2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid vs 2026 Mazda CX-70
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Kia Sportage PHEV captivates with its plug-in efficiency, offering an electric range of 34 miles before settling into a robust 35 MPG combined. This efficiency king delivers 261 hp from its hybrid powertrain. In contrast, the 2026 Mazda CX-70 screams dynamic prowess, boasting a punchier 280 hp and a massive 332 lb-ft of torque, though its traditional AWD system returns a lower 25 MPG combined. The Mazda is significantly larger, measuring 200.8 inches in length compared to the Kia's 183.5 inches, and offers superior hauling capacity at 39.6 cu ft versus the Kia's 34.5 cu ft. While the Mazda commands a slightly higher $42,250 MSRP versus the Kia's $39,890, the 10 MPG efficiency gap in the Kia is the most critical differentiator for daily drivers looking to maximize fuel savings.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
The Kia Sportage PHEV wins for commuters due to its significant fuel economy advantage, achieving 35 MPG combined versus the Mazda's 25 MPG.
2026 Mazda CX-70
The 2026 Mazda CX-70 provides superior utility for families, offering greater overall space with 39.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Kia's 34.5 cu ft.
2026 Mazda CX-70
The Mazda CX-70 appeals more to driving enthusiasts with its higher 280 hp and significantly higher 332 lb-ft of torque.
2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
The Kia Sportage PHEV offers better efficiency value, providing a 34-mile EV range and 35 MPG combined for a lower initial MSRP of $39,890.
Choose the Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid if...
- Your primary concern is minimizing stops at the pump, capitalizing on the 34-mile electric range.
- You prioritize economy, as the 35 MPG combined rating easily beats the Mazda's 25 MPG figure.
- You prefer a slightly smaller footprint (183.5 inches long) for easier urban navigation.
Choose the Mazda CX-70 if...
- You crave assertive acceleration, backed by 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque.
- You frequently haul gear, benefiting from the superior 39.6 cubic feet of cargo space.
- You prefer the smoother shifts of an 8-speed automatic transmission over the Kia's 6-speed unit.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid | Mazda CX-70 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 183.5" | 200.8" |
| Width | 73.4" | - |
| Height | 66.9" | 68.2" |
| Wheelbase | 108.5" | 122.8" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Kia | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | — | ✓ |
| Self-Leveling Headlights | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Kia | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 1.6 L | 3.3 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 6 |
| Base Engine Type | plug-in hybrid | mild hybrid |
| Horsepower | 261 hp | 280 hp @ 5000 rpm |
| Torque | 258 lb-ft | 332 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 24 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Kia | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 6-speed automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Center Differential Type | Locking | Limited Slip |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Kia | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 36/35 MPG | 24/28 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 35 MPG | 25 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 399.6/388.5 mi. | 444.0/518.0 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. | 18.5 gal. |
| DC Fast Charging Port Type | SAE J1772 | — |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Kia | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — | ✓ |
| Heated Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | — | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Kia | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 12.3 in | 12.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 8 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | — |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | — |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Kia | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 2 | 4 |
| Moonroof Type | 1st Row Power Glass Extended | 1st Row Power Glass |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Kia | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 37.8 in. | 39.7 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.4 in. | 41.7 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.5 in. | 59.2 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.8 in. | 56.2 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 |
| Seat Material: Leather | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Memory Settings | — | 2 |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | — | 8-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Ventilation | — | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Ventilation | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Kia | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 38.0 in. | 39.3 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 39.5 in. | 39.4 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.6 in. | 58.1 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.4 in. | 55.5 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Rear Seats (Multi-Level) | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Kia | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 19 x 7.5 in | 21 x 9.5 in. |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 235/55R19 | 275/45R21 |
| Spare Tire Type | — | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | — | Inside Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Kia | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Kia | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid and 2026 Mazda CX-70.
What is the primary difference in daily running costs between these two crossovers?
The 2025 Kia Sportage PHEV will offer substantially lower running costs, returning 35 MPG combined, which is a 10 MPG advantage over the 2026 Mazda CX-70's 25 MPG combined rating.
How much more powerful is the Mazda CX-70 compared to the Kia Sportage PHEV?
The Mazda CX-70 holds a clear power advantage, generating 280 horsepower versus the Kia's 261 hp. Furthermore, the Mazda boasts nearly 75 more lb-ft of torque (332 vs. 258), promising more forceful acceleration.
Can the Kia Sportage PHEV manage a full day of local driving without using gasoline?
Yes, the Kia has a dedicated Electric Range of 34 miles, meaning many short daily commutes can be completed entirely on battery power before switching to its hybrid system.
Which vehicle offers more physical space for luggage and equipment?
The significantly larger 2026 Mazda CX-70 offers more utility, providing 39.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity, substantially more than the Kia Sportage PHEV's 34.5 cubic feet.
Is there a major difference in MSRP between these two AWD crossovers?
Yes, the Kia Sportage PHEV starts at a lower MSRP of $39,890, whereas the more powerful Mazda CX-70 begins at $42,250.
Do both vehicles require premium fuel?
Both the 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid and the 2026 Mazda CX-70 are specified to run on regular unleaded fuel, which helps keep ownership costs down regardless of performance differences.
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