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 can you compare a Kia Sorento to?
The top 10 rivals to the 2019 Kia Sorento
- Honda Pilot for 2019.
- Toyota Highlander for 2019.
- Nissan Pathfinder for 2019.
- Dodge Durango for 2019.
- Ford Explorer 2019,
- Subaru Ascent for 2019.
- Volkswagen Atlas for 2019.
- Mazda CX-9 for 2019.
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.
Ford Explorer versus Kia Sorento, which is larger?
Finding a parking space that is big enough for the Ford Explorer in a parking lot may be more difficult because it is wider than the Kia Sorento. Some people believe that bigger is better. If that applies to you, the Ford Explorer, which is a little bit longer than the Kia Sorento, will make you pleased.
Cost
Compared to an average of $521 for compact SUVs and $652 for all vehicle types, the total yearly cost of repairs and maintenance for a Kia Sorento is $533.
the typical annual sum for unplanned maintenance and repairs for all model years of a car. A vehicle’s greater average cost alone does not imply that it is less dependable. For instance, your car’s parts and labor may be pricey, especially if it’s a European luxury model, but if there are few serious problems and frequent service visits on average each year, that’s a sign of a dependable vehicle.
The typical annual frequency at which a vehicle is taken in for unplanned maintenance and repairs. This metric is produced by monitoring millions of distinctive automobiles over a number of years to ascertain the typical yearly visits for each make and model. Controls were included to prevent small, routine shop visits, such those for oil changes.
The severity element of dependability calculates the likelihood that a repair will cause a significant problem. The cost of a repair is assessed to be excessively expensive given the unscheduled nature of the repair if it is three times the average annual repair cost for all models. Due to their more expensive labor and component expenses, premium and luxury brands have a higher barrier.
Frequency
Compared to the average of 0.3 times for compact SUVs and 0.4 times for all vehicle models, Kia Sorento owners bring their cars in for unplanned repairs 0.3 times a year on average.
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe the same as the Kia Sorento?
As corporate cousins, the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe are comparable in many aspects, including their shared drivetrains and technological amenities. However, there is at least one significant difference between these midsize SUVs: the Sorento has three rows of seats while the Santa Fe just has two.
The Kia Sorento may no longer be purchased.
We were starting to wonder if Stellantis, the organization formerly known as Fiat-Chrysler, would be able to ride the halo of its 700+ horsepower models packing the iconic Hellcat supercharged V8 engine ad infinitum, but there will soon be two fewer models to offer these scenery-blurring powerplants. The Jeep Grand Cherokee’s whole makeover for 2022 won’t be able to fit the monstrous V8, and the upgrade was only meant to be available for the Dodge Durango’s 2021 model year. Its time has come for the Dodge Challenger and Charger muscle cars as well, while the Hellcats are predicted to last there until possibly 2024, when they might be replaced by fast electric vehicles.
The Clarity series of slow-moving alternative fuel vehicles, which once featured full-electric, plug-in hybrid, and hydrogen fuel-cell variants, is being discontinued by Honda. Honda discontinued the electric model last year and will discontinue the rest of the series in 2022, but current fuel-cell models are expected to be leased in California for a little while longer. Instead, the manufacturer says it will concentrate on its two-motor hybrid vehicles in the interim and lay the groundwork for full-electric cars, which are anticipated to debut in 2024.
The reasonably sporty Hyundai Veloster hatchback is another victim of the radical market shift away from passenger cars. Its passenger-side rear access panel, which made it simpler to enter and exit the back seat, has long been its defining feature. However, the Veloster didn’t really become a performance car until the 275-horsepower N model was added to the lineup. This model will continue to be produced for one more model year as the rest of the lineup disappears into the distance.
The long-awaited Murcielago replacement, the low-slung and exotically angular Lamborghini Aventador, made its debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. It had a gigantic 12-cylinder engine under its long hood that could produce up to 770 horsepower. According to legend, the name of the vehicle was inspired by a Spanish fighting bull. After almost ten years on the road and various variants that expanded the line, this tenacious performer is finally being retired. There has been no announcement on its replacement, but reports indicate that the V12 will remain and may even serve as the foundation for a potent gas/electric hybrid powertrain.
