Kia Sorento vs. Subaru Outback
When comparing the Kia Sorento's and the Subaru Outback's specifications and ratings, 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, reliability, resale value, interior volume and overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the Kia Sorento's and the Subaru Outback's specifications and ratings, the Subaru Outback is a better car than the Kia Sorento.
Kia Sorento vs. Subaru Outback Pricing
A used 2023 Kia Sorento ranges from $32,329 to $44,883 while a used 2024 Subaru Outback is priced between $32,529 to $43,927. For a new model, the Kia Sorento's price is between $31,807 and $46,039, with the Subaru Outback priced between $32,906 and $45,079.
Kia Sorento vs. Subaru Outback Resale/Retained Value
Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Kia Sorento loses 48.5 percent of its value and the Subaru Outback loses 39.5 percent of its value. This means the Subaru Outback retains 9 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Kia Sorento.
Kia Sorento vs. Subaru Outback Quality Rating
The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Kia Sorento is 7.7 out of 10 while the Subaru Outback's quality rating is 8.9 out of 10. This results in the Kia Sorento being ranked 25 out of 66 Best Crossover SUVs and the Subaru Outback being ranked 4 out of 66.
Kia Sorento vs. Subaru Outback Reliability Rating
iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Kia Sorento is 8.0 out of 10. For the Subaru Outback the reliability rating is 8.8 out of 10. This gives the Subaru Outback a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Kia Sorento.
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. This gives the Subaru Outback the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Kia Sorento. 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 cargo 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.
Safety Ratings Comparison
When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Subaru Outback has higher safety ratings than the Kia Sorento, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.49 out of 5 Stars. When comparing IIHS evaluations, the Kia Sorento has the advantage with a Top Safety Pick award.
Pricing
New Asking Price:
31807 - 46039
Used Asking Price:
32329 - 44883
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.48549
Pricing
New Asking Price:
32906 - 45079
Used Asking Price:
32529 - 43927
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.395466
Kia Sorento Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.745714 / 10
Reliability:
8.047143 / 10
Retained Value:
6.7 / 10
Safety:
8.5 / 10
Subaru Outback Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.933592 / 10
Reliability:
8.800776 / 10
Retained Value:
8.0 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Kia Sorento Rankings
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1 out of / 6Ranking
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19 out of / 31Ranking
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45 out of / 66Ranking
58 out of / 66Subaru Outback Rankings
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6 out of / 19Ranking
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30 out of / 56Summary 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
Kia Sorento Trim Levels
EX, LX, S, SX, SX Prestige, X-Line EX, X-Line S, X-Line SX Prestige
Subaru Outback Trim Levels
Base, Limited, Limited XT, Onyx Edition, Onyx Edition XT, Premium, Touring, Touring XT, Wilderness
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):
4.49 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
TOP SAFETY PICK
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:
178 foot-lbs @ 3700 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
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple Car Play:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple Car Play:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Safety Equipment
Blind Spot Monitoring:
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
Safety Equipment
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
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:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/65R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/65R17