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.
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
Ranking
2 out of / 25Ranking
3 out of / 31Ranking
14 out of / 25Ranking
14 out of / 25Ranking
14 out of / 15Ranking
17 out of / 61Ranking
17 out of / 31Ranking
18 out of / 31Ranking
18 out of / 31Midsize SUVs with Best Resale Value
Ranking
18 out of / 25Ranking
18 out of / 21Ranking
19 out of / 25Ranking
22 out of / 28SUVs with 3 Rows with Best Resale Value
Ranking
24 out of / 31Ranking
26 out of / 61Ranking
31 out of / 61Ranking
39 out of / 61Crossover SUVs with Best Resale Value
Ranking
53 out of / 61iSeeCars Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 61Ranking
2 out of / 61Ranking
2 out of / 28Ranking
2 out of / 24Ranking
2 out of / 14Most Reliable Small SUVs
Ranking
3 out of / 24Ranking
6 out of / 61Ranking
7 out of / 24Small SUVs with Best Resale Value
Ranking
9 out of / 24Crossover SUVs with Best Resale Value
Ranking
14 out of / 61Ranking
15 out of / 61Summary 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.
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.
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
