2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid vs 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

$47,990 · Crossover

$44,210 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid ignites the pavement with 261 horsepower, offering a punchier drive than the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid’s 245 horsepower. The Sorento champions electric capability, delivering a dedicated 30-mile electric range before switching to its respectable 33 combined MPG. Conversely, the Grand Highlander is the undisputed titan of utility, boasting a massive 201.4 inches in length and offering an expansive 20.6 cu ft of cargo space—significantly more than the Sorento's 12.6 cu ft. While the Kia demands $47,990, the Toyota enters at a lower $44,210 MSRP. The efficiency story is nuanced: the Sorento offers PHEV benefits, but the standard hybrid Grand Highlander achieves a slightly superior 36 combined MPG. For those prioritizing sheer size and lower entry cost, the Grand Highlander leads; for those seeking PHEV punch and slightly sharper dimensions (74.8 inches wide vs. 78.3 inches), the Sorento provides focused performance.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

The Sorento PHEV allows for a 30-mile all-electric commute, maximizing fuel savings for shorter daily drives.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The Grand Highlander dominates family hauling with its substantially larger 20.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to Car 1's 12.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

The Sorento offers 261 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, giving it the superior power output in this comparison.

💰 Best Value

2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The Grand Highlander Hybrid undercuts the Sorento PHEV by $3,780 and achieves a higher 36 combined MPG.

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

You need the agility of a slightly smaller footprint, with a width of 74.8 inches compared to Car 2's 78.3 inches.
You prioritize utilizing the 30 miles of pure electric driving capability for daily zero-emission use.
You prefer the more direct, engaging feel of a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission over a CVT.

Choose the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid if...

Maximum cargo volume is essential, as its 20.6 cu ft significantly surpasses Car 1's 12.6 cu ft.
You are focused on the lowest possible initial outlay, entering the segment at a $44,210 MSRP.
You desire the marginally better fuel economy of 36 combined MPG provided by the conventional hybrid system.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid	Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid
Length	189.6"	201.4"
Width	74.8"	78.3"
Height	66.9"	72.1"
Wheelbase	110.8"	116.1"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Kia	Toyota
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 Center 3-Point Seatbelt	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Kia	Toyota
Base Engine Displacement	1.6 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	plug-in hybrid	hybrid
Horsepower	261 hp	245 hp @ 6000 rpm
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	Toyota
Transmission Type	6-speed shiftable automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	—
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓

Fuel

Feature	Kia	Toyota
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	33/34 MPG	37/34 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	33 MPG	36 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	409.2/421.6 mi.	636.4/584.8 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.	17.2 gal.
DC Fast Charging Port Type	SAE J1772	—

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Kia	Toyota
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	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Kia	Toyota
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

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	Toyota
Front Head Room	40.3 in.	41.5 in.
Front Leg Room	41.4 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.1 in.	60.2 in.
Front Hip Room	55.6 in.	56.5 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	—
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Seat Material: Cloth	—	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Kia	Toyota
Rear Head Room	39.1 in.	40.2 in.
Rear Leg Room	40.7 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.1 in.	58.8 in.
Rear Hip Room	55.1 in.	57.0 in.
Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	✓
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Kia	Toyota
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	19 x 7.5 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/55R19	255/65R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—
Wheel Material	—	Alloy
Wheel Diameter	—	18 in

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Kia	Toyota
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.	8 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	2 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	2 yr./ 25000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid and 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid.

How does the electric range of the Kia Sorento PHEV compare to the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid?

The 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid offers a specific 30-mile electric range, allowing for emission-free local driving. The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is a standard hybrid and does not offer a dedicated electric-only range; it relies on regenerative braking and battery assistance to achieve its 36 combined MPG.

Which vehicle provides more physical space for passengers and gear?

The Toyota Grand Highlander is the clear winner for space, measuring 201.4 inches long and offering 20.6 cu ft of cargo space. The Kia Sorento is shorter at 189.6 inches and has noticeably less cargo room at 12.6 cu ft.

What is the performance difference between the two AWD crossovers?

The Kia Sorento PHEV excites with 261 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid delivers a solid 245 horsepower, meaning the Kia provides a noticeable 16 hp advantage for spirited driving.

Is the higher initial cost of the Sorento PHEV worth the extra features?

The Sorento PHEV costs $3,780 more than the Grand Highlander Hybrid. While it offers PHEV technology and slightly more horsepower, the Toyota provides better base fuel economy (36 vs 33 combined MPG) and significantly more cargo space for the lower price.

Do these vehicles use the same type of transmission?

No, the driving dynamics differ slightly due to their transmissions. The Sorento utilizes a traditional 6-speed shiftable automatic, giving drivers more direct control, whereas the Grand Highlander uses a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT).

What is the difference in fuel type required for these two hybrids?

Both the 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid and the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid are designed to run on regular unleaded fuel, which simplifies fueling requirements for both models.