Two Years of Comparisons for the Kia Sorento vs Toyota Highlander

Are you looking for a 2022 or 2023 version of either the Kia Sorento or Toyota Highlander? Let’s look and see what these SUVs offer.

The fall and winter are interesting times of the year for the automotive world. This is the time when the next model year versions of most vehicles arrive at dealerships while the current model year vehicles are still present. Typically, you can find some impressive deals on the previous model year vehicles, but you might want to choose the new model, especially if it’s a significantly better vehicle to drive.

Long-Lasting Models in the Three- Row Midsize SUV Segment

The Sorento and Highlander have both been around for many years. These two SUVs might not always seem like they should be going head-to-head, but they are. These well-known models offer some impressive features and qualities that make them useful, versatile, and capable for you. Toyota is known for its reliability and quality but Kia has been moving up the ranks to be one of the top brands for these same factors. Which three-row SUV should you drive when its time to head out on the road?

The 2022 Kia Sorento has Better Driving Dynamics than the 2022 Toyota Highlander

The steering of the Sorento offers impressive feedback through the wheel. This SUV drives in a way that makes it feel smaller than it actually is. This SUV is actually pretty big, but you won’t feel that way when you’re behind the wheel of this Kia SUV. If you’re not accustomed to driving an SUV, the small feeling of the Sorento can give you the feeling you desire. This model also delivers impressive visibility in all four corners to make sure you can experience a fantastic drive wherever you go.

Don’t Overlook the Highlander

The Highlander isn’t a slouch when it comes to the actual driving feeling you get from behind the wheel. You’ll enjoy the well-mannered driving feeling and bend toward comfort that’s part of what this three-row Toyota SUV delivers in the market. The suspension is soft and the steering is a little numb when the Toyota Highlander is directly compared to the Kia Sorento. This means you’ll have a nice drive, but if you’re searching for the model that has the most engaging ride, the Sorento is the right choice.

Which Midsize Three-Row Crossover SUV has Better Fuel Mileage?

The Toyota Highlander comes in a hybrid version which is pretty impressive. This SUV delivers up to 35 mpg combined, which is better than most SUVs that are smaller than the pair we’re looking at today. When we turn to the Kia Sorento, you’ll find both a hybrid and plug-in hybrid version offered. These hybrids certainly challenge the Highlander for fuel mileage ratings and give you about the same results as the Highlander. This comparison is a push for these two SUVs, which make it easy for you to know that you can have impressive fuel mileage results when selecting one of these SUVs.

Which SUV Offers the Most Comfort?

Both the Toyota Highlander and Kia Sorento are comfortable and spacious. The first two rows are plenty comfortable for adults in each vehicle and the third row is small and lacks enough space to be comfortable. The Sorento comes with captain’s chairs at lower trims to give you more quality comfort inside the cabin. The greatest difference in terms of comfort puts the Kia Sorento over the top. The Sorento has power-adjustable front seats that adjust 14 different ways. These seats also have a two-way power lumbar support and a power thigh extension to ensure you’re perfectly comfortable inside the cabin.

Moving to the 2023 Models, Which SUV Offers Better Performance?

There are two engines offered for the 2023 Toyota Highlander: a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine making 265 horsepower and a 2.5-liter 4-cyllinder hybrid that offers 243 horsepower. Turning to the 2023 Kia Sorento, you find a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine offering 191 horsepower, a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine offering 281 horsepower, a hybrid that has 227 horsepower and the PHEV with 261 horsepower.

From these numbers you see that the Toyota starts with more power but the Kia delivers the most power at the top of the range.

Does the 2023 Kia Sorento Offer Better Fuel Economy than the 2023 Toyota Highlander?

The Sorento has the advantage when it comes to overall fuel mileage. The gas-powered Kia models combine to offer 26 mpg while the hybrid version delivers 37 mpg combined. The PHEV is even better with the MPGe rating of 79 mpg when using only electric driving and 34 mpg combined wen in hybrid mode. The gas-powered Highlander reaches 25 mpg combined while the Highlander Hybrid reaches 36 mpg combined.

Which SUV has A Higher Safety Rating?

This comparison might be a push for safety. The 2022 version of the Highlander earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award while the Sorento hits the Top Safety Pick rating, which is only one step down. We don’t have the safety ratings for the 2023 model year. For now, the Highlander edges out the Sorento for safety, but this could change in the near future. Its possible both of these SUVs could offer the same safety rating when the testing has been completed.

Which SUV has a Better Warranty?

The Kia Sorento offers a much better warranty than the Toyota Highlander. Kia offers all vehicles with a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warrant and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The Highlander is covered in the same manner as most vehicles in the market. You’ll find a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

If you’re looking for differences in the care and maintenance of these SUVs you’ll find that the Highlander offers two years or 25,000 miles of included maintenance. The Highlander has also earned a higher reliability score from J.D. Power, making it one of the best choices in the class.

As you can see, the Kia Sorento and Toyota Highlander both offer some impressive features and qualities that matter when you want to enjoy one of these models out on the road. Will you choose the 2022 or 2023 version of either of these two three-row midsize SUVs?