2022 Kia Telluride vs 2022 Kia Sorento

In 2022, the Kia Telluride made an impression with its muscular design, balanced proportions, and trendy blacked-out wheels and trim. Kia made only minor adjustments, such as slight changes to the grille pattern and the addition of new badges. The Telluride continued in LX, S, EX, and SX trims, with prices ranging from $32,790 to $44,590, plus a destination charge of $1,225. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard across all versions, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available for an additional $2,000 ($1,900 for SX trim).

Our Telluride SX test vehicle featured AWD, the SX Prestige Package, and carpeted floor mats, totaling $48,325. The SUV’s interior was visually appealing, with logically arranged controls. However, the plastic covering on the lower half of the cabin was excessively glossy, imparting a slightly cheap look, particularly in the otherwise luxurious SX Prestige, which boasted stitched Nappa leather and a simulated suede headliner. New standard features for 2022 included a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, automatic climate control, Highway Driving Assist, and navigation-based Smart Cruise Control-Curve. The S trim also gained a standard wireless smartphone charger.

The 2022 Kia Sorento, while stylish in every variant, gained an even more striking look with the X-Line package. This package, newly available on S, EX, and SX Prestige trims, added rugged bumpers, matte-finish wheels, black lower body cladding, lifted suspension, and beefy roof rails, enhancing the SUV's dynamic stance. Our test vehicle came with additional cost Wolf Gray paint, Rust-colored leather, floor mats, and a cargo net, bringing the total MSRP to $45,310, with a $1,215 destination charge.

Starting from a base price of $29,590 plus destination for the LX trim with FWD, the Sorento offered SUVs that exuded quality, from the leather upholstery and simulated wood trim to the solid feel of the door releases and transmission shifter. The cabin exhibited rock-solid construction, with nothing feeling flimsy. Best of all, the interior managed to combine style with practical storage solutions effectively.

Driving the 2022 Kia Telluride was a delight despite its larger size and seven-passenger capacity. The SUV was powered by a 291-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 262 pound-feet of torque. This robust engine was the sole option for the Telluride. Powered by an eight-speed automatic transmission, AWD versions could use a Lock mode that evenly split power to the front and rear axles.

With up to eight inches of ground clearance, the Telluride was suitable for moderate off-road paths but wasn't meant for serious off-roading. On dry pavement, the brake-based Torque Vectoring Cornering Control system enhanced the driving experience. Drivers could choose between Eco, Comfort, Smart, and Sport modes. The SX trim's 20-inch wheels provided good traction, and though the SUV allowed some body roll in corners, this compliance contributed to a smoother ride. It performed admirably on highways, and the Highway Driving Assist system made long-distance drives more comfortable.

Fuel economy for the Telluride SX AWD matched the EPA estimate, averaging 21.1 mpg in combined driving. With FWD, the estimate was 23 mpg. The Telluride could tow up to 5,000 pounds, making it practical for hauling needs.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Sorento’s standard 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine was relatively underwhelming, taking nearly 9.5 seconds to reach 60 mph. More powerful options included a 281-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, a turbocharged hybrid powertrain, and a new-for-2022 turbocharged plug-in hybrid powertrain. The turbo 2.5-liter engine, available from the EX trim onward, generated 311 pound-feet of torque, providing a more thrilling driving experience than the Telluride's V6.

The turbo engine paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission, powering the front wheels, or AWD with a torque-vectoring system. With AWD, the Sorento accelerated to 60 mph in around 7.5 seconds. Despite the Sorento SX Prestige X-Line’s raised suspension and sport sedan-like handling, its fuel economy lagged, averaging 20.5 mpg on evaluation loops against an EPA estimate of 24 mpg.

The 2022 Kia Telluride successfully balanced form and function with an upscale, organized, and utility-focused interior. Highlights included overhead air vents, manual rear side window shades, smartphone storage pouches, USB ports in the seatbacks, and accessible rear cupholders. Dual-zone automatic climate control served front-seat occupants, while a single-zone panel catered to the rear.

The SX Prestige package added premium features like Nappa leather upholstery and a simulated suede headliner. The Telluride offered comfortable seating for adults in all three rows, though the third row was less preferred due to space constraints. Ample storage space was available, including 21 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third row, expanding to 46 cubic feet with the seats folded, and a maximum of 87 cubic feet.

The 2022 Kia Sorento’s interior, with Rust-colored leather, exuded a luxurious feel. The SX Prestige added a 14-way power driver’s seat, 10-way front passenger adjustment, and heated and ventilated front seats. Rear seating accommodations included standard captain’s chairs from the EX trim and heated seats in the SX Prestige X-Line. The second row was designed for children with several useful features, though the third-row seat was less suitable for adults due to its flat cushion and limited legroom. Cargo space behind the third row was 12.6 cubic feet, expanding to 38.5 cubic feet, and maxing out at 75.5 cubic feet with all seats folded. A smart power tailgate facilitated loading.

For 2022, Kia made a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system standard in the Telluride, inclusive of navigation and voice recognition technology. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a wired connection. The SUV provided USB ports in all three rows and a wireless smartphone charging pad, standard from the S trim onward. Additional standard features included Kia Connect, offering various connected services like 911 Connect, remote engine start, and Find My Car.

The Telluride also featured a suite of kid-friendly technologies, including Quiet Mode and Driver Talk. Our SX test vehicle came with a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a head-up display, and a surround-view monitoring system.

Similarly, the 2022 Kia Sorento offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, satellite radio, Kia Connect services, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from all trims except the base LX, which retained an 8-inch display. Unlike the Telluride, the Sorento’s infotainment system required a wired connection for smartphone integration in higher trims. The system's design was unique, albeit with a potentially polarizing interface and excessive use of purple in its graphics.

The Sorento SX Prestige X-Line featured a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system, reserved for top trims, while wireless smartphone charging was available from the EX trim onward.

The 2022 Kia Telluride came equipped with a comprehensive array of standard driver assistance and collision avoidance technologies under the Kia Drive Wise banner. These included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping, and centering assists, and adaptive cruise control with curve speed reduction. Highway Driving Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. Additional features included Safe Exit Assist and Blind-Spot View Monitor technology.

The Telluride earned a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and secured a "Top Safety Pick" designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2022 Kia Sorento also boasted an extensive list of safety features under Kia Drive Wise, with some distinctions based on trim. Notable features included a rear-seat reminder system using ultrasonic sensors, Junction Assist, and Intelligent Speed Limit Assist. The Sorento’s Blind-Spot View Monitor technology and Highway Driving Assist enhanced driver safety.

The Sorento received a four-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" from the IIHS, with top ratings for its LED headlights in higher trims.