Kia Sorento vs. Toyota Highlander
When comparing the Kia Sorento to the Toyota Highlander, 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 Toyota Highlander 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 Toyota Highlander, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Kia Sorento versus Toyota Highlander Pricing
A one- to five-year-old used Kia Sorento ranges from $19,995 to $33,965 while a used Toyota Highlander from the same model year range is priced between $28,612 to $41,579. For a new model, the Kia Sorento's price is between $31,655 and $46,556, with the Toyota Highlander priced between $39,983 and $52,437.
Kia Sorento versus Toyota Highlander Quality Rating
The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Kia Sorento is 7.8 out of 10 while the Toyota Highlander's quality rating is 8.9 out of 10. This results in the Kia Sorento being ranked 14 out of 25 Best Midsize SUVs and the Toyota Highlander being ranked 1 out of 25. Out of 15 Best Midsize SUVs for the Money, the Kia Sorento is ranked 15 and the Toyota Highlander is ranked 1. The Kia Sorento is also ranked 18 out of 31 Best SUVs with 3 Rows while the Toyota Highlander is ranked 2 out of 31. The Kia Sorento is also ranked 18 out of 21 Best SUVs with 3 Rows for the Money while the Toyota Highlander is ranked 2 out of 21. The Kia Sorento is also ranked 22 out of 28 Best Crossover SUVs for the Money while the Toyota Highlander is ranked 1 out of 28. The Kia Sorento is also ranked 26 out of 61 Best Crossover SUVs while the Toyota Highlander is ranked 1 out of 61.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison
For engine performance, the Kia Sorento’s base engine makes 191 horsepower, and the Toyota Highlander base engine makes 265 horsepower. The Sorento is rated to deliver an average of 26 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 513 miles. The Highlander is rated to deliver an average of 25 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 519 miles. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison
While both models are crossover/midsize SUVs, the Toyota Highlander has the advantage of offering more front head room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, and trunk space. The Kia Sorento has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room and rear leg room.
Hauling, Towing, and Off-Road Capabilities Comparison
The Toyota Highlander has the advantage of offering higher ground clearance and payload capacity than the Kia Sorento.
Safety Ratings Comparison
When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Kia Sorento and the Toyota Highlander have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars. When comparing IIHS evaluations, the Toyota Highlander has the better rating with a Top Safety Pick+ award compared to the Kia Sorento’s Top Safety Pick award.
Pricing
New Asking Price:
$31,655 - $46,556
Used Asking Price:
$19,995 - $33,965
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
48.5%
Pricing
New Asking Price:
$39,983 - $52,437
Used Asking Price:
$28,612 - $41,579
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
38.1%
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:
8.9 / 10
Reliability:
8.5 / 10
Retained Value:
8.2 / 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 / 31Ranking
18 out of / 21Ranking
19 out of / 25Ranking
22 out of / 28Ranking
26 out of / 61Ranking
31 out of / 61Ranking
39 out of / 61iSeeCars Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 61Ranking
1 out of / 61Ranking
1 out of / 31Ranking
1 out of / 28Ranking
1 out of / 25Ranking
1 out of / 25Ranking
1 out of / 15Ranking
2 out of / 61Ranking
2 out of / 31Ranking
2 out of / 21Ranking
3 out of / 25Ranking
5 out of / 25Ranking
7 out of / 31Ranking
9 out of / 31Ranking
41 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 Toyota Highlander is among the best-selling, top-rated SUVs in the 3-row segment.
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
- Class-leading fuel economy
- No disappointing base engine
- Legendary reliability
- Poorly-rated headlights on L, LE, and XLE trims
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Trim Levels
LX, EX, X-Line EX, SX, SX Prestige, X-Line SX Prestige, S, X-Line S
Trim Levels
LE, XLE, Limited, Platinum, L, XSE
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:
2 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 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:
TOP SAFETY PICK +
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:
265 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
310 foot-lbs @ 1700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.064 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:
2.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined MPG):
22 / 29 / 25
Range (city/hwy):
394 / 519 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:
Standard
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:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
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:
41.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
42 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
59 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38.7 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
58.7 inches
Cargo Space:
16 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
84.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
157.8 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:
4155 lbs
Width:
76 inches
Height:
68.1 inches
Length:
194.9 inches
Wheelbase:
112.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
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:
painted alloy
Tire Size:
P235/65R18
