Compare the2026 Toyota Grand HighlanderVS 2026 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Toyota Grand Highlander achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid has not been tested.

The Grand Highlander has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Toyota Grand Highlander’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Grand Highlander and the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Grand Highlander’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid runs out after 100,000 miles.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Grand Highlander for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

There are over 55 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Grand Highlander’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked 11th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota third in overall reliability. Kia is ranked 9th.

The Grand Highlander’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 4 more horsepower (265 vs. 261) and 40 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 270) than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Grand Highlander Hybrid Max’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 101 more horsepower (362 vs. 261) and 130 lbs.-ft. more torque (400 vs. 270) than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the Grand Highlander gets better mileage than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid running its gasoline engine:

Regenerative brakes improve the Grand Highlander Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Both the Grand Highlander and Sorento Plug-In Hybrid have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The Grand Highlander (except Grand Highlander Hybrid) has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Grand Highlander Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 4.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (17.2 vs. 12.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Grand Highlander’s standard fuel tank has 5.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (17.8 vs. 12.4 gallons).

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Toyota Grand Highlander, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

The Grand Highlander Hybrid has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the Grand Highlander’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid:

For better traction, the Grand Highlander has larger tires than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (255/65R18 vs. 235/55R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Grand Highlander Limited/Platinum/Nightshade has standard 20-inch wheels. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Grand Highlander’s wheelbase is 5.3 inches longer than on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (116.1 inches vs. 110.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Grand Highlander is 2.3 inches wider in the front and 2.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

For greater off-road capability the Grand Highlander has a 1.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (8 vs. 6.9 inches), allowing the Grand Highlander to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Toyota Grand Highlander may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 350 pounds less than the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

The Grand Highlander offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid can only carry up to 7.

The Grand Highlander has 48 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (153.3 vs. 105.3).

The Grand Highlander has 1.2 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more front hip room, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, 1.9 inches more rear hip room, .7 inches more rear shoulder room, .4 inches more third row headroom, 3.9 inches more third row legroom, 3.2 inches more third row hip room and 4.5 inches more third row shoulder room than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Grand Highlander’s middle and third row seats recline. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s third row seats don’t recline.

The Grand Highlander’s cargo area provides more volume than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

The Grand Highlander’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s (5000 vs. 2000 pounds).

Standard Trailer Sway Control (TSC) on the Grand Highlander uses the Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Grand Highlander Platinum has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Grand Highlander’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Grand Highlander the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Grand Highlander’s standard Smart Key System allows you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Smart Key standard on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Grand Highlander Platinum has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Grand Highlander Limited/Platinum/Nightshade has standard front air conditioned seats and the Grand Highlander Platinum also has them in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

The Grand Highlander is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Grand Highlander, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Grand Highlander was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.