Kia Sorento vs Toyota Highlander – Car Comparison | SAT JAPAN

Every time the midsize SUV name popped up, ‘Kia Sorento’ and ‘Toyota Highlander’ should be on the list in terms of reliability, performance, and most importantly, practicality. The reason is that these two units have developed reputations that carry spacious interiors, features for families, and impressive performance. All these considerations accumulate to making them perfect choices for anybody looking forward to versatile SUVs. If ever there comes a time when you decide which SUV to opt for, between Kia Sorento vs Toyota Highlander, then this comprehensive comparison will guide you through understanding their differences and which would suit your lifestyle better.

Better SUV: Kia Sorento vs. Toyota Highlander?

The Kia Sorento vs. Toyota Highlander debate boasts excellent mid-size SUVs. It is very simply what’s important to you. If you have your heart set on something with a few more horsepower and interior room, you have a bit of a better deal with the Toyota Highlander. The Redesign of Kia Sorento 2025 will be the smarter choice if shopping for more economy from hybrid models, or simply for decent value. Bottom line, dead tie, both cars-strong points where either can excel-so now it’s up to you to decide which will best fit your needs and budget.

Overview of Kia Sorento

The Kia Sorento is a midsize SUV with a fearlessness to mold design, technology, and practicality into an altogether attractive package. The Sorento falls relatively short of some rivals in pure size, but it does fit in three rows of seats, and makes a smart value for most families. Other winning perks include value-packed prices plus an awe-inspiringly long warranty to beat the competition.

Key features for the Kia Sorento

• Motor Specs: More motors, the better, right? Here are some more options in the Kia Sorento. The base motor is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder good for as much as 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. For those with a bit of a need for more muscle, there’s a turbocharged 2.5-liter that delivers 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy fanatics will find their match, too.
• Fuel Economy: Sorento Hybrid, both models are excellent with fuel efficiency as one attains 39 mpg in the city, and 35 mpg highways. The gas model also offers very high efficiency because of the EPA rating given as 24 mpg within the city, and 29 in highway tracks.
• Interior Space: The Sorento seats seven passengers standard with a third row. Its third row is somewhat smaller than most mid-size SUVs, but it’s good for nothing more than small children or minimal use only. Cargo space measures 75.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down, essentially on par for its class.
• Technology and Features: The Kia Sorento is simply loaded with a lot of technology, so to speak. This includes: a 10.25-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and wireless charging. Kia Drive Wise advanced safety features in the Sorento come in the form of forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist.

Overview of the Toyota Highlander

Without a doubt, the Toyota Highlander is one of the best mid-size SUVs out there. It offers plenty of room, luxury, and reliability. But it carries three rows and has features that might put advanced safety to most newcomers. It also has a good reputation as a car which would last for a long time and be frightening. And of course, its hybrid version caught many who want an eco-friendly option without trading space or power.

Key Features of Toyota Highlander

In the Highlander, the 3.5-liter V6 power plant yields 295 hp and 263 lb-ft of torque. For this review, a 3.5-liter V6 Hybrid means the Highlander Hybrid, and with 243 horsepower, electric motors help it muscle past the low-line engine of the Kia Sorento.

• Fuel Economy: Highlander with its hybrid model does fairly well on mileage. It provides great mileage in the city as much as 36 and on the highway, up to 35. In the case of the non-hybrid model, it brings the rating down to 21 in the city and 29 on the highway.
• Interior Space: The Highlander offers more cabin space than the Sorento, up to eight passengers. That third row is roomier and much comfier than in the Sorento, so actually suited for carrying adults regularly in back. Folding the third row, there’s 84.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind it, considerably bigger in the Highlander than in the Sorento.
• Tech and Features: Even though the Highlander is only offered in higher trims, it’s still superiorly technological for its class compared to others, like a much larger 12.3-inch touch screen that offers Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and other supporting features. Its Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ package includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, and pre-collision warning.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Kia Sorento vs Toyota Highlander

Performance

In terms of performance, the Toyota Highlander edges the Kia Sorento a bit, considering that the former is offered with the standard V6, where there would be more horsepower and torque than in the base engine of the latter. However, the engine on the latter does give a turbo charge option, where it comes very close to matching up to the top variant of the former, and its hybrid model equates to the mileage offered by the hybrid model of the former but overtakes it in fuel efficiency.

