Kia Sorento vs Toyota Grand Highlander

Larger than a typical compact but smaller than many three-row midsize SUVs, the 2025 Sorento is “right-sized” in many respects. In addition, it comes with gasoline, turbocharged gasoline, turbocharged hybrid, and turbocharged plug-in hybrid powertrains. This review covers the turbo-gas version of the SUV, which sees no significant changes following a substantial refresh for 2024. A new grey paint colour is available, and some models get standard black exterior badges in 2025.

Verdict: When something isn’t broken, you don’t fix it. That helps explain why the 2025 Kia Sorento is almost exactly the same as last year. However, a problem looms for this family-friendly SUV. In 2025, the Sorento may lose its Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick rating.

If you have more than a couple of kids, chances are good that a regular Toyota Highlander won’t be big enough for all your needs. For many shoppers like you, the Kia Telluride and its corporate cousin, the Hyundai Palisade, have become the obvious choices. Those three-row crossovers are newer, bigger, and incredibly nice to drive.

But now there’s a new Highlander. A bigger Highlander. A Grand Highlander. This all-new midsize SUV takes a popular nameplate (which, don't worry, isn’t going anywhere) and adds a little extra space. But what separates the Grand Highlander from the field is the availability of not one, but two different hybrid powertrains. This all-new model offers plenty of space, good fuel efficiency, and the automaker’s sterling reputation for reliability. So, is the 2024 Grand Highlander an immediate three-row SUV threat to the hot-selling Kia Telluride?