Kia Sorento vs Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2025 Kia Sorento presented a somewhat perplexing lineup with its gas-only models, featuring core trims like LX, S, EX, SX, and SX Prestige. The latter three trims upgraded from a basic 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine to a more robust turbocharged version of the same engine. The X-Line appearance package was available for the EX and SX trims and came standard with the SX Prestige, offering blacked-out exterior trim and detailing. At the top of the lineup, the X-Pro SX Prestige was packed with features and exclusive enhancements. The 2025 model introduced Panthera Gray, replacing Gravity Gray, and the X-Line and X-Pro versions sported black badges. The test car, a 2024 model, lacked these new badges but otherwise mirrored the 2025 offerings, including the Road Rider Brown paint color, which cleverly concealed dirt. The interior, with its Olive Brown hue, was a mixed match with the exterior but featured luxurious touches like leather seats and a 24-inch panoramic display. The X-Pro SX Prestige boasted unique bumper covers, utility roof rails, and matte-black 17-inch wheels, enhancing its rugged appearance without significantly improving off-road capabilities.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, on the other hand, offered a more straightforward approach with its standard turbocharged gas engine, a fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain, and a powerful Hybrid Max configuration. The Hybrid Max, with its 362 horsepower and full-time AWD, provided a satisfying blend of performance and efficiency. The Grand Highlander’s design drew inspiration from the popular RAV4, resulting in a larger version with seating for up to eight and ample cargo space. The interior prioritized function over form, with a layer of luxury in the Platinum trim. The climate system was user-friendly, but the infotainment interface had a tiny volume knob, which was less practical. The Grand Highlander Hybrid Max excelled in acceleration and ride quality, though its handling was secure only up to a point. The vehicle’s outward visibility was excellent, aided by front, rear, and top-down cameras, though the front camera’s frequent takeover of the infotainment screen was a minor annoyance.

The 2025 Kia Sorento offered two engine options: a 191-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine for the LX and S trims, and a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine for the higher trims, delivering 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The turbo engine provided a more satisfying driving experience, with an EPA rating of 23 mpg in combined driving. During testing, the Sorento X-Pro SX Prestige averaged 23.4 mpg. The turbo engine was paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which could feel different to those unfamiliar with DCTs. The Sorento X-Pro, with its 17-inch wheels and BF Goodrich Trail Terrain tires, offered a comfortable ride and impressive grip on winding roads. The AWD models featured torque vectoring and a locking center differential, enhancing traction and nimbleness. The Sorento excelled in daily driving, with its size, dynamics, and visibility making it a pleasure to drive in various settings.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max emphasized performance with its turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and electronic full-time AWD, producing 362 horsepower. The Hybrid Max’s traditional six-speed automatic transmission avoided the droning common in CVTs. While the Grand Highlander Hybrid achieved up to 36 mpg, the Hybrid Max was rated at 27 mpg, with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. During testing, it averaged 26 mpg on a balanced city and highway route and 23.3 mpg on a mountainous loop. The Hybrid Max’s acceleration was smooth and confident, aided by electric motors that eliminated turbo lag. The ride quality was soft and isolating, though road undulations could cause some vertical and lateral movement. The handling was secure at moderate speeds, with the tires scrubbing early in curves. The Grand Highlander’s visibility was excellent, though the front camera’s frequent screen takeover was a minor inconvenience.

The 2025 Kia Sorento was appealing for families of four with occasional third-row use. The first two rows were spacious, and the third row could accommodate adults for short trips if the second row slid forward. The Sorento X-Pro SX Prestige featured heated and ventilated front seats with 10-way power adjustment, though long trips revealed some cushion discomfort. The second-row captain’s chairs offered heated seats, sunshades, USB ports, and air vents. Storage was generous, with 12.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 38.5 cubic feet with it folded, and a maximum of 75.5 cubic feet.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid provided comfortable seating in all three rows, with nearly 100 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. The Platinum trim’s Portobello interior featured leather and artificial suede upholstery, with heated and ventilated front and second-row seats. The second-row captain’s chairs allowed easy access to the third row. The Grand Highlander offered 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 57.9 cubic feet with it folded, and a maximum of 97.5 cubic feet. However, the long rear doors and sharp corners could pose challenges in tight spaces.

The 2025 Kia Sorento featured a 24-inch panoramic display, combining a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While Kia Connect required a subscription, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The infotainment system included a touch-sensing strip for dual-function controls, which could be frustrating. Digital Key technology allowed smartphone use as a key fob, and a digital rearview mirror provided a camera-based view. The surround-view camera system was excellent for parking in tight spaces.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offered a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system across all trims, with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel in higher trims. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music. Toyota Connected Services provided features like a Wi-Fi hotspot and a digital voice assistant. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the font could be hard to read. The Platinum trim included a head-up display, digital rear-view mirror, and surround-view camera system, with the JBL audio system delivering impressive sound quality.

The 2025 Kia Sorento came with numerous standard safety features, with more advanced technology in the SX and SX Prestige trims. These included active collision avoidance, evasive steering assist, a Blind-Spot View Monitor, and a surround-view camera system. Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2) offered semi-autonomous driving, though it required regular steering inputs. The Sorento earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS for 2024, though changes might affect its 2025 rating.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, with standard safety features and driver-assistance technologies. Proactive Driving Assist was standard, though it could be irritating. The safety tech operated accurately, though the lane-keep assist occasionally strayed too close to lane markers. The Grand Highlander earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but missed the IIHS Top Safety Pick due to headlight performance and frontal-impact protection.