kia | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Fog Lights | ✓ | — |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 2 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Washers | — | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | — | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Kia | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 1.6 L | 2.4 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | hybrid | plug-in hybrid |
| Horsepower | 227 hp | 248 hp |
| Torque | 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 | Kia | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 1-speed direct drive |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | — |
Fuel
| Feature | Kia | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 34/34 MPG | 25/27 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 34 MPG | 26 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 601.8/601.8 mi. | 370.0/399.6 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.7 gal. | 14.8 gal. |
| EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe) | — | 67/61 MPGe |
| EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe) | — | 64 MPGe |
| EPA Electric Driving Range | — | 38 mi. |
| EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi) | — | 52 |
| Charging Time (240V) | — | 6.5 hr. |
| DC Fast Charging Port Type | — | CHAdeMO |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Kia | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | ✓ | — |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | ✓ | — |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Kia | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 12.3 in | 8.0 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 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Kia | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | 1 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Remote Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Kia | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.3 in. | 40.6 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.4 in. | 41.7 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 59.1 in. | 57.9 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 55.6 in. | 54.0 in. |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | Power |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | — |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Kia | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.1 in. | 39.1 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 40.7 in. | 38.1 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 58.1 in. | 55.9 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 55.1 in. | 53.3 in. |
| Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | — |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| One-Piece Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | ✓ |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | — | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Kia | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | — |
| Wheel Diameter | 19 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 235/55R19 | P235/60R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | — |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | — |
| Wheel Material | — | Alloy |
| Wheel Size | — | 18 x 7.0 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Kia | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Kia | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| EV Battery Warranty | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. | — |
| Hybrid Component Warranty | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ 100000 mi. | 7 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | — | 2 yr./ 30000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid and 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.
How much better is the fuel economy between the two crossovers?
The Kia Sorento Hybrid holds a significant advantage with a 34 MPG combined rating, which is substantially higher than the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV’s 26 MPG combined when running on gasoline. This 8 MPG difference translates to fewer stops for the Kia driver.
Does the Outlander PHEV offer any electric-only driving?
Yes, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle designed to run purely on battery power for up to 38 miles. This capability lets many daily commuters skip gasoline entirely some days.
Which vehicle has more horsepower for performance driving?
The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is the more potent option, producing 248 hp compared to the Kia Sorento Hybrid's 227 hp. This 21 hp edge favors the Mitsubishi for those seeking more spirited driving dynamics.
What is the major difference in their drivetrain and size?
The Sorento Hybrid uses Front Wheel Drive with a 6-speed automatic transmission, while the Outlander PHEV features standard All-Wheel Drive with a simpler 1-speed direct drive. Furthermore, the Kia is nearly 4 inches longer externally at 189.6 inches.
How do the starting prices compare for these models?
The Kia Sorento Hybrid starts at a lower MSRP of $38,690. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has a slightly higher entry point at $40,445, though it includes AWD and PHEV technology.
Is there a noticeable difference in cargo space?
The difference in storage capacity is minimal, with the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV offering 12.8 cubic feet, just edging out the Kia Sorento Hybrid’s 12.6 cubic feet, based on the provided specifications.
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