Are you on the fence about switching to an electric or sticking with a traditional gas-powered vehicle?
Might we suggest a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), which offers the best of both worlds. They typically have enough electric-only driving range for around-town errands, but the comfort of a gas-fed engine making long trips possible and easy.
Better still, plug-ins can be had in all shapes and sizes, including roomy 3-row SUVs like the 2025 Mazda CX90 PHEV and the 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid. (Mazda prefers to use the PHEV initials; Kia likes to spell it out.)
These handsome midsize SUVs have powerful gas/electric powertrains that provide solid fuel economy and impressive acceleration. In fact, during testing, we found the new CX-90 PHEV to be one of the quicker midsize 3-row SUVs we’ve driven. While the Mazda and Kia carry premium prices, they also possess a ton of features and luxury touches for mainstream brands.
Curious to learn more? Good. Let’s explore the highlights of both the Mazda CX-90 PHEV and the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.
2025 Mazda CX-90 PHEV
Starting at $51,400, the Mazda CX-90 PHEV is offered in three trims: Preferred, Premium Sport, and Premium Plus. The Preferred impresses with its feature content and attractive cabin, and the Premium Sport is new for the 2025 model year, but the range-topping Premium Plus is worthy of a luxury badge. With an asking price of $57,450, the Premium Plus is certainly not inexpensive, but it’s loaded with comfort and safety features.
CX-90 PHEV Highlights
Fast and agile: With 323 horsepower on call, the CX-90 PHEV hits 60 mph in just 6.6 seconds. That’s rapid for a 3-row SUV that can tote eight people (Preferred trim only). The Mazda also feels agile on a curvy road, if not quite as nimble as the non-hybrid CX-90.
Luxurious cabin: Mazda isn’t messing around. Step inside the CX-90 PHEV, and you might think you’re in a Lexus or an Acura. The Premium Sport and Premium Plus models get dual captain’s chairs instead of a second-row bench. Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row captain’s chairs, and a surround-view parking camera are all standard in the top-of-the-line CX-90 PHEV Premium Plus.
User-friendly tech features: The CX-90 PHEV also deserves praise for its intuitive infotainment system. A now standard 12.3-inch screen enjoys wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with wireless phone charging and new parking sensors — front and rear — make parking easier.
Read our Mazda CX-90 Expert Review or see 2025 Mazda CX-90 PHEV models for sale near you.
2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
Although Kia keeps things simple with the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid, it did double the trim packages available for 2025 to two: the new EX and SX Prestige. The EX starts at $49,365 and features a 261-hp gas/electric 4-cylinder powertrain that sends power to all four wheels via a 6-speed automatic. Like the CX-90 PHEV, the Sorento has standard AWD.
Sorento Plug-in Hybrid Highlights
Generous standard features: If you hate option lists, you’ll love the SX Prestige trim on the Sorento Plug-in Hybrid. It’s fully loaded with comfort and safety features like leather seating, wireless smartphone connectivity, a panoramic sunroof, and surround-view parking camera. About the only decision a Sorento shopper needs to make is which of six exterior colors and two interior trim colors to choose.
Warranty coverage: Kia has class-leading warranty coverage, adding peace of mind to your plug-in hybrid purchase. A 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty is complemented by a lengthy 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The latter also covers the battery pack.
EV range: The CX-90 PHEV and Sorento Plug-in Hybrid are designed to run purely on electric power for short distances. The Sorento Plug-in Hybrid can travel 30 miles as an EV. That’s four more miles than the Mazda. While not a huge difference, a win is a win.
Read our Kia Sorento Expert Review or see 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid models for sale near you.
Similarities
The CX-90 PHEV and Sorento Plug-In Hybrid have virtually identical starting prices and similar electric-only driving ranges. They are loaded with standard features and have the added convenience of third-row seating. But the third row in both vehicles is best for small kids, the Mazda and Kia are especially tight on third-row legroom. And when all seats are occupied, the cargo space in the back of both is not great, but adequate for a week’s groceries. Lastly, with a Level 2 home charger, the Mazda can be fully charged in 2 hours and 20 minutes; the Kia takes about an hour longer to reach a full charge.
Conclusion
Plug-in hybrids deliver a great blend of efficiency and practicality. They’re a bridge to electric vehicles, especially helpful to shoppers who might be unsure if an EV will suit their driving needs.
The 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid impresses with its high feature content. Like its CX-90 PHEV rival, the Kia has a handsome exterior and a cabin befitting a luxury brand. The Kia also boasts a better warranty and no expensive options that can quickly raise its price.
While the 2025 Mazda CX-90 PHEV has more power and a rear-biased AWD system that makes for entertaining driving capability, the Kia wins us over with a better warranty and a price that peaks at about $50,000 (instead of the nearly $60,000 that a CX-90 Premium Plus can fetch).
New 2025 MAZDA CX-90 PHEV Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (85003)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$51,400 |
$48,526 |
|||
$56,355 |
$53,238 |
|||
$59,405 |
$56,458 |
New 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (85003)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$49,405 |
$47,937 |
|||
$54,505 |
$52,711 |
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 MAZDA CX-90 PHEV vehicles and New 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid 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 Mazda CX-90 PHEV | 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.5-liter hybrid 4-cylinder | Turbo 1.6-liter hybrid 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 323 hp @ 6,000 rpm | 261 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 369 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 258 lb-ft @ 1,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 6-speed automatic |
| Fuel economy | 56 MPGe/25 mpg combined | 79 MPGe/34 mpg combined |
| Also Available | ||
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 10 years/100,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | Not rated |
| Max Seating Capacity | 8 | 8 |
| Wheelbase | 122.8 inches | 110.8 inches |
| Overall Length | 201.6 inches | 189.6 inches |
| Width | 77.6 inches | 74.8 inches |
| Height | 68.2 inches | 66.7 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 38.1 feet | 37.9 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.7 inches | 40.3 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 39.3 inches | 39.1 inches |
| Headroom, 3rd Row | 36.9 inches | 36.8 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.7 inches | 41.3 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 39.4 inches | 38.2 inches |
| Legroom, 3rd Row | 30.4 inches | 29.6 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 59.2 inches | 59.1 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 58.1 inches | 58.1 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 3rd Row | 53.3 inches | 53.0 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 14.9 cubic feet | 12.6 cubic feet |
