2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid vs 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

$39,890 · Crossover

$44,210 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Kia Sportage PHEV excites with its spirited 261 hp punch, delivering immediate torque (258 lb-ft) in a more compact footprint, perfect for agile urban dashes. Conversely, the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid captivates with its sheer dominance in passenger and cargo space, a true road-trip titan. While the Sportage offers 34 miles of pure electric travel, the Grand Highlander impresses with a slightly better overall efficiency at 36 combined MPG versus the Kia's 35. Both boast AWD capability, but the Kia is significantly more affordable, starting at $39,890 compared to Toyota's $44,210 MSRP. The Kia's 6-speed automatic transmission offers a traditional feel against the Toyota's CVT, making the choice hinge on whether you prioritize performance excitement and lower cost (Kia) or superior capacity (Toyota).

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia Sportage PHEV offers a superior 34-mile electric range and a lower entry price point, making daily zero-emission commuting highly achievable.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is substantially larger, offering significantly more interior volume for passengers and cargo on family excursions.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

With 261 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, the Kia delivers higher peak output and a more engaging driving dynamic than the Toyota's 245 hp setup.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia offers a potent plug-in system and strong performance for $4,320 less than the larger Toyota model.

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

You prioritize peak power, as the Sportage PHEV boasts 261 horsepower versus the Grand Highlander's 245 hp.
Your budget is constrained, with the Kia starting $4,320 lower at $39,890 MSRP.
You value maximized zero-emission driving potential, thanks to the Kia's 34-mile dedicated EV range.

Choose the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid if...

Hauling significant gear is a priority, as the Toyota offers superior overall vehicle dimensions (201.4 inches long) compared to the Kia.
You need maximum passenger comfort, leveraging the Grand Highlander’s notably larger cabin width (78.3 inches vs 73.4 inches).
Slightly better overall efficiency is desired, as the Grand Highlander achieves 36 combined MPG compared to the Sportage's 35 combined MPG.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid	Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid
Length	183.5"	201.4"
Width	73.4"	78.3"
Height	66.9"	72.1"
Wheelbase	108.5"	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	✓	✓
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	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Kia	Toyota
Base Engine Displacement	1.6 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	plug-in hybrid	hybrid
Horsepower	261 hp	245 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	258 lb-ft	—
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	6-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Locking	—
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓

Fuel

Feature	Kia	Toyota
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	36/35 MPG	37/34 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	35 MPG	36 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	399.6/388.5 mi.	636.4/584.8 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.	17.2 gal.
DC Fast Charging Port Type	SAE J1772	—

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Kia	Toyota
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	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Kia	Toyota
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)	—	✓

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	Toyota
Front Head Room	37.8 in.	41.5 in.
Front Leg Room	41.4 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.5 in.	60.2 in.
Front Hip Room	54.8 in.	56.5 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	—
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	4-way
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Seat Material: Cloth	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Kia	Toyota
Rear Head Room	38.0 in.	40.2 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.5 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.6 in.	58.8 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.4 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 Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	19 x 7.5 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/55R19	255/65R18
Wheel Material	—	Alloy
Wheel Diameter	—	18 in
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary

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.
EV Battery Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	—
Hybrid Component Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	8 yr./ 100000 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 Sportage Plug-In Hybrid and 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid.

Which vehicle is faster off the line?

The 2025 Kia Sportage PHEV holds the advantage in power figures, generating 261 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, outmuscling the Toyota's 245 horsepower output.

How does cargo capacity compare between these two AWD crossovers?

The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is vastly superior for hauling, offering 20.6 cubic feet of space, although the Kia Sportage PHEV still provides a respectable 34.5 cubic feet behind its second row.

Is the electric range significantly different for daily driving?

Yes, the Kia Sportage PHEV offers 34 miles of pure electric range, which is substantial for local commutes, while the Grand Highlander Hybrid specifications provided do not list a separate electric-only range figure.

What is the key trade-off regarding price?

The Sportage PHEV starts at $39,890, offering a lower barrier to entry compared to the larger Grand Highlander Hybrid, which commands an MSRP of $44,210.

Do both models use conventional automatic transmissions?

No, the Kia Sportage PHEV uses a traditional 6-speed automatic transmission, while the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid utilizes a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission (CVT).

Which vehicle offers a greater road presence based on size?

The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is much larger overall, measuring 201.4 inches in length and standing 72.1 inches tall, making it significantly more imposing than the 183.5-inch long Kia Sportage PHEV.