2025 Toyota Highlander vs 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

$40,320 · Crossover

$40,490 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between the reliable workhorse and the tech-forward efficient crossover is a common dilemma for families looking for practicality. The 2025 Toyota Highlander starts at an MSRP of $40,320 and offers a robust 265 hp with 310 lb-ft of torque, providing familiar, dependable performance from its front-wheel-drive setup. However, its efficiency falls short, achieving only 25 MPG combined. On the other hand, the 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid, priced slightly higher at $40,490, significantly pulls ahead in running costs. The Kia boasts a substantial 36 combined MPG and offers 33 miles of electric range, which could drastically cut gasoline spending for daily errands. While the Highlander is longer at 194.9 inches, the Sportage compensates with a much larger cargo capacity of 34.5 cubic feet compared to the Highlander's 16 cu ft, making space organization a key deciding factor between these two capable crossovers.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid is the clear winner for commuters due to its superior 36 combined MPG and 33 miles of pure electric range.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia offers significantly more usable space with 34.5 cu ft of cargo capacity versus the Highlander's 16 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Toyota Highlander

The 2025 Toyota Highlander provides higher torque at 310 lb-ft, which is generally more beneficial for immediate acceleration feel than the Kia's 268 hp.

💰 Best Value

2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

Despite a similar MSRP, the Kia's dramatic fuel economy advantage results in much lower long-term ownership costs.

Choose the Toyota Highlander if...

You prioritize maximum towing capability, suggested by the higher torque output of 310 lb-ft.
You prefer the standard 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission over the Kia's 6-speed unit.
Your driving habits rarely allow for plugging in, making the Highlander's consistent 25 MPG better than relying on the PHEV battery.

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

You want to drastically cut fuel consumption by leveraging the 33 miles of electric range daily.
You need maximum utility, as the Kia offers more than double the cargo space at 34.5 cu ft.
You prefer the enhanced traction benefits of All-Wheel Drive, which the Sportage PHEV includes.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Toyota Highlander	Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
Length	194.9"	184.4"
Width	76.0"	73.4"
Height	68.1"	66.9"
Wheelbase	112.2"	108.5"

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	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Toyota	Kia
Base Engine Displacement	2.4 L	1.6 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	plug-in hybrid
Horsepower	265 hp @ 6000 rpm	268 hp
Torque	310 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm	271 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	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	—	Locking
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Toyota	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	22/29 MPG	35/36 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	25 MPG	36 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	393.8/519.1 mi.	388.5/399.6 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.9 gal.	11.1 gal.
EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe)	—	87/78 MPGe
EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe)	—	83 MPGe
EPA Electric Driving Range	—	33 mi.
EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi)	—	43
Charging Time (240V)	—	2.0 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	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
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	2
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Moonroof Type	—	1st Row Power Glass Extended

Frontseats

Feature	Toyota	Kia
Front Head Room	41.2 in.	39.6 in.
Front Leg Room	42.0 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.0 in.	57.5 in.
Front Hip Room	57.2 in.	54.8 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	4-way
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
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.	39.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.7 in.	55.6 in.
Rear Hip Room	57.0 in.	53.4 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual 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	—
Spare Tire Location	Underbody 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 Sportage Plug-In Hybrid.

How much fuel economy difference can I expect between these two crossovers?

The difference is quite significant; the 2025 Toyota Highlander manages only 25 MPG combined, while the 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid achieves a combined 36 MPG.

Is the Toyota Highlander significantly larger than the Kia Sportage PHEV?

The Highlander is longer, measuring 194.9 inches compared to the Kia's 184.4 inches, but the Kia excels in internal storage with 34.5 cu ft versus the Highlander's 16 cu ft of cargo room.

Do I need premium fuel for either of these vehicles?

No, both the 2025 Toyota Highlander and the 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid are designed to run perfectly well on regular unleaded fuel.

Which vehicle has more standard power figures?

The Kia Sportage PHEV technically has higher horsepower at 268 hp compared to the Highlander's 265 hp, though the Highlander pulls ahead in torque with 310 lb-ft versus the Kia's 271 lb-ft.

Is the AWD capability worth the trade-off in gasoline performance?

The Kia Sportage PHEV includes All-Wheel Drive while the base Highlander uses Front Wheel Drive; for many buyers, the enhanced grip of the Kia outweighs the Highlander’s slight advantage in torque.

How do the starting prices compare?

The two crossovers are priced almost identically, with the 2025 Toyota Highlander starting at $40,320 and the 2026 Kia Sportage PHEV listed at $40,490.