2022 Subaru Ascent vs 2022 Kia Sorento

The 2022 Subaru Ascent introduced a new Onyx Edition trim level, which featured a blacked-out exterior trim that gave the SUV a sporty appearance. This trim level included black 20-inch aluminum wheels, a unique grille design, and special interior trim. The seats were wrapped in water-repellant StarTex synthetic leather, which was available only in a gray two-tone scheme with light gray stitching. While the blacked-out treatment added a sporty look, the StarTex material had a tendency to trap sweat, making it less comfortable on hot days. The Ascent Onyx Edition was priced at $37,995, with an additional $2,000 for an option package that included a panoramic moonroof, a navigation system, and a cargo cover.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Sorento with the X-Line package offered a rugged and stylish appearance with matte-finish wheels, black lower body cladding, a lifted suspension, and robust roof rails. The X-Line package was available with S, EX, and SX Prestige trims, with AWD as standard. Our test vehicle, the SX Prestige X-Line, featured extra-cost Wolf Gray paint, Rust-colored leather, floor mats, and a cargo net, bringing the total MSRP to $45,310. The Sorento's interior exuded quality, with leather upholstery and simulated wood trim on the dashboard. The cabin reflected rock-solid construction, and the SUV's keen sense of interior style did not negatively impact practical storage space.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. It came with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive (AWD) as standard. The Ascent's fuel economy was rated at 22 mpg combined, but our testing loop averaged 20.5 mpg. The engine's horizontally-opposed layout provided a lower center of gravity for improved handling. The CVT featured eight programmed ratios and manual shift control, allowing the Ascent to tow up to 5,000 pounds. The SUV's X-Mode off-road traction control system, hill descent control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance added to its off-roading capabilities. However, the Ascent's lane-keeping and lane-centering assistance technologies sometimes made continuous adjustments that did not correlate with the driver's inputs, leading to an uncertain feel.

The 2022 Kia Sorento offered multiple powertrain options, including a base 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, a turbocharged hybrid powertrain, and a new-for-2022 turbocharged plug-in hybrid powertrain. The turbo 2.5-liter engine, available starting with the EX trim, generated 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission, with AWD as an option. The turbo engine provided a surge of torque and snappy transmission, making the Sorento feel energetic. The SX Prestige X-Line's suspension offered an excellent blend of compliance and composure, and the SUV handled well on winding roads. However, the X-Line package's raised suspension was more for show than serious off-roading. The Sorento's fuel economy was rated at 24 mpg combined, but our testing loop averaged 20.5 mpg.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent could carry up to eight people with a second-row bench seat, but third-row comfort was limited for taller adults. The Ascent Onyx Edition included features like triple-zone climate control, heated front seats, heated side mirrors, and a wiper de-icer. Loading the second-row seat was easy, thanks to wide rear doors that opened to nearly a 90-degree angle. The Ascent provided 17.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the third-row seat, 47.5 cubic feet behind the second-row seat, and 86.5 cubic feet with both rows folded down. Versions with the panoramic sunroof had slightly less cargo space.

The 2022 Kia Sorento's SX Prestige X-Line trim featured a luxurious interior with Rust-colored leather seats, a 14-way power driver's seat, and a 10-way power front passenger seat. The second-row captain's chairs were heated and designed for kids, with cupholders, USB charging ports, rear air conditioning vents, and dual storage pockets. The third-row seat was less comfortable for adults, with limited legroom and head restraints flush against the rear window. The Sorento offered 12.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seat, 38.5 cubic feet with the third row folded down, and 75.5 cubic feet with the second row folded down. The "smart" power tailgate made loading easier when the key fob was nearby.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent's base trim came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system that included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, satellite radio, and a CD player. The Premium trim added an 8-inch display with Starlink connected services, including a WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting with climate control pre-conditioning. The system's voice recognition technology needed improvement, and the Onyx Edition's standard stereo speakers lacked sonic quality. The Touring trim level included additional features like a digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree-view front camera.

The 2022 Kia Sorento's base LX trim had an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while other trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen display with navigation, satellite radio, Kia Connect services, and both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 10.25-inch version required a cable for smartphone integration. The infotainment system offered plenty of features and functions with an intuitive user interface, 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 the EX trim.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent received a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and five-star crash-test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in all evaluations except for rollover resistance, where it earned a four-star rating. The Ascent came standard with Subaru's EyeSight driver-assistance tech, which included adaptive cruise control with lane-centering technology. However, EyeSight's performance was affected by low, direct sunlight, and the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology lacked refinement. Additional safety features included steering responsive LED headlights with automatic high-beam assist and a blind-spot monitoring system available starting with the Premium trim.

The 2022 Kia Sorento came standard with Kia Drive Wise, which included a variety of safety features depending on the trim level. The Sorento's rear-seat reminder system used ultrasonic sensors to monitor the interior for movement, and Junction Assist used the forward-collision warning system to prevent unsafe turns. The SX Prestige X-Line trim featured a Blind View Monitor system and Intelligent Speed Limit Assist. The Highway Driving Assist technology provided Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capabilities. The Sorento received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with the highest rating for the SX and SX Prestige trims' LED headlights. The NHTSA gave the Sorento a four-star overall crash-test rating, with four-star ratings for frontal-impact collision and rollover resistance.