Kia Sorento vs. Toyota Highlander Hybrid
In comparing the Kia Sorento to the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, the Kia Sorento has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing and typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Kia Sorento versus the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a better car than the Kia Sorento.
Kia Sorento versus Toyota Highlander Hybrid Pricing
A one- to five-year-old used Kia Sorento ranges from $19,995 to $33,965 while a used Toyota Highlander Hybrid from the same model year range is priced between $33,999 to $48,998. For a new model, the Kia Sorento's price is between $31,655 and $46,556, with the Toyota Highlander Hybrid priced between $42,400 and $55,476.
Kia Sorento versus Toyota Highlander Hybrid Quality Rating
The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Kia Sorento is 7.8 out of 10 while the Toyota Highlander Hybrid's quality rating is 9.2 out of 10. This results in the Kia Sorento being ranked 14 out of 25 Best Midsize SUVs and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid being ranked 1 out of 21 Best Hybrid SUVs.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison
For engine performance, the Kia Sorento’s base engine makes 191 horsepower, and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid base engine makes 243 horsepower. The Sorento is rated to deliver an average of 26 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 513 miles. The Highlander Hybrid is rated to deliver an average of 36 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 599 miles. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison
While both models are crossover/midsize SUVs, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid has the advantage of offering more front head room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, and trunk space. The Kia Sorento, a crossover/midsize SUV, has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room and rear leg room.
Hauling, Towing, and Off-Road Capabilities Comparison
The Kia Sorento has the advantage of offering higher payload capacity, while the Toyota Highlander Hybrid has the advantage of offering higher ground clearance.
Safety Ratings Comparison
When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Kia Sorento and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars. When comparing IIHS evaluations, the Kia Sorento has the advantage with a 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:
$42,400 - $55,476
Used Asking Price:
$33,999 - $48,998
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
43.1%
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:
9.2 / 10
Reliability:
9.2 / 10
Retained Value:
8.3 / 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 / 21Ranking
1 out of / 21Ranking
1 out of / 21Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
17 out of / 21Summary 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 Hybrid is the hybrid version of the Toyota Highlander, which 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
- Full suite of standard safety features
- Poorly-rated headlights on L, LE, and XLE trims
- Third row legroom less than competition
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Hybrid
Trim Levels
LX, EX, X-Line EX, SX, SX Prestige, X-Line SX Prestige, S, X-Line S
Trim Levels
Limited, Bronze Edition, LE, Platinum, XLE
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:
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:
243 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
Not yet available
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.056 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:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined MPG):
36 / 35 / 36
Range (city/hwy):
616 / 599 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:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
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:
4330 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
