2022 Nissan Pathfinder vs 2022 Kia Sorento

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder stepped into its fifth generation with a design overhaul, reminiscent of the company’s latest SUV aesthetics. Up front, it boasted a fresh take on Nissan's V-motion grille, aligned with what you'd find on models like the Rogue and Armada. Topped with the new Nissan logo and flanked by LED headlights, the three-slot grille design was a nod to the first-generation Pathfinder. Slim LED daytime running lights, embossed C-pillars, and an assortment of 14 paint options added to its robust profile. The side panels and hood gave it a beefier, more modern look resonating more closely with the Kia Telluride than with the Toyota Highlander. With thin taillights wrapping around the liftgate and prominent gate-wide badging, the overall aesthetic screamed rugged capability.

Nissan managed to make the Pathfinder 0.6 inches wider, with a track 1.2 inches wider, though it was 0.8 inches shorter end-to-end and stood 0.2 inches higher, all without compromising on interior space. The aim was clear – to present a more capable and rugged vehicle, and they hit the mark. The Pathfinder offered four trim levels: S, SV, SL, and Platinum. All trims came with body-color door handles, chrome badging, and a chrome grille. Privacy glass covered the rear, rear-quarter, and liftgate windows. Higher trims featured a panoramic moonroof and roof rack, while seating configurations ranged from eight-passenger seating on standard trims to seven-passenger captain's chair setup on the Platinum grade.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Sorento, especially in its X-Line treatment, stood out with its rugged bumpers, matte-finish wheels, black body cladding, lifted suspension, and robust roof rails. These elements turned it into a more defined and purposeful SUV. The Sorento X-Line package was available across trims like S, EX, and SX Prestige, all coming equipped with AWD. The tested SX Prestige specification featured Wolf Gray paint, rust-colored leather interiors, and added accessories for a total of $45,310, including destination charges.

Regardless of trim, the Sorento exuded quality, from leather upholstery to simulated wood trim on the dashboard. The cabin reflected solid construction, smart design detail, and practical storage without feeling flimsy. Even the base model was imbued with a sense of style and well-being.

For the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder, the power came from a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 284 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque. Despite the unchanged engine, the introduction of a new nine-speed automatic transmission replaced the older CVT model. This new transmission, coupled with an electronic shift-by-wire drive selector and paddle shifters, offered a smooth transition through gears. Available in both FWD and AWD, the Pathfinder included a five-position drive mode selector (FWD) and seven drive and terrain modes (AWD). The vehicle featured hill start assist across all models, and hill descent control was exclusive to AWD.

Fuel efficiency varied: the FWD Pathfinder managed 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, while the AWD version upped highway mileage slightly. The Platinum AWD version dipped to 20 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, maintaining a 22 mpg combined figure. With a stable suspension setup that absorbed road imperfections and an accommodating 6,000-pound towing capacity, the Pathfinder was a solid ride. It had a tight turning radius, making it agile for city driving and off-road trails.

Conversely, the 2022 Kia Sorento came standard with a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which was adequate but slow to accelerate. More potent powertrains included a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a hybrid, and a new turbocharged plug-in hybrid. The Sorento EX and above featured the more powerful turbo 2.5-liter engine, delivering 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, making it more enjoyable than the V6 in the Telluride. Kia swapped the standard eight-speed automatic transmission for an eight-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission on higher trims. The AWD with the turbo engine accelerated to 60 mph in about 7.5 seconds.

Despite the X-Line's raised suspension, the Sorento drove more like a sports sedan, absorbing road bumps with ease and providing excellent body motion control. The fuel economy for the SX Prestige X-Line clocked in at 20.5 mpg during evaluations, contrary to the EPA's 24 mpg combined estimate.

The Nissan Pathfinder prioritized interior comfort with advanced noise reduction measures, including improved insulation, front-row acoustic laminated glass, and thicker second-row glass. It showcased multiple features aimed at family convenience, like the EZ Flex Latch and Glide second-row seat technology, enabling easy access to the third row. The innovative removable second-row center console added to its flexibility. The Pathfinder offered a generous 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 45.0 cubic feet with third-row seats folded flat, and a vast 80.5 cubic feet with both second and third rows down.

Meanwhile, the 2022 Kia Sorento presented a luxurious interior, although the rust-colored leather was an unusual aesthetic choice. Featuring a 14-way power driver’s seat and 10-way power-adjustable front passenger seats, the SX Prestige offered an elevated comfort level with standard heated and ventilated seats. Second-row captain’s chairs began from the EX trim and were heated in the SX Prestige X-Line. Kids in the second row benefited from abundant amenities, but the third row was tight and more suitable for children or occasional adult use. Cargo space was smaller, with 12.6 cubic feet behind the third row, which extended to 38.5 cubic feet with the third row down, and maxed out at 75.5 cubic feet with the second row also folded.

Both the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder and 2022 Kia Sorento came well-equipped with modern tech, but with distinct differences. The Pathfinder offered an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen standard, expanding to a 9-inch display in higher trims. Standard features included a six-speaker audio system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and multiple USB ports. Upper trims added a wireless charging pad and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel in the Platinum grade.

The Kia Sorento’s base model featured an 8-inch touchscreen, but other trims benefited from an upgrade to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and Kia Connect services. While intuitive, Kia's infotainment system graphics were unique, with a preference for purple. The voice recognition system, however, tended to lag behind Hyundai's equivalent. The SX Prestige X-Line exclusively offered a 12-speaker Bose premium surround-sound system, adding depth to the audio experience.

The safety features in the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder were plentiful, with standard Nissan Safety Shield 360 systems including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. It offered a surround-view monitor on upper trims and added a remarkable 11 airbags in the Pathfinder Platinum.

The 2022 Kia Sorento leveled up with its Kia Drive Wise package across all trims. Noteworthy elements included a rear-seat reminder system with ultrasonic sensors, Junction Assist for safer turns, and a Blind View Monitor exclusively in the SX Prestige X-Line. Kia's Highway Driving Assist, offering semi-autonomous driving, impressed with its accuracy and ease of use. The Sorento received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA.