2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid vs 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid ignites the efficiency front with its electrifying 34-mile all-electric range and stellar 35 MPG combined rating, while the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport roars in with slightly more conventional muscle, boasting 269 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. The Kia brings sophisticated technology to its smaller footprint (183.5 inches long), delivering a swift 261 hp from its powertrain, perfect for zipping past fuel stations. Conversely, the VW leans into sheer utility; it’s the behemoth at 195.6 inches long, offering a cavernous 40.3 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Kia’s 34.5 cu ft. The key difference is the energy equation: the Atlas drinks fuel to produce its power, netting only 23 MPG combined, which is a stark 12 MPG less than the highly efficient Sportage PHEV, making the Kia the sensible choice for budget-conscious driving without sacrificing usable power.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
The Kia Sportage PHEV dominates commuting thanks to its 34-mile electric range, minimizing stops for gas.
2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
The larger Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport provides superior utility with its massive 40.3 cu ft of cargo capacity.
2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
The Atlas Cross Sport edges out performance with marginally higher horsepower (269 hp) and torque (273 lb-ft).
2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
The Kia offers superior running costs due to its 35 MPG combined fuel economy versus the VW's 23 MPG combined rating.
Choose the Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid if...
- You prioritize fuel savings and can utilize the 34 miles of pure electric range daily.
- You prefer a more maneuverable vehicle with a shorter length of 183.5 inches.
- You want strong efficiency, achieving 36 MPG in the city.
Choose the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport if...
- You absolutely need maximum utility, reflected in the 40.3 cu ft of available cargo space.
- You value the slightly higher peak performance metrics of 269 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque.
- You prefer the larger exterior presence and slightly bigger cabin space (195.6 inches long).
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid | Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 183.5" | 195.6" |
| Width | 73.4" | 78.3" |
| Height | 66.9" | 68.1" |
| Wheelbase | 108.5" | 117.3" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Kia | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | — | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | — | ✓ |
| Adaptive Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Cornering Lights | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Kia | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 269 hp @ 5500 rpm |
| Torque | 258 lb-ft | 273 lb-ft @ 1600 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 | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 6-speed automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Center Differential Type | Locking | — |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | — |
Fuel
| Feature | Kia | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 36/35 MPG | 20/26 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 35 MPG | 23 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 399.6/388.5 mi. | 372.0/483.6 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. | 18.6 gal. |
| DC Fast Charging Port Type | SAE J1772 | — |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Kia | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — | ✓ |
| Leatherette Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Heated Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Kia | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 12.3 in | 12.0 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 | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 2 | — |
| Moonroof Type | 1st Row Power Glass Extended | — |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Kia | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 37.8 in. | 39.4 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.4 in. | 41.7 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.5 in. | 61.5 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.8 in. | 58.4 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 | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Ventilation | — | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Ventilation | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Kia | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 38.0 in. | 37.8 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 39.5 in. | 40.4 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.6 in. | 60.4 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.4 in. | 58.7 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Kia | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 19 x 7.5 in | 18 x 8.0 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 235/55R19 | 245/60R18 |
Suspension
| Feature | Kia | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Kia | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| EV Battery Warranty | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. | — |
| Hybrid Component Warranty | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. | — |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ 100000 mi. | 7 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | — | 2 yr./ 20000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid and 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport.
How much more fuel-efficient is the Kia Sportage PHEV compared to the VW Atlas Cross Sport?
The difference is significant; the Kia achieves an impressive 35 MPG combined, while the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is rated for only 23 MPG combined, meaning the Kia saves considerably on fuel over time.
Does the Kia Sportage PHEV offer enough electric-only driving for daily errands?
Yes, the 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid offers a full 34 miles of all-electric range, which should cover many typical short-distance commutes or daily errands without using any gasoline.
Which vehicle offers better straight-line power delivery?
The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport holds a slight edge in raw power, outputting 269 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque compared to the Kia's 261 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.
How much does the difference in size affect cargo capacity?
The larger VW Atlas Cross Sport, being nearly 12 inches longer, easily wins in cargo space, offering 40.3 cubic feet, while the Sportage PHEV provides a respectable 34.5 cubic feet.
What is the drivetrain difference between these two crossovers?
The Kia Sportage PHEV comes standard with all-wheel drive for better traction in various conditions, whereas the standard configuration for the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is front-wheel drive.
Is there a major price difference between the two models?
The base MSRPs are relatively close, with the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport starting slightly lower at $37,190 compared to the Kia Sportage PHEV's starting price of $39,890.
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