2019 Volvo XC40 vs 2019 Kia Sorento

The 2019 Volvo XC40 stood out with its distinctive styling, borrowing elements from its larger sibling, the XC90, resulting in an upright appearance. This design provided a more SUV-like feel compared to competitors like the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class and BMW X2, which had more hatchback-like designs. The XC40's upright driving position offered ample head- and legroom, making it comfortable for both driver and passengers. The Momentum trim, despite being the base model, came well-equipped with features like 18-inch wheels, LED signature headlights, and a 9-inch Sensus touchscreen infotainment display. The R-Design trim added sporty elements, while the Inscription trim featured luxurious touches like a panoramic sunroof and driftwood door inlays.

In contrast, the 2019 Kia Sorento received a styling update with revised front and rear bumpers, a new grille, and redesigned headlights and taillights. The SX Limited trim, which was the top-tier model, featured premium touches like Nappa leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof. The Sorento's interior updates included a new steering wheel, shift knob, and minor trim changes. However, the use of inexpensive plastic surfaces in the higher trims was a drawback. Despite this, the Sorento's headliner and windshield pillars were covered in a pleasing fabric, and the metallic accents complemented the piano black trim.

The 2019 Volvo XC40 was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine, producing 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The XC40 offered brisk acceleration, well-weighted steering, and responsive handling. It featured multiple drive modes, including Comfort, Eco, Dynamic, Off-Road, and Individual, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience. Fuel economy was estimated at 23 mpg city, 31 highway, and 26 combined, though real-world testing showed 21 mpg.

The 2019 Kia Sorento, on the other hand, offered two engine options: a standard 185-horsepower, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and an available 290-horsepower, 3.3-liter V6. The V6 engine provided smooth power delivery and quick acceleration, paired with a new 8-speed automatic transmission. The Sorento featured Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with AWD available as an option. During testing, the Sorento returned 20.7 mpg, close to the EPA rating of 21 mpg combined. The Sorento's handling was surprisingly athletic, with impressive road grip and a solid, quiet ride. However, the suspension could feel bouncy on uneven pavement, and the brake pedal was sometimes grabby.

The 2019 Volvo XC40 made excellent use of its space, offering plenty of front-seat head- and legroom. The center console featured a removable trash bin and a wireless charging pad. The backseat provided ample leg-, head-, and shoulder room, with smart storage trays for passengers. The hands-free power liftgate worked efficiently, revealing a decent-size load floor with additional storage below. The rear seats could be easily dropped with spring-loaded toggles, expanding the cargo space to 57.5 cubic feet.

The 2019 Kia Sorento, a 3-row, 7-passenger SUV, had a third-row seat that was best suited for emergency use due to its difficult access and lack of cushion support. As a 5-passenger SUV, the Sorento offered 38 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row folded, expanding to 73 cubic feet with the second row down. The SX Limited trim featured premium Nappa leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated seats, and a panoramic sunroof. Front-seat comfort was good, but rear-seat comfort was less impressive due to tight legroom and a flat bottom cushion.

The 2019 Volvo XC40 featured a large portrait-oriented touchscreen in the center of the dash, housing almost all vehicle controls. The Sensus system, while initially confusing, was easy to use once set up, with large fonts and a home button for easy navigation. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto worked seamlessly, and the available Multimedia Package added a navigation system and a 15-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. However, accessing heated seat and steering wheel controls required multiple steps, which could be inconvenient.

The 2019 Kia Sorento offered three infotainment systems depending on the trim level. The base UVO play system included a 7-inch touchscreen, reversing camera, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The UVO eServices system, available on higher trims, added a 5-year service plan with safety features, Bluetooth music streaming, and Sirius XM satellite radio. The top-tier UVO eServices with Navigation system featured an 8-inch touchscreen, SiriusXM traffic data, and HD Radio. The SX and SX Limited trims included a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, a wireless charging tray, and a 360-degree surround-view camera system.

The 2019 Volvo XC40 came standard with a comprehensive array of safety features, including multiple airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, whiplash protection, road-sign information updates, and a rear-collision warning system. The City Safe automatic braking system could detect cars, pedestrians, and large animals. The optional Vision Package added blind-spot detection, cross-traffic alert, and Pilot Assist, a semi-autonomous driving system. The Advanced Package included a 360-degree camera, LED foglights, and automatically bending headlights. However, the XC40's large C-pillars created significant blind spots, and the confusing shifter design posed safety concerns.

The 2019 Kia Sorento offered a range of safety features, with most trims including blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The EX trim and above added adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, 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 higher trims. The Sorento received top safety ratings from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).