2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid vs 2026 Mazda CX-70

$47,990 · Crossover

$42,250 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Kia Sorento PHEV ignites the drive with its 30 miles of pure electric capability, making short city hops genuinely zero-emission, pairing this eco-advantage with a respectable 261 horsepower. Conversely, the 2026 Mazda CX-70 grabs attention with superior raw grunt, delivering a muscular 280 horsepower and a commanding 332 lb-ft of torque right from the starting line. The value proposition is clear: the Kia achieves an impressive 33 combined MPG, significantly topping the Mazda's 25 combined MPG, offsetting its higher $47,990 MSRP. However, the longer 200.8-inch CX-70 offers a massive cargo advantage at 39.6 cu ft compared to the Sorento's 12.6 cu ft, positioning it as the roomier choice despite the initial $5,740 price gap favoring the Mazda.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

The Sorento PHEV's 30-mile electric range allows daily commuters to potentially run nearly emission-free and achieve 33 combined MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Mazda CX-70

The CX-70 offers vastly superior space with 39.6 cu ft of cargo capacity, ideal for family hauling compared to the Sorento's 12.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Mazda CX-70

The Mazda CX-70 delivers higher performance metrics, boasting 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque versus the Sorento's 261 hp and 258 lb-ft.

💰 Best Value

2026 Mazda CX-70

Despite having lower fuel economy, the CX-70 has a significantly lower entry price at $42,250 compared to the Sorento PHEV's $47,990.

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

Your daily travel primarily keeps you under the 30-mile electric range limit to save on fuel costs.
You prioritize efficiency, leveraging the Sorento's 33 combined MPG rating.
You prefer the slightly smaller exterior footprint (189.6 inches long) for easier city navigation.

Choose the Mazda CX-70 if...

Maximum hauling ability is critical, as the CX-70 provides 39.6 cu ft of cargo space.
You demand superior immediate power, benefiting from the CX-70's 332 lb-ft of torque.
You seek the lower initial investment, starting at an MSRP of $42,250.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid	Mazda CX-70
Length	189.6"	200.8"
Width	74.8"	-
Height	66.9"	68.2"
Wheelbase	110.8"	122.8"

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	✓	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Kia	Mazda
Base Engine Displacement	1.6 L	3.3 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 6
Base Engine Type	plug-in hybrid	mild hybrid
Horsepower	261 hp	280 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque	258 lb-ft	332 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	24
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Kia	Mazda
Transmission Type	6-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓

Fuel

Feature	Kia	Mazda
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	33/34 MPG	24/28 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	33 MPG	25 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	409.2/421.6 mi.	444.0/518.0 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.	18.5 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	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Kia	Mazda
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	12.3 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	—
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Kia	Mazda
One-Touch Power Windows	1	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Moonroof Type	—	1st Row Power Glass

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	Mazda
Front Head Room	40.3 in.	39.7 in.
Front Leg Room	41.4 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.1 in.	59.2 in.
Front Hip Room	55.6 in.	56.2 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	8-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Seat Material: Leather	—	✓
Driver Seat Memory Settings	—	2
Driver Seat Ventilation	—	✓
Passenger Seat Ventilation	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Kia	Mazda
Rear Head Room	39.1 in.	39.3 in.
Rear Leg Room	40.7 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.1 in.	58.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	55.1 in.	55.5 in.
Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓
Heated Rear Seats (Multi-Level)	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Kia	Mazda
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	19 x 7.5 in	21 x 9.5 in.
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/55R19	275/45R21
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	✓	✓

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 2026 Mazda CX-70.

How significant is the fuel economy difference between the two crossovers?

The difference is substantial; the 2025 Kia Sorento PHEV achieves a combined 33 MPG, while the 2026 Mazda CX-70 is rated at only 25 combined MPG. This results in over 8 miles per gallon advantage for the Sorento.

Which vehicle offers more outright power for driving dynamics?

The Mazda CX-70 is the more potent choice, producing 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. The Sorento PHEV offers 261 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, meaning the Mazda has higher torque output.

How much more expensive is the Kia Sorento PHEV than the Mazda CX-70?

The Kia Sorento PHEV has an MSRP of $47,990, which is $5,740 more than the Mazda CX-70 starting at $42,250.

Is the Sorento PHEV truly capable of daily emission-free driving?

Yes, the Sorento PHEV is specifically designed for this, offering 30 miles of pure electric range on a full charge, suitable for many urban commutes.

Which crossover provides significantly more usable storage space?

The Mazda CX-70 dominates storage with 39.6 cu ft of cargo capacity, dwarfing the Sorento PHEV's 12.6 cu ft measurement.

Do both vehicles utilize AWD and regular unleaded fuel?

Yes, both the Kia Sorento PHEV and the Mazda CX-70 come standard with All-Wheel Drive (AWD) and both are specified to run on regular unleaded gasoline.