2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid vs 2026 Nissan Murano

$39,890 · Crossover

$41,670 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between hybrid efficiency and traditional power often trips up crossover shoppers. The 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid starts at a lower MSRP of $39,890, making it instantly appealing. This efficiency champion offers a substantial 34 miles of pure electric range, allowing many daily commutes to be emission-free. For those longer trips, the Sportage PHEV still manages 35 MPG combined, significantly better than the 2026 Nissan Murano's 23 MPG combined. While the Murano boasts slightly more size (192.9 inches long vs. the Sportage's 183.5 inches) and a hair more torque at 260 lb-ft, the Kia fights back with 261 hp and superior fuel economy, directly impacting long-term running costs. Ultimately, if maximizing miles per dollar is key, the electric assist in the Kia changes the equation entirely.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia Sportage PHEV's 34-mile electric range means most daily commutes require minimal gasoline use, drastically cutting fuel expenses.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Nissan Murano

The Nissan Murano offers a slightly larger footprint (192.9 inches long) and potentially more immediate passenger space, despite having less maximum cargo capacity.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia offers higher peak horsepower at 261 hp compared to the Murano's 241 hp, suggesting a punchier acceleration feel.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

With a $1,780 lower starting MSRP ($39,890 vs $41,670) and 12 MPG better combined efficiency, the Kia presents a clear long-term financial advantage.

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

You drive fewer than 34 miles round-trip regularly, allowing you to utilize the all-electric mode almost daily.
You prioritize a lower initial purchase price, as the Sportage PHEV starts at $39,890.
Fuel savings are critical, given its combined 35 MPG efficiency versus the Murano's 23 MPG combined.

Choose the Nissan Murano if...

You prefer a slightly larger vehicle, as the Murano is nearly 9.4 inches longer and wider.
You appreciate the smooth power delivery of a 9-speed shiftable automatic transmission over Kia's 6-speed.
You value the Murano’s marginally higher torque output of 260 lb-ft for towing or heavy loads.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid	Nissan Murano
Length	183.5"	192.9"
Width	73.4"	78.0"
Height	66.9"	67.9"
Wheelbase	108.5"	111.2"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Kia	Nissan
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	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓
Rear Fixed Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Kia	Nissan
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	241 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque	258 lb-ft	260 lb-ft @ 4400 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	Nissan
Transmission Type	6-speed automatic	9-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Locking	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	36/35 MPG	21/27 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	35 MPG	23 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	399.6/388.5 mi.	392.7/504.9 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.	18.7 gal.
DC Fast Charging Port Type	SAE J1772	—

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Kia	Nissan
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	—	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Kia	Nissan
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)	—	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Front Head Room	37.8 in.	41.1 in.
Front Leg Room	41.4 in.	44.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.5 in.	60.8 in.
Front Hip Room	54.8 in.	56.9 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	—	6-way

Rearseats

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Rear Head Room	38.0 in.	39.7 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.5 in.	36.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.6 in.	58.5 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.4 in.	56.9 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	19 x 7.5 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/55R19	P255/55R20
Wheel Cover Type	—	Full
Wheel Diameter	—	20 in.

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Kia	Nissan
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 Nissan Murano.

How much better is the Kia Sportage PHEV's fuel economy compared to the Murano?

The difference is significant; the Sportage PHEV achieves 35 MPG combined, while the 2026 Nissan Murano is rated at only 23 MPG combined, offering 12 MPG more efficiency.

Can I skip the gas station entirely with the Kia Sportage PHEV?

Yes, the Kia offers a 34-mile all-electric range. If your daily commute is within that distance, you can operate primarily on electricity, saving gasoline for longer weekend trips.

Which crossover has more power on paper?

The 2025 Kia Sportage PHEV technically leads in horsepower with 261 hp versus the Murano's 241 hp, although the Murano has slightly more torque (260 lb-ft vs. 258 lb-ft).

Is the Nissan Murano significantly larger inside?

The Murano is physically larger, measuring 192.9 inches long compared to the Sportage's 183.5 inches. However, surprisingly, the Kia offers slightly more accessible cargo space at 34.5 cu ft versus the Murano's 32.9 cu ft.