Price
If budget constraints are an issue for you, consider the Sportage. The base LX trim starts with an MSRP of $22,900, which is about $2,500 less than the base Sorento L, which starts at $25,400. The top-level Sportage is the SX Turbo, with an MSRP of $32,500. In contrast, the SXL V6, which is the highest Sorento trim level, starts at $43,900. Of course, many more premium options are to be found in the Sorento SXL, including rear-seat heaters, memory settings, and a six-cylinder engine.
Size
The most obvious difference between the Sportage and Sorento is their respective size. The 2017 Sorento is over 10 inches longer than the Sportage, one inch wider, and about an inch or two taller. When you’re squeezing into a tight parking space, or attempting to fit an entire pallet of boxes into the cargo area of your vehicle, what seems like a small difference in size can be enormous.
The Sorento offers nearly 50 more cubic feet of passenger space. It’s got a bit more headroom, but a lot more leg room (especially in the front seats), hip room, and shoulder room. If you have children, you’ll have a much easier time maneuvering kids and car seats in the back of the Sorento five-seater. If you’re carting around adults and older kids, the more compact Sportage may be preferred.
Cargo and Seating
If cargo space is important to you, the Sorento offers almost 39 cubic feet behind the second row and about 73 behind the first. The Sportage has a bit less space for your things, coming in at around 31 and 60 cubic feet, respectively.
The 2017 Sportage can seat up to five, as does the Sorento two-row. However, only the Sorento offers an optional third row of seats. This ups the Sorento’s maximum passenger count to seven. Larger families should definitely consider the Sorento’s advantages in this regard.
Power
Both the Sorento and Sportage offer the same base engine. Kia’s 2.4-liter 16-valve I-4 provides about the same horsepower in either vehicle, as does the turbocharged 2.0-liter that’s available in either one. The Sorento, however, offers a third engine choice. Opting for the 3.3-liter V-6 24-valve will provide 290 horsepower and 252 pound-feet of torque.
If you’re looking to tow, the Sorento may be your best bet. While stock trims of both vehicles can pull up to 2,000 pounds, only the Sorento offers powertrain and equipment options that raise its towing capacity to 5,000 pounds.
The Kia Sportage and Kia Sorento are both excellent choices, boasting five-star safety ratings, excellent fuel economy, and an extensive list of standard features. Consider your needs before selecting one. Remember, it’s impossible to make a bad decision when you’re choosing Kia.
Image via Kia.com