Which Electrified Kia Crossover is Best?
Kia’s SUV hybrid lineup consists of three distinctly different models, but each is available as both a traditional hybrid and a plug-in model, while some are sold with gas-only or even fully-electric trims too. So, despite only three nameplates appearing, the range of choice available when considering a Kia hybrid SUV in 2025 can be quite overwhelming, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the models, and where each one excels the best.
Kia
Kia is a South Korean automaker headquartered in Seoul. It was originally founded in 1944 as a bicycle manufacturer which later built small motorcycles, and Mazda-licensed trucks and cars. After building an assembly plant in th early 70s, the company also produced the Bisa range of cars until 1981 before coming to a half due to the political situation at the time. Production kicked off again in 1986 in partnership with Ford, and in 1992 the company started sellling cars in North America. Today it is the second-largest automaker in South Korea, right behind Hyundai.
- Founded
-
June 9, 1944 (as Kyungsung Precision Industry)
- Founder
-
Kim Cheol-ho
- Headquarters
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Seoul, South Korea
- Owned By
-
Hyundai Motor Group
- Current CEO
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Ho Sung Song
That’s exactly why we’ve compiled this article; to introduce Kia’s exciting range of SUVs with hybrid engines, compare them to one another, cover the essential specs and highlight key attractions to every model. Deciding which is best for you is a personal choice, entirely dependent upon your own needs and wants, but from an objective standpoint, here’s Kia’s hybrid SUVs ranked in order, starting with the best.
This article shines a spotlight on Kia’s current and comprehensive range of hybrid SUVs, spanning from the compact Niro to the three-row Sorento. In order to establish which is best, we have ranked them according to their BuzzScore, with the lowest-scoring model appearing first. Learn more about our BuzzScore rating methodology here.
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2025 Kia Niro Hybrid
2025 Kia Niro
- Base MSRP
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$26,990
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Front-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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139 hp
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
-
53/54/53 mpg
- Engine
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1.6L I4 Hybrid
Kicking off at just $26,990 and boasting a combined gas mileage rating of 53 mpg, the 2025 Kia Niro is an incredibly efficient subcompact which should prove ideal for commuting, ferrying around kids, and tackling general daily duties.
Not only is the Kia Niro the most efficient crossover money can buy, it’s also among the most affordable. This is the least expensive hybrid crossover on the market.
– Jared Rosenholtz, CarBuzz Editor-at-Large
Inside, space is respectable for a subcompact, and tech is abundant, especially in EX trims and higher, which sport a bigger touchscreen with navigation built-in. While the LX is certainly cheaper, it would be easy to argue that the EX offers better value for money, as in addition to the larger screen and navigation, EX models also boast stylish 18-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, fog lamps and rain-sensing wipers. For those with a taste for luxury, the SX and SX Touring trims pack even more into this Kia hybrid SUV.
5
2025 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid
2025 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid
- MSRP
-
$34,490
- Engine
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1.6L I4 Plug-In Hybrid
- Horsepower
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180 hp combined
- Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
-
48 mpg combined
- Fuel Economy Equivalent (city/highway/combined)
-
108 MPGe combined
Kia bucks the trend with the subcompact Niro, doing away with gas-only models altogether, and instead introducing the base option as a hybrid, with plug-in and fully-electric models available too. In the two hybrid models, propulsion is provided by a 1.6-liter inline-four. The 2025 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid is the more powerful of the hybrid variants, sporting 180 horsepower to the standard hybrid’s 139. In addition, this PHEV model can also boast up to 33 miles of electric-only driving, which makes it a superbly practical and efficient choice for those that have short, urban commutes.
Pricing for the plug-in model kicks off at $34,490, making it the most affordable PHEV currently produced by Kia, although it naturally carries a premium over the standard hybrid Niro. Stepping inside, the Niro reveals a surprisingly modern interior, with a sharp and sculpted dash and recycled materials used throughout, such as eucalyptus leaves in the headlining. The base LX trim is equipped with an 8.0-inch infotainment screen, whereas higher trims benefit from a larger 10.3-inch display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The range-topping SX trim sees the standard six-speaker sound system ditched in favor of a quality Harman Kardon seven-speaker setup.
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4
2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
Other Trims
2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
- Year
-
2025
- MSRP
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$47,990
- Engine
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1.6L I4 Turbo Plug-in Hybrid
- Drivetrain
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All-Wheel Drive
- Horsepower
-
261 hp combined
- Fuel Economy Equivalent (city/highway/combined)
-
74 MPGe combined
The 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid is every bit as capable and versatile as the gas and base hybrid models, if not even more so, thanks to an additional 34 horsepower and a useful 31-mile electric-only driving range. Such niceties don’t come free of charge though, or even close to it, as the Sorento PHEV commands a hefty $9,300 premium above and beyond the standard hybrid model.
