2021 Kia Sorento vs. 2021 Volvo XC90
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the 2021 Kia Sorento and 2021 Volvo XC90 contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the 2021 Kia Sorento and the 2021 Volvo XC90.
When we compare the 2021 Kia Sorento's and the 2021 Volvo XC90's specifications and ratings, the 2021 Kia Sorento has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for used cars, and fuel efficiency, resale value and interior volume. The 2021 Volvo XC90 has the advantage in the area of base engine power. Based on this comparison of the 2021 Kia Sorento's and the 2021 Volvo XC90's specifications and ratings, the 2021 Kia Sorento is a better car than the 2021 Volvo XC90.
Pricing: A used 2021 Kia Sorento ranges from $18,110 to $31,584 while a used 2021 Volvo XC90 is priced between $25,716 to $44,777.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the 2021 Kia Sorento loses 52.3 percent of its value and the 2021 Volvo XC90 loses 58.7 percent of its value. This means the 2021 Kia Sorento retains 6.4 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the 2021 Volvo XC90.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the 2021 Kia Sorento’s base engine makes 191 horsepower, and the 2021 Volvo XC90 base engine makes 250 horsepower. The Sorento is rated to deliver an average of 26 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 513 miles. The XC90 is rated to deliver an average of 25 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 564 miles.This gives the 2021 Kia Sorento the advantage in fuel efficiency and the 2021 Volvo XC90 the advantage in maximum range. The Sorento uses regular unleaded, and the XC90 uses premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The 2021 Kia Sorento, a crossover/midsize SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the 2021 Volvo XC90 has higher safety ratings than the 2021 Kia Sorento, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.51 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$29,390
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize SUVs)
$32,108
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
$27,000 - $37,580
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$49,000
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
$73,624
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
$40,300 - $131,750
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$24,975
Price Range:
$18,110 - $31,584
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize SUVs)
$28,757
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
$22,434 - $40,434
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
644
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
70,318
# Good or Great Deals:
416
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$34,007
Price Range:
$25,716 - $44,777
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
$55,284
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
$28,580 - $144,000
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
234
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
61,802
# Good or Great Deals:
183
Kia Sorento Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.8 / 10
Reliability:
7.3 / 10
Retained Value:
7.7 / 10
Safety:
8.5 / 10
Volvo XC90 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.2 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2021 Kia Sorento
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
4.9
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize SUVs)
7.6
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
4.7 - 12.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
8.7%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2021 Volvo XC90
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
7.5
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
4.2 - 18.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.6
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
7.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
1.1 - 26.4
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
7.5
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
6.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
1 - 30.6
Kia Sorento Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 32Ranking
1 out of / 28Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
3 out of / 34Ranking
3 out of / 30Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 67Ranking
4 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 5Ranking
5 out of / 32Ranking
7 out of / 30Ranking
10 out of / 28Ranking
11 out of / 34Ranking
12 out of / 34Ranking
12 out of / 34Ranking
12 out of / 32Ranking
14 out of / 32Ranking
16 out of / 32Ranking
17 out of / 32Ranking
19 out of / 67Ranking
19 out of / 32Ranking
19 out of / 32Ranking
20 out of / 67Ranking
20 out of / 34Ranking
21 out of / 32Ranking
22 out of / 67Ranking
22 out of / 67Ranking
22 out of / 34Ranking
22 out of / 32Ranking
23 out of / 67Ranking
23 out of / 34Ranking
23 out of / 34Ranking
24 out of / 34Ranking
24 out of / 32Ranking
25 out of / 67Ranking
25 out of / 34Ranking
25 out of / 32Ranking
26 out of / 67Ranking
27 out of / 56Ranking
28 out of / 67Ranking
29 out of / 67Ranking
29 out of / 34Ranking
30 out of / 34Ranking
32 out of / 56Ranking
35 out of / 67Ranking
60 out of / 67Volvo XC90 Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 68Ranking
3 out of / 16Ranking
4 out of / 68Ranking
7 out of / 17Ranking
8 out of / 26Ranking
9 out of / 29Ranking
9 out of / 17Ranking
11 out of / 17Ranking
12 out of / 17Ranking
14 out of / 29Ranking
15 out of / 17Ranking
15 out of / 17Ranking
16 out of / 17Ranking
17 out of / 29Ranking
17 out of / 17Ranking
22 out of / 68Ranking
22 out of / 29Ranking
24 out of / 29Ranking
24 out of / 29Ranking
25 out of / 29Ranking
26 out of / 29Ranking
38 out of / 68Ranking
39 out of / 64Ranking
43 out of / 68Ranking
44 out of / 68Ranking
45 out of / 68Ranking
60 out of / 68Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
2021 Kia Sorento Trim Levels
EX, LX, S, SX, SX Prestige, SX Prestige X-Line
2021 Volvo XC90 Trim Levels
T5 Momentum, T5 R-Design, T6 Inscription 6-Passenger, T6 Inscription 7-Passenger, T6 Momentum 6-Passenger, T6 Momentum 7-Passenger, T6 R-Design
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4.51 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
191 hp @ 6100 rpm
Torque:
181 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.051 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
250 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
258 foot-lbs @ 1500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.057 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
24 / 29 / 26
Range (city/hwy):
425 / 513 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
21 / 30 / 25
Range (city/hwy):
395 / 564 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Captain's seat:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Internet Radio:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Quad Seats:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Quad Seats:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Air Suspension:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Massage Seats:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Wifi:
Standard
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
59 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
41.7 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
58.1 inches
Cargo Space:
12.6 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
75.5 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
121.3 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.9 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.9 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.5 inches
Cargo Space:
10.7 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
85.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
114.5 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3714 lbs
Width:
74.8 inches
Height:
66.7 inches
Length:
189 inches
Wheelbase:
110.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.9 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4374 lbs
Width:
84.3 inches
Height:
69.9 inches
Length:
195 inches
Wheelbase:
117.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.8 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/65R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/55R19
Exterior Colors
Beige
Crystal Beige
Black
Ebony Black
Gray
Gravity Gray
Red
Passion Red Tintcoat
Silver
Everlasting Silver / Sparkling Silver
White
Glacial White Pearl
Blue
Not available
Exterior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Onyx Black Metallic
Gray
Savile Gray Metallic / Thunder Grey Metallic
Red
Not available
Silver
Bright Silver Metallic
White
Crystal White Metallic / Ice White
Blue
Denim Blue Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Black
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Charcoal
White
Blonde
