2021 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2021 Kia Sorento

The 2021 Kia Sorento marked a significant departure from its predecessor's design, embracing a more athletic and muscular silhouette. The SX Prestige trim with the X-Line package added roof rails and a shark fin antenna, enhancing its sporty appearance. The front featured an expanded tiger-nose grille, with headlights accented by running lights, creating a cohesive and modern look. The Sorento's design was both stylish and practical, with large windows providing excellent visibility despite the substantial D-pillars. Inside, the Sorento offered a range of high-value features, including heated outside mirrors, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and keyless entry. The interior was comfortable, with leatherette or real leather upholstery, depending on the trim level, and the panoramic sunroof added a touch of luxury.

In contrast, the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover exuded timeless elegance with its clean lines and hallmark design cues. The HSE Westminster special edition, priced at $106,715, featured a Byron Blue exterior with silver 21-inch wheels, maintaining the Range Rover's classic appeal. Inside, the Range Rover's cabin was a testament to luxury, with an Ivory-color interior and mid-century modern ambiance. While the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system was not as intuitive as newer systems, it offered a high level of customization. The Range Rover's design drew inspiration from its heritage, much like a Porsche 911, and its luxurious interior was complemented by features like quad-zone climate control and a Meridian sound system.

The 2021 Kia Sorento offered a range of powertrains, with the most notable being the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. This engine delivered 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive. The Sorento's AWD system featured torque vectoring and a center-locking differential, enhancing traction in various conditions. The X-Line package added 1.3 inches of ride height, 20-inch alloy wheels, and a roof rack. The Sorento's suspension, consisting of McPherson struts and a multi-link setup, provided a smooth and comfortable ride. Drive modes, including Eco, Normal, and Sport, allowed for tailored driving experiences, with Sport mode offering improved throttle response.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a diverse range of powertrains, including a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine in the HSE Westminster edition. This engine produced 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Range Rover's 4WD system, with a two-speed transfer case and Terrain Response 2 traction control, ensured off-road capability. The adaptive air suspension provided a smooth ride, while the SUV's weight and tall center of gravity required a measured approach to handling. The Range Rover's fuel economy was rated at 20 mpg combined, with our test achieving 18.5 mpg.

The 2021 Kia Sorento, while a three-row SUV, was best suited as a four-seater in its top trims due to the tight third row. The second-row captain's chairs were comfortable, and the front and rear seats offered ample legroom. Cargo space was limited, with 12.6 cubic feet behind the third row and a total of 75.5 cubic feet with seats folded. The Sorento provided practical storage solutions, including a phone spot, cupholders, and a center console bucket.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier access. The front seats were decadently comfortable, but the second row lacked thigh support and adjustability. Despite this, the back seat offered luxury features like quad-zone climate control and heated and ventilated seats. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments and a small refrigerated center-console bin. Luggage volume was 25 cubic feet, expanding to 59.8 cubic feet with seats folded. A cargo area button activated the suspension kneel function for easier loading.

The 2021 Kia Sorento offered an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on lower trims, while the SX and SX Prestige featured a 10.25-inch screen with haptic touch buttons. The larger screen required a wired connection for smartphone integration, and the display's right third was underutilized. The Sorento included ample USB ports and an optional Bose stereo, though the audio quality was average. The navigation system needed improvement, but most drivers would rely on smartphone integration for navigation.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured a fully digital instrumentation and infotainment system with three displays. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system offered extensive customization but was not entirely intuitive. Using the dual 10-inch touchscreens while driving was distracting, and the head-up display was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The Range Rover included a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for added convenience.

The 2021 Kia Sorento came equipped with a comprehensive array of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and lane-departure warning. The test car also featured a surround-view camera and adaptive cruise control. The Sorento received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with some trims receiving a poor rating for their LED reflector headlights.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover included standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. Optional packages added features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, with the technology performing well overall. However, the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond in certain situations.