Kia has upped its game over the past few years, and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to choose which model is the best. From the steadfast Sorento to the wildly popular Telluride, Kia’s lineup offers a range of excellent crossover SUVs. But for consumers concerned with their carbon footprint, the South Korean automaker has two new vehicles: the 2022 Kia EV6 and Kia Sorento Hybrid.

Both crossovers boast qualities that would make even the greenest of warriors pause when making a decision. But which model will save owners the most money in the long run?

The brand has gone all-electric with the 2022 Kia EV6

Kia is making a run at Tesla to build the superior EV. The 2022 EV6 can get an astonishing 310 EPA-estimated all-electric range for the Wind RWD and GT-Line trims, according to Kia. After a mere 18 minutes of charging, drivers can go for 217 miles before having to find another charging station. 

The EV6 isn’t lacking in speed, either. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. That’s faster than the Porsche Cayenne Coupe.

The starting MSRP for the 2022 EV6 is $40,900. Compared to some of its rivals, the Tesla Model Y Long Range gets 326 miles per charge but costs $57,000. The Ford Mustang Mach-E can go 305 miles and costs around $50,000. 

Given that you’ll save anywhere from $10,000 to $17,000 on the purchase price, it’s not hard to see why consumers might choose the Kia EV6 over rivals. But what about the Sorento Hybrid? 

2022 Kia EV6 vs. Kia Sorento Hybrid: Ownership cost comparison

The Kia Sorento Hybrid has a starting MSRP of $34,090. That’s about $6,000 less than the Kia EV6. However, is the Sorento Hybrid cheaper in the long run? As many car owners have learned the hard way, you might feel like you’re getting a deal on the purchase price, only to discover after multiple repairs, expensive parts, and high insurance rates that you’d be better off investing more money upfront for a higher-priced car.

The Kia Sorento Hybrid gets about 39 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. It can hold 17.7 gallons of gas, Car Buzz reports.

That’s excellent for a crossover of this size, but when you compare it to a range of 310 miles on the Kia EV6, that’s not much of a comparison. Add in the fact that gas prices have risen with little hope of dropping anytime soon, especially as travelers hit the road for the summer, and it’s not difficult to figure out that the $6,000 MSRP difference might be deceptive.

Kia explains that the EV6 is more affordable to drive per month than the Sorento Hybrid. The EV6 costs about $33 per month to charge, and the Sorento Hybrid costs $94 per month to fuel up.

In addition, Kia says EV6 ownership costs over five years total $2,567, compared to the Sorento Hybrid’s $7,051. Those amounts include electricity or gas and maintenance.

According to those numbers, the Kia EV6 is cheaper to own. In addition, it will pay for the $6,000 purchase price difference over the Sorento Hybrid in about seven years. So if you plan to keep your EV6 longer than that, it’s a better deal than the hybrid.

How do the 2 crossover SUVs compare in other areas?

Seating up to six passengers, the 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid is a bit bigger than the Kia EV6, which seats five. According to U.S. News, the EV6 has an overall length of 184.3 inches, while the Sorento Hybrid is 189.4 inches. The Sorento Hybrid is also a little taller with a height of 66.7 inches, while the EV6 has a height of 60.8.

Both come with standard features such as adaptive cruise control, a backup camera, rear aid parking, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The EV6 comes with a Wi-Fi hotspot as standard, but it’s not even optional on the Sorento Hybrid.

So, which crossover is the clear winner? It’s the Kia EV6. Although the Sorento Hybrid is a solid choice in the hybrid division, for the price, the EV6 is hard to pass up.