2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid vs 2026 Nissan Murano

$38,690 · Crossover

$41,670 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between the fuel-sipping 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid and the slightly more robust 2026 Nissan Murano comes down to your top priorities. If keeping the pump visits few and far between is key, the Sorento Hybrid boasts an impressive 34 combined MPG, significantly higher than the Murano's 23 combined MPG. However, the Murano does offer a tangible advantage in interior space, providing 32.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity compared to the Sorento's 12.6 cu ft. The Kia starts at a lower MSRP of $38,690 against the Murano's $41,670. While the Murano has a slight edge in power with 241 hp versus the Sorento's 227 hp, the efficiency gap of 11 MPG suggests daily driving favors the Sorento for budget-conscious buyers who don't mind its smaller footprint.

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 superior 34 MPG combined fuel economy, minimizing fuel costs during daily driving.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Nissan Murano

The Murano is better for families because it offers significantly more cargo space at 32.9 cubic feet compared to the Sorento's 12.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Nissan Murano

Enthusiasts will prefer the Murano as it delivers higher output with 241 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid

The Sorento Hybrid offers better value with a lower starting MSRP of $38,690 and dramatically lower running costs due to high MPG.

Choose the Kia Sorento Hybrid if...

Your primary concern is minimizing fuel stops, thanks to the 34 MPG rating.
You prefer a lower initial purchase price, with an MSRP starting at $38,690.
You are comfortable with FWD and the slightly smaller dimensions of the Sorento (189.6 inches long).

Choose the Nissan Murano if...

You frequently haul large items, benefiting from the Murano's 32.9 cu ft of cargo space.
You desire standard All-Wheel Drive capability.
You prefer a slightly punchier engine with 241 horsepower and a 9-speed automatic transmission.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia Sorento Hybrid	Nissan Murano
Length	189.6"	192.9"
Width	74.8"	78.0"
Height	66.7"	67.9"
Wheelbase	110.8"	111.2"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Kia	Nissan
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)	✓	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Rear Fixed Headrests	—	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	—	✓
Engine Immobilizer	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Base Engine Displacement	1.6 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	hybrid	gas
Horsepower	227 hp	241 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque	258 lb-ft	260 lb-ft @ 4400 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	Nissan
Transmission Type	6-speed shiftable automatic	9-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	—
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	34/34 MPG	21/27 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	34 MPG	23 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	601.8/601.8 mi.	392.7/504.9 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.7 gal.	18.7 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Kia	Nissan
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	✓	—
Universal Remote Transmitter	—	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Kia	Nissan
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
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Front Head Room	40.3 in.	41.1 in.
Front Leg Room	41.4 in.	44.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.1 in.	60.8 in.
Front Hip Room	55.6 in.	56.9 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	Power
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	6-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Rear Head Room	39.1 in.	39.7 in.
Rear Leg Room	40.7 in.	36.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.1 in.	58.5 in.
Rear Hip Room	55.1 in.	56.9 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	Nissan
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Diameter	19 in	20 in.
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/55R19	P255/55R20
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—
Wheel Cover Type	—	Full

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Kia	Nissan
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 2026 Nissan Murano.

How much better is the fuel economy on the Sorento Hybrid versus the Murano?

The difference is quite significant; the 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid achieves 34 combined MPG, while the 2026 Nissan Murano is rated at only 23 combined MPG, giving the Sorento an 11 MPG advantage.

Which vehicle offers more room for gear and luggage?

The 2026 Nissan Murano is the clear winner for cargo, boasting 32.9 cubic feet of space, whereas the Sorento Hybrid only offers 12.6 cubic feet.

Is the starting price difference between these two models large?

Yes, the 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid has a starting MSRP of $38,690, which is $3,000 less than the 2026 Nissan Murano's starting price of $41,670.

Do these crossovers offer similar engine performance?

Not quite; the Murano has a slight power advantage with 241 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, compared to the Sorento Hybrid's 227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.

What are the primary drivetrain differences?

The Sorento Hybrid comes standard with front-wheel drive, while the Murano comes equipped with all-wheel drive, which might be a factor depending on your local weather conditions.

Which car uses regular unleaded fuel?

Both the 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid and the 2026 Nissan Murano are specified to run on regular unleaded gasoline, which simplifies refueling for both owners.