2021 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2022 Kia Sorento

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover had evolved significantly from its utilitarian roots, transforming into a symbol of luxury and sophistication. Initially designed as a rugged vehicle, it had become a status symbol with a starting price of $92,000, which could soar to $250,000 with various upgrades. Despite its age, the Range Rover maintained a timeless design with hallmark features like blacked-out windshield pillars and clean styling. Inside, it exuded luxury with an Ivory-color interior and a mid-century modern ambiance, although its infotainment system was not as advanced as newer models.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Sorento, especially with the X-Line treatment, offered a stylish and rugged appearance. The test vehicle, priced at $45,310, included features like all-wheel drive, Wolf Gray paint, and Rust-colored leather. The Sorento's interior was well-crafted, with quality materials and thoughtful design details. Despite its lower price point, the Sorento provided a sense of quality and style, making it feel like a great value for the money.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a variety of powertrains, including a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine in the HSE Westminster edition, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It featured a flawless eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case. The Range Rover excelled in off-road capabilities, although the test vehicle was primarily driven on well-traveled trails. Its adaptive air suspension provided a smooth ride, but the steering was slow and the vehicle's weight and height led to some side-to-side wallow. The EPA estimated 20 mpg in combined driving, but the test vehicle averaged 18.5 mpg.

The 2022 Kia Sorento offered multiple powertrains, with the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine being the most recommended. It produced 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission. The Sorento's AWD system allowed it to accelerate to 60 mph in about 7.5 seconds. Despite its raised suspension, the Sorento handled like a sports sedan, with excellent body motion control and responsive brakes. The EPA estimated 24 mpg in combined driving, but the test vehicle averaged 20.5 mpg.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier access, but shorter passengers still found it challenging to enter. The front seats were comfortable and luxurious, but the second row lacked thigh support and adjustability. Storage space was limited, with a small refrigerated center console bin and 25 cubic feet of luggage space. The cargo area could expand to 59.8 cubic feet, but it was still less than a Kia Soul.

The 2022 Kia Sorento's interior felt luxurious, with a 14-way power driver's seat and heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row captain's chairs were comfortable and designed for children, with various storage solutions and a panoramic sunroof. However, the third-row seat was cramped and uncomfortable for adults. With the third row folded, cargo space increased from 12.6 to 38.5 cubic feet, and folding the second row expanded it to 75.5 cubic feet. The Sorento's smart power tailgate made loading easier.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured a fully digital instrumentation and infotainment system with three displays. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system was not entirely intuitive, and using the touchscreens while driving was distracting. The Range Rover included a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for assistance.

The 2022 Kia Sorento offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, satellite radio, and smartphone integration. The system was intuitive, but the voice recognition was less effective than Hyundai's. The SX Prestige X-Line included a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover came with standard safety features like forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking. Optional packages added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and semi-autonomous parking. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, but the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond.

The 2022 Kia Sorento featured Kia Drive Wise, with varying contents depending on the trim. The test vehicle included a rear-seat reminder system, Junction Assist, and a Blind View Monitor. Highway Driving Assist provided Level 2 semi-autonomous driving. The Sorento received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.