Performance Verdict: Toyota Highlander takes the win for power, leaving the Kia Sorento’s fuel-efficient hybridity behind. 

Fuel Economy

Both the Kia Sorento and the Toyota Highlander have hybrid models that improve their fuel economy. The Sorento Hybrid has much better fuel efficiency than the Highlander Hybrid, especially in city drive conditions. If you are concerned with fuel economy, then Sorento will be a better choice.

Verdict for Fuel Economy: Kia Sorento takes the win here.

Interior Space and Comfort

There’s a vast difference inside: the Toyota Highlander can move three full-size adults around in comfort, but really, it’s more suited for kids or shorter excursions. The Highlander also has greater cargo capacity, so if you need to max out, that makes this the better bet.

Winner for Interior Space and Comfort: Toyota Highlander allows its rider to max out its cargo capacity, taking the win.

Technology and Features

Kia Sorento and the Toyota Highlander are both well-equipped with enough advanced technologies and safety features. Though Highlander is allowed a bigger touchscreen at a maximum of 12.3 inches, while Sorento just has 10.25, but in both the Best Japanese Cars, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are featured, along with a few more additional advanced driver assistance systems. Drive Wise of the Sorento is as complicated as the Highlander’s Safety Sense 2.5+, but Toyota is still at an edge, though this minuscule amount, while talking about safety.

Winner for Technology and Features: Toyota Highlander, for bigger screen options and safety, leaves the Sorento behind. 

Cargo Space

Inside, the Toyota Highlander has more cargo space, at 84.3 cubic feet. The cargo capacity at 75.5 cubic feet is in the Kia Sorento. If you’re going to drive for a long distance or you may need maximum cargo capacity in hauling big items, then go for the better deal of the Highlander.

Winner for Cargo Space: Toyota Highlander swerves ahead!

Safety

Both offer advanced safety features in the Kia Sorento and Toyota Highlander. While the Sorento offers its Kia Drive Wise system, the Highlander makes use of Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+. Both vehicles received perfect five-star ratings in crash tests. Most importantly of all, either car has equipped their vehicles with any or all of the following necessities: automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping assist. But it has another list of driver assistants such as road sign recognition and cyclist detection, so it is a little bit safer than its competitor.

Verdict for Safety: Toyota Highlander 

Price and Value

Although the Kia Sorento is nearly $5,000 pricier than the base model Toyota Highlander, it is the bargain three-row SUV for family duty. Adding to its value equation is Kia’s excellent warranty – the powertrain is covered for 10 years/100,000 miles. Of course, the Highlander can cram in more people and comes with a more robust V6, but for someone who needs a high-value, feature-laden three-row SUV at a budget price, the Sorento is the better value.

Price and Value Winner: Kia Sorento leaves behind the Highlander with its over-the-top budget.

Kia Sorento vs Toyota Highlander – Which One Will You Choose?

Everything depends on individual tastes. If it is really necessary to have a stronger SUV, wider cargo space, and spacious third row, Toyota Highlander should be recommended. The Toyota Highlander is indeed the largest and the most powerful and, to date, has always been quite ideal for family cars that would need to make space for several passengers and equipment.

On the other hand, if you’re after a mid-size SUV with considerably much better fuel economy, especially in its hybrid variant, and good value for money, go for the Kia Sorento. Its base price is pretty low, it’s full of features, and even a long warranty makes for a pretty enticing budget-savvy purchase from buyers who don’t want to compromise comfort or tech.

Both are top-notch vehicles. Kia Sorento and Toyota Highlander represent two of the most reliable and strong performance qualities. So it would seem what you really need-from interior to gas mileage to price-will make your choice between the two Either way, SAT JAPAN awaits to serve!