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

$39,890 · Crossover

$46,820 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between a compact PHEV like the 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid and a larger hybrid like the 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid often boils down to budget versus size. A major hurdle is the initial investment: the Kia Sportage starts at $39,890, undercutting the Highlander Hybrid's $46,820 MSRP by a significant $6,930. For city drivers, the Kia offers a tangible electric advantage with 34 miles of pure EV range before relying on its 35 MPG combined fuel economy. Conversely, the Highlander is a substantially larger vehicle at 194.9 inches long compared to the Kia's 183.5 inches, though its lower 16 cu ft cargo capacity is surprisingly small for its size, especially next to the Sportage's 34.5 cu ft. While the Kia boasts 261 hp, both achieve a shared 35 MPG combined rating, making efficiency similar once the battery is depleted.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia Sportage PHEV offers 34 miles of electric range, significantly reducing gas use for daily short commutes.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is the clear winner for families needing more passenger space due to its larger overall dimensions.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia Sportage offers more horsepower at 261 hp compared to the Toyota's 243 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia Sportage wins on value, offering a lower $39,890 MSRP while still providing PHEV benefits.

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

You prioritize saving money upfront, as the $39,890 MSRP is $6,930 less than the competitor.
Your daily driving needs can be covered by the 34 miles of electric range.
You prefer a more powerful engine, with the Sportage delivering 261 hp versus 243 hp.

Choose the Toyota Highlander Hybrid if...

You need the extra physical room offered by the larger 194.9-inch length and 76.0-inch width.
You prefer a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission over the 6-speed automatic.
Your primary focus is on the established reputation of the larger Highlander platform.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid	Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Length	183.5"	194.9"
Width	73.4"	76.0"
Height	66.9"	68.1"
Wheelbase	108.5"	112.2"

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	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	—
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓

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	243 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	35/35 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	35 MPG	35 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	399.6/388.5 mi.	598.5/598.5 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.	17.1 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	—	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	—	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Kia	Toyota
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	8.0 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	1st Row Power Glass
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	Toyota
Front Head Room	37.8 in.	39.6 in.
Front Leg Room	41.4 in.	42.0 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.5 in.	59.0 in.
Front Hip Room	54.8 in.	57.2 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	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Kia	Toyota
Rear Head Room	38.0 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.5 in.	38.7 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.6 in.	58.4 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.4 in.	57.0 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	—
Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓
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	P235/65R18
Wheel Material	—	Alloy
Wheel Diameter	—	18 in
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Underbody 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.
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 Highlander Hybrid.

Which car is actually better for long road trips?

Both vehicles achieve the same 35 MPG combined fuel economy when running on gasoline. However, the Highlander is physically larger, which might offer more passenger comfort on extended journeys despite the Sportage's larger 34.5 cu ft cargo area.

How significant is the cargo capacity difference between these two crossovers?

The difference is substantial: the 2025 Kia Sportage offers 34.5 cu ft of cargo space, while the physically larger 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid only manages 16 cu ft. This makes the Kia significantly more practical for hauling large items.

Is the Kia Sportage PHEV’s electric range enough for most daily commutes?

With 34 miles of dedicated electric range, the Kia Sportage PHEV covers the average American commute distance completely gas-free, providing significant daily fuel savings.

Why does the smaller Kia have more horsepower than the larger Toyota?

The Kia Sportage PHEV prioritizes performance with 261 hp, whereas the Toyota Highlander Hybrid focuses slightly more on smooth, efficient power delivery with its 243 hp output coupled with a CVT transmission.

Can both vehicles handle snowy or slippery conditions?

Yes, both models come equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD), meaning both the Kia Sportage PHEV and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid should provide reliable traction in adverse weather.