Subaru Ascent vs. Kia Sorento
When comparing the Subaru Ascent to the Kia Sorento, the Subaru Ascent has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and base engine power. 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. Based on this comparison of the Subaru Ascent versus the Kia Sorento, the Kia Sorento is a better car than the Subaru Ascent.
Subaru Ascent versus Kia Sorento Pricing
A used 2023 Subaru Ascent ranges from $38,425 to $50,509 while a used 2023 Kia Sorento is priced between $31,218 to $45,886. For a new model, the Subaru Ascent's price is between $39,179 and $50,827, with the Kia Sorento priced between $31,921 and $46,338.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison
For engine performance, the Subaru Ascent’s base engine makes 260 horsepower, and the Kia Sorento base engine makes 191 horsepower. The Ascent is rated to deliver an average of 22 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 502 miles. The Sorento is rated to deliver an average of 26 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 513 miles. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison
While both models are crossover/midsize SUVs, the Subaru Ascent has the advantage of offering more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, and trunk space. The Kia Sorento has the advantage in the area of rear leg room.
Hauling, Towing, and Off-Road Capabilities Comparison
The Subaru Ascent has the advantage of offering higher ground clearance, while the Kia Sorento has the advantage of offering higher payload capacity.
Safety Ratings Comparison
When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Subaru Ascent and the Kia Sorento have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
Pricing
New Asking Price:
$39,179 - $50,827
Used Asking Price:
$38,425 - $50,509
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
40.5%
Pricing
New Asking Price:
$31,921 - $46,338
Used Asking Price:
$31,218 - $45,886
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
48.5%
iSeeCars Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.9 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.8 / 10
Reliability:
7.8 / 10
Retained Value:
6.7 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Rankings
Midsize SUVs with Best Resale Value
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4 out of / 25SUVs with 3 Rows with Best Resale Value
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5 out of / 31Ranking
8 out of / 25Ranking
9 out of / 31Ranking
13 out of / 25Crossover SUVs with Best Resale Value
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16 out of / 61Ranking
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16 out of / 31Ranking
49 out of / 61iSeeCars Rankings
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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
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18 out of / 31Midsize SUVs with Best Resale Value
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18 out of / 25Ranking
18 out of / 21Ranking
19 out of / 25Ranking
22 out of / 28SUVs with 3 Rows with Best Resale Value
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24 out of / 31Ranking
26 out of / 61Ranking
31 out of / 61Ranking
39 out of / 61Crossover SUVs with Best Resale Value
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53 out of / 61Summary Review
The Subaru Ascent joined the crossover SUV lineup at Subaru in 2018. It quickly earned the praise of reviewers.
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.
Pros and Cons
- Excellent on-road and off-road capability
- Seven or eight-seat configurations available
- Class-leading diver-assist technology
- Below-average reliability scores (unusual for a Subaru)
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
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Trim Levels
Base, Limited 7-Passenger, Limited 8-Passenger, Onyx Edition, Onyx Edition Limited, Premium 7-Passenger, Premium 8-Passenger, Touring
Trim Levels
EX, LX, S, SX, SX Prestige, X-Line EX, X-Line S, X-Line SX Prestige
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 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:
260 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque:
277 foot-lbs @ 2000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.059 hp per pound
Towing Capacity:
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
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.4 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):
20 / 26 / 22
Range (city/hwy):
386 / 502 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
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
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
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
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:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
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
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
41.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
61.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
40 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
60.3 inches
Cargo Space:
17.8 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
75.6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
171.0 cubic feet
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
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4421 lbs
Width:
85.7 inches
Height:
71.6 inches
Length:
196.8 inches
Wheelbase:
113.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.7 inches
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
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/60R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
alloy
Tire Size:
235/65R17
