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

$44,210 · Crossover

$48,290 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid (Car 1) and the 2026 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (Car 2) often comes down to prioritizing pure fuel efficiency versus plug-in capability. The Toyota offers substantial savings upfront, starting at $44,210 compared to the Kia's $48,290, a difference of $4,080. For high-mileage drivers, the Toyota’s superior fuel economy is a clear winner, boasting a combined 36 MPG versus the Kia’s 33 MPG, even though the Kia offers 30 miles of pure electric range. The size difference is also notable: the Grand Highlander is significantly longer at 201.4 inches, providing a massive 20.6 cu ft of cargo space, whereas the Sorento PHEV is shorter (189.6 inches) and offers only 12.6 cu ft. While the Kia ekes out slightly more power with 261 hp versus Toyota's 245 hp, the day-to-day practicality heavily sways toward the massive efficiency and space provided by the Highlander Hybrid.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid wins for commuters due to its class-leading 36 MPG combined efficiency.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The Toyota provides vastly superior utility with its 201.4-inch length resulting in 20.6 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Sorento's 12.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia Sorento PHEV edges out the competition slightly with 261 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque paired with a 6-speed shiftable automatic.

💰 Best Value

2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The Toyota starts $4,080 cheaper and delivers significantly better pure gasoline fuel economy.

Choose the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid if...

You drive long distances regularly and need the best possible non-plug-in fuel economy, achieving 37 MPG in the city.
Maximum three-row utility is critical, as its 20.6 cu ft cargo capacity dwarfs the competitor's offering.
You want to save $4,080 immediately, as the MSRP for Car 1 starts at $44,210.

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

Your daily driving is consistently under 30 miles, allowing you to leverage the 30 miles of pure electric range.
You prefer a slightly punchier performance feel, benefiting from the 261 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.
You prefer the traditional feel of a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission over a CVT.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid	Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
Length	201.4"	189.6"
Width	78.3"	74.8"
Height	72.1"	66.9"
Wheelbase	116.1"	110.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Toyota	Kia
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic 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 Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
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	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Automatic Headlights	—	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	—	✓
Daytime Running Lights	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Toyota	Kia
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	1.6 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	hybrid	plug-in hybrid
Horsepower	245 hp @ 6000 rpm	261 hp
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Torque	—	258 lb-ft

Drive Train

Feature	Toyota	Kia
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Toyota	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	37/34 MPG	33/34 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	36 MPG	33 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	636.4/584.8 mi.	409.2/421.6 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.2 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	Toyota	Kia
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control 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	✓	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Toyota	Kia
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Toyota	Kia
Front Head Room	41.5 in.	40.3 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	60.2 in.	59.1 in.
Front Hip Room	56.5 in.	55.6 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	—
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Toyota	Kia
Rear Head Room	40.2 in.	39.1 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.5 in.	40.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.8 in.	58.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	57.0 in.	55.1 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

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

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Toyota	Kia
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Hybrid Component Warranty	8 yr./ 100000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	2 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	2 yr./ 25000 mi.	—
EV Battery Warranty	—	10 yr./ 100000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid and 2026 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

How much more space does the Grand Highlander Hybrid offer compared to the Sorento PHEV?

The 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is significantly larger, measuring 201.4 inches long compared to the Sorento's 189.6 inches. This translates directly to cargo space: 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row for the Toyota versus only 12.6 cubic feet for the Kia.

Is the plug-in range of the Kia worth the extra initial cost?

The 2026 Kia Sorento PHEV offers 30 miles of electric range, potentially reducing stops at the pump if your commute is short. However, it costs $4,080 more upfront than the standard hybrid Toyota, which offers better overall fuel economy at 36 combined MPG without needing to plug in.

Which vehicle is more powerful for highway merging?

The 2026 Kia Sorento PHEV technically has a slight advantage in raw power, offering 261 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, compared to the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid's 245 horsepower.

What is the difference in transmission type between these two hybrids?

The Toyota uses a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT) for maximum efficiency, aiming for that 36 MPG combined rating. The Kia opts for a 6-speed shiftable automatic, which some drivers prefer for a more traditional driving feel, despite its lower overall MPG rating of 33 combined.

Can both vehicles handle snow and rough roads?

Both the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid and the 2026 Kia Sorento PHEV come equipped with All-Wheel Drive (AWD), providing good traction capability for inclement weather or slippery conditions.

Do both cars require premium fuel?

Fortunately, no, both crossovers are designed to run efficiently on regular unleaded fuel, helping to keep your running costs down regardless of which model you choose.