2025 Kia Sorento vs. 2025 Honda CR-V Comparison

After getting some recent updates, the 2025 Kia Sorento and 2025 Honda CR-V enjoy just a few simple tweaks for the new model year.

For the Sorento, Kia simply added a new exterior paint color, Panthera Metal, to replace the outgoing Gravity Gray. Additionally, the X-Line and X-Pro trims get new black badging of the Kia logo on the front, back, and wheels, as well as the tailgate emblem.

Meanwhile, the CR-V has taken on an entirely new exterior persona. The CR-V has a history of some quirky looks, but the 2024 model falls in line with the handsome, more conventional squared-off look the rest of the Honda SUV portfolio is sporting these days.

Let’s compare the new Kia Sorento and the Honda CR-V.

2025 Kia Sorento

The Sorento still borrows some styling cues from the Telluride, and it includes a standard third row. The extra seating should really be limited to smaller children, but if you need to put six or seven adults in your vehicle, the Sorento can do it.

The entry-level version of this SUV comes with a 191-horsepower 4-cylinder; however, you can upgrade to the turbocharged version and enjoy 281 hp. But you will pay a penalty for the move as the average combined fuel economy drops from 26 mpg to 23 mpg. It’s available with all-wheel drive (AWD) as well.

A hybrid and plug-in hybrid are on the roster but not part of this comparison. Prices start at $33,365, including destination charges. Prices start at $33,365, including destination charges — unchanged from last year.

Kia Sorento Highlights

Class-leading warranty: The Kia Sorento boasts the best warranty coverage in its class. Its 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty give the driver more peace of mind than Honda’s warranty coverage.

X-Line: The X-Line models in the Kia Sorento lineup add a rugged appearance package with an extra inch of ground clearance, high-utility roof rails, and unique wheels and bumpers. They all come standard with torque-vectoring all-wheel drive for added capability.

Drive Wise: Standard on every Kia Sorento, it’s a suite of safety technology that includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, driver attention warning, and more.

Read our Kia Sorento Expert Review or see 2025 Kia Sorento models for sale near you.

2025 Honda CR-V

This year’s Honda CR-V carries over last year’s updates inside and out. The exterior look remains rugged yet sporty. This styling aligns it with the rest of the automaker’s SUV portfolio.

This generation (the sixth) launched for 2023 and has won our Best Buy Award two years running. The CR-V is powered by a 190-hp 4-cylinder tied to a responsive continuous variable transmission that helps achieve a combined fuel economy rating of 30 mpg. That drops to just 29 mpg combined in optional all-wheel drive. Hybrid and fuel-cell versions are available, but we review them separately. Pricing for the CR-V begins at $31,450, including destination fees.

Easy access: Standard on everything but the EX, Honda’s Smart Entry with Walk Away Auto Lock gives you the luxury car experience without the price. Most luxury cars will lock and unlock your vehicle as you approach or depart from it — and so will your CR-V.

Heading down: Hill descent control, usually a fixture on off-roaders, is standard in the CR-V’s front-drive versions, too. The driver sets the speed between 2 and 12 mph to navigate a downward slope. The driver steers while the SUV handles the throttle, transmission, and brakes.

Huge cargo hold: Although the Honda CR-V is a smaller SUV than the Kia Sorento, the Honda has slightly more cargo space. Its volume is a factor in making the CR-V one of America’s most versatile compact SUVs.

Read our Honda CR-V Expert Review or see 2025 Honda CR-V for sale near you

Similarities

Good looks, good performance, good fuel economy, good interior space, and good safety technology are certainly common between these two options. Additionally, they both offer hybrid options.

Conclusion

There are two big differences between these two vehicles: seating and warranty. If you need 3-row seating or want the best warranty, then the Kia Sorento is one of the best values in 3-row SUVs. If a lower price tag, better fuel economy, and more cargo space are more important to you, the affordable and practical Honda CR-V is also a winner.

The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Kia Sorento vehicles and New 2025 Honda CR-V vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.

	2025 Kia Sorento	2025 Honda CR-V
Popular Powertrains
Engine	2.5-liter 4-cylinder	1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder
Horsepower	191 hp @ 6,100 rpm	190 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque	195 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm	179 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm
Transmission	8-speed automatic	CVT
Fuel Economy	23 city/31 highway/26 combined mpg	28 city/34 highway/30 combined mpg
Also Available	2.5-liter turbo, AWD, plus Hybrid/PHEV	AWD, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder hybrid, fuel-cell hybrid
Specs
Basic Warranty	5 years/60,000 miles	3 years/36,000 miles
Powertrain Warranty	10 years/100,000 miles	5 years/60,000 miles
NHTSA Overall Safety	N/R	5 stars
Max Seating Capacity	7	5
Wheelbase	110.8 inches	106.3 inches
Overall Length	189.6 inches	184.8 inches
Width	74.8 inches	73.5 inches
Height	66.7 inches	66.2 inches
Turning Diameter	37.9 feet	37.3 feet
Headroom, Front	40.3 inches	40.0 inches
Headroom, 2nd Row	39.1 inches	38.2 inches
Headroom, 3rd Row	36.8 inches	N/A
Legroom, Front	41.4 inches	41.3 inches
Legroom, 2nd Row	41.7 inches	41.0 inches
Legroom, 3rd Row	29.6 inches	N/A
Shoulder Room, Front	59.1 inches	57.9 inches
Shoulder Room, 2nd Row	58.1 inches	55.9 inches
Shoulder Room, 3rd Row	53.0 inches	N/A
Cargo Volume	12.6/38.5/75.5 cubic feet	N.A./39.3/76.5 cubic feet