2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid vs 2026 Honda Ridgeline

$39,890 · Crossover

$40,595 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid ignites the efficiency battlefield with its stellar 34-mile electric range and 35 combined MPG, offering a compelling path to lower running costs for the eco-conscious driver. Conversely, the 2026 Honda Ridgeline excites with its robust 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, signaling genuine truck capability despite its crossover roots. While the Kia delivers a massive 34.5 cubic feet of cargo space within its compact 183.5-inch frame, the significantly larger Ridgeline (210.2 inches long) sacrifices fuel economy, netting only 21 combined MPG—a stark 14 MPG gap. The Kia starts slightly lower at $39,890 versus the Ridgeline's $40,595. This comparison pits plug-in practicality against genuine utility and brute horsepower in the mid-size segment.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The Sportage PHEV offers a significant 34-mile electric range, making most daily commutes entirely emission-free.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia offers substantially more enclosed storage with 34.5 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Ridgeline's open bed utility.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Honda Ridgeline

The Ridgeline boasts higher peak output with 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, promising a more spirited drive despite poorer efficiency.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia provides superior fuel economy (35 combined MPG vs. 21) for a lower initial MSRP of $39,890.

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

You prioritize saving fuel, benefiting from 34 miles of pure electric driving capability.
Your budget is tighter, as the Kia Sportage PHEV starts at $39,890.
You need maximum enclosed cargo volume, with 34.5 cu ft available behind the rear seats.

Choose the Honda Ridgeline if...

You require the versatility and power of a truck bed, despite its low 7.3 cu ft capacity.
You desire greater raw power, delivered by the Ridgeline's 280 horsepower engine.
Your driving involves longer highway hauls where the Ridgeline's 9-speed automatic transmission might aid cruising refinement.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid	Honda Ridgeline
Length	183.5"	210.2"
Width	73.4"	78.6"
Height	66.9"	70.8"
Wheelbase	108.5"	125.2"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Kia	Honda
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	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Kia	Honda
Base Engine Displacement	1.6 L	3.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	V6
Base Engine Type	plug-in hybrid	gas
Horsepower	261 hp	280 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	258 lb-ft	262 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm
Number of Valves	16	24
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Single overhead cam (SOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Cylinder Deactivation	—	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Kia	Honda
Transmission Type	6-speed automatic	9-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Locking	—
Hill Descent Control	✓	—
[object Object]	—	✓
[object Object]	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Kia	Honda
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	36/35 MPG	18/24 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	35 MPG	21 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	399.6/388.5 mi.	351.0/468.0 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.	19.5 gal.
DC Fast Charging Port Type	SAE J1772	—

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Kia	Honda
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	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Kia	Honda
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	9.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	7
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	—
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	—
Stereo Power	—	215W
Subwoofer Count	—	1
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	Honda
Front Head Room	37.8 in.	40.1 in.
Front Leg Room	41.4 in.	40.9 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.5 in.	62.0 in.
Front Hip Room	54.8 in.	59.1 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	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	—	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	—	8-way

Rearseats

Feature	Kia	Honda
Rear Head Room	38.0 in.	38.8 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.5 in.	36.7 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.6 in.	61.5 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.4 in.	56.6 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Kia	Honda
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	19 x 7.5 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/55R19	245/60R
Wheel Diameter	—	18 in
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Inside Mounted

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Kia	Honda
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	—	1 yr./ 12000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid and 2026 Honda Ridgeline.

What is the primary difference in fuel efficiency between these two vehicles?

The difference is substantial; the 2025 Kia Sportage PHEV achieves 35 combined MPG, whereas the 2026 Honda Ridgeline manages only 21 combined MPG, leading to over 14 MPG discrepancy.

Which vehicle is better suited for someone commuting primarily on electricity?

The Kia Sportage PHEV is the definitive winner here, offering an EPA-estimated 34 miles of all-electric driving range before the gas engine needs to intervene.

How do their sizes and dimensions compare for city parking?

The Kia is significantly smaller, measuring 183.5 inches in length and 73.4 inches wide, making it more maneuverable than the much larger Ridgeline at 210.2 inches long and 78.6 inches wide.

Is the Ridgeline significantly more powerful than the Sportage PHEV?

Yes, the Ridgeline edges out the Kia slightly, producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque compared to the Kia's 261 hp and 258 lb-ft.

If I need maximum sealed cargo space, which crossover wins?

The 2025 Kia Sportage PHEV offers a superior 34.5 cubic feet of enclosed cargo capacity, easily beating the inherent limitations of the Ridgeline's open bed utility.

Do both models use regular unleaded gasoline?

Fortunately for both owners, yes, both the 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid and the 2026 Honda Ridgeline specify regular unleaded fuel as their requirement.