Inside is where the Sorento’s real appeal lies, with acres of space, heaps of creature comforts and three rows of comfortable seating. Both PHEV trims come with second-row captain’s chairs equipped by default. As standard, one 4.0-inch and another 12.3-inch screen are equipped, although a panoramic curved layout consisting of two 12.3-inch screens is available, which boasts a commanding presence within the cabin.
At the other end, the Sorento’s trunk offers 12.6 cubic feet of luggage space behind all three rows, although this can be extended by dropping either just the third or the third and second row down, which sees that cargo capacity swell to a maximum of 75.5 cubic feet.
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3
2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid
2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid
- Base MSRP
-
$38,690
- Engine
-
1.6L Turbo Inline-4 Hybrid
- Horsepower
-
227 hp
- Drivetrain
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FWD, AWD
- Fuel Economy
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36/36/36 mpg (FWD) | 34/34/34 mpg (AWD)
The 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid is a wonderfully capable ‘do-it-all’ option for those that require buckets of space, excellent gas mileage, and plenty of bang for their buck. Furthermore, Kia has recently sweetened the deal by facelifting the Sorento, meaning it’s looking fresher than ever for 2025.
Under the hood sits the same powertrain as what’s used in the Sportage Hybrid, which means 227 horsepower is tasked with motivating this mid-sized three-row, and that power can be sent to either the front or all four wheels. As is typically expected, the FWD Sorento Hybrid is the more economical choice, returning 36 mpg in both city and highway environments – that figure drops to 34 mpg for the all-wheel-drive model.
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2
2025 Kia Sportage Hybrid
2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid
- MSRP
-
$28,790
- Engine
-
1.6L I4 Hybrid Turbo
- Drivetrain
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Front-Wheel Drive
- Horsepower
-
227 hp combined
- Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
-
42/44/43 mpg (FWD) | 38/38/38 mpg (AWD)
The 2025 Kia Sportage Hybrid might not boast the same 261 horsepower as the plug-in variant, but at 227 horsepower it’s still no slouch, and 40 horses more powerful than the base gas-only model, which will feel lackluster in comparison. So, with less grunt and no option for electric-only driving, it might not be objectively better than the Sportage PHEV, but thanks to a saving of over $10,000, it certainly stands out as the best value for money choice.
Thanks to the Sportage’s growth spurt for this generation, it now leads the compact crossover class in a number of important interior categories. For example, the rear seats offer 41.3 inches of legroom, which is more than any competitor.
– Jared Rosenholtz, CarBuzz Editor-at-Large
Inside, the Sportage boasts a wonderfully spacious and airy cabin, with more headroom, legroom and cargo space than the segment-leading Toyota RAV4. Honda’s CR-V is close to matching the luggage space available, but at 39.6 cubic feet behind the second row, Kia’s Sportage takes the lead here. That space can be increased to 74.1 cubic feet by dropping the second-row.
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2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
- MSRP
-
$39,690
- Engine
-
1.6L I4 Turbo Plug-in Hybrid
- Drivetrain
-
All-Wheel Drive
- Horsepower
-
261 hp combined
- Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
-
35 mpg combined
- Fuel Economy Equivalent (city/highway/combined)
-
84 MPGe combined
Following a comprehensive overhaul for the 2023 model year, the 2025 Kia Sportage still looks to be one of the most compelling purchases within the fiercely competitive compact crossover segment, doing battle with the likes of Toyota’s RAV4, and the Honda CR-V. A range of different gas and hybrid powertrains are available, but it’s the plug-in hybrid model which offers better performance, with a combined 261 horsepower output, and the option of 34 miles of electric-only range.
After proving it could build a luxury-quality interior at an affordable price with the Telluride, Kia is transferring its cabin design downmarket to smaller models like the Sportage. A large 12.3-inch touchscreen sits on the dash (an eight-inch touchscreen is standard on the LX) with clear graphics and intuitive UI.
– Jared Rosenholtz, CarBuzz Editor-at-Large
As is often the case, the PHEV sports a notably higher MSRP, starting at $39,890 in comparison to the base hybrid’s $28,790 starting price. For those able to exploit the electric-only driving range – most likely city-based owners – the PHEV could make great sense, as long-term fuel savings will be noticeable, and the resale value should retain some of that premium too.
The many positive attributes of the Sportage PHEV make it our favorite Kia hybrid SUV.
Source: Kia
