With its three rows of seating and available hybrid, the Sorento nips out a separate niche.
When we consider the Sorento, we also consider the Lexus RX: Its appearance is intriguing, and hybrid variations are available, although both could benefit from a solid round of aesthetic cleanup and refinement work.
Although the Ford Explorer, which is available in gas-electric and gas models and has three rows of seats, may be its major opponent, the five-seat Hyundai Santa Fe, which also has a plug-in hybrid model, shares a platform with the Sorento.
While the Nissan Murano’s attractive appearance is long overdue for an update, the VW Tiguan offers a third row seat on some variants and a Spartan charm.
In This Article...
What SUV compares to the Kia Sorento?
The top 10 rivals to the 2019 Kia Sorento
- Pilot a Honda.
- Highlander by Toyota.
- Pathfinder from Nissan.
- Durango by Dodge.
- Explorer by Ford.
- Ascent Subaru.
- Atlas the Volkswagen.
- Toyota CX-9.
A Kia Sorento is a midsize SUV, right?
The Kia Sorento is a solid midsize SUV, that much is true. The interior of this crossover has undergone a complete makeover for the 2021 model year, and it now features plush seats and a simple-to-use infotainment system.
which is more trustworthy Toyota Highlander or a Kia Sorento?
With a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5, the Kia Sorento is ranked 12th out of 26 compact SUVs. It has cheaper ownership costs than the national average due to the $533 average yearly repair cost. The Sorento is one of the more dependable cars on the road since repairs are less severe and less frequent than with the ordinary automobile.
The Toyota Highlander has a 4.0 out of 5.0 reliability rating, placing it seventh out of 26 midsize SUVs. It has cheaper ownership costs than the national average due to the $489 average annual repair cost. When compared to all other vehicles, the frequency and severity of repairs are both about average.
Is the Kia Sorento superior to the Toyota?
The Toyota Highlander is undoubtedly superior to the Kia Sorento in terms of towing ability when hauling large items. The Toyota Highlander offers a few more horsepower than the Kia Sorento. The Kia Sorento distributes power to its wheels slightly more efficiently than the Toyota Highlander thanks to its slightly higher torque.
Are Santa Fe and Sorento the same vehicle?
The interior design of the two Korean midsized SUVs, the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Sante Fe, is where they differ the most from one another despite having numerous similarities. Although they are roughly the same size, the Sorento has three rows and can accommodate six or seven passengers, while the Sante Fe has two rows and five seats. Each vehicle has unique advantages due to this distinction.
Kia Sorento: The driver will have 40.3 inches of headroom, 59 inches of shoulder room, 55.5 inches of hip room, and 41.1 inches of legroom in the front row of the Kia Sorento. In some ways, the second row of seats is slightly smaller than the first row while being larger in others. Passengers in the second row have 41.7 inches of legroom, 58 inches of shoulder room, and 39.1 inches of headroom. Additionally, the buyer must choose between a bench seat and captain’s chairs when deciding if they wish to seat 6 or 7 people. As you may assume, the third row is smaller and is best reserved for young children. The third row is the smallest, with passengers only having 36.8 inches of headroom, 53 inches of shoulder room, 42.5 inches of hip room, and 29.6 inches of legroom.
The Powertrain
The same V6 engine is used in every trim level of the Honda Pilot. Its 3.5 liter engine has a displacement of 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Many drivers will undoubtedly appreciate this fair level of capability. Small boats and various forms of equipment can be transported with the Pilot, which can tow up to 5,000 pounds. If it has all-wheel drive and the necessary towing equipment, that is. It can tow up to 3,500 pounds if it has front-wheel drive.
The Kia Sorento, in contrast, has two different engine options. The two engines each feature four cylinders and a 2.5 liter displacement. The advanced engine is different since it features a turbocharger. This enables it to produce 311 pound-feet of torque and 281 horsepower. This is a touch higher than the figures for the Honda Pilot. However, a front-wheel-drive Honda Pilot cannot tow 3,500 pounds as much weight as a turbocharged Kia Sorento can.
The Kia Sorento’s lower model levels lack turbochargers. With 191 horsepower, 181 pound-feet of torque, and a 2,000-pound towing capability, they are still fairly powerful. This capability may be more than sufficient for the ordinary motorist.
An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard on Sorento models with non-turbocharged engines. The turbocharged variants use dual clutch eight-speed automatic transmissions. These transmissions are frequently used in sportier cars. Paddle shifters are available on the Sorento’s SX Prestige top trim level.
In the Honda Pilot, paddle shifters are available on all model levels. When possible, some drivers prefer to utilize paddle shifters since they can control when the car changes gear. Shift-by-wire and a nine-speed automatic transmission are features of the Pilot.
