2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2022 Kia Sorento

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, Hyundai's first venture into their standalone EV brand, presented an exterior that was both polished and contemporary. The design was minimalist yet intricate, largely defined by its Parametric Pixel design language that took creativity to new heights. Exterior lights, including headlights, taillights, and turn signals, featured a pixelated design creating a futuristic aesthetic reminiscent of 8-bit graphics. It was a production car that likened more to a concept car due to these eye-catching elements.

The aerodynamic wheels also added a unique flair, continuing the pixel design into the fender flares. The lower body was encircled by ornamental silver-contrast plastic bits, a nod to retro-futurism with a modern twist. Inside, the interior did a complete 180 from the exterior's complex design. Hyundai's "Living Space" theme created a mellow yet not melodramatic cabin atmosphere available in black, gray, and dark green hues. They used sustainable materials like recycled fibers and bio-materials, enhancing the eco-friendly aspect of the vehicle.

Contrasting the Ioniq 5, the 2022 Kia Sorento sported a rugged yet refined appearance, especially with the X-Line package. The enhanced trim added rugged bumpers, matte-finish wheels, and robust roof rails, giving it a more adventurous and robust look. The overall design was solid and muscular, undoubtedly giving the Sorento significant road presence.

Interior-wise, the Sorento aimed at a more traditional yet upscale feel. Despite naming the premium leather color "Rust," the materials inside exuded a sense of luxury. The cabin reflected rock-solid construction with high-quality materials, even on lower trims. Practical storage was retained, and elements like a panoramic sunroof running over the second-row captain's chairs added a sense of spaciousness and luxury. The third-row seats, however, were cramped for adults.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 came in three trims—SE, SEL, and Limited—and three powertrains. The SE Standard Range featured a 128-kW rear-mounted motor producing 168 hp and offering 220 miles of range. The extended range models pushed out 225 hp with 258 lb-ft of torque and could travel up to 303 miles on a charge. The AWD variant boasted a dual-motor setup with a combined 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque but dropped the range to 256 miles. The Ioniq 5 wasn't particularly sporty but delivered admirably on highway and canyon roads with different driving modes, including a Sport mode.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Sorento offered a broader engine lineup. The base model used a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 hp. However, this option was rather sluggish, taking about 9.5 seconds to reach 60 mph. The more attractive variant was the EX trim and higher, powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine delivering 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. This configuration accelerated the Sorento from 0-60 mph in about 7.5 seconds and provided a much more engaging driving experience. The turbo engine was mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, offering a sportier drive than what you might expect from an SUV.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), giving it a longer wheelbase than Hyundai's flagship Palisade. This generated 133.7 cubic feet of interior volume, with 106.5 cu-ft dedicated to passenger space, surpassing competitors like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and VW ID.4. The innovative sliding center console and ample soft-touch materials made the cabin notably comfortable and flexible. However, cargo space stood at a modest 27.2 cu-ft, favoring passenger comfort over cargo capacity.

The Sorento, while having a smaller wheelbase and being a traditional gasoline vehicle, offered practical interiors crafted for family use. Cargo space started at 12.6 cubic feet behind the third row but expanded to 38.5 cu-ft and 75.5 cu-ft when folding the second and third rows. The family-first interior design with captain’s chairs, plenty of storage solutions, and heated rear seats made the cabin functional and versatile, though the third-row accommodations were less than ideal for adults.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 was packed with cutting-edge technology, including high-speed charging capabilities supporting infrastructures up to 800 volts. It could gain 68 miles of range in just 5 minutes using a 350-kW charger and reached 80% battery capacity in 18 minutes. Hyundai’s partnership with Electrify America ensured unlimited 30-minute fast-charging sessions for two years. The interior boasted dual 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment system, adorned with anti-glare coatings for clear readability even in harsh sunlight. Connectivity and vehicle management features like a digital key and over-the-air updates were also notable highlights.

The 2022 Kia Sorento’s technology suite was robust, with a standard 8-inch touchscreen on the base LX, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen on higher trims, including navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. However, wireless smartphone integration was oddly limited to the base system. Voice recognition didn't match Hyundai’s Blue Link system in effectiveness. The SX Prestige X-Line featured a 12-speaker Bose sound system and wireless smartphone charging from the EX trim and up.

Hyundai prioritized safety in the Ioniq 5 with its comprehensive Hyundai SmartSense suite, offering features such as blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and various collision avoidance systems. The car also featured Highway Drive Assist I, a semi-autonomous driving system with machine learning that adapts to the driver's habits. A head-up display with augmented reality added a layer of driving assistance, though it could sometimes be distracting. While neither the NHTSA nor IIHS had released crash-test ratings at the time, Hyundai's strong safety track record suggested high safety standards.

Kia’s Drive Wise suite in the Sorento included basics like lane-keeping assist and forward-collision warning, adding innovative features such as a rear-seat reminder system, and Junction Assist. The Blind View Monitor and Intelligent Speed Limit Assist added extra layers of safety and convenience. The Sorento earned a Top Safety Pick from IIHS and a four-star overall rating from NHTSA, underscoring its solid safety credentials.