2020 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Kia Sorento

The 2020 Ford Explorer boasted a sophisticated and athletic design, distancing itself from the more utilitarian looks of its predecessors. It shed excess weight from its body panels, giving it a more chiseled and aerodynamic appearance. The widened headlights, an extra-large grille, and the distinctive "Explorer" lettering on the hood made it instantly recognizable. The ST version impressed with its stylish black 21-inch rims, blacked-out trim, red brake calipers, and quad exhaust pipes. This design elevated the Explorer’s road presence, making it visually captivating.

However, the interior left much to be desired. The materials felt subpar for a vehicle with a price tag that could reach $60,000. The so-called leather often resembled low-grade vinyl, and the abundance of rough, hard plastic gave it a less-than-premium feel. Even though some elements like aluminum speaker covers and white stitching attempted to break the monotony, the overall interior quality did not match the vehicle's price point.

In contrast, the 2021 Kia Sorento took a significant leap forward in design compared to its predecessor. It shed the jelly-bean-inspired looks for a more muscular and athletic silhouette. The SX Prestige trim with the X-Line package featured roof rails and a shark fin antenna, adding to the crossover's rugged appeal. The Sorento’s tiger-nose grille expanded and curved seamlessly with the front fascia, whereas the stylish rectangular taillights contributed to a cohesive and modern rear design.

Inside, the Sorento excelled with its high-value, desirable features. All models came with heated outside mirrors, second-row air vents, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and keyless entry. The upper trims offered more luxurious touches, like real perforated leather in the SX Prestige, which felt supple and comfortable. Although the front passenger seat had limited adjustability on lower trims, the overall comfort and interior quality outshone many competitors, including the more expensive 2020 Ford Explorer.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered a superior driving experience with its focus on performance. The vehicle utilized a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) chassis, improving weight distribution compared to the previous front-wheel-drive (FWD) models. The Ford Performance team fine-tuned the ST trim's suspension and steering, making it agile and responsive despite lacking adaptive dampers.

The ST trim came equipped with an exhilarating 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. This powerful combination, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, delivered smooth, addictive performance. For those not opting for the ST, the base models featured a strong 2.3-liter turbo inline-four engine, generating 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Ford also offered a hybrid variant but with minimal fuel efficiency gains, it was less appealing.

Conversely, the 2021 Kia Sorento provided a variety of powertrains, with our test vehicle featuring the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Delivering 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, this engine was mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). The Sorento's AWD system, coupled with the X-Line package, ensured outstanding traction and added ride height for better off-road capabilities. The suspension setup, characterized by McPherson struts at the front and a multi-link rear, facilitated a comfortable and composed ride, even with 20-inch wheels.

The Sorento’s multiple drive modes offered genuine versatility, adapting the car's performance to different driving conditions. While the non-turbocharged 2.5-liter engine provided average performance with 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, the turbocharged version substantially enhanced driving dynamics, making it a standout performer in its class.

The 2020 Ford Explorer shone with its roomy interior, especially suited for long journeys. The second-row seats offered luxurious amenities such as air vents, USB ports, a center console, and a panoramic moonroof. Despite the third row being best for short trips, it could accommodate six-foot-tall adults without much discomfort. However, the cargo space trade-off was evident, with only 18 cubic feet behind the third row compared to 21 cubic feet in the previous model. Nevertheless, with the second and third rows folded, the Explorer provided a significant 88 cubic feet of cargo space.

The 2021 Kia Sorento, while being a three-row SUV, was better considered a four-seater in its higher trims due to the tightness of the third row. The captain's chairs in the second row were notably comfortable, and the front and second rows offered ample legroom—41.4 inches and 41.7 inches, respectively. However, cargo space behind the third row was limited to 12.6 cubic feet. The total cargo volume, with all seats folded, measured 75.5 cubic feet, falling short compared to the Explorer but still decent for a midsize crossover.

The 2020 Ford Explorer was well-equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen featuring Sync 3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi. The Premium Technology Package, available on ST and Platinum trims, included a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. However, these digital enhancements felt incomplete, lacking customization and innovative features. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ offered semi-automated driving, but it underperformed compared to competitors.

Kia's tech offering in the 2021 Sorento was strong but had some quirks. The lower trims came with an 8-inch touchscreen supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while higher trims featured a 10.25-inch screen that required a wired connection. Although the larger screen was visually appealing, it had usability issues, such as redundant display sections. The Sorento provided ample USB ports but lacked USB-C connections. The optional Bose stereo system was underwhelming, and the navigation system needed improvements. Overall, while both SUVs provided substantial tech features, the execution in the Sorento was more seamless and user-friendly.

The 2020 Ford Explorer's standard safety features included forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ added advanced features like adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking. However, the latter sometimes triggered falsely, causing unnecessary stress. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated it Acceptable in the small overlap test on the driver's side, which was slightly disappointing for a new model.

On the flip side, the 2021 Kia Sorento came packed with an array of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, and driver-attention warning. The adaptive cruise control worked smoothly, making long drives more comfortable. The Sorento earned high safety ratings, receiving a 4-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, although the lower trims’ LED reflector headlights received poor ratings.