Shortly after redesigning and renaming its midsize sedan the K5, Kia made the decision to consign the Cadenza and K900, its top-of-the-line big four-door models, to automotive obscurity in the United States. The two lines will apparently be overhauled, integrated, and dubbed the K8 in other markets.
The automaker’s minivan, one of just four models still available for purchase in the United States, will be terminated in 2022, but the brand-new, highly regarded Carnival has already taken its place.
For 2022, one of the more attractive and entertaining midsize sedans without a European moniker will be discontinued here, and you can probably guess why (hint: it has something to do with SUVs). The Mazda6, now in its third generation, has served as the company’s flagship passenger car for the past 20 years. The 6 may simply be saying that Mazda is developing a performance-oriented rear-drive chassis that will be driven by an inline six-cylinder engine, according to rumors “Instead of good bye, say bonsoir.
Another enjoyable Mazda that won’t be available in stores next year is the tiny CX-3. Although it’s a thrill to drive, the lack of back seat capacity and cargo space often makes up for this “This compact crossover sport-utility offers utility. The svelte and vivacious Mazda CX-30, which made its debut for 2020, will fill its place in the lineup.
The sleek and sporty Polestar 1 plug-in hybrid coupe, intended to be a limited production launch pad for Volvo’s premium brand, only lasted one model year. With a four-cylinder electric supercharged and turbocharged engine producing 619 horsepower and a sprint to 60 mph taking just under four seconds, it may have been brief, but it was certainly extra lively.
Even among consumers who can afford bespoke personal reward versions that sell for multiples of six figures, it seems that even elite coachbuilders like Rolls-Royce are not immune to the supremacy of SUVs. After the 2021 model year, Rolls will no longer produce the Wraith coupe, which debuted in 2013, and the Dawn convertible, which was introduced in 2015. Both were built on the previous generation BMW 7 Series sedan, which also served as the foundation for the Ghost sedan’s predecessor. The luxury two doors won’t be sold or replaced here until 2022, however they will still be available elsewhere on the factory.
A new Land Cruiser won’t be available in Toyota shops in the United States until 2022, despite this genre-defining huge trail-busting SUV undergoing a significant overhaul in other regions. It had been the longest-running model for the company, and despite never having exceptionally strong sales, they had always remained consistent. However, with the generational update and a more affluent brand, the Lexus LX, the Land Cruiser’s opulent and more extravagant corporate sibling, will continue to be offered here. Off-road enthusiasts may still hit the trails in the truck-based Toyota 4Runner and Sequoia.
Is anyone around here old enough to remember the days when American families preferred station wagons, which are essentially extended flat-roofed sedans? That was back when they weren’t associated with oddball status due to minivans and subsequent SUVs. You can cross the tiny Volvo V60 and midsize V90 off the list of wagons sold in the United States in 2022 from the depleted fleet of wagons that are still on the market. Both vehicles weren’t particularly popular, with the exception of their Cross Country versions, which will continue to be sold here with increased ride heights and additional body cladding that makes them resemble SUVs more like the Subaru Outback.
The tiny Golf hatchback from the German automaker will get a significant facelift for the 2022 model year, but it won’t be offered in the United States because, you guessed it, SUVs are becoming more and more popular. The hot hatch GTI and Type R variants will, in fact, arrive on our side of the Atlantic for the new model year, which will interest fans.
What were once the pillars of their respective lineups are now approaching their final model years for the same old reasonlimited market appeal. The battery-powered Acura NSX, which was hailed as the brand’s premier performance vehicle when it was first unveiled, will enter its final model year this fall and receive a grand send-off with a limited-edition S version.
The full-size Toyota Avalon and midsize Volkswagen Passat sedans, which were once reliable options, are apparently retiring after the 2022 model year. They will apparently be joined by the four-door sporty Kia Stinger and, subsequently, the Chevrolet Malibu sedan, further decimating the ranks of conventional passenger cars in the modern auto industry.
Fortunately, as automakers switch to high-torque electric motors to power the next generation of environmentally conscious performance cars, some of these castoffs may become highly sought-after collector cars in the years to come, especially the high-horsepower gasoline models like the aforementioned Hellcats.
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.