2021 Ford Explorer vs 2022 Kia Sorento

The 2021 Ford Explorer reflected a visible evolution in Ford's SUV lineage. The Explorer's design lineage connected strongly to Ford's other SUVs—Escape, Edge, and Expeditions—all starting with “E.” This adherence to a family resemblance felt somewhat nostalgic, harking back to a time when sticking with a brand entailed moving up the vehicle size and price ladder throughout one's life.

From the outside, the Explorer presented a sporty, muscular appearance that required a second glance to differentiate from the Edge but remained distinct from the competition with its raked belt lines and narrow headlights. Depending on the trim level, the grille varied from black to chrome, with some trims adding unique elements like a red stripe. Six trim levels were available: base, XLT, Limited, Limited Hybrid, ST, and Platinum. Prices ranged from $32,925 to $52,730, with the exterior and interior improving noticeably as one ascended the trim ladder.

Inside, the Explorer came standard with three rows of seating, accommodating seven passengers, although most trims featured captain’s chairs in the second row reducing the capacity to six. Cloth seats on the base model were fairly comfortable but far from luxurious compared to higher trims which included leather upholstery and advanced features. The clean dashboard design featured familiar gauges and a center stack dominated by an 8-inch LCD touchscreen. Practical aspects like the rotary gearshift maximized storage space in the center console, making the interior design both functional and user-friendly.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Sorento offered a remarkably stylish and perhaps more rugged look, especially with the X-Line package, which added rugged bumpers, matte-finish wheels, black lower body cladding, a lifted suspension, and robust roof rails, enhancing its visual appeal.

Our test vehicle, priced at $45,310, came with the X-Line package and additional top-tier features. However, lower trims started at $29,590, offering more affordability. Kia ensured that across all levels, the interior exuded a sense of quality. This was evident from the rich-feeling leather upholstery to the solid-feel door releases and the smooth operation of the transmission shifter. Moreover, interior design showed remarkable attention to detail and didn't compromise on functionality.

Inside the Sorento, the SX Prestige offered extensive comfort with 14-way power driver’s seat adjustments and 10-way adjustments for the front passenger, both heated and ventilated. The second-row captain’s chairs aimed at making kids’ comfort a priority with useful storage solutions, cupholders, and charging ports. Conversely, the third-row seating was less practical for adults offering restrictive legroom and headroom but manageable for kids.

Performance-wise, the 2021 Ford Explorer showcased an impressive drivetrain lineup. Starting with a weight of 4,345 pounds, its base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivered a surprising 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque and was able to outperform engines from competitors like the Kia Telluride. Each Explorer trim used a 10-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift capability.

The Limited Hybrid model offered elevated power with a V6 hybrid drivetrain producing 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. Higher trims featured a more robust 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, delivering 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, while the sport-oriented ST trim ramped up to 400 hp and 415 lb-ft. Despite the rugged appeal, the Explorer prioritized towing, managing between 5,000 and 5,600 pounds depending on the trim and engine.

Conversely, the 2022 Kia Sorento started with a less impressive 191-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that labored to move the 3,715-pound SUV to 60 mph in nearly 9.5 seconds. However, the Sorento redeemed itself with its optional turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder, which produced 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, making the driving experience significantly more enjoyable and dynamic.

Paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission, the enhanced engine allowed for a more energetic ride. In the SX Prestige X-Line trim, the Sorento managed 0-60 mph in about 7.5 seconds, revealing its sprightly nature. Mitigating the compromise between ride comfort and sporting capability, the Sorento's suspension soaked up road imperfections while maintaining excellent body control, a balance notably highlighted during rigorous test drives in demanding terrains.

With the 2021 Ford Explorer, prospective buyers found that the base model offered seating for seven but shifted to six with captain’s chairs in the second row. Second-row passengers enjoyed a generous 39 inches of legroom, slightly falling behind rivals like the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. Remarkably, even with the third row deployed, the Explorer boasted 21 cubic feet of cargo space. However, when both rear seats were folded, the overall cargo capacity was 81 cubic feet, competitive with smaller SUVs.

The 2022 Kia Sorento treated its occupants to an interior that often felt luxurious. Despite the peculiar naming of its leather upholstery color as "Rust," the SX Prestige X-Line’s interior comfort shone through. Featuring a 14-way power driver's seat with thigh support extension and 10-way front passenger seat adjustments, heated and ventilated seats, and a heated steering wheel, the Sorento prioritized driver and passenger comfort.

Second-row captain’s chairs, now heated in higher trims, catered primarily to children with cupholders, USB ports, and other user-friendly features. However, the third-row seats were notably cramped, revealing that the Sorento was better suited to either children or adults for very short trips. On the upside, with the third-row folded, cargo space increased to 38.5 cubic feet, expanding further to 75.5 cubic feet with the second row down, underscoring the SUV’s versatility.

For the 2021 Ford Explorer, the baseline technology signaled a substantial advancement. Even at its most basic, the Explorer came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen offering AM/FM radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, Sync 3 infotainment system, and a six-speaker audio system. Higher trims brought in a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, with top trims boasting a 10.1-inch touchscreen and up to 14 B&O speakers. Charging access was diversified with multiple USB ports and 12-volt power points, plus a 110-volt AC outlet in the ST trim.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Sorento's technology suite elevated its standing. Most trims now featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, satellite radio, Kia Connect services, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system, although functional, had a unique look with inventive use of colors and fonts, including a notable amount of purple.

Wireless smartphone integration was curiously reserved for the smaller 8-inch system found only in the base LX trim. The SX Prestige X-Line trim included a high-quality 12-speaker Bose audio system and wireless smartphone charging as standard, enhancing its tech appeal.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was awarded a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, excelling in crash tests and receiving an "Acceptable" rating for adaptive headlights' availability. Despite the variation in standard equipment across trims, all Explorers featured the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, with essential safety technologies such as blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Higher trims integrated the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ suite, adding adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and more.

Similarly, the 2022 Kia Sorento came equipped with the Kia Drive Wise safety suite, differing by trim level. Our test vehicle included a rear-seat reminder system using ultrasonic sensors, Junction Assist, and an innovative Blind View Monitor system displaying live blind-spot video on the digital gauges. The Sorento also featured Intelligent Speed Limit Assist and Level 2 semi-autonomous Highway Driving Assist. Safety ratings were solid with an IIHS Top Safety Pick and a four-star overall NHTSA rating.