2023 Genesis GV80 vs 2024 Kia Sorento

The 2023 Genesis GV80 presented a sophisticated and graceful exterior with its quad-lamp headlights and bold grille, embodying a stately presence at over 16 feet long. The Prestige trim featured 22-inch alloy wheels, enhancing its elegant appearance, especially with the matte Brunswick Green paint. The rear design mirrored the front with four-part taillamps above dual exhausts, and while the hands-free liftgate was boxy, it added to the SUV's elegance. Inside, the dark green quilted leather seats complemented the metal and matte wood trim, with a unique two-spoke steering wheel. The center console housed three large dials for infotainment, transmission, and drive modes. Despite the 14.5-inch infotainment screen appearing somewhat out of place, the interior was spacious and luxurious, offering a pleasant environment.

The 2024 Kia Sorento underwent a significant visual update, aligning more closely with its siblings like the Telluride and EV9. The new front end, with a bluff grille and vertically-stacked LED headlights, gave it a more robust and intimidating look. The rear updates were subtle, with LED taillights and new bumpers on higher trims. The Sorento's trims remained, but the rugged X-Line package was limited to EX and higher models, with the new X-Pro offering smaller wheels and all-terrain tires. Inside, the redesigned dashboard featured a clean, horizontal expanse with combined gauge and infotainment displays under a single pane of glass. The cabin materials were upgraded, with faux open-pore wood grain and quality stitching on the leather-wrapped steering wheel and seats, offering a more upscale feel.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 offered all-wheel drive with a choice between a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, or a turbo 3.5-liter V6 delivering 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the GV80 wasn't particularly quick, taking about five and a half seconds to reach 60 mph, it excelled in highway driving with smooth power delivery and shifts. The electronically controlled suspension and active noise cancellation contributed to a quiet and comfortable ride.

The 2024 Kia Sorento retained most of its mechanical components, with the base engine being a 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. This engine struggled with the Sorento's weight, taking nearly 10 seconds to reach 60 mph. Higher trims featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with a dual-clutch eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged models offered better performance, with zero-to-60 times in the mid-seven-second range. The Sorento's all-wheel drive option added ground clearance and improved usability without compromising on-road behavior. The X-Pro trim excelled in off-road conditions, offering a smoother ride and more grip with its all-terrain tires.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 compensated for its lack of driving excitement with luxury features and spaciousness. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard, with ventilated front and rear seats available. The Ergo Motion driver's seat offered fatigue-reducing features, and the Nappa leather seats were sumptuous. While a third row was optional, its limited legroom made it suitable only for children. The GV80 boasted a large cargo space, with 34.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 84 cubic feet with the seats folded. It also had a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds.

The 2024 Kia Sorento's cabin was comfortable in the first two rows, with 41.4 inches of legroom in the front and 41.7 inches in the second row. The third row offered 29.6 inches of legroom, suitable for occasional use by children. The Sorento's cargo space was limited to 12.6 cubic feet with the third row in use, but expanded to 38.5 to 45 cubic feet with it folded, and up to 72.1 cubic feet with all seats down. The Sorento's controls were ergonomic, and higher trims offered features like heated and ventilated front seats and a power liftgate.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, accompanied by a 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster. While the infotainment screen was slightly out of reach, the dial control was cumbersome. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though not wirelessly, and offered wireless charging and multiple USB ports. The GV80's remote smart parking assist allowed the vehicle to park itself without the driver inside, adding convenience.

The 2024 Kia Sorento adopted a single-pane, twin-screen setup for its gauge and infotainment displays, with a 12.3-inch screen standard across all trims. The new infotainment system, "Connected Car Navigation Cockpit" (CCnC), prioritized popular features on the home screen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the system supported over-the-air updates. The Sorento offered USB-C outlets in all three rows and a Bose 12-speaker audio system on higher trims. Digital Key 2.0 allowed certain phones to lock, unlock, and drive the vehicle without a key.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver aids, including forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The blind-spot video feed in the digital gauge cluster was a standout feature. Highway Drive Assist provided semi-autonomous driving on approved highways, though it struggled in bright sunlight. The GV80 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings from the IIHS, with some areas rated as "Acceptable."

The 2024 Kia Sorento's Drivewise suite included a wide range of standard and optional safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, forward automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The Sorento's adaptive cruise control systems learned from driver behavior and offered precise distance maintenance. Optional features included surround-view cameras and a rear-view camera mirror. The Sorento received "Good" ratings in several IIHS tests, though its LATCH system was rated "Acceptable." The NHTSA had not yet evaluated the 2024 model.