2025 Kia Sorento vs 2026 Buick Envision
Comparison Overview
Trying to decide between the practical value of the 2025 Kia Sorento and the refined feel of the 2026 Buick Envision? That $9,010 MSRP gap—the Sorento starts at $31,990 while the Envision opens at $41,000—is the first major consideration. While the Kia offers slightly better fuel economy at 26 combined MPG versus the Buick's 24 combined MPG (which also requires premium fuel), the Envision boasts significantly more performance, delivering 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque compared to the Sorento's 191 hp and 181 lb-ft. Dimensionally, the Sorento is noticeably longer at 189.6 inches versus the Envision's 182.7 inches, yet the Buick shockingly doubles the Kia's utility, offering 25.2 cu ft of cargo space against the Sorento's mere 12.6 cu ft. This comparison pits budget-friendliness and economy against premium power and unexpected cargo dominance.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Kia Sorento
The 2025 Kia Sorento wins for commuters due to its lower MSRP and superior fuel efficiency, achieving 31 MPG on the highway.
2026 Buick Envision
The 2026 Buick Envision is better for families because it offers 25.2 cu ft of cargo capacity, nearly double the Sorento's 12.6 cu ft.
2026 Buick Envision
Enthusiasts will favor the 2026 Buick Envision for its substantial power advantage, delivering 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.
2025 Kia Sorento
The Kia Sorento is the clear value winner, coming in $9,010 less expensive than the Buick and running on regular unleaded fuel.
Choose the Kia Sorento if...
- You need the lowest possible initial purchase price, starting at $31,990.
- Maximizing fuel economy is key, as the Sorento achieves 26 combined MPG.
- You prefer running on regular unleaded gasoline instead of premium recommended by Car 2.
Choose the Buick Envision if...
- You prioritize performance, given the Envision's 37 hp advantage (228 hp vs. 191 hp).
- You need serious cargo space, as the Envision offers 25.2 cu ft versus the Sorento's 12.6 cu ft.
- All-wheel drive capability and a smoother 9-speed automatic transmission are must-haves for your driving conditions.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Kia Sorento | Buick Envision |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 189.6" | 182.7" |
| Width | 74.8" | 74.1" |
| Height | 66.7" | 64.6" |
| Wheelbase | 110.8" | 109.0" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Kia | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 2 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cross Traffic Alert | — | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | — | ✓ |
| Adaptive Headlights | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Kia | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.5 L | 2.0 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 191 hp @ 6100 rpm | 228 hp @ 5000 rpm |
| Torque | 181 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | 258 lb-ft @ 1500 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 | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed automatic | 9-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Center Differential Type | — | Limited Slip |
Fuel
| Feature | Kia | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | premium unleaded (recommended) |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 23/31 MPG | 22/28 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 26 MPG | 24 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 407.1/548.7 mi. | 354.2/450.8 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.7 gal. | 16.1 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Kia | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | ✓ | — |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry | ✓ | — |
| Single Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | ✓ | — |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Front View Camera | — | ✓ |
| Side View Camera | — | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | — | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | — | ✓ |
| Sun Sensor | — | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Kia | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 12.3 in | 30.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 9 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
| Premium Speaker Brand | — | Bose |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Kia | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Kia | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.3 in. | 39.6 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.4 in. | 40.4 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 59.1 in. | 56.7 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 55.6 in. | 55.1 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | 6-way |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | — | 8-way |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | — | Power |
| Driver Seat Memory Settings | — | 2 |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Kia | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.1 in. | 38.9 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 41.7 in. | 39.3 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 58.1 in. | 55.9 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 55.1 in. | 47.4 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | — |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Kia | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 17 x 7.0 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 235/65R17 | P235/60R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Finish | — | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Diameter | — | 18 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Kia | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Kia | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ 100000 mi. | 6 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | — | 1 yr./ unlimited mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia Sorento and 2026 Buick Envision.
How much more powerful is the 2026 Buick Envision than the 2025 Kia Sorento?
The Buick Envision is notably more powerful, producing 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. This gives it a significant edge over the Kia Sorento's 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque.
Is the higher price of the Buick Envision justified by its fuel costs?
No, the Kia Sorento has a slight fuel economy advantage, achieving 26 combined MPG versus the Envision’s 24 combined MPG. Additionally, the Envision recommends premium fuel, which adds to its running costs compared to the Sorento’s regular unleaded requirement.
Which crossover offers better practical storage for family gear?
The 2026 Buick Envision is the superior choice for storage, boasting 25.2 cubic feet of cargo capacity. The 2025 Kia Sorento is extremely limited in comparison, offering only 12.6 cubic feet.
What is the main price difference between these two crossovers?
There is a substantial $9,010 difference between the starting prices. The 2025 Kia Sorento MSRPs at $31,990, whereas the 2026 Buick Envision starts at $41,000.
If I want standard All-Wheel Drive, which vehicle should I look at?
You should focus on the 2026 Buick Envision, as it comes standard with an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) configuration. The 2025 Kia Sorento configuration detailed here uses Front Wheel Drive (FWD).
Are these vehicles similar in overall size?
Not quite; the Kia Sorento is the physically larger vehicle overall, measuring 189.6 inches in length compared to the Envision's 182.7 inches. However, the Buick makes better use of its shorter frame for storage efficiency.
More Mid-Range SUVs ($30k-$50k)
View allVehicle Details
Compare More Vehicles
Use our interactive comparison tool to compare up to 4 vehicles at once
Open Comparison Tool