2022 Kia Sorento vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan boasted clean lines and balanced proportions, gracing it with a conservative, upscale, and timeless aesthetic that promised to age well. Though some might have found it boring, the understated design offered a certain elegance. Volkswagen corrected its previous sizing misstep with this generation of the Tiguan, presenting a larger vehicle that nearly matched the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Kia Sorento in size. This upsize yielded a spacious interior capable of accommodating up to four adults comfortably, and up to seven passengers with an optional small third-row seat, primarily suitable for children.

The interior of the Tiguan exhibited modern geometric forms mixed with a no-nonsense control layout, punctuated by some peculiarities such as the engine start button's placement. Despite the presence of shiny detailing, digital instrumentation, and an integrated touchscreen infotainment system, the Tiguan could not quite be mistaken for an Audi, partly due to the extensive use of hard plastics and flimsy steering wheel stalks.

Volkswagen offered the 2021 Tiguan in several trims, including S, SE, and SEL, with two additional R-Line variants that added a sporty touch. Pricing ranged from $25,245 to $39,095, excluding a $1,195 destination charge. The SEL trim with 4Motion AWD tested for reviews priced at $35,040, including the destination charge.

Conversely, the 2022 Kia Sorento presented a stylish appearance across all variants, but the X-Line specifically provided an imposing presence with its rugged bumpers, matte-finish wheels, black cladding, elevated suspension, and robust roof rails. The X-Line package integrated seamlessly with the thought-out S, EX, and tested SX Prestige trims, adding standard AWD and extra costs like the $45,310 of the test model that featured Wolf Gray paint and Rust-colored leather.

While the base LX trim began at $29,590 with front-wheel drive, avoiding extras and the X-Line premium could secure an SX Prestige for $42,405. Each Sorento variant promised impressive quality, from the leather upholstery and simulated wood trim on the dashboard to the tactile feel of the door releases and transmission shifter.

The 2022 Kia Sorento’s interior embodied solid construction, resisting any form of flimsiness and exhibiting design touches even in the base models. Its sense of elegance did not impact practical storage, assuring buyers felt they secured an exceptional deal with every use.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan came with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine yielding 184 horsepower at 4,360 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque at 1,600 rpm. This engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission powering the front wheels as standard, with the 4Motion AWD available for $1,400 on most models. While adequate, the powertrain dealt with notable turbo lag, causing delays in acceleration as the turbo spun up.

During passing or freeway merging, the Tiguan’s engine felt relatively underpowered, not helped by the vehicle's nearly 4,000-pound curb weight. The EPA estimated fuel economy at 25 mpg in combined driving for FWD and 24 mpg for AWD, with real-world testing averaging at 22.6 mpg for the AWD version. Despite the engine’s occasional lethargy, the Tiguan offered a pleasant driving experience, with responsive steering, a smooth ride, refined brakes, and nimble handling tailored to urban and suburban daily driving. It did, however, struggle on bumpy roads, and its suspension did not encourage enthusiastic driving but shined in highway quietness and comfort.

On the flip side, the 2022 Kia Sorento provided various powertrain options beyond its standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 191 horsepower. The base engine allowed a 0-60 mph time of almost 9.5 seconds for the 3,715-pound SUV, which led reviewers to advocate for the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, generating 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. Equipped with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, the turbocharged Sorento with AWD could reach 60 mph in roughly 7.5 seconds, delivering a more exhilarating drive.

Handling felt akin to a sports sedan, with excellent ride quality and body motion control. The SX Prestige X-Line package included 20-inch alloy wheels and high-traction tires, making the Sorento agile and surefooted on curvy roads. Brake performance was reliable with no signs of fade during intense driving. However, while the X-Line’s elevated suspension enhanced ground clearance, it was more for visual appeal than hardcore off-roading utility. Fuel economy for the Sorento was rated at 24 mpg combined by the EPA, though real-world assessments hovered around 20.5 mpg.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in comfort, with large doors and high seating positions facilitating easy access. Front seats offered considerable adjustments, featuring V-Tex leatherette that mimicked genuine leather, complemented by dual-zone climate control. Rear seating was equally spacious, ensuring comfort with a reverse-facing child seat or tall passengers due to generous legroom and ventilation. A panoramic sunroof added favor to its design, though storage space was limited. The Tiguan provided a 40/20/40-split rear seat and cargo capacities varied, with 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 73.5 cubic feet with the second row down for the three-row model.

On the other hand, the 2022 Kia Sorento's interior, particularly in Rust-colored leather, exhibited luxury akin to higher-end models. The SX Prestige offered extensive adjustability for the front seats and the advantage of a heated steering wheel. However, the hard plastic of the center console could irritate a driver’s leg. Second-row captain’s chairs, standard from EX trim onwards, were heated in the SX Prestige and designed with kid-friendly features like USB ports and air conditioning vents, all under a panoramic sunroof.

Third-row seating, while present, did not cater well to adults due to limited legroom and uncomfortable cushions. Folding the third row expanded the limited 12.6 cubic feet cargo space to 38.5 cubic feet, and with the second row down, the Sorento offered up to 75.5 cubic feet. Its smart power liftgate was a notable convenience when loading cargo hands-free.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan’s technology saw updates with the introduction of MIB3 infotainment, standard on SE trim and above. The 8-inch touchscreen system enhanced response times, supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and WiFi, along with various connected services like remote starting and teen driving settings. However, the interface had quirks and subpar voice recognition, with standard models suffering from mediocre audio systems. The Digital Cockpit in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line provided a subdued yet informative approach to driver information displays.

For 2022, most Kia Sorento trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen instead of the base 8-inch, incorporating navigation, satellite radio, and both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Ironically, the larger system required wired connectivity for smartphones, unlike the wireless base version. Infotainment graphics were vibrant yet polarizing. Technology shared across Kia and Hyundai platforms highlighted some differences in voice recognition quality. The SX Prestige model exclusively included a 12-speaker Bose sound system, adding significant audio improvements only available to top-tier buyers.

Volkswagen equipped each 2021 Tiguan with the IQ Drive suite, including standard forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and front and rear parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control performed smoothly but reacted slowly to new situations. Automatic braking during parking scenarios could prove overly cautious. The Tiguan held an IIHS Top Safety Pick rating for SEL and SEL Premium R-Line models, minus an overall NHTSA crash-test rating.

In contrast, Kia’s Drive Wise suite in the 2022 Sorento included standard and advanced features based on trim. Unique elements like rear-seat reminder with ultrasonic sensors and Junction Assist elevated safety, along with Blind View Monitor exclusive to SX Prestige. Highway Driving Assist provided advanced semi-autonomous functionalities on the freeways. The Sorento received an IIHS Top Safety Pick distinction, with shortcomings in headlight performance on lower trims, and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.