Customers can choose between front-wheel and all-wheel drive for their new SUVs in both models. All-wheel drive must be purchased separately because front-wheel drive is the standard configuration. (The Honda Pilot Elite level, which has all-wheel drive as standard, is an exception.) All-wheel drive is advantageous for many drivers since it can significantly improve traction on slick roadways.
The Sorento’s AWD system has the option of having a center-locking differential. The Honda Pilot has Intelligent Traction Management in the majority of trim levels. It has a number of driving modes that users can choose from to enhance their performance depending on the circumstances. The three different driving conditions are mud, snow, and sand. There is a snow setting that can be chosen with the majority of front-wheel-drive Pilot trims to increase traction. Even if it falls short of all-wheel drive’s greater traction, this is still better than nothing.
The Honda Pilot comes with remote engine start in many model levels. This is especially useful on hot or cold days as it allows the cabin to reach a more pleasant temperature before guests enter. The Honda Pilot has Idle-Stop to save energy and Active Noise Cancellation to make the ride more peaceful. When the vehicle is stationary for an extended period of time, this program automatically turns off the engine. When the driver is ready to move, the engine is then turned back on. There is additionally Hill Start Assist. In order to stop the Pilot from rolling backwards, this maintains pressure on the brakes as the driver shifts his or her foot from the brake to the gas pedal.
Additionally, the Kia Sorento has a function that momentarily shuts down the engine when the car is halted. Idle Stop and Go is the Kia term for it.
Additionally, the Sorento features many driving modes. People can select from a variety of driving styles using an application called Drive Mode Select. The Eco, Sport, and Comfort modes are marginally distinct from one another. With Sport mode, users can decide whether to drive more aggressively or more conservatively depending on their mood. The automatically adjustable Smart mode and a customized Custom mode are two more modes. An Eco Assist feature is available for the Honda Pilot that can improve fuel economy.
The Sorento performs better in terms of efficiency than either of these two SUVs. Its front-wheel drive variants have maximum city and highway fuel economy ratings of 24 and 29, respectively. The Sorento uses a little bit more petroleum if it has all-wheel drive and/or a turbo engine. A front-wheel-drive Pilot can achieve an estimated 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the interstate; once more, adding all-wheel drive somewhat lowers economy.
Drivability
The Honda Pilot has a noise-cancelling technology, as was previously noted, which makes the cabin a little quieter. There is nothing comparable in the Kia Sorento, but most people won’t likely care. These SUVs feel more like SUVs than trucks, which gives the impression that they are maneuverable, dynamic vehicles that aren’t overly heavy. Due to its increased power, the turbocharged Sorento might provide greater thrill than the other variants.
Parking won’t be a problem in most cases. The only situation in which it might actually be a problem is while parallel parking in a small space. The Honda Pilot is 70.6 inches tall, 78.6 inches wide, and 196.5 inches long. The Sorento is 189 inches long, 74.8 inches wide, and 66.7 inches tall, making it unquestionably the larger of the two variants.
Both SUVs don’t have a very high ground clearance. The height of the Pilot from the ground is 7.3 inches. The ground clearance of a front-wheel-drive Sorento is 6.9 inches, while that of an all-wheel-drive model is 8.2 inches. These models’ ease of entry and exit may please certain customers, while other potential customers may prefer cars that are taller so they may more easily avoid obstructions.
These vehicles share certain similarities in their configuration. Both of them feature spacious first and second rows, while the third rows are relatively modest. Each of the three rows of the Honda Pilot has 40.9, 38.4, and 31.9 inches of legroom. These measurements are 41.4, 41.7, and 29.6 inches in the Kia Sorento, respectively. The Pilot features a larger third row but a smaller second row, whereas the Kia Sorento has the reverse situation.
Their seating capacities are where there is a significant disparity. The Pilot features seating for three passengers in its third row, allowing it to accommodate up to eight passengers. In contrast, the third row of the Sorento features just two seats. Captain’s seats can be added in the second row of either model. The third row would be easier to access and the cabin would be more open, but there would be one fewer seat available.
The Honda Pilot has a bigger load capacity, as one might anticipate. Its maximum volume is 83.9 cubic feet when all the rear seats are folded down, and it has 16.5 cubic feet of space behind its third row. The rear load space of the Sorento has a volume of 12.6 cubic feet. Cargo space is 75.5 cubic feet when the second and third rows are folded down.
