2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar 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 expansive 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 large D-pillars. Inside, the Sorento offered high-value features like heated mirrors, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with comfortable seating options across trims.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded luxury and elegance, with a design that referenced the larger Range Rover's profile in a sporty package. The Velar's exterior was characterized by its long wheelbase, short overhangs, and trapezoidal roof, creating a streamlined yet blocky appearance. The R-Dynamic trim added bronze accents and a more aggressive front bumper, while the interior featured high-quality materials and a polished black center stack. Despite its stylish design, the Velar's interior was tighter, with limited headroom and cargo space, but it maintained a luxurious feel with its advanced technology and high-quality finishes.

The 2021 Kia Sorento offered a range of powertrains, with the most common being a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower. However, the test car featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine delivering 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive. This setup provided ample power for highway driving and cornering, aided by torque vectoring and a center-locking differential. The Sorento's suspension ensured a smooth ride, and its various drive modes allowed for tailored performance, although the vehicle's weight led to some body lean in corners.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, resulting in improved handling and steering compared to previous Land Rover models. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 247 horsepower, while an optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a mild-hybrid system offered up to 395 horsepower. The Velar's air suspension provided a plush ride and could raise the vehicle for additional clearance. Despite its street-focused design, the Velar included a Terrain Response system with multiple driving modes, although it lacked the off-road capabilities of larger Range Rover models.

The 2021 Kia Sorento, as a three-row SUV, was best suited for four passengers in its upper trims, with second-row captain's chairs providing comfort. The third row was tight, and cargo space behind it was limited to 12.6 cubic feet. However, folding the seats expanded cargo volume to 75.5 cubic feet, comparable to compact crossovers. The Sorento offered practical storage solutions, including a center console and door pockets, although overall cargo space was modest for its class.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar prioritized style over interior space, with limited headroom and visibility due to thick B-pillars and small rear windows. Cargo space was 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 49 cubic feet with seats folded. The Velar's design included a controversial parking brake control integrated with the transmission button, which was not intuitive. Despite these design choices, the Velar's interior featured advanced technology and a refined aesthetic, although it sacrificed some practicality for its striking appearance.

The 2021 Kia Sorento featured an 8-inch touchscreen with hard buttons and knobs, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger 10.25-inch screen on higher trims required a wired connection for smartphone integration, with some display limitations. The Sorento included ample USB ports and an optional Bose stereo, although the audio quality was average. The navigation system needed improvement, but most drivers would rely on smartphone apps for navigation.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system was a pleasant surprise, offering a simplified layout and logical arrangements. It included voice activation, air quality monitoring, and advanced navigation features. The Velar's instrument panel was customizable, and the optional adaptive cruise control provided steering assist. Standard features included LED headlights, a 12-speaker Meridian stereo, and a proximity key, enhancing the vehicle's luxury appeal.

The 2021 Kia Sorento came equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, 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 variations in headlight ratings across trims.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked U.S. crash-test ratings but performed well in European NCAP tests. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features like 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist added to its safety credentials.