2022 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Kia Sorento

The 2021 Kia Sorento underwent a striking transformation that made a significant leap from its predecessor's bubbly aesthetic to a more athletic, modern design. The novel approach to Kia's tiger-nose grille and the muscled silhouette gave the Sorento a ready-for-adventure vibe that suits the American market's taste for robust-looking SUVs. The interior, too, had its share of boosts, boasting features that ranged from practical like heated outside mirrors to the luxurious like leather upholstery, dependent on the trim.

The 2022 Ford Explorer, on the other hand, played it somewhat safe but sporty with its design, continuing the success of its floating roof effect while incorporating new tweaks like a sportier front fascia in the ST-Line. Inside, the Explorer King Ranch displayed a mix of luxury with its Del Rio leather seats and elements of practicality, however luxurious features varied widely across its multiple trim levels. Though visually similar to its lesser trims, it maintained a top-tier look once you got up close.

Performance-wise, the Sorento offered a range of powertrains, with an emphasis on the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder variant. This engine's output of 281 horsepower and innovative features like torque vectoring and a locking differential tailored it wonderfully for enthusiastic drivers looking for a mix of power and off-road capability. The Sorento’s driving modes adjust the vehicle's dynamics significantly, reflecting the diverse needs of modern drivers.

The Explorer countered with three engine options including an impressive 400 horsepower, twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 in higher trims and a more fuel-efficient hybrid option that wasn't available in the high-end King Ranch trim. The Explorer’s chassis and suspensions set-up leaned more towards traditional SUVs, which might appeal to those preferring a robust driving experience. Despite less ground clearance compared to some trims, it remained competent in mild off-road conditions.

When it comes to form and functionality, both SUVs catered well to families, but with different strengths. The Sorento, with its visually captivating yet compact design, offered a commendable 75.5 cubic feet total cargo space. This space, however, might feel cramped with all seats in use, particularly the third row, which was somewhat restrictive for adults.

The Explorer provided more generous spacing, yielding up to 87.8 cubic feet of total cargo space with all seats folded, and maintained better accommodation for third-row passengers compared to the Sorento, albeit still better suited for children. Ford’s practical application of interior space stood out for family utility although it lacked the Kia's intricacies for personal storage and comfort.