2025 Toyota Highlander vs 2026 Kia Sorento Hybrid

$40,320 · Crossover

$38,890 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical discrepancy between the 2025 Toyota Highlander and the 2026 Kia Sorento Hybrid lies in fuel economy, with the Sorento Hybrid achieving a superior combined 37 MPG compared to the Highlander's 25 MPG, resulting in a 12 MPG advantage for the Kia. Performance figures diverge as well; the Highlander delivers 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, significantly outpacing the Sorento Hybrid’s 227 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Pricing also favors the Kia, starting at an MSRP of $38,890 against the Highlander's $40,320. While the Highlander offers slightly more length at 194.9 inches versus the Sorento’s 189.6 inches, the latter provides ample efficiency for daily driving. The Highlander maintains a marginal edge in maximum cargo space at 16.0 cu ft compared to the Kia's 12.6 cu ft, but this volume deficit is small for prospective owners prioritizing fuel savings over outright power.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Kia Sorento Hybrid

The 2026 Kia Sorento Hybrid's 37 combined MPG provides substantially lower operational costs compared to the Highlander's 25 combined MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Toyota Highlander

The 2025 Toyota Highlander offers greater physical presence with 194.9 inches in length and superior maximum cargo capacity at 16.0 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Toyota Highlander

The Toyota Highlander produces 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, offering a distinct power advantage over the Kia's 227 hp.

💰 Best Value

2026 Kia Sorento Hybrid

The 2026 Kia Sorento Hybrid undercuts the Toyota Highlander on entry price by $1,430 while delivering 12 MPG better fuel economy.

Choose the Toyota Highlander if...

You require the higher output figures, specifically 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque for towing or acceleration.
Maximum accessible cargo space is critical, as 16.0 cu ft beats the Sorento's 12.6 cu ft.
You prefer a vehicle with an 8-speed automatic transmission rather than the Sorento's 6-speed unit.

Choose the Kia Sorento Hybrid if...

Prioritizing fuel efficiency is paramount, evidenced by the 37 combined MPG versus the Highlander's 25 MPG.
You are seeking the lower initial investment, starting $1,430 less expensive at an MSRP of $38,890.
A primary commuting focus makes the superior City MPG (37 MPG vs. 22 MPG) a significant daily cost saver.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Toyota Highlander	Kia Sorento Hybrid
Length	194.9"	189.6"
Width	76.0"	74.8"
Height	68.1"	66.7"
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	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	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Toyota	Kia
Base Engine Displacement	2.4 L	1.6 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	hybrid
Horsepower	265 hp @ 6000 rpm	227 hp
Torque	310 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm	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	Toyota	Kia
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Toyota	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	22/29 MPG	37/36 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	25 MPG	37 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	393.8/519.1 mi.	654.9/637.2 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.9 gal.	17.7 gal.

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	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓

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
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Toyota	Kia
Front Head Room	41.2 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: 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	39.4 in.	39.1 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.7 in.	40.7 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.7 in.	58.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	57.0 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	Toyota	Kia
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Diameter	18 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P235/65R V	235/55R19
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Inside Mounted
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.
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.
Hybrid Component Warranty	—	10 yr./ 100000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Toyota Highlander and 2026 Kia Sorento Hybrid.

What is the specific fuel economy advantage of the Sorento Hybrid over the Highlander?

The 2026 Kia Sorento Hybrid boasts a combined 37 MPG rating, providing a substantial 12 MPG improvement over the 2025 Toyota Highlander's 25 combined MPG. This difference means the Sorento Hybrid users spend significantly less on fuel over annual mileage.

How much more powerful is the 2025 Toyota Highlander than the 2026 Kia Sorento Hybrid?

The Highlander produces 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, making it 38 horsepower stronger than the Sorento Hybrid's output of 227 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. This directly translates to faster acceleration metrics for the Toyota.

Which vehicle has a higher starting Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)?

The 2025 Toyota Highlander has a starting MSRP of $40,320, making it $1,430 more expensive than the 2026 Kia Sorento Hybrid, which begins at $38,890.

How do the physical dimensions compare between these two crossovers?

The Highlander is physically larger, measuring 194.9 inches long compared to the Sorento’s 189.6 inches, and it is also taller and wider. However, the Highlander only leads in max cargo capacity at 16.0 cu ft versus 12.6 cu ft.

Are there differences in the type of gasoline required for these two models?

Both the 2025 Toyota Highlander and the 2026 Kia Sorento Hybrid specify the use of regular unleaded fuel. This eliminates the added cost associated with premium fuel requirements for either vehicle.

Does the transmission type differ between the two vehicles?

Yes, the Highlander utilizes an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission, whereas the Sorento Hybrid is equipped with a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission. This difference may impact driver feel and final gearing efficiency.