Searching for a new vehicle occasionally leads buyers to look at the biggest offering in one class and the smallest vehicle in the next size segment because they can end up being about the same size.
This is the case with the 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid and 2024 Kia Sorento Hybrid, the latter being in the bigger class of vehicles. The CR-V is America’s second-best-selling SUV, so the Sorento faces a stiff challenge. The good news for thrifty drivers is that they both have hybrid options.
Let’s see how these hybrid SUVs compare.
2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid
The 2024 CR-V Hybrid received a makeover just one year ago, so it retains its “new car look” while the company looks for ways to carve out even more sales. For the new model year, it gets a new trim level, Sport-L, which settles in between the Sport and Sport Touring models.
Not only does it look good, but you can determine if it’ll drive especially well when the roads get ugly. Two of the three trim levels can be had with front-wheel (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) powertrains. The Sport Touring model, priced at $41,550, comes only in AWD.
All three iterations of the CR-V hybrid are powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder paired with two electric motors. The combination produces 204 horsepower. It also gets an EPA-estimated 43 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 40 mpg combined in FWD. Those numbers drop slightly in AWD, coming in at 40 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 37 mpg combined.
The entire lineup is a good value, with prices starting at $35,400, including the destination fees.
Honda CR-V Hybrid Highlights
Get up and go — cheaply: The CR-V Hybrid features a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine putting out 204 hp. In other words, plenty of go matching the show. In FWD, it gets 40 mpg combined, and in AWD, it posts 37 mpg combined. Both numbers are better than the Sorento Hybrid.
Cargo volume: The regular, gas-only CR-V is a champ when it comes to hauling stuff. This is true of the CR-V Hybrid, too. Behind the second row is a substantial 39.3 cubic feet of space. Fold that second row down, and you’re looking at 76.5 cubic feet of volume — excellent for a compact SUV.
Many standard features: Honda doesn’t skimp on safety and tech features in the entry-level Sport trim. All trims come with Honda Sensing. This suite of active safety features includes automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the CR-V Hybrid models for sale near you
2024 Kia Sorento Hybrid
Kia has made big changes across its lineup in recent months, looking to give the exteriors of its SUVs a more dynamic look. The freshening looks good on the 2024 Kia Sorento Hybrid.
Smaller than most of its competitors in the class — hence the comparison with the similarly sized CR-V Hybrid — the Sorento Hybrid makes the most of the space available, including 3-row seating and the ability to seat six people total. Those people enjoy much of the latest safety and convenience technology one finds in this segment.
While it may be small in size, it’s got a big heart. Powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with a supplemental electric motor, owners get 227 hp and impressive performance. The Sorento Hybrid comes in two trim levels, the EX and SX Prestige, and pricing begins at $38,365, including destination fees.
Kia Sorento Hybrid Highlights
Great mileage: Not that you’d expect less from a hybrid, but the front-wheel-drive Sorento hybrid gets 39 mpg city, 35 highway, and 37 combined. That drops only slightly to 36 city, 33 highway, and 34 mpg combined with the AWD model.
Infotainment: The Sorento Hybrid comes standard with a user-friendly and feature-rich infotainment system. Its infotainment touchscreen features Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, navigation, and SiriusXM, and it’s available with a Bose audio system. Moreover, its standard 10.25-inch screen is bigger than what the CR-V offers.
Safety tech: The standard Kia Drive Wise safety tech suite on every Sorento includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, driver attention warning, and more.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Sorento Hybrid models for sale near you
Similarities
The pair post impressive fuel economy numbers and feature top-notch infotainment and safety technologies at reasonable prices.
Conclusion
The CR-V Hybrid attracts plenty of attention as the CR-V is one of the best-selling SUVs in the U.S. It’s less expensive and gets better fuel economy than the Sorento Hybrid. While Kia boasts better ride and handling, we think the Honda has the edge here unless you require 3-row seating.
Specifications
| 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid | 2024 Kia Sorento Hybrid | |
| Starting Price | $35,400 | $38,365 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder hybrid | 1.6-liter turbo 4-cylinder hybrid |
| Horsepower | 204 hp @ 6,100 rpm | 227 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 247 lb-ft @ 0-2,000 rpm | 258 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm |
| Transmission | CVT | 6-speed automatic |
| Fuel Economy | 43 city/36 highway/40 combined mpg | 39 city/35 highway/37 combined mpg |
| Also Available | AWD | AWD |
| 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 Rating | N/R | 4 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 6 |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 inches | 110.8 inches |
| Overall Length | 184.8 inches | 189.4 inches |
| Width | 73.5 inches | 74.8 inches |
| Height | 66.2 inches | 66.7 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 37.3 feet | 37.9 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.0 inches | 40.3 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 38.2 inches | 37.1 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.3 inches | 41.4 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 41.0 inches | 40.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 57.9 inches | 59.1 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 55.9 inches | 58.1 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 39.3/76.5 cubic feet | 38.5/75.5 cubic feet |
