2023 Land Rover Defender vs 2022 Kia Sorento

The 2022 Kia Sorento, especially with the X-Line treatment, presented a stylish and rugged appearance. The X-Line package added rugged bumpers, matte-finish wheels, black lower body cladding, a lifted suspension, and robust roof rails, giving the midsize SUV a serious presence. Our test vehicle, equipped with the X-Line package, featured all-wheel drive as standard, Wolf Gray paint, Rust-colored leather, floor mats, and a cargo net, bringing the total MSRP to $45,310, including the $1,215 destination charge. Even without the X-Line package, the Sorento exuded quality, with leather upholstery, simulated wood trim, and rock-solid construction throughout the cabin.

In contrast, the 2023 Land Rover Defender boasted a design that harkened back to the classic boxy look of the old LR4. The Defender's square-jawed face, rectangular hood and doors, and abruptly chopped tail defined a classic truck aesthetic. Tasteful accents like the dome and faux-metal step plates on the hood, skylights along the sides of the roof, and the body-color square separating the side glass paid homage to the original 1980s Defender. The Defender was available in three body styles: 90 (short two-door), 110 (medium-length four-door), and 130 (extended-length four-door), offering unmatched flexibility in seating configurations. Despite its rugged exterior, the Defender's interior focused on function and durability, with most surfaces coated in rubbers and plastics designed to wick moisture and resist stains.

The 2022 Kia Sorento came with a standard 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which took almost 9.5 seconds to accelerate the 3,715-pound SUV to 60 mph. This sluggish performance led us to recommend the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which generated 281 hp and 311 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission, powered the front wheels unless equipped with the torque-vectoring AWD system. With AWD, the turbo Sorento could reach 60 mph in about 7.5 seconds. Despite the X-Line’s raised suspension, the Sorento drove more like a sports sedan, offering an excellent blend of compliance and composure. However, the X-Line package's suspension lift was more for show than serious off-roading. The Sorento SX Prestige X-Line’s fuel economy was rated at 24 mpg combined by the EPA, but we averaged around 20.7 mpg during our week-long test.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender excelled off-road, with incredible grip, wheel articulation, and generous clearance. The air suspension allowed the Defender to climb, clear, and navigate almost any path. However, on-road performance was less impressive, with excessive body roll, slow and imprecise steering, and noticeable wind noise. The Defender's turbocharged inline-six and supercharged V8 engines provided strong performance, with the V8 delivering 518 hp and 461 pound-feet of torque. The six-cylinder engine, part of a 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain, offered 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. The V8 model's fuel economy was rated at 14/19/16 mpg, while the six-cylinder achieved 18/23/20 mpg. The Defender's off-road prowess came at the cost of on-road comfort and refinement.

The 2022 Kia Sorento’s interior felt luxurious, with Rust-colored leather seats and a 14-way power driver’s seat with a thigh support extension. The SX Prestige X-Line trim included heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and second-row captain’s chairs. However, the third-row seat was cramped and uncomfortable for adults. With the third-row seat folded, the Sorento offered 38.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 75.5 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded. The Sorento also featured a “smart” power tailgate that opened when the key fob was nearby.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender offered unmatched seating configurations, with the Defender 90 seating six with a jump seat, the 110 offering an optional third row, and the 130 seating up to eight. The Defender 130 provided 77 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row and second row folded, while the 110 offered 79 cubic feet with the second row folded. The Defender featured large glass areas, including “alpine lights” and a panoramic moonroof on the 130. Buyers could equip their Defenders with various off-road accessories, including a metal roof rack, console refrigerator, heated windshield, and more.

Starting in 2022, the Kia Sorento featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen display with navigation, satellite radio, Kia Connect services, and both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, except for the base LX trim, which had an 8-inch touchscreen. The infotainment system was intuitive, though the font style, graphics, and colors might not appeal to everyone. The SX Prestige X-Line trim included a 12-speaker Bose premium surround-sound system and wireless smartphone charging starting with EX trim.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender offered two touchscreen infotainment systems running Pivi Pro software. The standard 10-inch screen was wide format, while the optional 11.4-inch touchscreen was an oversize square. Both screens were quick and simple to operate, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a voice assistant, connected apps, and navigation as standard. The Defender S trim included heated 12-way power seats with leather and a Meridian stereo, while the X trim added air suspension, a locking rear differential, an upgraded Terrain Response 2 system, adaptive cruise control, and more.

The 2022 Kia Sorento came with Kia Drive Wise, a suite of safety features that varied by trim level. Our test vehicle included a rear-seat reminder system, Junction Assist, Blind View Monitor, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, and Highway Driving Assist. The Sorento earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by U.S. safety organizations but received five stars in Euro NCAP crash testing. The Defender included six airbags, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking as standard. Optional features included a digital instrument panel, head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system.