Almost all Honda Pilot grade levels come equipped with touchscreens, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The LX is the only trim level with a five-inch LCD screen. It is restricted to Bluetooth. The remaining models are all equipped with eight-inch touchscreens, HondaLink, SiriusXM, and HD Radio in addition to smartphone capability.
The top two trims offer integrated navigation, Wi-Fi, multi-zone volume control, and superior sound systems with 10 speakers, while a few trims have wireless charging. Additionally, they have back entertainment systems and in-car intercoms. They have Blu-ray players, 10.2-inch screens, streaming software, and HDMI inputs. All of this will be useful for rear-seat passengers who are doing lengthy road journeys and want to pass the time amusing themselves. These qualities will probably appeal to buyers with young children.
The Kia Sorento comes in two higher trim levels and three cheaper trim levels, each of which offer eight-inch touchscreens. This will be a crucial point to remember if size is essential to specific buyers. The Sorento has an edge over the Pilot in that both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are available on all models. But unlike the Pilot, the Sorento lacks the additional rear-seat entertainment option. The top two Sorento trims come with navigation and voice recognition, and the majority of trims come with SiriusXM and UVO link remote connectivity. A 12-speaker Bose audio system is featured in the SX Prestige level.
buying advice
Compare prices online before buying a new car to avoid paying too much. Find out the price in advance before entering a dealership. The following free services are suggested by us: Car Clearance Deals, NADAguides, CarsDirect, and Motortrend.
These free sites will provide you the best deals and provide you with numerous price quotations from rival businesses. Before visiting the dealer, you will be aware of the best pricing.
Safety
These SUVs are outstanding when it comes to safety. They are equipped with a number of driver-support features that can assist a driver in avoiding an accident. Knowing that a vehicle may serve as an extra set of eyes and can actually solve a troublesome situation might be comforting. It’s undeniably more widespread these days because so many businesses have integrated these cutting-edge components into their automobiles.
The driver-assist technology in the two versions are similar for the most part. Both vehicles have automated high beams, lane departure warning with steering assistance, and frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking. These will be significant elements that can stop a variety of accidents. Only the basic trims of both cars come equipped with blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. These technologies are useful since, depending on where a vehicle is positioned, it may be difficult or even impossible to see other vehicles.
The safety packages are different in a few respects. The Honda Pilot incorporates adaptive cruise control as standard equipment. The Sorento’s top three trims are the only ones with this component, though.
The Sorento, on the other hand, has some characteristics that the Pilot lacks. Its SX Prestige trim has a surround view monitor, a blind view monitor that may display a live stream of the car in someone’s blind spot, and parking collision avoidance help in reverse. This final component essentially acts as an automatic reverse braking system to stop individuals from backing into other things.
Which Has the Best Value?
The less expensive of the two vehicles is the Kia Sorento. Costs $29,390 for the LX trim. Given how difficult it may be to find three-row SUVs around $30,000, it will draw some notice. The S ($31,890), EX ($34,990), SX ($37,990), and SX Prestige ($40,590) are the Sorento’s further trim levels.
The base price for the LX trims of the Honda Pilot is $32,550. The EX ($35,230), EX-L ($38,660), Special Edition ($39,260), and Touring ($43,220) are the trims in the middle of the lineup. There is an extremely expensive trim called the Elite that costs $48,720.
The Honda Pilot has a lot to offer, as one might anticipate given the vehicle’s pricing. Moving along the lineup, the quantity of amenities featured in each trim grows rather quickly. With the exception of the base model, all grades feature heated front seats, and the majority also feature leather interiors and electric tailgates. Second-row heated seats and hands-free power tailgates are options for higher trim levels. The highest trim comes equipped with heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, perforated leather seats, and all of the previously stated cutting-edge technology.
Even though the Sorento has numerous wonderful amenities, leather seats are only available on one of its grades. Many others have upholstery made of faux leather. Along with the larger touchscreen and superior sound system, the highest version of the Sorento does come equipped with heated and ventilated seats and a heated steering wheel.
Which is Better?
The more upscale option is the Honda Pilot. It features various components of greater quality, but of course, this costs more. Customers will still gain from the Honda Pilot’s strong engines, roomy cabins, and extensive safety features even if they select the base version.
Overall, the Sorento has a slightly more contemporary and sporty vibe. Every model boasts a cutting-edge infotainment system, making its base trim more appealing than the Honda Pilot’s LX level. The Sorento has some excellent features and a strong safety package, so it should be more than adequate for the majority of drivers. Additionally, the fact that it is the less expensive variant cannot be disregarded.
A consumer will have to choose between the two SUVs and determine whether price or size is more essential. It will also be necessary for someone to consider a few trims and choose which safety and technological elements they value the most.