Compare the2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVVS 2026 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Outlander PHEV has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Both the Outlander PHEV and the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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, all wheel drive, 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 and available around view monitors.

The Outlander PHEV’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s (7/100,000 vs. 5/100,000).

Mitsubishi pays for scheduled maintenance on the Outlander PHEV for 2 years and 30,000 miles. Mitsubishi will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance (up to 3 visits). Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

The Outlander PHEV’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 36 more horsepower (297 vs. 261) than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

The Outlander PHEV can travel with zero emissions on electricity, only, on a full charge for 44 miles. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid has to start its internal combustion engine after only 30 miles.

Regenerative brakes improve the Outlander PHEV’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.

The Outlander PHEV has 2.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (14.8 vs. 12.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Outlander PHEV has a standard locking fuel door and a locking charge port with a power remote release convenient to the driver and which locks and unlocks with the power locks, respectively. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and a locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

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

The Outlander PHEV’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Outlander PHEV SE/SEL’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (255/45R20 vs. 235/55R19).

The Outlander PHEV SE/SEL’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Outlander PHEV SE/SEL has standard 20-inch wheels. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Outlander PHEV has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For better maneuverability, the Outlander PHEV’s turning circle is 1.8 feet tighter than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s (36.1 feet vs. 37.9 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Outlander PHEV ES has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (7.8 vs. 6.9 inches), allowing the Outlander PHEV to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Outlander PHEV SE/SEL’s minimum ground clearance is 1 inch higher than on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (7.9 vs. 6.9 inches).

The Outlander PHEV is 3.8 inches shorter than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid, making the Outlander PHEV easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Outlander PHEV uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Outlander PHEV has 20.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (125.5 vs. 105.3).

The Outlander PHEV has .3 inches more front headroom and .3 inches more front legroom than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

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

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

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Outlander PHEV uses the Active 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.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid X-Line SX Prestige, the Outlander PHEV SEL has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Outlander PHEV offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed 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 Outlander PHEV’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Outlander PHEV’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Outlander PHEV has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The Outlander PHEV SEL offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, based on reliability, safety and performance.