2019 Kia Sorento vs 2019 Subaru Ascent

The 2019 Subaru Ascent marked a significant departure from Subaru's previous attempt at a 3-row SUV, the B9 Tribeca. Unlike the Tribeca, which suffered from minimal cargo space, poor fuel economy, and an almost nonexistent third row, the Ascent was a full and honest effort. It featured big, bold styling, ample cargo and passenger space, and the latest infotainment and driver-assistance technologies. With a wheelbase of 113.8 inches, it was the largest Subaru passenger vehicle ever built, resembling a scaled-up Subaru Forester on the outside but feeling more like an extra-large Subaru Outback on the inside. The cabin offered plenty of space with options for either a 7-passenger layout with second-row captain’s chairs or an 8-passenger layout with a second-row bench.

The Ascent came in four trims: Base, Premium, Limited, and Touring. Even the Base trim was well-equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity, 4 USB ports, and 19 cupholders. The Premium trim added features like a windshield de-icer, an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Limited trim, which was tested, included 20-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, leather seating, and a host of driver-assistance features. The top-tier Touring trim added even more luxury with ventilated front seats, woodgrain interior accents, and a 180-degree front-view camera.

The 2019 Kia Sorento received a styling refresh that included revised front and rear bumpers, a new grille, new headlights and taillights, and redesigned aluminum wheel choices. These updates were well-received, making the Sorento an attractive SUV. The SX Limited trim, which was tested, sat at the top of a trim ladder that started with the Sorento L at $25,990. The most popular version was the Sorento EX, which included a robust V6 engine, leather seats, and most of the safety technologies. Inside, the Sorento featured a new steering wheel, shift knob, and updated instrumentation. The SX Limited trim boasted premium Nappa leather upholstery, a 14-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a panoramic sunroof.

Despite its attractive interior, the Sorento's third-row seat was best suited for emergency use due to its difficult access and lack of cushion support. However, as a 5-passenger SUV, it offered a useful 38 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 73 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded down. The SX Limited trim also included heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and rear air-conditioning vents, making it a luxurious choice for families.

The 2019 Subaru Ascent featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Subaru’s standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. The CVT included a manual tap-shift function with simulated “gears,” providing plenty of pickup for both city and highway driving. The Ascent offered precise cornering with minimal body roll and 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making it capable of handling various terrains. It also boasted a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds with the tow-prep package. Fuel economy for the Ascent was 21 mpg city, 27 highway, and 23 combined, with the Limited trim returning 22.7 mpg in mixed driving.

The 2019 Kia Sorento dropped its turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine but retained the standard 185-horsepower, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine for the L and LX trims, and the available 290-horsepower, 3.3-liter V6 for higher trims. The V6 engine provided quick acceleration and was paired with a new 8-speed automatic transmission. Drivers could choose between Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart driving modes. All-wheel drive (AWD) was optional and included Torque Vectoring Cornering Control (TVCC) for improved handling. The Sorento SX Limited returned 20.7 mpg in testing, close to its EPA rating of 21 mpg combined. The Sorento offered a solid and silent ride, with responsive handling and a robust feel on the road. However, its ground clearance was only 7.3 inches, limiting its off-road capabilities.

The 2019 Subaru Ascent provided ample legroom and headroom in the first and second rows, while the third row was tighter for full-size adults. The third row was best suited for children or could be folded down to increase cargo space. The Ascent offered 47 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row down, expanding to 86 cubic feet with all rear seats folded, surpassing competitors like the Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander. The Ascent also featured 19 cupholders, making it highly practical for road trips.

The 2019 Kia Sorento, while technically a 3-row, 7-passenger SUV, had a third-row seat that was difficult to access and lacked cushion support. It was better used as a 5-passenger SUV, offering 38 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row folded and 73 cubic feet with the second row down. The Sorento's interior featured premium Nappa leather upholstery, a 14-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a panoramic sunroof in the SX Limited trim. Front-seat comfort was good, but rear-seat comfort was less impressive due to tight legroom and a flat bottom cushion. The Sorento also included rear air-conditioning vents, rear side-window sun shades, and multiple power sources.

The 2019 Subaru Ascent came standard with Subaru’s StarLink infotainment system. The base trim featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while higher trims had an 8-inch touchscreen. The system included easy-to-follow menus, physical buttons for essential functions, and real dials for volume and tuning. The Limited trim tested included the optional Technology Package, adding a Harman Kardon premium stereo, panoramic moonroof, navigation, and real-time traffic and weather updates.

The 2019 Kia Sorento offered three infotainment systems depending on the trim level. The base L and LX trims featured UVO play with a 7-inch touchscreen, reversing camera, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The EX trim added UVO eServices with a 5-year service plan, Bluetooth music streaming, Sirius XM satellite radio, and a CD player. The SX and SX Limited trims included UVO eServices with Navigation, an 8-inch touchscreen, SiriusXM traffic data, HD Radio, and a wireless charging tray. The top eServices system also featured a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system with Clari-Fi and Quantum Logic surround sound. A 360-degree surround-view camera system was optional for the SX trim and standard for the SX Limited.

The 2019 Subaru Ascent came standard with a full array of front- and side-impact airbags, vehicle dynamics control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assist technology was also standard on all trims, including pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. Higher trims added blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, and reverse automatic emergency braking. The Ascent was backed by a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The 2019 Kia Sorento included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert on all trims except the base L. The EX trim added adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and UVO eServices safety features. New for 2019, lane-keeping assist and a driver-attention-monitoring system were standard on the EX, SX, and SX Limited trims. The Sorento received top safety ratings from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).