2025 Mazda CX-90 vs 2026 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

$38,045 · Crossover

$48,290 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the 2025 Mazda CX-90 and the 2026 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid often comes down to initial budget versus long-term running costs. The CX-90 starts at a compelling $38,045, significantly undercutting the Sorento PHEV's $48,290 MSRP—a difference of $10,245 right off the lot. However, the Kia immediately claws back some ground with its efficiency, delivering a combined 33 MPG compared to the Mazda's 25 MPG, thanks to its hybrid nature. While the CX-90 boasts slightly more power with 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque versus the Kia's 261 hp, daily drivers might appreciate the Sorento's 30 miles of pure electric range. Furthermore, the Mazda is physically larger at 200.8 inches long, offering a more commanding presence than the Sorento's 189.6 inches.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

The Sorento PHEV's 30 miles of electric range makes short commutes exceptionally cheap and quiet, maximizing fuel savings over the CX-90.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Mazda CX-90

The CX-90's slightly larger footprint and marginally superior cargo capacity of 14.9 cu ft makes it the more physically accommodating choice for families needing space.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Mazda CX-90

The Mazda CX-90 delivers superior raw power metrics with 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque compared to the Sorento's 261 hp and 258 lb-ft.

💰 Best Value

2025 Mazda CX-90

Despite lower fuel economy, the CX-90's $10,245 lower starting MSRP presents a substantial immediate savings advantage.

Choose the Mazda CX-90 if...

You need the highest available horsepower and torque figures (280 hp/332 lb-ft) for confident highway merging.
Sticking to a strict initial purchase budget is paramount, given its starting MSRP of $38,045.
You prefer the traditional driving dynamics of an 8-speed automatic transmission paired with regular unleaded fuel.

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

Your daily driving routine averages less than 30 miles, allowing significant utilization of the electric-only range.
Saving money on gas is a priority, leveraging its combined 33 MPG versus the CX-90's 25 MPG.
You prefer a slightly more city-friendly crossover, as the Sorento is nearly 11 inches shorter in length.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mazda CX-90	Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
Length	200.8"	189.6"
Width	78.5"	74.8"
Height	68.2"	66.9"
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	plug-in hybrid
Horsepower	280 hp @ 5000 rpm	261 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	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓

Fuel

Feature	Mazda	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	24/28 MPG	33/34 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	25 MPG	33 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	444.0/518.0 mi.	409.2/421.6 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.5 gal.	12.4 gal.
EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe)	—	77/71 MPGe
EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe)	—	74 MPGe
EPA Electric Driving Range	—	30 mi.
EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi)	—	45
Charging Time (240V)	—	3.4 hr.
DC Fast Charging Port Type	—	SAE J1772

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.	40.3 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	✓	✓

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 Plug-In Hybrid.

How much more fuel-efficient is the Kia Sorento PHEV than the Mazda CX-90?

The 2026 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid is notably more efficient, achieving a combined 33 MPG. This is an 8 MPG advantage over the 2025 Mazda CX-90, which manages 25 MPG combined.

Does the larger size of the Mazda CX-90 translate to significantly more storage?

The Mazda CX-90 is longer at 200.8 inches compared to the Sorento's 189.6 inches, and this results in slightly more cargo space: 14.9 cubic feet versus the Sorento's 12.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats.

Which vehicle provides better performance based on their engine specs?

The Mazda CX-90 offers a stronger conventional powertrain, delivering 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. The Sorento PHEV outputs a respectable 261 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.

What is the main trade-off when choosing the more expensive Kia Sorento PHEV?

You sacrifice $10,245 in initial purchase price for long-term fuel savings and the ability to run on pure electricity for up to 30 miles on a charge.

Are there different fuel requirements for these two AWD crossovers?

No, both the 2025 Mazda CX-90 and the 2026 Kia Sorento PHEV are specified to run on regular unleaded fuel, simplifying fueling choices.

How do the transmissions compare between the two models?

The Mazda CX-90 utilizes a conventional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission, offering more gear ratios than the Kia Sorento PHEV, which is equipped with a 6-speed shiftable automatic.