2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid vs 2025 Subaru Ascent

$38,690 · Crossover

$39,995 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

When cross-shopping three-row crossovers, the biggest dilemma is often efficiency versus capability. The 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid starts at a slightly lower MSRP of $38,690 and immediately pulls ahead in fuel economy, achieving an impressive 34 combined MPG, which is a full 12 MPG better than the 2025 Subaru Ascent's 22 combined MPG. However, the Ascent fights back with superior power metrics, boasting 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, noticeably more than the Sorento Hybrid’s 227 hp. While the Sorento Hybrid is smaller at 189.6 inches long, the larger Ascent offers significantly more space, evidenced by its 17.8 cu ft of cargo capacity versus the Kia’s 12.6 cu ft. Choosing between these two boils down to prioritizing high 30s fuel savings or the traction and ruggedness afforded by the Ascent's standard All-Wheel Drive.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid

The Sorento Hybrid wins for commuters due to its class-leading 34 MPG combined, saving significant money on fuel over city drives.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Subaru Ascent

Families needing maximum hauling capability will prefer the Ascent, as it offers a larger footprint and 17.8 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Sorento's 12.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Subaru Ascent

Driving enthusiasts will enjoy the Ascent’s higher output of 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, offering stronger acceleration.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid

The Sorento Hybrid provides better overall value by netting a $1,305 lower starting MSRP and drastically superior fuel economy.

Choose the Kia Sorento Hybrid if...

Your primary concern is minimizing fuel costs, benefiting from the 34 MPG combined rating.
You prefer a slightly more maneuverable vehicle, given the Sorento’s shorter length of 189.6 inches.
You want the lowest entry price point, starting at an MSRP of $38,690.

Choose the Subaru Ascent if...

You require the superior traction and stability of standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD).
You need maximum utility, as the Ascent provides 17.8 cu ft of cargo space, considerably more than Car 1.
You value outright power, thanks to the Ascent’s 260 horsepower output.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia Sorento Hybrid	Subaru Ascent
Length	189.6"	196.8"
Width	74.8"	76.0"
Height	66.7"	71.6"
Wheelbase	110.8"	113.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Kia	Subaru
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	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓
Engine Immobilizer	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Base Engine Displacement	1.6 L	2.4 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	flat 4
Base Engine Type	hybrid	gas
Horsepower	227 hp	260 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque	258 lb-ft	277 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
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	Subaru
Transmission Type	6-speed shiftable automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	34/34 MPG	20/26 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	34 MPG	22 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	601.8/601.8 mi.	386.0/501.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.7 gal.	19.3 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Kia	Subaru
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	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	11.6 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	—
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Length	—	4 months

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Front Head Room	40.3 in.	41.2 in.
Front Leg Room	41.4 in.	42.2 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.1 in.	61.1 in.
Front Hip Room	55.6 in.	57.8 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	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	—	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Rear Head Room	39.1 in.	40.0 in.
Rear Leg Room	40.7 in.	38.6 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.1 in.	60.3 in.
Rear Hip Room	55.1 in.	57.5 in.
Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
One-Piece Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Diameter	19 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/55R19	245/60R
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Underbody Mounted
Wheel Material	—	Alloy
Wheel Size	—	18 x 7.5 in

Suspension

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

Warranty

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid and 2025 Subaru Ascent.

How much better is the fuel economy between these two crossovers?

The difference is significant: the 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid achieves 34 MPG combined, whereas the 2025 Subaru Ascent is rated at only 22 MPG combined. This 12 MPG advantage means the Sorento Hybrid will require substantially fewer stops at the pump.

Does the Subaru Ascent offer more power than the Kia Sorento Hybrid?

Yes, the Ascent is the more potent vehicle, producing 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, compared to the Sorento Hybrid’s 227 hp. This power difference is noticeable in passing maneuvers.

Which vehicle is better equipped for bad weather or rough roads?

The 2025 Subaru Ascent is the clear winner here, as it comes standard with All-Wheel Drive. The Kia Sorento Hybrid is only offered in Front Wheel Drive for this configuration.

How does the cargo space compare for hauling gear?

The 2025 Subaru Ascent offers more usable space with 17.8 cu ft available for storage behind the third row. The Sorento Hybrid trails this figure significantly, providing only 12.6 cu ft.

Are the transmission types different between the two models?

They utilize distinct gearboxes: the Sorento Hybrid employs a traditional 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission. In contrast, the Ascent uses a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT).

Is the difference in MSRP substantial enough to matter?

The starting MSRP for the Kia Sorento Hybrid is $38,690, which is $1,305 cheaper than the Ascent’s $39,995. When combined with the superior MPG, the Sorento Hybrid offers immediate savings.