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Kia Sorento vs. Mazda CX-9

When we compare the Kia Sorento to the Mazda CX-9, the Kia Sorento has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency. The Mazda CX-9 has the advantage in the areas of interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Kia Sorento versus the Mazda CX-9, the two cars are fairly comparable.

Kia Sorento versus Mazda CX-9 Pricing

A used 2023 Kia Sorento ranges from $31,218 to $45,886 while a used 2023 Mazda CX-9 is priced between $39,474 to $50,317. For a new model, the Kia Sorento's price is between $31,921 and $46,338, with the Mazda CX-9 priced between $39,384 and $50,092.

Kia Sorento versus Mazda CX-9 Quality Rating

The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Kia Sorento is 7.8 out of 10 while the Mazda CX-9's quality rating is 8.4 out of 10. This results in the Kia Sorento being ranked 14 out of 25 Best Midsize SUVs and the Mazda CX-9 being ranked 7 out of 25. Out of 31 Best SUVs with 3 Rows, the Kia Sorento is ranked 31 and the Mazda CX-9 is ranked 9. The Kia Sorento is also ranked 26 out of 61 Best Crossover SUVs while the Mazda CX-9 is ranked 10 out of 61.

Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison

For engine performance, the Kia Sorento’s base engine makes 191 horsepower, and the Mazda CX-9 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 CX-9 is rated to deliver an average of 23 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 507 miles. Both models use regular unleaded.

Passenger Space Comparison

While both models are crossover/midsize SUVs, the Mazda CX-9 has the advantage of offering more trunk space. The Kia Sorento has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room and rear leg room. The Kia Sorento and Mazda CX-9 are comparable in regards to rear shoulder room.

Hauling, Towing, and Off-Road Capabilities Comparison

The Kia Sorento has the advantage of offering higher payload capacity, while the Mazda CX-9 has the advantage of offering higher ground clearance.

Safety Ratings Comparison

When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Kia Sorento and the Mazda CX-9 have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.

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2023 Kia Sorento

2023 Mazda CX-9

Pricing

New Asking Price:

$31,921 - $46,338

Used Asking Price:

$31,218 - $45,886

5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):

48.5%

Pricing

New Asking Price:

$39,384 - $50,092

Used Asking Price:

$39,474 - $50,317

5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):

46.3%

iSeeCars Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

7.8 / 10

Reliability:

7.8 / 10

Retained Value:

6.7 / 10

Safety:

9.0 / 10

iSeeCars Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

8.4 / 10

Reliability:

8.0 / 10

Retained Value:

7.1 / 10

Safety:

10.0 / 10

iSeeCars Rankings

2 / 25
3 / 31
14 / 25
14 / 25
14 / 15
17 / 61
17 / 31
18 / 31
18 / 31

Midsize SUVs with Best Resale Value

18 / 25
18 / 21
19 / 25
22 / 28

SUVs with 3 Rows with Best Resale Value

24 / 31
26 / 61
31 / 61
39 / 61

Crossover SUVs with Best Resale Value

53 / 61

iSeeCars Rankings

6 / 25
7 / 31
7 / 25
7 / 15
8 / 61
9 / 31
9 / 25
9 / 21
10 / 61
10 / 28

Midsize SUVs with Best Resale Value

10 / 25
11 / 31
11 / 25
13 / 61
15 / 31

SUVs with 3 Rows with Best Resale Value

16 / 31

Crossover SUVs with Best Resale Value

42 / 61
45 / 61

Summary Review

Kia’s Sorento is a two- or three-row crossover SUV on sale since 2015 in its outgoing generation. It is built in West Point, Georgia. All-new for 2021, shoppers in the midsize SUV segment should give the Sorento a fresh look.

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Summary Review

Mazda’s CX-9 is a three-row crossover SUV that’s slightly smaller but more engaging to drive than most of its direct competitors.

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Pros and Cons

  • Available in past years with two or three rows of seats
  • High safety scores

  • 2020 and older models showing their age
  • Smaller than many midsize vehicles in this segment
  • Past models had low reliability scores

Pros and Cons

  • Outstanding standard features make CX-9 a near-premium vehicle
  • The Turbocharged engine is a reviewer’s favorite

  • Aging infotainment setup
  • Smaller than most of its segment peers

Available Body Styles

SUV

Available Body Styles

SUV

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Trim Levels

EX, LX, S, SX, SX Prestige, X-Line EX, X-Line S, X-Line SX Prestige

Trim Levels

Carbon Edition, Grand Touring, Signature, Touring, Touring Plus

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:

3 years / 36000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain

5 years / 60000 miles

Warranty, Roadside Assistance:

3 years / 36000 miles

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

5 out of 5 Stars

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

5 out of 5 Stars

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

Base Drivetrain Specifications

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 Specifications

Horsepower:

250 hp @ 5000 rpm

Torque:

320 foot-lbs @ 2500 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:

2.5 liters

Engine Configuration:

Inline

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Automatic

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

AWD

EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined MPG):

20 / 26 / 23

Range (city/hwy):

390 / 507 miles

Recommended Fuel Type:

Regular Unleaded

Standard/Optional Features

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Android Auto:

Standard

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

Available

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Available

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Available

Heated Seats:

Available

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

Available

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Navigation System:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Heated Steering Wheel:

Available

Standard/Optional Features

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Android Auto:

Standard

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Standard

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Standard

Heated Seats:

Standard

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

Available

Leather Upholstery:

Standard

Navigation System:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Standard

Heated Steering Wheel:

Available

Safety Equipment

Forward Collision Warning:

Standard

Pedestrian Detection:

Standard

Lane Departure Warning:

Standard

Lane Keeping Assist:

Standard

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Standard

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Standard

360-Degree Camera:

Available

Rear Seat Reminder:

Standard

Driver Attention Monitoring:

Standard

Safety Equipment

Forward Collision Warning:

Standard

Pedestrian Detection:

Standard

Lane Departure Warning:

Standard

Lane Keeping Assist:

Standard

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Standard

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Standard

360-Degree Camera:

Available

Rear Seat Reminder:

N/A

Driver Attention Monitoring:

Available

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

40.3 inches

Front Leg Room:

41.4 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

59.1 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:

40.1 inches

Front Leg Room:

41 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

57.9 inches

Rear Head Room:

38.5 inches

Rear Leg Room:

39.4 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

58.1 inches

Cargo Space:

14.3 cubic feet

Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:

71.2 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

150.1 cubic feet

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

3715 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:

4409 lbs

Width:

86.9 inches

Height:

69 inches

Length:

199.4 inches

Wheelbase:

115.3 inches

Ground Clearance:

8.8 inches

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

17.0 x 7.0 inches

Wheel Type:

alloy

Tire Size:

235/65R17

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

18.0 x 8.0 inches

Wheel Type:

aluminum alloy

Tire Size:

P255/60R18