2019 Kia Sorento vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2019 Kia Sorento was an attractive SUV; Kia upgraded its look by adding revised front and rear bumpers, a new grille, new headlights and taillights, and redesigned aluminum wheel options. My test vehicle was the SX Limited trim, which included premium details like Nappa leather upholstery. The trim ladder began with the Sorento L at $25,990, plus a destination charge of $990, moving up through LX, EX, and SX to the SX Limited with a base price of $44,690, excluding the destination charge. The Sorento EX trim, priced at $35,590 plus destination, was the most popular due to features like a robust V6 engine, nicer wheels, and leather seats.

Inside, the Sorento’s changes were subtler. Updates included a new steering wheel, shift knob, instrumentation, and minor trim adjustments. New leather color options featured Mahogany and Terracotta. Despite the appealing upper trims, the lower dashboard and door panels still had shiny and slippery plastic surfaces, which felt out of place for a near-$50,000 vehicle. Efforts like a fabric-covered headliner and windshield pillars, premium Nappa leather upholstery, and metallic accents on the SX Limited trim were notable, but didn’t fully disguise the cheaper materials present in some areas.

In contrast, the 2020 Honda CR-V's exterior design, by its fifth year, had become familiar and felt more station wagon-like than SUV-like, resembling Honda's sedan lineup in its front and rear fascias. The CR-V’s curvy, car-like lines rendered it a soft and approachable family vehicle. Inside, the interior quality varied significantly. While wood-look trim and leather upholstery added a touch of luxury in higher trims, there were notable clashes with low-quality plastics that reminded one that a high-end CR-V was still a step up from a basic model.

Starting at an MSRP of $26,270 for the FWD base LX trim, the CR-V's trim levels included the LX, EX ($28,720), EX-L ($31,270), and the top-tier Touring ($24,470). Alloy wheels ranged from 17-inch to 19-inch options depending on trim, and roof rails were reserved for the Touring model. The CR-V aimed for a car-like driving experience and, while visually appealing, it lacked significant standout luxury touches, making it feel mainstream yet stylish within its class.

For 2019, Kia removed the turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine from the Sorento lineup, retaining the base 185-horsepower, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine for the L and LX trims and the more potent 290-horsepower, 3.3-liter V6, which was optional for the LX and standard starting from the EX trim. The V6 engine offered smooth power delivery, connected to the front wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. Drivers could toggle between Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with the latter adapting to driving styles and situations.

All-wheel-drive (AWD) was a $1,800 option that included a Lock mode for more challenging conditions. The AWD system featured Torque Vectoring Cornering Control (TVCC) to improve handling. During testing, the Sorento SX Limited returned 20.7 mpg, close to its EPA rating of 21 mpg combined. Handling was unexpectedly athletic, the meaty 19-inch wheels and road-hugging grip adding to the SUV’s robust steering feel. This SUV’s suspension provided responsive handling without becoming harsh, although pavement undulations resulted in some bouncy behavior. With a minimum ground clearance of 7.3 inches, the Sorento could handle light off-roading, though ground clearance constraints remained.

The 2020 Honda CR-V simplified its powertrain lineup, replacing the previous base engine with the 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder found in higher trims. This engine produced 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Although some CVTs were criticized for sluggish response, the CR-V’s transmission managed to simulate conventional automatic shifts effectively. In Sport mode, the CR-V felt quick and agile, although initial acceleration could be slightly delayed.

With car-like driving characteristics, the CR-V provided nimble handling and a firm yet comfortable ride. Weighing just 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model, the CR-V’s low curb weight contributed to its agile handling and class-leading fuel economy. The EPA rated FWD CR-V models at 30 mpg combined, with AWD versions at 29 mpg, a significant 2-mpg improvement over the previous year's model with the 2.4-liter engine. The CR-V Hybrid offered an even more fuel-efficient alternative, competing with hybrid models from Toyota and Ford.

The 2019 Kia Sorento was technically a 3-row, 7-passenger SUV, though the third-row seat was best suited for emergency use only. Entering and exiting the third-row seat was challenging, even for children, and lacked bottom cushion support. Rear head restraints were nearly flush against the rear window, placing passengers close to the rear collision zone. As a 5-passenger SUV, the Sorento was more practical, with cargo space of 11.3 cubic feet expanding to 38 cubic feet with the third-row folded, and up to 73 cubic feet with the second row down. In comparison, these figures were on par with compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, and Toyota RAV4.

Luxury options in the Sorento included Nappa leather upholstery, a 14-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, an 8-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof. Front-seat comfort was commendable, but the rear seats offered limited legroom and even less thigh support. My test vehicle featured rear air-conditioning vents, sunshades, and multiple power sources to keep occupants comfortable.

The 2020 Honda CR-V benefited from Honda’s proficiency in maximizing space. Despite its compact size, the CR-V’s cabin was exceptionally roomy, rivaling larger vehicles like the Volkswagen Tiguan in head- and legroom. A low cowl and excellent front visibility enhanced the seating position for both the driver and passengers. Cargo capacity reached 75.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and a smart two-position load floor increased flexibility by offering more room above the spare tire compartment for dirty or wet items. Storage solutions in the CR-V abounded, including a deep center console bin and large door pockets, making it easy to manage daily essentials.

Depending on the trim, the 2019 Kia Sorento offered three different infotainment systems. The base UVO Play system featured a 7-inch touchscreen, a reversing camera, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto for the L and LX trims. UVO eServices came with the EX trim, adding a 5-year service plan, Bluetooth music streaming, satellite radio, and a CD player. The SX and SX Limited trims included UVO eServices with Navigation, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen, SiriusXM traffic data, HD Radio, and a Harman Kardon audio system with Clari-Fi and Quantum Logic surround sound. The top trims also offered a wireless charging tray and a 360-degree surround-view camera system.

The 2020 Honda CR-V’s infotainment was less impressive. The base LX trim featured a 5-inch screen with minimal functionality, mainly Bluetooth connectivity and Pandora compatibility. Higher trims had a 7-inch touchscreen, which felt small compared to competitors. Honda’s infotainment system lacked hard buttons, making operation cumbersome. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were only available on higher trims, and the built-in navigation system was exclusive to the Touring model. However, Honda did provide ample USB ports and a wireless phone charger in the Touring trim.

For those prioritizing safety, the 2019 Kia Sorento excelled. Most trims, except the base L, included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The EX trim added adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and a driver-attention monitoring system. These advanced safety features helped the Sorento earn top marks from both the NHTSA and IIHS.

The 2020 Honda CR-V also emphasized safety, with the Honda Sensing system standard across all trims. This package included forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, road-departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert. The CR-V received a five-star rating from the NHTSA in overall testing and earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, although lower trims were penalized for having inferior headlights compared to the LED headlights on the Touring model.