2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid vs 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

$39,890 · Crossover

$44,710 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between the zippy 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) and the expansive 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is tough, especially when balancing size and efficiency. Buyers often wonder if the extra cost delivers proportional utility. The Kia starts at $39,890, significantly undercutting the Toyota's $44,710 MSRP, a difference of nearly $5,000. While the Kia is more efficient overall, achieving 35 combined MPG compared to the Toyota's 34 combined MPG, the Kia offers a notable 34 miles of pure electric range, perfect for short, daily driving, whereas the larger Toyota prioritizes passenger space. Furthermore, the Sportage PHEV boasts 261 horsepower, slightly beating the Highlander's 245 hp, making the smaller crossover feel peppier. However, the Grand Highlander dominates in sheer size, being nearly 8 inches longer at 201.4 inches, which is a massive trade-off against the Kia's superior 34.5 cu ft of cargo space.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia Sportage PHEV is the clear commuter choice due to its 34 miles of electric range, allowing for substantial zero-emission daily driving.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is better suited for families due to its significantly larger overall dimensions (201.4 inches long) and likely superior three-row capacity.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia Sportage PHEV offers more horsepower at 261 hp compared to the Toyota's 245 hp, suggesting a more engaging driving experience.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

With an MSRP of $39,890 versus the Toyota's $44,710, the Kia provides plug-in hybrid efficiency at a substantially lower entry price.

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

You prioritize city efficiency and can utilize the full 34 miles of all-electric range frequently.
You want the highest power output, as the 2025 Sportage offers 261 horsepower.
You are looking to save nearly $5,000 upfront, given its $39,890 starting MSRP.

Choose the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid if...

You absolutely need maximum passenger and cargo volume, indicated by its 201.4-inch length.
Your driving includes more longer highway trips where the larger battery's impact is lessened.
You prefer the continuously variable-speed automatic transmission over the Kia's 6-speed automatic.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid	Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid
Length	183.5"	201.4"
Width	73.4"	78.3"
Height	66.9"	72.1"
Wheelbase	108.5"	116.1"

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	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓

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	245 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	36/32 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	35 MPG	34 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	399.6/388.5 mi.	619.2/550.4 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.	17.2 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	—	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Kia	Toyota
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)	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Kia	Toyota
One-Touch Power Windows	2	4
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass Extended	—
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	Toyota
Front Head Room	37.8 in.	41.5 in.
Front Leg Room	41.4 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.5 in.	60.2 in.
Front Hip Room	54.8 in.	56.5 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	—
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	4-way
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Seat Material: Cloth	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Kia	Toyota
Rear Head Room	38.0 in.	40.2 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.5 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.6 in.	58.8 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.4 in.	57.0 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Kia	Toyota
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	19 x 7.5 in	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/55R19	255/65R18
Wheel Material	—	Alloy
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Inside 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 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid.

Does the Kia Sportage PHEV have enough electric range for my daily errands?

The 2025 Kia Sportage PHEV is rated for 34 miles of electric range, which is excellent for typical short commuting or local errands before engaging the gas engine.

Which vehicle has better usable space for cargo?

Despite being much larger overall, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid only offers 20.6 cu ft of cargo capacity, whereas the smaller Kia Sportage PHEV provides a more generous 34.5 cu ft.

Is the Kia Sportage PHEV more powerful than the Grand Highlander Hybrid?

Yes, the Kia Sportage PHEV packs a punch with 261 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, slightly exceeding the Grand Highlander Hybrid's 245 horsepower output.

How much more expensive is the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid?

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid has an MSRP of $44,710, making it $4,820 more expensive than the 2025 Kia Sportage PHEV's starting price of $39,890.

How do their fuel economy ratings compare?

The Kia gets a slightly better overall efficiency rating with 35 combined MPG compared to the Toyota's 34 combined MPG, although the Toyota manages 32 MPG on the highway versus the Kia's 35 MPG highway rating.