2023 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Kia Sorento

The 2022 Kia Sorento was a blend of rugged charm and sophisticated style, especially when equipped with the X-Line package. This package gave the Sorento a noticeable edge with rugged bumpers, matte-finish wheels, black lower body cladding, a lifted suspension, and robust roof rails, which enhanced its allure as a versatile and sporty SUV. Our test vehicle came decked out in the X-Line trim, featuring AWD as standard and topped with extra-cost Wolf Gray paint, Rust-colored leather, floor mats, and a cargo net, pushing its MSRP to an appealing $45,310.

Even if you opted for a more modest Sorento, starting with the LX trim at $29,590, you still got an SUV that exuded quality. This characteristic was mirrored not just in the leather upholstery and simulated wood trim of our test version but across all Sorento trims. The smooth operation of the door releases and the satisfying feel of the transmission shifter were consistent hallmarks of superior craftsmanship.

The 2022 Kia Sorento’s cabin construction was notably rock-solid, and the design details impressively nuanced, even in the base models. Miraculously, these elements didn’t compromise practical storage. Owners often felt they were driving a high-quality, luxurious vehicle, with every drive reinforcing they had landed a great deal.

On the flip side, the 2023 Subaru Outback received a facelift that added to its already robust appearance. This included redesigned LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper boasting dark gray vertical cladding. The Outback's new front end suggested large air intakes at each corner, further enhanced by a jutting simulated skid plate and fog lights nestled into oversized housings. The asymmetrical wheel arch trim, reminiscent of the Wilderness model, gave the 2023 Outback a distinctively aggressive look.

Our test vehicle, the Touring trim, sported Cosmic Blue paint and Java Brown premium Nappa leather upholstery, making for an upscale interior. The contrast stitching and cohesive design boosted its appeal despite some hard plastic materials. The mixed use of textures and materials combined practicality with style. However, the large infotainment screen and gloss black center console tended to collect dust and smudges, marring the overall interior finish.

The 2022 Kia Sorento came standard with a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which wasn’t particularly thrilling, taking nearly 9.5 seconds to reach 60 mph. Knowing this, Kia offered a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine starting with the EX trim, significantly stepping up to 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. Equipped with this powertrain and an eight-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission, the AWD-equipped Sorento could reach 60 mph in about 7.5 seconds, although it felt even quicker thanks to the torque.

With 20-inch alloy wheels and sticky tires, the X-Line trim combined sporty handling with a comfortable ride, making it unexpectedly adept on winding roads. Despite its raised 8.2-inch ground clearance, the X-Line Sorento was better suited for light off-roading rather than serious terrain due to its standard tires and limited underbody protection.

The downside? Fuel efficiency. The EPA ratings were optimistic at 24 mpg combined, but real-world driving returned a more modest 20.7 mpg.

The 2023 Subaru Outback's boxer-type engines promised stability due to their lower center of gravity. Our 3,781-pound test vehicle came with a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. While it achieved 28 mpg combined according to the EPA, real-world testing showed 25.6 mpg, revealing the strain of coaxing decent performance from the engine.

For better performance, the turbocharged 2.4-liter engine available in XT trims provided a more satisfying 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, albeit with a hit to fuel efficiency at 25 mpg combined. This higher powertrain came with a CVT mimicking an eight-speed automatic, adding a sporty edge with paddle shifters for interactive driving. The XT's AWD system and higher-riding Wilderness variant made it a more capable off-roader compared to the Sorento.

Inside, our 2022 Kia Sorento test vehicle presented a luxurious feel, though its Rust-colored leather upholstery questioned aesthetic tastes. The SX Prestige featured a 14-way power driver’s seat with a thigh support extension, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The second-row captain’s chairs, designed for younger passengers, were equipped with heating elements, ample storage, charging ports, and a panoramic sunroof overhead.

The third-row seats, however, were a drawback, mainly due to their limited comfort and space. Folding down the third row expanded cargo capacity from 12.6 cubic feet to 38.5 cubic feet. With both rear rows down, the Sorento offered 75.5 cubic feet of cargo space. The smart power tailgate was a handy feature, though occasionally triggered unintentionally.

In contrast, the 2023 Subaru Outback emphasized practicality and comfort. The Touring trim's 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with manual thigh support and an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat echoed this philosophy. Heated and ventilated Nappa leather seats and a heated steering wheel added to the comfort. Backseat passengers enjoyed heated seats and ample legroom, storage, and charging options.

Getting in and out of the Outback was easy, thanks to its higher ride height and supportive seat cushions. With 32.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 75.6 cubic feet with the seats folded, the Outback was neck-to-neck with the Sorento in terms of overall cargo capacity. Practical touches, such as its useful roof rack and flat plastic door sills for stepping on, highlighted its utilitarian design.

For the 2022 Kia Sorento, except for the base LX trim, all models were equipped with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system offering navigation, satellite radio, Kia Connect services, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The interface was feature-rich, intuitive, and inventive, albeit with some quirky color and font choices. The SX Prestige X-Line's exclusive 12-speaker Bose premium sound system elevated the audio experience.

The Sorento’s voice recognition lagged behind its Hyundai counterparts, suggesting a difference in the connected service packages. Wireless charging became standard from the EX trim onwards, further enhancing convenience.

On the 2023 Subaru Outback, the Starlink 11.6-inch touchscreen system was standard across all trims except the Base model, which came with a 7-inch screen. This system included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and access to Starlink connected services. The premium trims offered navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system.

The system's usability had improved over previous iterations, though it wasn’t without flaws. The native voice recognition was ineffective, necessitating constant use of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for reliable assistance. The digital rearview mirror feature and a front-view camera added practical functionality to the Outback.

In 2022, Kia equipped every Sorento with its Drive Wise suite of safety features, with the SX Prestige X-Line boasting a comprehensive list. Unique inclusions like the ultrasonic rear-seat reminder and Junction Assist highlighted its advanced safety measures. The Blind View Monitor was another SX Prestige exclusive, aiding in enhancing side visibility during lane changes.

The Sorento’s safety performance was strong, earning a Top Safety Pick from IIHS and a four-star overall crash rating from NHTSA.

For 2023, Subaru's EyeSight technology became even more advanced, with new cameras and an improved electronic brake booster. The system included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and new pedestrian and cyclist detection capabilities. Higher trims featured an Automatic Emergency Steering system, improving collision avoidance.

The IIHS awarded the 2023 Outback with top ratings in every crash test, including the new side-impact test. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering systems, however, could feel overly artificial and intrusive. The rear automatic braking feature was also problematic, often needing to be turned off due to sensitivity issues in certain driving conditions.