Kia Sorento vs. Toyota Highlander: Here’s The Difference

Published January 25, 2022
in Model Info

In the mid-size SUV crossover universe, there are plenty of options to choose from for consumers. If you’re one of those consumers, two of the most popular styles of SUV crossover are the Kia Sorento and Toyota Highlander. When considering the Kia Sorento vs. Toyota Highlander, there are a few things to look for. Let’s dive right in.

Kia Sorento vs. Toyota Highlander: Comparing the Interiors Head-to-Head

The first thing to look at when considering the Kia Sorento vs. Toyota Highlander is the interior. It’s where you’ll spend all your time, so you deserve an interior that will make the ride quality on the inside.

Here are some of the winners in terms of interiors according to kbb.com:

Base price: Kia Sorento
Front headroom: Kia Sorento
Rear headroom: Toyota Highlander
Third headroom: Kia Sorento
Front legroom: Kia Sorento
Rear legroom: Kia Sorento
Third legroom: Kia Sorento
EPA Cargo Volume: Toyota Highlander
Maximum seating capacity: Toyota Highlander

The Kia Sorento is the winner when looking at headroom or legroom in a vehicle. However, the Toyota Highlander is the winner when considering cargo volume and maximum seating capacity inside a car. The winner depends on what you prioritize in a machine.

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Kia Sorento vs. Toyota Highlander: Comparing the Sizes Head-to-Head

Another thing to look at when considering the Kia Sorento vs. Toyota Highlander is the size of the vehicle. While a bigger car is better for holding people and stuff, it can be tricky to navigate tight spaces and park the car in a busy city.

Here are some of the size factors to consider with the Kia Sorento vs. Toyota Highlander according to kbb.com:

Length: Toyota Highlander
Height: Toyota Highlander
Width: Toyota Highlander
Wheelbase: Toyota Highlander

One car is the winner when considering which one is bigger.

If you’re looking for a vehicle massive in every way, the Toyota Highlander is much bigger than the Kia Sorento in every aspect. Of course, it’s not as simple to navigate tight spaces with this car, and it can feel impossible to park if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Kia Sorento vs. Toyota Highlander: Comparing the Performance Head-to-Head

The last thing we’ll look at when contemplating the Kia Sorento vs. Toyota Highlander is the performance of each vehicle. Without performance, you won’t go anywhere in the world.

Here are a few of the performance winners according to newcars.com:

Engine: Tie
Engine type: Kia Sorento
Horsepower: Toyota Highlander
Fuel economy: Kia Sorento

Each car has something that stands out from the other.

The Toyota Highlander has more horsepower and can pull more behind it on the road, while the Kia Sorento is a powerful engine holder. Each is excellent at a different aspect of performance on the road.

Kia Sorento Breakdown

The 2022 Kia Sorento has a starting price of $29,500. It has three rows of seats and can hold up to seven people if there’s not too much cargo in the back. There are several technological features inside the vehicle that allow an incredible drive. The Kia Sorento has items like a touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, and heated front seats.

The Kia Sorento comes in eight trims and several colors to allow you to fulfill your wildest Kia dream. It’s a sleek vehicle that looks like it was made for both off-roading and sliding down a city road in style. It has a rugged feel about it that’s sure to satisfy any car-lover.

This vehicle has a powerful, turbocharged engine that’s backed by a limited powertrain warranty. It has excellent fuel economy and an eight-speed transmission that’s difficult to beat. It hits 191 horsepower with little trouble.

There are many safety features incorporated into the 2022 Kia Sorento. These are designed to keep the driver as comfortable and safe as possible on the road. Some of the features include rear occupant alerts, auto emergency braking, and lane-keeping technology.

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Pros

The engine has a powerful punch
Stylish on the outside and inside
It has versatility unlike other vehicles

Cons

The space isn’t much
The hybrid powertrain isn’t ideal
The dual-clutch transmission can be a problem

Toyota Highlander Breakdown

The 2022 Toyota Highlander has a starting price of $35,205. For this price, you get three rows of seats that can hold up to eight people at once. The vehicle has a sporty two-toned interior, wireless charging for your phone, and heated and ventilated front seats.

The Toyota Highlander comes in an impressive eleven trims and several colors to customize the vehicle to your liking. The outside is sleek but fits with any location. You can feel comfortable driving it in the city and through the middle of the countryside without standing out too much.

This vehicle was made for ultimate travel. It has a sport-tuned suspension to deal with bounces and shifts on the road. Its efficiency is tricky to beat, and it has an all-wheel-drive system that can push you through any circumstances on the road ahead.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander has many safety features integrated into the vehicle to keep the driver as safe as possible. It has a sensor to watch the front of your vehicle, blind-spot monitoring, and front and rear parking help with an additional brake. You can feel safe driving with the Toyota Highlander.

8 QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN BUYING A USED CAR

So you’re in the market for a used vehicle? We’ve gone ahead and prepped some essential questions to ask when buying a used car.

Pros

There’s plenty of cargo space
The infotainment is beautiful and big
The hybrid version has incredible fuel economy

Cons

Tricky to get to the third row
The hybrid can feel clunky while driving
The engine isn’t as strong

Is There a Winner Here?

When considering the Kia Sorento vs. Toyota Highlander, which one is the winner? Both had good and bad aspects, so which one comes out on top? Each is better for a different type of person.

If you want power, the Kia Sorrento is the better option. However, if you need to carry many passengers, the Toyota Highlander will let you hold more people and things. The choice is yours.

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