2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2021 Kia Sorento

The 2021 Kia Sorento marked a significant departure from its previous generation, shedding its bubbly design for a more athletic and muscular silhouette. The SX Prestige trim with the X-Line package featured roof rails, a shark fin antenna, and a rear roof spoiler, enhancing its rugged appeal. The front showcased an expansive tiger-nose grille with a noticeable curve, complemented by squinting headlights and running lights. Along the side, a silver accent between the front fender and the door added a touch of flair. Despite the large D-pillar, the Sorento's overall design was cautiously modern, with beautiful vertical taillights that promised to age well.

Inside, the Sorento was packed with high-value features. Heated outside mirrors, second-row air vents, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and keyless entry were standard across the lineup. The base LX trim offered six-way driver’s seat adjustment, while higher trims provided 10-way adjustment with power lumbar support. Heated seats were available on all but the LX trim, and the SX Prestige with the X-Line package included ventilated seats. The panoramic sunroof let in ample light, though it sometimes allowed too much heat during a 2,100-mile road trip through the American Southeast. The interior materials, especially the perforated leather on the SX Prestige, exceeded expectations in comfort and quality.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, as the first vehicle of Hyundai's new Ioniq sub-brand, presented a polished exterior with minimal character lines. The Parametric Pixel design, inspired by 8-bit graphics, was used extensively in the LED lighting, creating a concept car-like appearance. The Ioniq 5's aerodynamic wheels and silver-contrast plastic bits added to its futuristic look. Despite the exterior's intricate design, the interior was a stark contrast, featuring a mellow "Living Space" theme with black, gray, and dark green hues. The cabin was designed for relaxation, with a "Relaxation" mode for the driver's seat that provided a zero-gravity resting position.

The Ioniq 5's interior utilized sustainable materials, with stain-resistant cloth seats as standard and leatherette upholstery for higher trims. Recycled fibers were used for door inserts, and plastic bottles were part of the production of armrests and seats. The cabin also incorporated bio-materials derived from bean oil and sugar cane. The Parametric Pixel theme continued inside, appearing on the steering wheel, door inserts, and seat upholstery. The overall design was subtle yet detailed, offering a comfortable and eco-friendly environment.

The 2021 Kia Sorento offered a range of powertrains, starting with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. However, the test car featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission with a wet clutch to all-wheel drive. This setup provided ample power for merging, cruising, and passing on the interstate.

The Sorento also had a hybrid version with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor, available only in front-wheel drive. The AWD system in the test car included torque vectoring and a center-locking differential for better traction. The X-Line package added 1.3 inches of ride height, 20-inch alloy wheels, and a roof rack. The suspension, consisting of McPherson struts up front and a multi-link setup in the rear, offered a smooth and comfortable ride. The various drive modes, including Eco, Normal, and Sport, provided different driving experiences, with Sport mode offering the best throttle response.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 came in three trims (SE, SEL, and Limited) and two drive configurations (RWD and AWD). The base SE Standard Range featured a single 128-kW rear-mounted electric motor with 168 horsepower and a 220-mile range. The extended-range variants had a 168-kW rear motor producing 225 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, with a 303-mile range. The AWD models had a dual-motor system with a total output of 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque, but the range dropped to 256 miles.

The Ioniq 5's performance was middle-of-the-road for a midsize crossover, with RWD providing better dynamics. The test vehicle, a Limited trim with AWD, handled elevation changes and highway straightaways with composure. The four drive modes, including Sport, added excitement by re-tuning the torque split and adding weight to the steering wheel. However, driving in Sport mode significantly reduced the range. The paddle shifters allowed for adjusting regenerative braking levels, adding an element of gamification to the driving experience. The Ioniq 5 was also equipped with noise-reducing features, including acoustic tires and sound-deadening materials, making for a quiet ride.

The 2021 Kia Sorento, a three-row SUV, was best considered a four-seater in its top trims due to the second-row captain's chairs and a tight third row. The cargo space behind the third row was limited to 12.6 cubic feet, making it more practical to fold those seats down. The second-row captain's chairs were comfortable, and the front and rear seats offered ample legroom at 41.4 inches and 41.7 inches, respectively. The Sorento provided various storage options, including a spot for a phone, cupholders, and a center console bucket. The total cargo volume was 75.5 cubic feet, which was on the smaller side for a three-row midsize crossover.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), offered a longer wheelbase than the seven-passenger Palisade, measuring 118.1 inches. The Ioniq 5's total interior volume of 133.7 cubic feet exceeded that of its competitors, the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4. The rear cargo space was 27.2 cubic feet, smaller than the ID.4 but sufficient for most needs. The Ioniq 5's interior focused on comfort and usability, with a moveable center armrest and cubby, and a modern take on the retro front bench seat. The leatherette seats were comfortable and supportive, providing a pleasant driving and relaxing experience.

The 2021 Kia Sorento featured an 8-inch touchscreen display on the LX, S, and EX trims, with hard buttons, volume and tuning knobs, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SX and SX Prestige trims had a larger 10.25-inch screen with haptic touch buttons and required a physical connection for smartphone projection. The Sorento had plenty of USB ports but no USB-C ports. The optional Bose stereo was decent but not exceptional. The navigation system needed improvement, particularly in voice search and Point-of-Interest functions.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 boasted advanced technology, including a high-voltage, energy-dense system with vehicle-to-load capabilities. It supported ultra-fast charging, reaching 80 percent battery capacity in 18 minutes, and could charge other devices or EVs. The Ioniq 5 offered unlimited 30-minute fast-charging sessions for two years through Electrify America. The multimedia features included a redesigned Blue Link app, digital key, enhanced smartphone pairing, and over-the-air updates. The 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment were elegant, intuitive, and finished with an anti-glare coating.

The 2021 Kia Sorento came with a comprehensive array of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, driver-attention warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, lane-following assist, and auto high beams. The test car also had a surround-view camera and adaptive cruise control. The NHTSA awarded the Sorento four out of five stars overall, while the IIHS gave it a Top Safety Pick designation, with the SX trims receiving perfect scores for their LED headlights.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and front- and rear-collision avoidance. The Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I provided Level 2 semi-autonomous driving with machine-learning adaptive cruise control. The Ioniq 5 also offered a head-up display with augmented reality overlays, though it could be distracting. While the NHTSA and IIHS had not yet rated the Ioniq 5, Hyundai's recent track record suggested high safety marks were likely.