Compare Kia Sorento SUVs Against the Competition
Compare Kia Sorento SUVs Against the Competition
Three-row SUVs compete on space, power, and convenience-but the 2025 Kia Sorento delivers a sharper package across every category that matters. From its available turbo-hybrid options to smart cabin technology and enhanced driver assistance, it answers the needs of today's families and solo commuters. This comparison shows how the Kia Sorento edges out two of the most popular midsize SUVs on the road today: the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot.
Kia Sorento vs Toyota Highlander
Kia Sorento
Toyota Highlander
| Features | Kia Sorento | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $31,990 | $39,820 |
| Horsepower | 191 | 265 |
| Torque (lb-ft) | 181 | 310 |
| Transmission | 8-speed | 8-speed ECT |
| Fuel Economy (city/hwy/combined) | 23/31/26 | 22/29/25 |
| Fuel Capacity | 17.7 gal. | 17.9 gal. |
Performance
Drivers looking for responsive power and fuel efficiency will find more variety in the Kia Sorento lineup. Available engines include a turbocharged 2.5-liter generating 281 horsepower and a hybrid option rated at up to 39 MPG in the city. The Toyota Highlander offers only one gas-powered engine-a 2.4-liter turbo making 265 horsepower-and its hybrid version trails behind in responsiveness and city mileage. The Kia Sorento also pairs better power with agile handling, providing a composed, confident drive across highways and suburban streets.
Interior
The Kia Sorento cabin features refined surfaces, available quilted leather seating, and configurable second-row captain's chairs. The standard-equipped and optional screen sizes reach up to 12.3 inches, with a wide panoramic interface available on upper trims. The Toyota Highlander's layout feels dated, and the higher rear floor reduces the overall cargo capacity. Third-row passengers in the Kia Sorento enjoy more usable space and better headroom. During daily drives around Stockton, families benefit from added comfort and flexibility.
Technology
Kia integrates more digital tools across its trim range. The Kia Sorento features wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration, advanced driver profiles, over-the-air updates, and navigation-based Smart Cruise Control. The Toyota Highlander includes some features but lacks OTA support and limits its larger touchscreen to top trims. Available Digital Key 2.0 in the Kia Sorento gives you remote access and control to the vehicle using a smartphone app for more convenience than anything on the Highlander.
Safety
Standard advanced safety features include Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance. The Kia Sorento adds available Highway Driving Assist, Safe Exit Assist, and Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist. Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 offers a similar suite, but the Highlander's lane-centering can feel intrusive, and adaptive cruise control lacks the natural responsiveness found in the Kia Sorento. The refinements make daily commutes smoother and more secure on busy roads or stop-and-go traffic.
Kia Sorento vs Honda Pilot
Kia Sorento
Honda Pilot
| Features | Kia Sorento | Honda Pilot |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $31,990 | $40,200 |
| Horsepower | 191 | 285 |
| Torque (lb-ft) | 181 | 262 |
| Transmission | 8-speed | 10-speed automatic |
| Fuel Economy (city/hwy/combined) | 23/31/26 | 19/27/22 |
| Fuel Capacity | 17.7 gal. | 18.5 gal. |
Performance
The Honda Pilot relies solely on a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 285 horsepower, which sounds strong on paper but falls short in real-world agility. Acceleration feels heavy, especially when fully loaded. In contrast, the Kia Sorento offers multiple engine options to match different driving styles, including an efficient turbo-hybrid and a lively turbocharged gas engine. Steering and throttle inputs feel more precise in the Kia Sorento, translating into a more controlled drive across varied terrain near Elk Grove.
Interior
Inside the Honda Pilot, the cabin feels larger than it is, but the execution lacks finesse. The Kia Sorento focuses on refined materials and intelligent space usage. The optional second-row captain's chairs with one-touch third-row access improve practicality, while ambient lighting and upscale finishes enhance every drive. Compared to the Pilot's bulkier proportions and more utilitarian layout, the Kia Sorento feels more responsive to the needs of active families and solo commuters.
Technology
The new Kia Sorento lineup's tech features comprise high-resolution screens, advanced phone-based key access, and standard driver assistance across its lineup. Wireless smartphone integration comes standard, and OTA updates ensure features stay current. The Honda Pilot limits wireless features to higher trims and does not offer the same level of integration. Digital Key and cloud-based user profiles further position the Kia Sorento as the more feature-equipped SUV.
Safety
The Kia Sorento includes a robust suite of standard safety systems, many of which are limited or unavailable in the Honda Pilot lineup. These include available parking collision avoidance, rear passenger alert, and highway driving assistance. The response and clarity of the Kia Sorento SUV's driver-assist features act decisively and predictably in real-world traffic conditions. The Honda Pilot's systems can feel overly conservative or abrupt, reducing confidence in heavier traffic conditions.
Schedule a Kia Sorento Test Drive Today
The Kia Sorento provides significantly more power, space, digital convenience, and safety integration than compact sedans like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. Learn more about the Kia Sorento lineup and start your purchase online from the comfort of your home or office. Search our new inventory, apply for financing, and visit Kia of Stockton to schedule a test drive in your favorite Kia Sorento model.
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Kia of Stockton
6215 Holman Road
Stockton, CA 95212
- Sales: (209) 307-9290