2026 head-to-head · Small SUV
2026 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid vs Subaru Forester Hybrid
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
AWD · 1.6L 4-cyl turbo · 6-speed dual-clutch · 74 MPGe + 33 MPG
AWD · 2.5L 4-cyl · CVT · 35 MPG
On fuel costs these two are nearly tied. Driving 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.10/gal regular gas, the most efficient 2026 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid (74 MPGe + 33 MPG) costs about $1,294 a year to fuel and the 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid (35 MPG) about $1,329.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid
- Subaru Forester Hybrid
Side by side
| Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid | Subaru Forester Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,294 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,329 |
| 74 MPGe + 33 MPG | Combined efficiency | 35 MPG |
| 77 MPGe / 33 MPG | City | 35 MPG |
| 71 MPGe / 34 MPG | Highway | 34 MPG |
| 45 kWh | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | — |
| 440 mi | Driving range | — |
| 30 mi | All-electric range | — |
| 110 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 255 g/mi |
| 8/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 6/10 |
| 9/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 6/10 |
| 3.4 hrs | Charge time at 240V | — |
| Plug-in hybrid | Powertrain | Hybrid |
| Regular gas + electricity | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 2.5L 4-cyl |
| 6-speed dual-clutch | Transmission | CVT |
| AWD | Drivetrain | AWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid vs Subaru Forester Hybrid across model years
- Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid
- Subaru Forester Hybrid
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
Among 114 2026 small SUVs, the Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid ranks 41st and the Subaru Forester Hybrid 42nd for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid, while the Subaru Forester Hybrid is a full hybrid.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2026 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid or the 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid?
Measured by cost to drive, the Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid. The Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid is rated 74 MPGe + 33 MPG combined and the Subaru Forester Hybrid 35 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid vs. the Subaru Forester Hybrid per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,294 for the Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid and $1,329 for the Subaru Forester Hybrid.
Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid vs Subaru Forester Hybrid in other years
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