2021 Volvo XC90 vs 2021 Kia Sorento

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was a testament to thoughtful design and the evolution of a brand known for its conservative styling. When the current-generation debuted in 2016, it brought a fresh character that maintained traditional Volvo elements but with a sophisticated, modern twist. The XC90's design combined boxy profiles and a blunt front end with a rectangular grille, softening the lines and adding more chrome, which replaced the previously unpainted plastic. The distinctive LED headlights, featuring “Thor’s Hammer” daytime running lights, blended seamlessly into this new, yet familiar, aesthetic.

In our test vehicle, the Inscription trim level stood out with extra chrome trim and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, marking it as the flashiest XC90 variant. Meanwhile, the R-Design trim flaunted a sportier look with a new gloss-black grille surround for 2021 and standard 20-inch wheels. The base Momentum trim offered a subtler appearance with 19-inch wheels.

Internally, the XC90 aligned with the concept of “Swedish minimalism,” presenting an interior devoid of excessive flashiness. High-quality materials and a matte-finish wood trim adorned the inside, offering a natural look, which contrasted sharply with the more lacquered surfaces commonly found in luxury vehicles. With options like wool upholstery and Nappa leather, the cabin exuded understated elegance, complemented by high-end touches like an Orrefors crystal shifter.

The 2021 Kia Sorento emerged as a handsome transformation from its predecessor's more rounded design to a sharper, more athletic silhouette. This change signified a giant leap forward in style, with our test vehicle's SX Prestige trim and the X-Line package accentuating its rugged readiness. The front revealed an expansive tiger-nose grille, flanked by squinting headlights accented by running lights. The side profile was kept visually engaging with a silver accent between the fender and door, contributing to a look that balanced masculine sportiness with a touch of sophistication.

Concluding the exterior was a D-pillar design that, while sacrificing some visibility, made a statement in style. The rear of the Sorento showcased beautiful vertical taillights, composed of two cohesive rectangles on each side, ensuring the design would age gracefully. Inside, the Sorento catered to modern needs with heated mirrors, ample air vents, and accessible technologies like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The performance of the 2021 Volvo XC90 was driven by its versatile 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine across three distinct powertrains. The base T5 variant delivered 250 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque through a turbocharged configuration, available with front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. The T6 upped the ante with both turbocharging and supercharging, producing an impressive 316 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, exclusively with all-wheel drive.

The pinnacle of XC90's performance lay in the T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid. This configuration married the T6's engine with an integrated starter/generator motor and an additional electric motor on the rear axle, resulting in a combined output of 400 horsepower and 472 lb-ft of torque. Despite the ample power, the small engine sometimes struggled, particularly in fully electric Pure mode, where acceleration from stops often necessitated calling on the gasoline engine.

Driving dynamics favored comfort and luxury, with an optional air suspension system ensuring a smooth ride, even with larger 21-inch wheels. Handling was stable and body roll was controlled, providing a balanced ride. The XC90 also boasted a respectable towing capacity, reaching up to 5,000 pounds (4,000 pounds for the front-wheel-drive T5).

For the 2021 Kia Sorento, performance varied widely depending on the chosen powertrain. The base 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder in the LX and S trims was modest, delivering 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. However, our test car featured the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, which transformed the driving experience with 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive.

Additional powertrain options included the Sorento Hybrid, with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine and an electric motor, available with front-wheel drive. For those seeking even more efficiency, a plug-in hybrid version was on its way.

The AWD system in the Sorento, particularly with the X-Line package, included torque vectoring to enhance cornering and a center-locking differential for difficult conditions. The suspension setup, featuring McPherson struts upfront and a multi-link rear, contributed to a smooth ride, even with the test vehicle’s larger 20-inch wheels. Various drive modes tailored the driving experience, with Sport mode bringing notably enhanced throttle response.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered a three-row seating arrangement available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations. Substituting second-row bench seats with captain’s chairs provided flexibility, though headroom and legroom across all three rows remained average. The third row was particularly tight for adults, with a tendency for seats to feel hard and lack support. However, the panoramic moonroof and upright roof profile added a sense of spaciousness, while the standard four-zone climate control kept the interior comfortable.

Up front, the top-tier Inscription trim boasted 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, with additional massage function through the optional Lounge Package. However, even with all options, drivers still needed to manually adjust the steering wheel. The shallow center console and limited storage options could be inconvenient.

Cargo capacity in the XC90 Recharge was limited, offering 11.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, expanding to 34.1 cubic feet with the third row folded and 64.1 cubic feet with both the second and third rows stowed. This placed the XC90 near the bottom of its segment concerning cargo space.

In the 2021 Kia Sorento, seating configurations were similar, with upper trims featuring second-row captain's chairs and thus better suited as a four-seater. While the third row was cramped for adults, the second-row seats offered commendable legroom at 41.7 inches, and front seats had 41.4 inches of legroom, ensuring comfort.

The Sorento excelled in small-item storage, providing numerous spaces for phones, including optional wireless charging, along with practical cupholders and door pockets. Cargo space behind the third row measured 12.6 cubic feet, marginally better but still limiting. Total cargo volume with rear seats folded was 75.5 cubic feet, aligning more with compact crossovers than larger midsize SUVs.

The practicality of both SUVs depended significantly on how often one needed to utilize the third row and their approach to available storage space. The Sorento edges out with its better total cargo volume and flexible small-item storage solutions.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, a lesson in minimalist efficiency. The standard 9-inch touchscreen alongside a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster ensured an intuitive experience. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot were standard, with upper trims providing a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system and a head-up display.

Unique to the XC90 was the portrait-oriented touchscreen, functioning similarly to a tablet and minimizing the need for analog controls. However, the abundance of text in menus and small typeface could be distracting while driving. Additionally, the wireless charging pad was sometimes too small for newer, larger phones.

The 2021 Kia Sorento came equipped with various technological solutions, depending on the trim. The standard 8-inch touchscreen included buttons and knobs for ease, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger 10.25-inch screen, available from SX trims onwards, looked impressive but required a physical connection for phone projection, making wireless capability exclusive to the smaller screen.

The Sorento provided ample USB ports, although lacking the more modern USB-C sockets. Our test vehicle’s optional Bose stereo system delivered satisfactory audio quality. However, the navigation system needed improvement. Voice search and Point-of-Interest searches often lacked accuracy, pushing users to depend on smartphone connectivity for navigation.

Safety was a hallmark of the 2021 Volvo XC90, bringing high ratings and a strong suite of safety features. The non-hybrid models received the IIHS “Top Safety Pick+” rating and five-star ratings from NHTSA, although the hybrid model hadn’t received the updated ratings. Volvo equipped the XC90 with standard features including lane-keeping assist, a driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking. The Pilot Assist technology stood out for its smooth operation and quick adjustments, although it required driver oversight particularly on curves.

The 2021 Kia Sorento also boasted a comprehensive suite of standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, driver-attention warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, lane-following assist, and automatic high beams. Our test vehicle also had a surround-view camera aiding with parking.

The NHTSA awarded the Sorento a four-star overall safety rating, with perfection in side-impact tests. The IIHS gave top ratings for the SX trim’s LED headlights, though lower trims received a poor rating for their LED reflector headlights. The Sorento’s adaptive cruise control worked seamlessly, though the lane-keeping system could sometimes be overly intrusive.