2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid vs 2025 Mazda CX-50

$47,990 · Crossover

$30,500 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between cutting-edge hybrid tech and rugged, budget-friendly appeal is a classic crossover dilemma. If your priority is balancing fuel savings and usable electric driving, the 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid commands attention, despite its higher starting MSRP of $47,990. The Sorento PHEV offers a respectable 30 miles of all-electric range, perfect for short commutes, and achieves a combined 33 MPG overall. However, the 2025 Mazda CX-50 presents a compelling alternative for the cost-conscious buyer at just $30,500. While the Mazda offers significantly more cargo space at 31.4 cu ft compared to the Kia's 12.6 cu ft, the Kia fights back with superior power, delivering 261 hp versus the CX-50’s 187 hp. This difference of 74 horsepower means the Sorento PHEV offers a quicker, more engaging drive when the batteries are depleted, though it trades 5 MPG in overall efficiency for that electric boost.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

The Sorento PHEV's 30 miles of electric range allows many daily commutes to be completed without using any gasoline.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Mazda CX-50

The Mazda CX-50 provides 31.4 cu ft of cargo capacity, more than double the Sorento’s 12.6 cu ft, offering superior hauling ability.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia Sorento offers 261 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, significantly outpacing the CX-50's 187 hp and 185 lb-ft.

💰 Best Value

2025 Mazda CX-50

The Mazda CX-50 has a massive $17,490 lower MSRP than the Kia Sorento, providing exceptional value upfront.

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

You primarily want to utilize electric power for daily driving, leveraging the 30-mile EV range.
You need the extra performance provided by 261 horsepower for merging onto highways or passing maneuvers.
You prefer the slightly more efficient AWD system when operating in hybrid mode, netting 33 combined MPG.

Choose the Mazda CX-50 if...

Sticking close to a $30,500 budget is your top priority over added technology or power.
Maximizing general cargo space is critical, as the CX-50 boasts 31.4 cu ft versus the Sorento’s 12.6 cu ft.
You want a slightly lower overall footprint, as the CX-50 is 3.8 inches shorter in length than the Sorento.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid	Mazda CX-50
Length	189.6"	185.8"
Width	74.8"	75.6"
Height	66.9"	63.5"
Wheelbase	110.8"	110.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Kia	Mazda
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)	✓	—
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Kia	Mazda
Base Engine Displacement	1.6 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	plug-in hybrid	gas
Horsepower	261 hp	187 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	258 lb-ft	185 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Cylinder Deactivation	—	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Kia	Mazda
Transmission Type	6-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	—
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Kia	Mazda
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	33/34 MPG	25/31 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	33 MPG	28 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	409.2/421.6 mi.	397.5/492.9 mi.
EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe)	77/71 MPGe	—
EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe)	74 MPGe	—
EPA Electric Driving Range	30 mi.	—
EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi)	45	—
Charging Time (240V)	3.4 hr.	—
Fuel Tank Capacity	12.4 gal.	15.9 gal.
DC Fast Charging Port Type	SAE J1772	—

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Kia	Mazda
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	✓	✓
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	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Kia	Mazda
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	10.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	8
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	—
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	—

Power Feature

Feature	Kia	Mazda
One-Touch Power Windows	1	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	Mazda
Front Head Room	40.3 in.	39.1 in.
Front Leg Room	41.4 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.1 in.	55.9 in.
Front Hip Room	55.6 in.	53.6 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	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	—
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	—	6-way
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Kia	Mazda
Rear Head Room	39.1 in.	38.6 in.
Rear Leg Room	40.7 in.	39.8 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.1 in.	53.6 in.
Rear Hip Room	55.1 in.	52.1 in.
Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Kia	Mazda
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	19 x 7.5 in	17 x 7.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/55R19	P225/65R17
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Kia	Mazda
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 Plug-In Hybrid and 2025 Mazda CX-50.

What is the total cost difference between the Sorento PHEV and the CX-50?

The difference in Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) is substantial; the 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid starts at $47,990, while the 2025 Mazda CX-50 starts at $30,500, leading to a $17,490 separation.

Which vehicle is better suited for long road trips where charging isn't an option?

The Mazda CX-50 is more consistent for long trips relying solely on gas, achieving 28 combined MPG. The Sorento PHEV is rated at 33 combined MPG, but once its 30-mile electric range is depleted, its gas-only efficiency might be slightly lower.

Does the Kia Sorento PHEV really offer better power than the CX-50?

Yes, the Kia is significantly more powerful, producing 261 horsepower compared to the Mazda's 187 horsepower, which is a difference of 74 hp.

If I have a small family, which crossover offers more usable storage space?

The Mazda CX-50 is the clear winner for cargo capacity, offering 31.4 cubic feet, whereas the Sorento PHEV provides only 12.6 cubic feet behind the second row.

Are there significant differences in vehicle size between the two?

Yes, the Kia Sorento is physically larger overall, being about 3.8 inches longer and 3.4 inches taller than the Mazda CX-50, though the CX-50 is slightly wider at 75.6 inches versus the Sorento's 74.8 inches.

How does fuel requirement differ between these two AWD crossovers?

Fortunately, both vehicles are compatible with regular unleaded fuel, meaning neither requires premium gasoline to operate their respective powertrains.