2023 Ford Escape vs 2022 Kia Sorento

The 2022 Kia Sorento, especially with the X-Line package, presented a stylish and rugged appearance. This midsize SUV featured rugged bumpers, matte-finish wheels, black lower body cladding, a lifted suspension, and robust roof rails, enhancing its already attractive design. Our test vehicle, equipped with the X-Line package, came with all-wheel drive as standard and additional features like Wolf Gray paint and Rust-colored leather, bringing the total MSRP to $45,310. Despite the high price, the Sorento exuded quality, from its leather upholstery and simulated wood trim to the solid construction of its cabin. Even the base LX trim, starting at $29,590, offered a sense of luxury and attention to design detail.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Escape adopted a more European design language, moving away from the blocky exterior of its predecessors. The refreshed model featured a traditional front end with a Ford blue oval logo and a stylish LED light bar. Our test vehicle, the ST-Line Elite, sported 19-inch wheels and body-color mirror caps, giving it an upscale appearance. Inside, the Escape boasted diamond-stitched leather upholstery, though it felt hard and plasticky. The seats were comfortable, and the 10-way power adjustable driver's seat provided excellent comfort for long drives. However, the interior was dominated by plastic materials, some of which felt scratchy and poorly reinforced.

The 2022 Kia Sorento offered a range of powertrains, with the base model featuring a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. This engine took nearly 9.5 seconds to reach 60 mph, making it less desirable. The more appealing option was the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission, provided a more energetic driving experience. The Sorento's suspension, tuned for a blend of compliance and composure, allowed it to handle like a sports sedan, even with the X-Line's raised suspension. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, averaging 20.7 mpg during testing.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered two engine options: a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder with 180 horsepower and a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 250 horsepower. The latter, available on higher trims, provided better acceleration and was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Despite its power, the Escape's suspension remained soft, prioritizing comfort over performance. The brakes offered predictable stopping power, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness found in some competitors. Overall, the Escape provided a comfortable ride, especially on rough roads.

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, standard from the EX trim, were designed for children, with features like cupholders and USB charging ports. However, the third-row seat was cramped, making it unsuitable for adults. With the third row folded, the Sorento offered 38.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 75.5 cubic feet with the second row down. The "smart" power tailgate was a convenient feature, though it could open unintentionally.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided comfortable seating and excellent ergonomics, with well-positioned armrests and a head-up display. However, it fell short in cargo space, offering 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. While adequate for daily use, it was smaller than some competitors. Rear-seat legroom was also slightly less than rivals, though headroom was impressive. The front-seat backs were padded and scalloped, maximizing space for taller passengers.

The 2022 Kia Sorento featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, satellite radio, and smartphone integration. However, the larger screen required a cable for smartphone connectivity, unlike the base 8-inch system. The infotainment system was intuitive, though the design might not appeal to everyone. The SX Prestige X-Line trim included a 12-speaker Bose audio system, and wireless smartphone charging was standard from the EX trim.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 technology, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 13.2-inch screen on higher trims. The larger screen enhanced the cabin's look and offered easy navigation between applications. While Sync 4 was generally intuitive, it was occasionally slow to respond, and the volume knob's placement was inconvenient. Despite these minor issues, the system's feature set and layout were commendable.

The 2022 Kia Sorento came with Kia Drive Wise, offering a range of safety features. Notable features included a rear-seat reminder system, Junction Assist, and a Blind View Monitor. The Sorento also offered Intelligent Speed Limit Assist and Highway Driving Assist, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system. The IIHS rated the Sorento as a Top Safety Pick, while the NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though the IIHS did not award it a Top Safety Pick designation due to a Marginal score in the side-impact test. The Escape came standard with Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite, including features like forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The optional Co-Pilot360 2.0 added adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology, enhancing the Escape's safety offerings.