2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid vs 2025 Nissan Murano

$39,890 · Crossover

$40,470 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid electrifies the segment, showcasing 261 hp and a substantial 34 miles of pure electric range, aiming squarely at efficiency with 35 combined MPG. Conversely, the 2025 Nissan Murano offers a more traditional, larger footprint at 192.9 inches long, relying on its robust 260 lb-ft of torque for immediate response, though its fuel economy drops to just 23 combined MPG. This comparison boils down to technological leaps versus established refinement; the Kia boasts a significant 12 MPG advantage over the Murano's 21/27 city/highway split. While the Murano starts slightly higher at $40,470 and features a 9-speed transmission, the Sportage PHEV undercuts it at $39,890 and delivers AWD grip versus the Murano's FWD setup, making the efficiency and electric capability the core difference in this energetic crossover showdown.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The Sportage PHEV wins for commuters due to its 34-mile electric range, drastically cutting daily fuel costs.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Nissan Murano

The Murano provides a physically larger cabin with nearly 4.5 inches more overall length and width, offering superior passenger comfort.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia offers superior power output with 261 hp and standard All-Wheel Drive compared to the Murano's 241 hp and Front-Wheel Drive base.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The Sportage PHEV provides 261 hp and phenomenal efficiency for a lower MSRP of $39,890 versus the Murano's $40,470.

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

Your primary goal is maximizing fuel savings by achieving 35 combined MPG.
You frequently make short trips and can utilize the 34 miles of dedicated electric range.
You require standard All-Wheel Drive capability for varied driving conditions.

Choose the Nissan Murano if...

You prefer a more traditional gasoline powertrain paired with a smooth 9-speed shiftable automatic transmission.
You value exterior size, as the Murano is notably longer at 192.9 inches than the Kia.
You prioritize torque delivery, as the Murano produces a slightly higher 260 lb-ft.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid	Nissan Murano
Length	183.5"	192.9"
Width	73.4"	78.0"
Height	66.9"	67.9"
Wheelbase	108.5"	111.2"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Kia	Nissan
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	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓
Rear Fixed Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Base Engine Displacement	1.6 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	plug-in hybrid	gas
Horsepower	261 hp	241 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque	258 lb-ft	260 lb-ft @ 4400 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	Nissan
Transmission Type	6-speed automatic	9-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Locking	—
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	36/35 MPG	21/27 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	35 MPG	23 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	399.6/388.5 mi.	392.7/504.9 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.	18.7 gal.
DC Fast Charging Port Type	SAE J1772	—

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Kia	Nissan
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	✓	—
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

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

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Front Head Room	37.8 in.	41.1 in.
Front Leg Room	41.4 in.	44.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.5 in.	60.8 in.
Front Hip Room	54.8 in.	56.9 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	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	6-way

Rearseats

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Rear Head Room	38.0 in.	39.7 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.5 in.	36.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.6 in.	58.5 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.4 in.	56.9 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	19 x 7.5 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/55R19	P255/55R20
Wheel Cover Type	—	Full
Wheel Diameter	—	20 in.

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Kia	Nissan
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.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	2 yr./ 24000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid and 2025 Nissan Murano.

How much more efficient is the Kia Sportage PHEV compared to the Nissan Murano?

The Kia Sportage PHEV delivers a massive efficiency advantage, achieving 35 combined MPG versus the Nissan Murano's 23 combined MPG. This represents a 12 MPG difference favoring the plug-in hybrid technology.

Which crossover offers better raw performance metrics?

The 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid edges out the Murano in pure output, boasting 261 horsepower compared to the Murano's 241 horsepower. Both offer strong torque figures, with the Murano having 260 lb-ft to the Kia's 258 lb-ft.

Does the AWD system in the Kia offer an advantage over the FWD Murano?

Yes, the Sportage PHEV comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, providing enhanced traction capabilities compared to the standard Front-Wheel Drive configuration of the 2025 Nissan Murano.

What is the difference in cargo space between the two vehicles?

The Kia Sportage offers slightly more maximum cargo capacity at 34.5 cubic feet, while the physically larger Nissan Murano accommodates 32.9 cubic feet.

How does the MSRP and fuel requirement differ between these two crossovers?

The Kia Sportage PHEV has a lower starting MSRP of $39,890 and requires regular unleaded fuel for its plug-in powertrain. The Nissan Murano starts slightly higher at $40,470 and also uses regular unleaded gasoline.

Is the electric range of the Kia sufficient for a typical daily commute?

The Kia Sportage PHEV provides 34 miles of all-electric driving range. For commuters whose round trips fall under this distance, significant savings on gasoline usage are possible before the efficient 36/35 MPG hybrid mode engages.