2025 Kia Sorento vs 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander

$31,990 · Crossover

$41,360 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Stuck between maximizing your budget or needing serious three-row space? That's the core dilemma pitting the 2025 Kia Sorento ($31,990 MSRP) against the larger 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander ($41,360 MSRP). The nearly $9,370 price gap is significant, immediately favoring the Sorento for budget-conscious buyers. However, the Grand Highlander offers substantial utility gains; it boasts a maximum cargo capacity of 20.6 cu ft compared to the Sorento's 12.6 cu ft, which is crucial for families hauling gear. Power is another key differentiator: the Grand Highlander pulls ahead with 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, easily overpowering the Sorento’s 191 hp. While the Sorento is slightly more frugal on fuel at 26 combined MPG versus the Grand Highlander's 24 combined MPG, the Toyota’s sheer size and performance suggest it commands its higher price tag through greater overall capability and presence.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Sorento

The Kia Sorento wins for commuters due to its lower initial price point and slightly better efficiency (26 combined MPG).

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander

The Toyota Grand Highlander is the clear family choice, offering significantly more cargo space at 20.6 cu ft and greater overall size (201.4 inches long).

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander

Enthusiasts will prefer the Grand Highlander because it offers a massive advantage in power, delivering 265 horsepower versus the Sorento's 191 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Sorento

The Sorento presents superior overall value by saving buyers $9,370 while still offering adequate performance and efficiency for everyday driving.

Choose the Kia Sorento if...

You need to keep the starting price under $32,000, as the MSRP is only $31,990.
You prioritize slightly better fuel economy, achieving 31 MPG on the highway.
You prefer a smaller vehicle footprint, as the Sorento is 11.8 inches shorter in length than the Grand Highlander.

Choose the Toyota Grand Highlander if...

You absolutely require maximum hauling capability, thanks to 20.6 cu ft of cargo space.
You frequently need to merge or pass confidently, leveraging the 74 horsepower advantage.
You prefer a larger vehicle structure, as the Grand Highlander is notably taller and wider (70.1 inches high).

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia Sorento	Toyota Grand Highlander
Length	189.6"	201.4"
Width	74.8"	78.3"
Height	66.7"	70.1"
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 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	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Kia	Toyota
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.4 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	191 hp @ 6100 rpm	265 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	181 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	310 lb-ft @ 1700 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	Toyota
Transmission Type	8-speed automatic	8-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Kia	Toyota
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	23/31 MPG	21/28 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	26 MPG	24 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	407.1/548.7 mi.	373.8/498.4 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.7 gal.	17.8 gal.

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	✓	✓
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	✓	✓
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	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
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: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	4-way
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way

Rearseats

Feature	Kia	Toyota
Rear Head Room	39.1 in.	40.2 in.
Rear Leg Room	41.7 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.1 in.	58.8 in.
Rear Hip Room	55.1 in.	57.0 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Kia	Toyota
Wheel Material	Alloy	Alloy
Wheel Size	17 x 7.0 in	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/65R17	255/65R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted

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.
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 and 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander.

How much more expensive is the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander than the 2025 Kia Sorento?

The starting MSRP for the Grand Highlander is $41,360, making it $9,370 more expensive than the Sorento's entry price of $31,990. This price difference reflects the Grand Highlander's larger dimensions and significantly higher output.

Is the performance gap between these two crossovers significant for daily driving?

Yes, the difference is quite noticeable; the Grand Highlander produces 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, while the Sorento only manages 191 hp. This means the Toyota will feel much stronger when accelerating onto the highway or climbing hills.

Which vehicle is better on gas for city driving?

The 2025 Kia Sorento edges out the competition slightly in city fuel economy, achieving 23 MPG in the city compared to the Grand Highlander's 21 MPG. Overall, the Sorento is rated for 26 combined MPG versus 24 for the Toyota.

If I have a large family, how does the cargo room compare?

The Toyota Grand Highlander is the clear winner for storage, offering 20.6 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third row. The Kia Sorento provides a smaller 12.6 cubic feet in the same configuration.

Are both vehicles similar in size and maneuverability?

Not at all; the Grand Highlander is substantially larger, measuring 201.4 inches long and 70.1 inches high. The Sorento is much more compact at 189.6 inches long and 66.7 inches high, which usually translates to easier parking.

Do both vehicles use the same type of fuel and transmission?

Yes, fortunately, both models use regular unleaded fuel and feature an 8-speed automatic transmission, simplifying ownership decisions related to fuel type and routine maintenance.