The news has everyone debating the merits of electric cars against those of gas-powered cars. But you don’t have to choose. There’s a Goldilocks technology that gives you a little of both.
Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) use electricity for short trips (even getting up to highway speed on electric power) and gasoline to go further. You charge their batteries overnight from an ordinary wall outlet – no need to buy an expensive charging station and then hire an electrician to wire it into your circuit breaker.
Some of the most versatile PHEVs are compact crossovers. They provide seating for five, more cargo space than a sedan, and often, the winter security of all-wheel drive (AWD).
The Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid and Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid are two of the best PHEVs on the market.
Let’s take a closer look at how they compare.
2025 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid
A previous winner in our Best Buy Awards, our editors love the Kia Sportage PHEV‘s well-appointed cabin, long list of standard features, and exceptionally long warranty. With a recent redesign, it’s a looker, too, with dramatic lines and Kia’s new signature star map lights. Prices start at $41,065.
Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid Highlights
Exceptional interior design: A little bit of inside baseball from the car industry: not long before redesigning the Sportage PHEV, Kia hired away a respected interior designer from BMW. It shows. The cabin of the Sportage PHEV doesn’t quite use luxury quality materials, but it sure looks like it does. We’re particular fans of the screens – two of them paired together in a single housing look like one immense, curved screen.
Lower price: The Sportage PHEV is less expensive than the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid in both base model form and top trim. In fact, the high-end Sportage Plug-in Hybrid X-Line Prestige costs nearly the same as the base model of the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid.
Best-in-class warranty: The one thing that might make you nervous about buying a PHEV is owning two powertrains. More moving parts means more things that can go wrong. Kia’s exceptional 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty might still be sparing you from repair bills in 2035. Toyota can’t come close.
Read our Kia Sportage Expert Review or see 2025 Kia Sportage models for sale near you.
2025 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid
The Toyota RAV4 is America’s best-selling small SUV. Toyota also builds an exceptional plug-in hybrid version, the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid, which until this year was named the RAV4 Prime. It can travel a remarkable 42 miles on electric power alone before using any gasoline. Prices start at $45,260.
Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid Highlights
More power AND better fuel economy: With a total output of 302 horsepower, the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid isn’t just quick for a hybrid. It’s quick for a car. But that added power doesn’t rob it of fuel economy – it beats the Sportage Plug-in Hybrid in MPGe.
Longer all-electric range: Both of these cars boast long all-electric ranges, but the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid’s is among the longest of any PHEV. With 42 miles on battery power alone – eight more than the Kia offers – owners who can easily recharge at home might find themselves bypassing the pump most of the time unless they have a road trip planned.
Two years of free maintenance: With the new ToyotaCare plan, every 2025 RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid includes two years or 25,000 miles of free scheduled maintenance. Don’t overestimate the value of that – there’s not a lot of scheduled maintenance in the first two years of ownership for most cars. But the financial predictability is nice.
Read our Toyota RAV4 Expert Review or see 2025 Toyota RAV4 models for sale near you.
Similarities
These two have similar dimensions inside and out and are among the newest and best-looking entries in their class.
Conclusion
A plug-in hybrid small crossover is the ideal car for many – enough cargo and passenger space for most needs, with all-electric range for everyday driving but no need for range anxiety thanks to the gasoline engine.
You probably wouldn’t go wrong with either a Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid or a Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid. The RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid offers great Toyota resale value, longer all-electric range, and the ease of two years of free maintenance. But the Sportage Plug-in Hybrid’s 34 miles on battery power is more than enough for most users, and the added sense of security from a ten-year powertrain warranty should go a long way with shoppers.
Only you can decide which of those appeals to you most.
New 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid Prices
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Retail Price
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Fair Purchase Price (43085)
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$41,285 |
$40,281 |
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$45,785 |
$44,649 |
Used Prices
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Original MSRP
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Fair Purchase Price (43085)
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|---|---|---|---|---|
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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 Sportage Plug-in Hybrid vehicles and 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.
Specs
| 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid | 2025 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid | |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine | 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with electric motors | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with electric motors |
| Horsepower | 261 hp | 302 hp |
| Torque | 258 lb-ft | 288 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic | Continuously variable transmission |
| Fuel Economy Equivalent | 84 MPGe | 94 MPGe |
| All-Electric Range | 34 miles | 42 miles |
| 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 |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 108.5 inches | 105.9 inches |
| Overall Length | 183.5 inches | 180.9 inches |
| Width | 73.4 inches | 73.0 inches |
| Height | 66.9 inches | 67.0 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 38.6 feet | 36.1 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 37.8 inches | 37.7 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 38.0 inches | 39.5 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.4 inches | 41.0 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 39.5 inches | 37.8 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 57.5 inches | 57.8 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 55.6 inches | 56.4 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 34.5/65.5 cubic feet | 33.5/69.8 cubic feet |
