2026 Honda Ridgeline vs 2026 Kia Sorento

$40,595 · Crossover

$32,190 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2026 Honda Ridgeline blasts off with 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, promising a more spirited drive than the efficient 2026 Kia Sorento, which offers a solid but modest 191 hp. The Ridgeline’s 210.2-inch length suggests a commanding presence compared to the Sorento’s 189.6 inches. However, the Sorento dominates on efficiency, boasting a 26 MPG combined rating against the Ridgeline’s 21 MPG combined, a notable 5 MPG advantage. Furthermore, families looking for utility will find the Sorento's 12.6 cu ft of cargo capacity significantly more generous than the Ridgeline’s tight 7.3 cu ft box. The $8,405 MSRP gap firmly places the Sorento as the budget-conscious choice, even though the Ridgeline provides 89 more horsepower for those prioritizing raw acceleration.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Kia Sorento

The Kia Sorento wins for commuters due to its superior 26 MPG combined fuel economy versus the Ridgeline's 21 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Kia Sorento

Families benefit from the Sorento’s substantially larger 12.6 cu ft cargo capacity compared to the Ridgeline's 7.3 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Honda Ridgeline

Enthusiasts will prefer the Honda Ridgeline for its potent 280 hp engine and 262 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2026 Kia Sorento

The Kia Sorento presents significantly better value, costing $8,405 less than the Ridgeline for a capable crossover.

Choose the Honda Ridgeline if...

You need maximum power from a crossover platform, leveraging the 280 hp output.
You prefer the all-wheel drive system standard on the Ridgeline.
You appreciate the assurance of a 9-speed shiftable automatic transmission for spirited driving.

Choose the Kia Sorento if...

Keeping running costs low is paramount, as evidenced by its 31 MPG highway rating.
You need maximum interior hauling space, with the Sorento offering 12.6 cu ft of cargo room.
You are operating on a stricter budget, saving $8,405 compared to the starting price of the Ridgeline.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Honda Ridgeline	Kia Sorento
Length	210.2"	189.6"
Width	78.6"	74.8"
Height	70.8"	66.7"
Wheelbase	125.2"	110.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Honda	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	✓	✓
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	✓	—
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	—	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Honda	Kia
Base Engine Displacement	3.5 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	V6	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	280 hp @ 6000 rpm	191 hp @ 6100 rpm
Torque	262 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm	181 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Number of Valves	24	16
Camshaft Type	Single overhead cam (SOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Cylinder Deactivation	✓	—

Drive Train

Feature	Honda	Kia
Transmission Type	9-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive
[object Object]	✓	—
[object Object]	✓	—
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Honda	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	18/24 MPG	23/31 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	21 MPG	26 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	351.0/468.0 mi.	407.1/548.7 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	19.5 gal.	17.7 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Honda	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	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	—
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Rear Door Pockets	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Honda	Kia
Infotainment Display	9.0 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Stereo Power	215W	—
Speaker System	7	6
Subwoofer Count	1	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

Feature	Honda	Kia
One-Touch Power Windows	2	1
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Honda	Kia
Front Head Room	40.1 in.	40.3 in.
Front Leg Room	40.9 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	62.0 in.	59.1 in.
Front Hip Room	59.1 in.	55.6 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	8-way	6-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Honda	Kia
Rear Head Room	38.8 in.	39.1 in.
Rear Leg Room	36.7 in.	41.7 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	61.5 in.	58.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	56.6 in.	55.1 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Honda	Kia
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Diameter	18 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	245/60R	235/65R17
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Material	—	Alloy
Wheel Size	—	17 x 7.0 in

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Honda	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.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	1 yr./ 12000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2026 Honda Ridgeline and 2026 Kia Sorento.

What is the performance gap between the 2026 Honda Ridgeline and the 2026 Kia Sorento?

The Ridgeline offers significantly more grunt, delivering 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, substantially outclassing the Sorento's 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque.

How much more fuel-efficient is the Kia Sorento than the Honda Ridgeline?

The Sorento achieves 26 MPG combined, offering a 5 MPG advantage over the Ridgeline's 21 MPG combined rating, meaning fewer stops at the pump.

Which vehicle provides better practicality for large families?

The Kia Sorento is the practical winner here, offering 12.6 cubic feet of cargo space compared to the Ridgeline’s smaller 7.3 cubic feet capacity.

Is the significantly higher MSRP of the Ridgeline justified by its features?

The Ridgeline starts at $40,595, which is $8,405 more expensive than the Sorento's $32,190 starting price; this premium pays mostly for the 89 horsepower increase.