2022 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2021 Kia Sorento

The 2021 Kia Sorento marked a significant departure from its predecessor's design, adopting 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 rugged appeal. The front featured an expansive tiger-nose grille and distinctive headlights, while a silver accent along the side added visual interest. Despite a large D-pillar, the Sorento maintained excellent visibility, and its taillights offered a modern yet timeless look. Inside, the Sorento boasted high-value features like heated mirrors, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with varying seat adjustments across trims. The interior was comfortable, with real leather upholstery in the SX Prestige trim.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover retained its classic design, with subtle updates like a vertical accent strip under the mirrors. The rear saw the most change, with thin LED taillights integrated into a darker trim. The Range Rover emphasized its size, especially in the long-wheelbase version. Inside, it featured a simplified design with fewer buttons and a larger touchscreen. Premium materials, including leather and wood trim, enhanced the luxurious feel. The Range Rover's interior was refined, offering a solid, creak-free experience even on rough roads, rivaling high-end luxury SUVs.

The 2021 Kia Sorento offered a range of powertrains, with the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine in the test car delivering 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and AWD, it provided confident performance. The Sorento's AWD system included torque vectoring and a center-locking differential, enhancing traction. The suspension ensured a smooth ride, and various drive modes allowed for tailored driving experiences. Despite its weight, the Sorento handled corners well, offering a comfortable ride.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover featured two powertrains: the base P400 with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six and a mild hybrid system producing 395 horsepower, and the P530 with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 delivering 523 horsepower. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and 4WD. The P400 offered impressive acceleration, reaching 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. The Range Rover's handling was surprisingly agile, with rear-wheel steering aiding maneuverability. Its off-road capabilities were enhanced by the Terrain Response system, providing a smooth and quiet ride.

The 2021 Kia Sorento, while a three-row SUV, was best suited as a four-seater in higher trims due to tight third-row space. Cargo space was limited behind the third row but expanded to 75.5 cubic feet with seats folded. The second-row captain's chairs were comfortable, and the interior offered practical storage solutions, though overall cargo capacity was more in line with compact crossovers.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover provided ample space in the first two rows, with excellent visibility and comfort features like massage functions. Storage options were plentiful, and the second row offered power adjustments and climate controls. The optional third row was less spacious but suitable for smaller passengers. Cargo space was 17.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 93 cubic feet with seats folded. The split tailgate and adjustable air suspension facilitated loading.

The 2021 Kia Sorento featured an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 10.25-inch screen on higher trims. While the larger screen looked great, it required a wired connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sorento offered numerous USB ports but lacked USB-C. The optional Bose stereo was decent, though not exceptional, and the navigation system needed improvement.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover boasted a 13-inch touchscreen with the new Pivi Pro system, offering sharp graphics and quick responses. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, complemented by a wireless charging pad. The Meridian audio system delivered excellent sound quality, with an optional 35-speaker upgrade. Additional tech features included Amazon Alexa integration and remote control via a smartphone app.

The 2021 Kia Sorento came with a robust suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. It received a four-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from IIHS, though lower trims had poorer headlight ratings.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover included standard safety features like frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system. While crash test results were unavailable, the Range Rover's safety features performed well, though some rivals offered more advanced options.