2022 Kia Sorento vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport had been eagerly anticipated as a smaller sibling to the iconic Bronco. It featured a modern retro design reminiscent of the Land Rover lineup, with short front and rear overhangs, tall fender wells, and a tucked-in body for trail driving. The vehicle's exterior was marked by bold white "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, with a modest Ford blue oval badge on the tailgate. The wheels varied by model, from 17-inch Sparkle Silver on the Base model to 18-inch Ebony Black-painted wheels on the Outer Banks and Badlands models. The interior was rugged yet tasteful, with an uncluttered design, unique HVAC vent shapes, and an 8-inch infotainment screen. Interior trim ranged from cloth seats to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats, with practical storage solutions throughout.

The 2022 Kia Sorento, especially with the X-Line package, exuded a rugged and stylish presence. The X-Line treatment added rugged bumpers, matte-finish wheels, black lower body cladding, a lifted suspension, and robust roof rails. The test vehicle featured extra-cost Wolf Gray paint and Rust-colored leather, with a total MSRP of $45,310. The base LX trim started at $29,590, with the option to add various features and packages. The Sorento's cabin was luxurious, with leather upholstery, simulated wood trim, and rock-solid construction. The second-row captain's chairs were designed for kids, with cupholders, USB charging ports, and rear air conditioning vents. However, the third-row seat was cramped and better suited for occasional use. The cargo space expanded from 12.6 cubic feet to 75.5 cubic feet with the seats folded down, and the "smart" power tailgate made loading easier.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims featured a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands and First Edition models came with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 245 hp and 275 lb-ft. All models had an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD), with a terrain management system offering up to seven G.O.A.T. modes. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and generous ground clearance. On-road, it was a capable commuter and family hauler, with the 2.0-liter engine providing a better match for its character.

The 2022 Kia Sorento's standard engine was a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder, which took nearly 9.5 seconds to reach 60 mph. The more satisfying turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, available from the EX trim, generated 281 hp and 311 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission, powering the front wheels or an optional torque-vectoring AWD system. The turbo Sorento could accelerate to 60 mph in about 7.5 seconds. The Sorento's suspension provided an excellent blend of compliance and composure, making it feel more like a sports sedan than an SUV. The X-Line package raised ground clearance to 8.2 inches, but the Sorento was best suited for light off-roading. The EPA estimated fuel economy at 24 mpg combined, but real-world testing showed an average of around 20.7 mpg.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with features like cargo space designed to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes and a catalog of over 100 accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could hold up to 150 pounds, and the 2.0-liter engine could tow up to 2,200 pounds. The cargo hold featured a flip-up rear glass, a slide-out work table, a 400-watt inverter, and liftgate floodlamps. The front cabin had ample storage compartments, but taller drivers might find outward visibility challenging due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2022 Kia Sorento's interior felt luxurious, with Rust-colored leather seats and a 14-way power driver's seat with thigh support extension. The second-row captain's chairs were heated and designed for kids, with various storage solutions and a panoramic sunroof. The third-row seat was cramped and better suited for occasional use. The cargo space expanded from 12.6 cubic feet to 75.5 cubic feet with the seats folded down, and the "smart" power tailgate made loading easier.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Ford+Alexa, and SiriusXM capability. FordConnect with 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was standard. The base audio system had six speakers, with a Bang & Olufsen sound system available on higher trims. The terrain management system offered up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, and trail control technology provided cruise-control-like assistance for off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was included on all trims except the Base model, and higher trims had heated and leather-wrapped steering wheels and a 6.5-inch digital instrument panel.

The 2022 Kia Sorento's base LX trim had an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while higher trims featured a 10.25-inch display with navigation, satellite radio, Kia Connect services, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system was intuitive but had a unique font style and color scheme. The SX Prestige X-Line had a 12-speaker Bose premium surround-sound system and wireless smartphone charging starting with EX trim.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including pre-collision assist, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, auto high-beam headlamps, and a reversing camera. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, navigation, and road-sign recognition. AWD and a terrain management system with G.O.A.T. modes were standard on all models. Crash-worthiness ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not yet available.

The 2022 Kia Sorento featured Kia Drive Wise, with varying contents depending on the trim level. The test vehicle had a rear-seat reminder system, Junction Assist, Blind View Monitor, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, and Highway Driving Assist. The IIHS rated the Sorento a Top Safety Pick, with the highest rating for LED headlights on SX and SX Prestige trims. The NHTSA gave the Sorento a four-star overall crash-test rating, with four stars for frontal-impact protection and rollover resistance, and five stars in other assessments.