2023 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2024 Kia Sorento

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, with its redesigned models, was presented in Santa Barbara, California. The RX 350h and RX 500h F Sport Performance hybrids were the focus, showcasing subtle differences from the standard RX 350. The RX 350h Luxury model, in Iridium silver, featured 21-inch wheels but lacked hybrid-specific badges, maintaining a classic look. The RX 500h F Sport Performance stood out with its Copper paint, blacked-out grille, and aggressive styling, emphasizing its performance orientation. Despite its popularity, the RX's design was not considered stunning, with a front-heavy appearance and a visually shortened rear end. Inside, the RX adopted a minimalistic design with improved infotainment and luxurious materials, such as Macadamia leather and Ash Bamboo trim in the RX 350h, and a sportier black interior in the RX 500h.

The 2024 Kia Sorento received a significant visual update, aligning more closely with its siblings like the Telluride. It featured a bold new front end with a large grille, vertically-stacked LED headlights, and wing-like daytime running lights, giving it a more imposing presence. The rear updates were subtle, with new bumpers and LED taillights on higher trims. The Sorento's interior was modernized with a new dashboard and combined gauge and infotainment displays under a single pane of glass. The cabin materials were upgraded, offering a more upscale feel, with options for green and brown interior colors. The Sorento maintained its reputation for comfort, especially in the first two rows, while the third row remained tight but functional for occasional use.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a range of powertrains. The RX 350h featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine producing 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, achieving 36 mpg combined. It accelerated to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, with a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine, delivered 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in 5.9 seconds but with a lower fuel economy of 27 mpg combined. The RX 500h included advanced features like adaptive damping suspension and Dynamic Rear Steering, enhancing its driving dynamics. However, accessing drive modes required navigating the infotainment system, which could be cumbersome.

The 2024 Kia Sorento retained its mechanical components, with the base engine being a 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 191 hp and 181 lb-ft 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 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, offering more lively performance with mid-seven-second 0-60 times. The Sorento's AWD option added ground clearance and off-road capability, especially in the X-Pro trim with all-terrain tires. The Sorento's ride was comfortable, and its handling was confident, though the turbo models had a combined fuel economy of 23 mpg.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid provided a comfortable interior with ten-way power-adjustable front seats, premium leather, and effective climate control. The RX 500h F Sport Performance had sportier seats with standard leather and a thicker steering wheel. The hybrid's battery placement under the rear seat slightly raised the cushion, offering good leg support but limited headroom. Cargo space was improved to 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 46.2 cubic feet with seats folded, though still less than some competitors.

The 2024 Kia Sorento's cabin was spacious in the first two rows, with 41.4 inches of front legroom and 41.7 inches in the second row. The third row was tighter with 29.6 inches of legroom but was functional for occasional use. The Sorento offered practical storage solutions and a logical control layout. Cargo space was limited to 12.6 cubic feet with the third row up but expanded to 72.1 cubic feet with all seats down, providing ample room for most needs.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring subscription services for full functionality. The system included cloud-based navigation and an Intelligent Assistant, though it had some limitations. The touchscreen allowed only one menu view at a time, and reflections were an issue. The available head-up display had usability challenges, especially with polarized sunglasses.

The 2024 Kia Sorento featured a redesigned infotainment system with a 12.3-inch screen across all trims. The new software, CCnC, prioritized popular features and offered a user-friendly interface. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the system supported over-the-air updates. Higher trims included a Bose 12-speaker audio system and Digital Key 2.0 for keyless access and sharing.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid came with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, offering advanced driving assistance features like motorcycle detection and evasive steering assistance. Proactive Driving Assist and Traffic Jam Assist were also available, though some features had usability issues, such as the front cross-traffic alert and curve-speed reduction.

The 2024 Kia Sorento included the Drivewise suite with adaptive cruise control, emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Optional features like Highway Driving Assist 2 and surround-view cameras enhanced safety. The Sorento received "Good" ratings in some IIHS tests, though the LATCH system was rated "Acceptable."