2021 Ford Escape vs 2022 Kia Sorento

The 2021 Ford Escape, a fourth-generation model, presented a blend of SUV and hatchback aesthetics. Its design featured a curved snout and sleek roofline, giving it a resemblance to an enlarged Ford Focus, yet maintaining the elevated ride height typical of an SUV. This design choice resulted in a less truck-like appearance compared to competitors like the Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, or Toyota RAV4, but it also appeared more generic than the Hyundai Tucson or Kia Sportage. For 2021, the Escape introduced new appearance packages across three of its four trim levels, enhancing its visual appeal with options like 19-inch alloy wheels and upgraded interior materials. However, the interior design lacked cohesion, with some materials feeling low-rent, even in the top-tier Titanium model.

The 2022 Kia Sorento, particularly with the X-Line package, exuded a stylish and rugged presence. This midsize SUV featured rugged bumpers, matte-finish wheels, and black lower body cladding, complemented by a lifted suspension and robust roof rails. The X-Line package, available with S, EX, and SX Prestige trims, included standard all-wheel drive and additional features like Wolf Gray paint and Rust-colored leather. The Sorento's interior was marked by quality materials, such as leather upholstery and simulated wood trim, and demonstrated rock-solid construction. Despite its stylish design, the Sorento maintained practical storage space, making it a versatile choice for various driving needs.

The 2021 Ford Escape offered a range of powertrains, including two gasoline engines, a hybrid, and a plug-in hybrid. The base engine was a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder producing 181 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in both FWD and AWD. An upgrade to the 2.0-liter turbo-four engine increased output to 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, exclusively with AWD. The hybrid and plug-in hybrid models used a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric assist, delivering a total of 200 hp. The plug-in hybrid's larger battery allowed for significant electric-only driving. Despite adequate power, the Escape's chassis tuning was criticized for its sloppy suspension and steering, making it less enjoyable to drive.

The 2022 Kia Sorento's standard engine was a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder, which was considered underpowered. More appealing options included a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. This engine provided a more engaging driving experience, with a 0-60 mph time of about 7.5 seconds. The Sorento's suspension offered a balance of compliance and composure, making it feel more like a sports sedan than an SUV. The X-Line package increased ground clearance but was more for aesthetics than off-road capability. Fuel economy was a concern, with real-world figures falling short of EPA estimates, averaging around 20.5 mpg.

The 2021 Ford Escape, despite its car-like styling, offered competitive interior space among compact SUVs. It featured a standard sliding rear seat, providing flexibility between legroom and cargo space. Non-hybrid models offered 40.7 inches of rear legroom, while hybrid models had slightly less due to battery placement. Cargo space varied, with gasoline models offering up to 65.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, while hybrid models had slightly less. However, competitors like the Nissan Rogue and Subaru Forester offered more cargo capacity.

The 2022 Kia Sorento's interior was luxurious, with the SX Prestige trim offering a 14-way power driver's seat and heated and ventilated front seats. Second-row captain's chairs were standard from the EX trim, with heating available in the SX Prestige X-Line. The third-row seat was less comfortable, with limited legroom and headroom, making it more suitable for occasional use. Cargo space was limited to 12.6 cubic feet with all seats up but expanded to 75.5 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The Sorento also featured a "smart" power tailgate for convenient loading.

The 2021 Ford Escape used the older Sync 3 infotainment system, with a 4.2-inch touchscreen on base models and an 8-inch screen on higher trims. Features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Titanium trim added a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. While Sync 3 was user-friendly, it lacked some of the advanced features found in competitors' systems.

The 2022 Kia Sorento featured a standard 10.25-inch touchscreen on most trims, with navigation, satellite radio, and Kia Connect services. The base LX trim retained an 8-inch screen with wireless smartphone integration, while the larger screen required a cable. The infotainment system was intuitive but had a unique design that might not appeal to everyone. A 12-speaker Bose sound system was reserved for the SX Prestige X-Line, and wireless smartphone charging was standard from the EX trim.

The 2021 Ford Escape received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and child-seat anchor ease of use. It also earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. The optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, and park assist.

The 2022 Kia Sorento came with Kia Drive Wise, offering a range of safety features depending on the trim. Unique features included a rear-seat reminder system and Junction Assist, which helped prevent unsafe turns. The SX Prestige X-Line offered a Blind View Monitor and Highway Driving Assist, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system. The Sorento earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, with the only negative rating for headlights on lower trims. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating, with four stars in frontal-impact and rollover tests.