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

$46,820 · Crossover

$48,290 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical divergence is the $1,470 price difference, with the 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid starting at $46,820 against the 2026 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid's $48,290 MSRP. Performance metrics favor the Kia, which produces 261 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque compared to the Highlander Hybrid's 243 hp. Fuel economy shows a slight edge for Toyota, achieving a combined 35 MPG versus the Sorento PHEV's 33 combined MPG, though the Kia offers an exclusive 30 miles of electric range. Dimensionally, the Highlander Hybrid is longer at 194.9 inches versus 189.6 inches for the Sorento, translating to a larger overall footprint. Cargo space reflects this difference, with the Toyota offering 16 cu ft compared to the Kia's 12.6 cu ft. Both utilize AWD and regular unleaded fuel.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid secures the commuter win due to its superior overall fuel economy rating of 35 combined MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The Highlander Hybrid provides more usable space, featuring 16 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Sorento's 12.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

The 2026 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid is objectively quicker, offering 261 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The Highlander Hybrid presents better conventional fuel efficiency (35 MPG vs 33 MPG) at a lower starting MSRP of $46,820.

Choose the Toyota Highlander Hybrid if...

You prioritize maximum conventional fuel efficiency, achieving 35 MPG combined.
Your budget constraint requires the lower starting MSRP of $46,820.
You need the larger cargo area, offering 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats.

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

You can leverage the dedicated 30 miles of electric range for daily short trips.
Higher peak power output of 261 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque is important.
You prefer the distinct shifting feel of a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Toyota Highlander Hybrid	Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
Length	194.9"	189.6"
Width	76.0"	74.8"
Height	68.1"	66.9"
Wheelbase	112.2"	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 Solid Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Fog Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	2	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	—	✓

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	243 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
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Toyota	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	35/35 MPG	33/34 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	35 MPG	33 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	598.5/598.5 mi.	409.2/421.6 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.1 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	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Toyota	Kia
Infotainment Display	8.0 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
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass	—
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Toyota	Kia
Front Head Room	39.6 in.	40.3 in.
Front Leg Room	42.0 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.0 in.	59.1 in.
Front Hip Room	57.2 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 Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Toyota	Kia
Rear Head Room	39.4 in.	39.1 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.7 in.	40.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.4 in.	58.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	57.0 in.	55.1 in.
Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	✓
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Toyota	Kia
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Diameter	18 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P235/65R18	235/55R19
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	—	19 x 7.5 in

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 Highlander Hybrid and 2026 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

Which vehicle offers better EPA-rated fuel economy?

The 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has a slight edge in standard hybrid efficiency, achieving 35 combined MPG compared to the 2026 Kia Sorento PHEV's 33 combined MPG.

How significant is the electric-only range difference?

The Kia Sorento PHEV provides a substantial 30 miles of pure electric range, a feature entirely absent from the standard hybrid system of the Highlander Hybrid.

Does the difference in size affect interior practicality?

Yes, the Highlander Hybrid has a longer body (194.9 inches) and offers more storage with 16 cu ft of cargo space, whereas the Sorento PHEV is shorter and offers only 12.6 cu ft.

Which crossover provides more horsepower and torque?

The 2026 Kia Sorento PHEV is the more potent vehicle, producing 261 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, surpassing the Highlander Hybrid's 243 hp.

What is the cost variance between the two models?

The 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid starts at $46,820, making it $1,470 less expensive than the 2026 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid, which begins at $48,290.