2024 Kia Sorento vs 2023 Subaru Outback

The 2023 Subaru Outback received a facelift that gave it a more aggressive appearance. It featured redesigned LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper with dark gray vertical cladding, creating the illusion of large air intakes. The addition of a jutting simulated skid plate, oversized fog light housings, and asymmetrical wheel arch trim reminiscent of the Wilderness model contributed to its bold look. While some might find these changes appealing, others might prefer a dark paint color to tone down the design's excesses. The Onyx Edition, with its black wheels and trim, offered a more cohesive look and was available with both the base and turbocharged powertrains, making it more accessible with a starting price of $33,495 for the non-turbo version.

The 2024 Kia Sorento underwent its first major visual update since its 2021 debut, aligning its design more closely with Kia's other SUVs like the Telluride and EV9. It sported a new, bluff front end with vertically-stacked LED projector-beam headlights and wing-like amber LED daytime running lights, giving it a larger and more intimidating presence. The rear received subtle updates, including new bumpers and LED taillights on higher trims. The Sorento's interior was modernized with a new dashboard and combined gauge cluster 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 optional leather-wrapped steering wheel and seats, enhancing its upscale feel.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured horizontally opposed engines, known for their flat design and characteristic grumble. The standard 2.5-liter engine produced 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, but it struggled with the Outback's 3,781-pound weight, especially during passing and climbing. The turbocharged 2.4-liter engine in the XT models offered a more satisfying 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, providing better acceleration and responsiveness. The Outback's fuel efficiency was disappointing, with the standard engine achieving 25.6 mpg in real-world testing, below the EPA's 28 mpg estimate. The XT models, while more powerful, were less fuel-efficient, with the Wilderness trim rated at 23 mpg combined. The Outback's AWD system and X-Mode traction system enhanced its off-road capabilities, making it adept at handling challenging terrain.

The 2024 Kia Sorento retained its mechanical components, with the base 2.5-liter engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. This engine struggled with the Sorento's weight, resulting in sluggish acceleration. The turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, available on EX and higher trims, delivered a more robust 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, providing lively performance and ample passing power. The Sorento's AWD system, available as an option, added 1.2 inches of ground clearance, enhancing its usability without compromising on-road behavior. The Sorento's ride was smooth and quiet, with the X-Pro trim offering improved off-road capabilities. The turbocharged models achieved 23 mpg combined, aligning with the Outback's fuel efficiency.

The 2023 Subaru Outback prioritized utility with features like a robust roof rack and flat door sill trim. The Touring trim offered a comfortable interior with premium Nappa leather seats, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Outback's spacious cabin accommodated four passengers comfortably, with ample legroom and storage options. The cargo area provided 32.6 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, expanding to 75.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The Outback's high ground clearance made it easy to enter and exit, while the flat door sills served as convenient steps for accessing the roof rack.

The 2024 Kia Sorento's cabin was modern and comfortable, with ample legroom in the first two rows. The third row, while tight, offered more space than some competitors. The Sorento's interior featured noise-insulating acoustic glass and optional heated and ventilated front seats. The third row provided 29.6 inches of legroom, suitable for children or occasional use. The Sorento's cargo space was limited with the third row in use, offering 12.6 cubic feet, but expanded to 38.5 to 45 cubic feet with the third row folded. The Sorento's controls were ergonomic, and the cabin offered plenty of small-item storage.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured a Starlink 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system on all trims except the Base. The system included physical controls for volume, tuning, and climate control, while other functions were embedded in the touchscreen. The infotainment system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, along with subscription-based Starlink connected services. The voice recognition system was limited, struggling with basic commands. Additional technologies included a camera-based digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree front-view camera, but a surround-view camera was not available.

The 2024 Kia Sorento adopted a single-pane, twin-screen setup for its gauge and infotainment displays. All models featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen with the new "Connected Car Navigation Cockpit" software, prioritizing popular features on the home screen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity were standard, and the system supported over-the-air updates. The Sorento offered USB-C outlets in all three rows and an auxiliary jack for older devices. Higher trims featured a Bose 12-speaker surround sound system and Digital Key 2.0, allowing smartphone access to the vehicle.

The 2023 Subaru Outback prioritized safety with its EyeSight system, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The system added new pedestrian, cyclist, and automatic steering functions. The Outback earned top safety ratings from the IIHS, including in the new side-impact crash test. The Outback Limited and Touring offered a Wide-Angle Mono Camera for improved pedestrian detection. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist systems felt artificial, and the rear automatic braking system was incompatible with some driveways.

The 2024 Kia Sorento featured the Drivewise suite of active safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The system added more sensors and machine-learning features, enhancing its performance. The Sorento offered navigation-based adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist, with Highway Driving Assist 2 available on the SX-Prestige. The Sorento's safety features generally performed well, though some sensors were blocked by dirt and snow during testing. The IIHS had not fully evaluated the 2024 Sorento, but it received "Good" ratings in several tests.