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Kia Sorento vs. Subaru Outback

When we compare the Kia Sorento to the Subaru Outback, 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 base engine power. The Subaru Outback has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, interior volume and overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the Kia Sorento versus the Subaru Outback, the two cars are fairly comparable.

Kia Sorento versus Subaru Outback Pricing

A used 2023 Kia Sorento ranges from $31,377 to $45,824 while a used 2023 Subaru Outback is priced between $32,998 to $43,289. For a new model, the Kia Sorento's price is between $31,929 and $46,339, with the Subaru Outback priced between $33,320 and $44,396.

Kia Sorento versus Subaru Outback Quality Rating

The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Kia Sorento is 7.8 out of 10 while the Subaru Outback's quality rating is 8.8 out of 10. This results in the Kia Sorento being ranked 26 out of 61 Best Crossover SUVs and the Subaru Outback being ranked 2 out of 61.

Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison

For engine performance, the Kia Sorento’s base engine makes 191 horsepower, and the Subaru Outback base engine makes 182 horsepower. The Sorento is rated to deliver an average of 26 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 513 miles. The Outback is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 592 miles. Both models use regular unleaded.

Passenger Space Comparison

The Subaru Outback, a crossover/compact SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front leg room and trunk space. The Kia Sorento, a crossover/midsize SUV, has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front shoulder room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The Kia Sorento and Subaru Outback are comparable in regards to rear head room.

Hauling, Towing, and Off-Road Capabilities Comparison

The Kia Sorento has the advantage of offering higher payload capacity, while the Subaru Outback has the advantage of offering higher ground clearance.

Safety Ratings Comparison

When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Kia Sorento and the Subaru Outback have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.

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2023 Kia Sorento

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2023 Subaru Outback

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Pricing

New Asking Price:

$31,929 - $46,339

Used Asking Price:

$31,377 - $45,824

5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):

48.5%

Pricing

New Asking Price:

$33,320 - $44,396

Used Asking Price:

$32,998 - $43,289

5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):

39.5%

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:

8.8 / 10

Reliability:

8.4 / 10

Retained Value:

8.0 / 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

2 / 61
2 / 61
2 / 28
2 / 24
2 / 14

Most Reliable Small SUVs

3 / 24
6 / 61
7 / 24

Small SUVs with Best Resale Value

9 / 24

Crossover SUVs with Best Resale Value

14 / 61
15 / 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

The Subaru Outback has been a staple on American roads since its inception in 1994. Two different Subaru models, sold side-by-side, bore the Outback name: the wagon-style crossover-SUV we associate with the name today, and the Outback Sport, which eventually became the Crosstrek. The Outback is best known for its standard all-wheel drive, excellent utility, and all-weather capability. New models of the Outback average $36,354 and 3-year-old models average $25,939.

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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

  • Utilitarian with easy entry and exit and highly function cargo space
  • Comfortable ride quality with an upscale interior
  • Excellent all-weather and light off-road capability

  • Not always fast or inspirational for driving enthusiasts
  • Similarly-sized SUVs often have more cargo and passenger room
  • Fuel economy can be less than expected

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

Limited, Limited XT, Onyx Edition, Onyx Edition XT, Premium, Touring, Touring XT, Wilderness, Base

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:

182 hp @ 5800 rpm

Torque:

176 foot-lbs @ 4400 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.050 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:

Flat/Horizontally Opposed

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

AWD

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

26 / 32 / 28

Range (city/hwy):

481 / 592 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:

Available

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Available

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Standard

Heated Seats:

Available

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

Available

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Navigation System:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

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:

N/A

Lane Departure Warning:

Standard

Lane Keeping Assist:

Standard

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Available

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Available

360-Degree Camera:

N/A

Rear Seat Reminder:

Standard

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:

42.8 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

58.1 inches

Rear Head Room:

39.1 inches

Rear Leg Room:

39.5 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

57.4 inches

Cargo Space:

32.6 cubic feet

Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:

75.6 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

141.6 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:

3641 lbs

Width:

82 inches

Height:

66.4 inches

Length:

191.1 inches

Wheelbase:

108.1 inches

Ground Clearance:

8.7 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:

17.0 x 7.0 inches

Wheel Type:

alloy

Tire Size:

225/65R17