The Kia Sorento and Honda CR-V are compelling SUVs in their own ways. They’re not too far off in size, they’re close in price, and they both have hybrid options. But there are some distinct differences between the two that shoppers should know about.
Let’s take a close look at the 2026 Kia Sorento and 2026 Honda CR-V and see which SUV is right for you.
2026 Kia Sorento
The Kia Sorento is one of America’s most affordable 3-row SUVs. It’s worth a look for families who want the extra seats, but might not need them every day. In addition to its reasonable price, it has outstanding warranty coverage and multiple hybrid options.
Kia Sorento Highlights
3-row seating: The Kia Sorento has standard 3-row seating, while every Honda CR-V is a 2-row, 5-seater. The third row in the Sorento doesn’t have a ton of room, but those extra seats add some extra versatility to the Sorento.
Class-leading warranty: One of our favorite things about any Kia is its industry-leading warranty. The Sorento is backed by a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The Honda CR-V has typical warranty coverage: a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Two hybrid options: The Kia Sorento is available with two non-hybrid gas engines, a conventional hybrid powertrain, and a plug-in hybrid powertrain that offers a 31-mile all-electric range. We always like to see variety under the hood.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Sorento models near you.
2026 Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V is one of America’s best-selling SUVs for good reasons. With a roomy interior, outstanding resale value, and efficient engines, it’s a compact SUV that simply does everything well.
Honda CR-V Highlights
Excellent resale value: The Honda CR-V has much better resale value than the Kia Sorento. Their price tags might look about the same, but all else being equal, the Honda is worth more than the Kia a few years down the road. That means more money in your pocket when it’s time to sell or trade in.
Roomy interior: The passenger and cargo space in the Honda CR-V is about the same as that of the Kia Sorento. But the CR-V has a lower starting price and a smaller footprint than the Sorento. If you want a lot of space but don’t need a third row of seats, the CR-V is one of the roomiest compact 2-row SUVs you can buy.
More efficient hybrid: The Honda CR-V Hybrid nets up to 43 city/36 highway/40 combined mpg, while the conventional hybrid powertrain available in the Kia Sorento gets up to 37 city/36 highway/37 combined mpg. Both figures are impressive, but if maximum fuel economy is a priority for you with today’s gas prices, the smaller Honda has an edge over the bigger Kia.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the CR-V models near you.
Pricing
New 2026 Kia Sorento Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$33,885 |
$32,700 |
|||
$36,785 |
$35,400 |
|||
$39,985 |
$38,500 |
|||
$43,785 |
$42,400 |
|||
$44,285 |
$42,800 |
|||
$45,585 |
$43,600 |
|||
$48,285 |
$46,500 |
|||
$49,285 |
$46,800 |
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 2026 Kia Sorento vehicles and New 2026 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.
Specifications
| 2026 Kia Sorento | 2026 Honda CR-V | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | 1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder |
| Towing Capacity | 2,000 pounds | 1,500 pounds |
| Horsepower | 191 hp @ 6,100 rpm | 190 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 181 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 179 lb-ft @ 1,700 rpm |
| Transmission | automatic, 8-speed | Automatic, CVT |
| Fuel Economy | 23 city/31 highway/26 combined mpg | 28 city/34 highway/30 combined mpg |
| 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 | 5 stars | 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 Behind Last Seat | 12.6 feet | 39.3 feet |
| Cargo Behind Second Seat | 45.0 feet | N/A |
| Cargo With All Seats Down | 75.5 feet | 76.5 feet |
Specification table reflects the typical configuration of vehicles shown.
Conclusion
Which of these two SUVs is right for you depends on how many seats you want or need. If you don’t really need that third row, the CR-V is a smart buy, with about the same interior space, a lower starting price tag, and better resale value. If you do want extra seating, the Kia Sorento is one of the best values in 3-row SUVs thanks to its affordable price tag, class-leading warranty, and multiple hybrid options.
