2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid vs 2025 Mazda CX-90

$39,890 · Crossover

$38,045 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid bursts onto the scene promising efficiency dominance, boasting a commendable 34 miles of pure electric range and a 35 MPG combined rating. It's the tech-forward choice, packing 261 hp into a compact 183.5-inch frame. In sharp contrast, the 2025 Mazda CX-90 screams sophisticated power, leading with a commanding 332 lb-ft of torque from its larger engine, despite a lower 25 MPG combined figure. While the Kia offers 34.5 cu ft of cargo space, the significantly larger CX-90 (200.8 inches long) prioritizes road presence over fuel economy. This comparison pits the PHEV's daily running cost savings against the CX-90's superior raw pulling power and larger stature, presenting distinct avenues for crossover buyers seeking excitement and utility.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia Sportage PHEV's 34 miles of electric range and superior 35 MPG combined efficiency significantly reduce daily fuel costs for commuters.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Mazda CX-90

The Mazda CX-90 is significantly larger, offering a more substantial presence and likely more passenger space than the compact Kia, despite having less accessible cargo room (14.9 cu ft vs 34.5 cu ft).

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Mazda CX-90

The Mazda CX-90 delivers noticeably stronger performance metrics with 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque compared to the Kia's 261 hp and 258 lb-ft.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia Sportage PHEV offers excellent running cost savings due to its efficiency advantage, despite a slightly higher initial MSRP of $39,890 versus the Mazda's $38,045.

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

You prioritize minimizing stops at the gas station, leveraging its 34 miles of electric range for daily driving.
You need excellent fuel economy, benefiting from the 10 MPG combined difference over the CX-90 (35 MPG vs 25 MPG).
You prefer a more maneuverable, shorter vehicle footprint, as the Kia measures only 183.5 inches in length.

Choose the Mazda CX-90 if...

You demand maximum raw power, appreciating the superior 332 lb-ft of torque provided by the Mazda.
You need a physically larger vehicle, evidenced by the CX-90's 200.8-inch length and wider 78.5-inch body.
You prefer the smoother shifting characteristics of an 8-speed automatic transmission over the Kia's 6-speed unit.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid	Mazda CX-90
Length	183.5"	200.8"
Width	73.4"	78.5"
Height	66.9"	68.2"
Wheelbase	108.5"	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	✓	✓
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	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓

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 automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Locking	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓

Fuel

Feature	Kia	Mazda
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	36/35 MPG	24/28 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	35 MPG	25 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	399.6/388.5 mi.	444.0/518.0 mi.
EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe)	88/79 MPGe	—
EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe)	84 MPGe	—
EPA Electric Driving Range	34 mi.	—
EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi)	40	—
Charging Time (240V)	2.0 hr.	—
Fuel Tank Capacity	11.1 gal.	18.5 gal.
DC Fast Charging Port Type	SAE J1772	—

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Kia	Mazda
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	—
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	—
Cruise Control	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	—	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

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

Power Feature

Feature	Kia	Mazda
One-Touch Power Windows	2	4
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass Extended	—
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	Mazda
Front Head Room	37.8 in.	39.7 in.
Front Leg Room	41.4 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.5 in.	59.2 in.
Front Hip Room	54.8 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 Manual Adjustments	4-way	4-way
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	—

Rearseats

Feature	Kia	Mazda
Rear Head Room	38.0 in.	39.3 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.5 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.6 in.	58.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.4 in.	55.5 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Kia	Mazda
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	19 x 7.5 in	19 x 8.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/55R19	265/55R19
Wheel Material	—	Alloy
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Inside Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Kia	Mazda
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
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 Sportage Plug-In Hybrid and 2025 Mazda CX-90.

How does the 10 MPG fuel efficiency gap between the two crossovers impact real-world driving costs?

The Kia Sportage PHEV achieves 35 MPG combined compared to the Mazda CX-90’s 25 MPG combined, meaning the Kia will consume significantly less fuel over the long run. This massive difference in efficiency makes the Kia the far more economical choice for drivers who frequently rely solely on gasoline power.

Is the Mazda CX-90’s extra size worth the trade-off in efficiency and cost?

The Mazda is considerably larger at 200.8 inches long versus the Kia's 183.5 inches, suggesting more passenger volume, though its cargo capacity drops sharply to 14.9 cu ft. Buyers must weigh this physical size against the Kia's 10 MPG advantage.

Which vehicle offers a better experience for spirited driving?

Enthusiasts will lean toward the Mazda CX-90, which outputs 280 horsepower and a robust 332 lb-ft of torque. While the Kia's 261 hp is good, the Mazda provides significantly greater pulling power for highway merging and acceleration.

Can the Kia Sportage PHEV eliminate my need for gasoline entirely?

The 2025 Kia Sportage PHEV is rated for 34 miles of electric range, which might cover a commuter's entire daily drive if their round trip is shorter than that distance. However, for longer journeys, you will rely on the 35 MPG gasoline backup system.

How do the horsepower and torque figures compare between these two AWD crossovers?

The Mazda CX-90 holds a clear edge in sheer output, producing 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. The Kia Sportage PHEV delivers 261 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, which is adequate but less potent than the Mazda's setup.

If cargo capacity is a primary concern, which crossover should I choose?

The Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid is the clear winner for hauling capacity, offering 34.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats. In contrast, the larger Mazda CX-90 seems surprisingly constrained in the rear, offering only 14.9 cubic feet of cargo space.