2020 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2021 Kia Sorento

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover was a testament to luxury and ruggedness, a combination that had defined the brand since its inception. Originating from the rugged Series I off-roader, the Range Rover evolved into a luxury SUV with stout 4x4 underpinnings, appealing to wealthy British landowners. By 2012, the current-generation Range Rover was introduced, offering various trims like HSE, Autobiography, and SVAutobiography Dynamic, available in both Standard Wheelbase (SWB) and Long Wheelbase (LWB) configurations. Standard features included leather seating, heated front seats, tri-zone climate control, and a panoramic sunroof, while higher trims added more luxurious options like massaging seats and a rear-seat entertainment system.

In contrast, the 2021 Kia Sorento marked a significant design evolution from its predecessor, shedding its jelly-bean-inspired styling for a more athletic and muscular silhouette. The SX Prestige trim with the X-Line package featured roof rails and a shark fin antenna, enhancing its sporty appearance. The Sorento's interior boasted high-value features like heated outside mirrors, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. While the base LX trim offered basic seating adjustments, higher trims provided more comfort with 10-way adjustable seats. The Sorento's exterior visibility was excellent, thanks to its large windows and panoramic sunroof, making it a practical choice for long road trips.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover offered a diverse range of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, producing 355 horsepower and 365 lb-ft of torque. The HSE trim featured a non-hybrid version of the same engine, delivering 395 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. A turbodiesel V6 engine was also available, rated at 254 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. The P525 and Autobiography trims came with a supercharged 5.0-liter V8, generating 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. The SV Autobiography Dynamic, the performance variant, boasted a 5.0-liter V8 tuned to 557 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, providing a comfortable ride with electronic air suspension and automatic load leveling.

The 2021 Kia Sorento, on the other hand, offered a smaller range of powertrains. The base engine was a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder, producing 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. However, the test car featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission with all-wheel drive. The Sorento's AWD system included torque vectoring and a center-locking differential for improved traction. The suspension setup provided a smooth ride, and various drive modes allowed for different driving experiences. Despite its weight, the Sorento handled corners well, offering a comfortable and stable ride.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover offered two wheelbase options, SWB and LWB, with standard seating for five. The LWB version provided more cargo space, with 77.5 cubic feet of total cargo space and 34.5 cubic feet with the rear seats up. The SWB version had 70.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. The Range Rover's interior featured a hands-free power liftgate with a unique two-piece configuration, making it easier to load large items. The center-console compartment was convenient, and the digital control panel allowed for additional storage space.

The 2021 Kia Sorento, a three-row SUV, was best suited as a four-seater in its top trims, with second-row captain's chairs providing comfort. The third row was tight for adults, and the cargo space behind it was limited to 12.6 cubic feet. However, with the third row folded, the Sorento offered 75.5 cubic feet of total cargo space. The interior featured ample legroom in the front and second rows, with convenient storage options like a wireless charging spot and cupholders. The Sorento's cargo volume was more in line with compact crossovers, making it a practical choice for smaller families.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo system, consisting of two touchscreens. The top screen handled navigation, phone, and stereo functions, while the lower screen managed climate controls and vehicle settings. The system's integrated dials changed functions based on the selected menu, offering a unique user experience. The Range Rover also came with a fully digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display, providing a modern and customizable interface.

The 2021 Kia Sorento offered a smaller 8-inch touchscreen display on lower trims, with hard buttons and knobs for easy navigation. The larger 10.25-inch screen on higher trims featured haptic touch buttons and required a physical connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sorento included plenty of USB ports, although no USB-C ports, and an optional Bose stereo system. The navigation system needed improvement, but most drivers relied on smartphone integration for navigation.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover came with standard safety features like low-speed automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and front-and-rear parking sensors. Optional features included a 360-degree parking camera, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. While the Range Rover offered a solid list of safety features, some competitors provided more standard equipment.

The 2021 Kia Sorento boasted a comprehensive array of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, and auto high beams. The test car featured a surround-view camera and adaptive cruise control, enhancing safety and convenience. The Sorento received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, making it a safe choice for families.