2023 Toyota RAV4 vs 2024 Kia Sorento

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 was available in six trim levels, offering a range of options from the budget-friendly RAV4 LE to the more luxurious RAV4 Limited, with two off-road-oriented trims in between. The design remained largely unchanged from the 2019 model, particularly in the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims, which featured a distinctive two-part face. The Adventure trim, which was tested, had a more aggressive grille with a centrally positioned Toyota badge, blacked-out wheels, and a faux skid plate. Despite its rugged appearance, it was more of a style statement than a true off-road performer. Inside, the Adventure trim added orange accents, including a stripe on the seats and contrast stitching, enhancing the otherwise basic interior. The RAV4 offered a frameless rearview mirror, adding a touch of premium feel, and various upholstery options across trims, with heated and ventilated seats available in higher trims.

The 2024 Kia Sorento received its first major visual update since its 2021 debut, aligning its design more closely with Kia's other SUVs like the Telluride. The Sorento featured a bold new front end with vertically-stacked LED headlights and wing-like daytime running lights, giving it a larger and more intimidating presence. The rear was subtly updated with new bumpers and LED taillights on higher trims. The Sorento's trims remained the same, but the rugged X-Line package was now exclusive to EX and higher models, with the new X-Pro trim offering even more aggressive styling. Inside, the Sorento boasted a new dashboard with a cleaner design, featuring a combined gauge cluster and infotainment display under a single pane of glass. The cabin materials were upgraded, with faux open-pore wood grain and quality stitching on higher trims, and optional green and brown interior colors added character.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came standard with front-wheel drive, except for the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims, which were all-wheel-drive by default. The RAV4 offered a single engine choice for its gas-powered models, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the transmission was preferable to a CVT, it didn't enhance acceleration, making the RAV4's performance more "unobjectionable" than "exciting." The Adventure trim, with its 19-inch wheels and all-season tires, was not as off-road capable as the TRD Off-Road trim, which featured 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires and a TRD-tuned suspension.

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 lb-ft of torque. This engine struggled with the Sorento's weight, resulting in sluggish acceleration. Higher trims used a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with a dual-clutch eight-speed automatic transmission. Turbocharged Sorentos offered better performance, with zero-to-60 times in the mid-seven-second range. The Sorento was front-wheel drive by default, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The X-Line and X-Pro trims offered more ground clearance and off-road capability, with the X-Pro featuring 17-inch rims and all-terrain tires for improved grip. The Sorento's towing capacity varied, with the X-Pro rated at 4,500 pounds.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 was designed to seat five, offering 37.7 inches of headroom in the front row and 39.5 inches in the back with the moonroof. It provided 41 inches of front legroom and 37.8 inches in the second row, with the back seat being narrower than competitors like the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester. The RAV4 offered convenient storage options, including a shelf along the glove compartment and generous door pockets. Cargo space was 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2024 Kia Sorento's cabin was comfortable in the first two rows but tight in the third. It offered 41.4 inches of front legroom and 41.7 inches in the second row, with optional captain's chairs. The third row had 29.6 inches of legroom, more than some larger SUVs like the Toyota Highlander. The Sorento's new dash was ergonomic, with plenty of small-item storage. Cargo space was limited to 12.6 cubic feet with the third row in use, expanding to 38.5 to 45 cubic feet with it folded, and up to 72.1 cubic feet with all seats down.

For 2023, the Toyota RAV4 received a new infotainment system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen standard and a 10.5-inch touchscreen for higher trims. The system supported over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Adventure trim tested had an upgraded multimedia system with a 10.5-inch screen and an 11-speaker JBL audio system. A 7-inch driver-information display was standard, with a 12.3-inch version available on the Limited trim.

The 2024 Kia Sorento featured a single-pane, twin-screen setup with a 12.3-inch screen standard across all trims. The gauge cluster varied, with lower trims having a 4.3-inch TFT display and higher trims getting a second 12.3-inch digital display. The new infotainment system, "Connected Car Navigation Cockpit," prioritized popular features and supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. SX-Prestige models had a Bose 12-speaker audio system and Digital Key 2.0, allowing phone-based vehicle access.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came with standard safety features like lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The TSS 2.5 suite included Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. The RAV4 earned a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, with top scores in crash-testing.

The 2024 Kia Sorento's Drivewise suite included adaptive cruise control, forward automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Optional features included navigation-based adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist 2. The Sorento earned "Good" ratings in some IIHS tests, but its LATCH system received an "Acceptable" rating. NHTSA ratings were not yet available.