2025 Mazda CX-90 vs 2026 Kia Sorento Hybrid

$38,045 · Crossover

$38,890 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between the 2025 Mazda CX-90 and the 2026 Kia Sorento Hybrid boils down to prioritizing power versus fuel savings in your next three-row crossover. If raw performance is key, the CX-90 delivers a robust 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, but you'll pay for it at the pump, managing only 25 combined MPG. Conversely, the Sorento Hybrid focuses on efficiency, achieving an impressive 37 combined MPG, despite having 227 hp. While both are substantial vehicles, the CX-90 stretches out to 200.8 inches long, offering slightly more overall volume, whereas the Sorento keeps things tighter at 189.6 inches. Given their similar starting prices—MSRP $38,045 for the Mazda versus $38,890 for the Kia—your annual fuel budget will quickly separate these two contenders.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Kia Sorento Hybrid

The Sorento Hybrid wins for daily commuting due to its superior 37 combined MPG, significantly cutting fuel costs.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Mazda CX-90

The longer 200.8-inch Mazda CX-90 likely offers slightly better passenger comfort or storage configuration compared to the Sorento Hybrid.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Mazda CX-90

The Mazda CX-90 offers substantially more power, boasting 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque compared to the Kia's output.

💰 Best Value

2026 Kia Sorento Hybrid

For only $845 more, the Sorento Hybrid offers a massive 12 MPG efficiency gain over the base CX-90, making it the better long-term value.

Choose the Mazda CX-90 if...

You regularly drive on the highway and value the better highway fuel economy rating of 28 MPG.
You want the stronger performance figure, utilizing 280 horsepower for merging and passing.
You prefer the peace of mind of standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD) versus the Sorento's FWD.

Choose the Kia Sorento Hybrid if...

You prioritize saving on fuel, as the 37 combined MPG vastly outpaces the CX-90’s 25 MPG.
You prefer a slightly smaller footprint, with the Sorento measuring 74.8 inches wide compared to the CX-90's 78.5 inches.
You are satisfied with 227 horsepower, as the hybrid system minimizes weekly stops for regular unleaded fuel.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mazda CX-90	Kia Sorento Hybrid
Length	200.8"	189.6"
Width	78.5"	74.8"
Height	68.2"	66.7"
Wheelbase	122.8"	110.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Mazda	Kia
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	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Third Row 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 Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Preparation System	✓	—
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Self-Leveling 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	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	—
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Brake Assist	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Mazda	Kia
Base Engine Displacement	3.3 L	1.6 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 6	inline 4
Base Engine Type	mild hybrid	hybrid
Horsepower	280 hp @ 5000 rpm	227 hp
Torque	332 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm	258 lb-ft
Number of Valves	24	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Mazda	Kia
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	—
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓

Fuel

Feature	Mazda	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	24/28 MPG	37/36 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	25 MPG	37 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	444.0/518.0 mi.	654.9/637.2 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.5 gal.	17.7 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Mazda	Kia
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	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	✓	—
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Mazda	Kia
Infotainment Display	10.3 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	8	6
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Memory Card Slot	✓	—
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

Feature	Mazda	Kia
One-Touch Power Windows	4	1
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Mazda	Kia
Front Head Room	39.7 in.	40.3 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.2 in.	59.1 in.
Front Hip Room	56.2 in.	55.6 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	—
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Mazda	Kia
Rear Head Room	39.3 in.	39.1 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.4 in.	40.7 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.1 in.	58.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	55.5 in.	55.1 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—
One-Piece Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Mazda	Kia
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Size	19 x 8.5 in	19 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	265/55R19	235/55R19
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Mazda	Kia
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
EV Battery Warranty	—	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Hybrid Component Warranty	—	10 yr./ 100000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Mazda CX-90 and 2026 Kia Sorento Hybrid.

How much more efficient is the 2026 Kia Sorento Hybrid compared to the 2025 Mazda CX-90?

The efficiency difference is significant; the Sorento Hybrid achieves a 37 combined MPG, while the Mazda CX-90 only manages 25 combined MPG, equating to a 12 MPG advantage for the Kia.

Which vehicle has a noticeable advantage in raw power?

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 is the more powerful option, producing 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. This is notably higher than the Sorento Hybrid's 227 horsepower.

Do both vehicles require premium gasoline?

No, both the 2025 Mazda CX-90 and the 2026 Kia Sorento Hybrid specify regular unleaded fuel, helping to keep running costs down for both models.

What is the difference in size between these two crossovers?

The CX-90 is the larger vehicle overall, measuring 200.8 inches long, whereas the Sorento Hybrid has a shorter length of 189.6 inches, making it slightly easier to maneuver and park.

Is the lower cargo capacity in the Sorento Hybrid a concern?

The Sorento Hybrid lists 12.6 cubic feet of cargo space compared to the CX-90’s 14.9 cubic feet. This 2.3 cubic foot difference might matter if you frequently haul bulky items.

Considering the MSRPs, which offers a better deal for the drivetrain?

The Mazda CX-90 has a slightly lower base MSRP at $38,045 and includes standard All-Wheel Drive, whereas the Sorento Hybrid is $38,890 and utilizes Front-Wheel Drive.