2024 Acura MDX vs 2024 Kia Sorento

The 2024 Acura MDX was a standout in terms of design. Acura had truly perfected the MDX's exterior, showcasing a large shield grille flanked by striking headlights and a pair of intake vents below. The lower bumper area seemed almost bent, giving it a contemporary and refined appearance. Inside, the MDX was high-tech but somewhat cluttered with an array of controls in the center console that could overwhelm at first and proved difficult to operate.

Acura offered the MDX in several trims, referred to as packages, including the Technology Package, A-Spec Package, and Advance Package. The 2024 model also introduced the Type-S and Type-S Advance versions. Each trim added unique features, with the base model providing tri-zone automatic climate control, push-button start, synthetic leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable front seats, and heated front seats. The Technology Package added ambient cabin lighting, navigation, a 12-speaker ELS premium stereo system, and genuine leather upholstery.

At a sportier level, the A-Spec trim brought in unique styling elements, a 16-speaker ELS audio system, perforated leather seats, and ventilated front seats, plus an in-cabin intercom system. The Advance Package included a heated steering wheel, additional USB ports, remote start, and heated second-row seats. The Type-S Advance, meanwhile, combined the Technology Package and A-Spec's features, adding a deluxe 26-speaker ELS sound system and massaging front seats, which were remarkably firm and refreshing.

On the other hand, the 2024 Kia Sorento’s first major visual update since its 2021 debut was evident in its aesthetic appeal, drawing inspiration from the popular Telluride and the new EV9. It adopted a new, robust front end, enhanced taillights, and a more upscale and modern cockpit.

Externally, the Sorento featured a bluff new grille with vertically stacked LED projector-beam headlights and wing-like amber LED daytime running lights. These changes made the Sorento appear larger and more intimidating. The rear had subtle updates with higher trims getting new LED taillights, while all trims featured revamped bumpers and new wheel designs.

The Sorento, available in trims LX, S, EX, SX, and SX-Prestige, introduced the X-Line package for the EX and higher models, characterized by smaller wheels and all-terrain tires. The X-Line and X-Pro trims presented a rugged look with blacked-out wheels and earthy paint colors. Inside, the Sorento flaunted a sleek new dashboard, with a combined gauge cluster and infotainment display under a single pane of glass across all trims, with SX and SX Prestige models boasting dual 12.3-inch displays. Materials inside the Sorento had a luxury feel, especially with the faux open-pore wood grain and quality stitching available in higher trims.

The 2024 Acura MDX offered impressive performance with its standard 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The Type S variant was equipped with a twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine delivering 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle utilized either front-wheel drive or Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system.

The Type-S Advance we drove exhibited robust acceleration, thanks to the turbochargers. Though it didn’t deliver a head-whipping response, the power was ample for quick starts, highway mergers, and passing maneuvers. The adaptive air suspension and Brembo performance brakes on the Type-S ensured smooth handling and refined comfort over bumps. With a towing capacity maxing out at 5,000 pounds (3,500 pounds for FWD models), the MDX was versatile in performance.

In contrast, the 2024 Kia Sorento retained its previous mechanical configurations, with the base engine being a 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. However, its performance lagged due to the Sorento’s heft, making the base model feel sluggish, taking nearly 10 seconds to reach 60 mph. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission in the LX and S trims.

The EX and higher trims benefited from a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine generating a robust 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with a dual-clutch eight-speed automatic transmission. Turbo Sorentos provided decent acceleration with zero-to-60 times in the mid-seven-second range. All-wheel drive was an option on higher trims, adding the X-Line’s rugged styling, blacked-out wheels, and 8.2 inches of ground clearance.

Despite the Sorento’s size, it handled confidently on the road, with well-weighted steering and effective braking. While the X-Line’s large wheels could transmit vibrations over rough terrain, the X-Pro's smaller 17-inch rims with all-terrain tires provided a smoother ride. The Sorento had various drive and terrain modes, along with hill descent control, which enhanced its off-road capabilities. The X-Pro trim even boasted a towing capacity of 4,500 pounds, outperforming other Sorento trims and placing it in a competitive position for light off-road duties.

The 2024 Acura MDX featured three rows of seating. The first two rows were comfortable and supportive, but the third row was relatively small, suitable mostly for children. With 16.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 39.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, the MDX offered usable storage. Maximum cargo capacity reached 71.4 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. Additional storage was available beneath the cargo load floor, and the MDX came standard with a power liftgate, with a hands-free option available on the Advance Package.

The Type-S Advance test vehicle featured a second-row bench with a fold-down center console and integrated cupholders. Although there were no second-row captain’s chairs, the fold-out armrest provided an individual seat experience for second-row passengers. Despite ample cupholders and center console space, the cluster of controls in the center stack, particularly the shifter and large IDS dial, seemed unnecessary and could be confusing for drivers.

In comparison, the 2024 Kia Sorento’s cabin updates maintained comfort in the first two rows, with the third row being tighter yet offering advantages over smaller SUVs like the Mitsubishi Outlander and Volkswagen Tiguan. The Sorento provided 41.4 inches of legroom in the front seats and 41.7 inches in the second row, surpassing most two-row SUVs in this size range.

The third row, with 29.6 inches of legroom, was tight but still managed better than competitors like the Toyota Highlander and the smaller Tiguan. The second row’s optional captain’s chairs allowed for closer supervision and easier access to the third row without opening the doors.

However, the Sorento’s third row also impacted cargo space, offering just 12.6 cubic feet of storage with the third row in use. Folding the third row down increased cargo space to 38.5 to 45 cubic feet (depending on trim), with up to 72.1 cubic feet available with all seats folded down. The EX and higher models added a power liftgate for convenience.

The 2024 Acura MDX’s infotainment system was, unfortunately, its weak point. Despite a 12.3-inch display atop the dash, it was not a touchscreen. Instead, it was controlled via a touchpad below the shifter, which was frustratingly unintuitive.

On a positive note, the MDX came standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, satellite radio, HD radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Multiple USB ports, a fully digital instrument panel, and wireless device charging were also standard. Despite the cumbersome touchpad interface, the MDX’s thoughtful touches, such as hidden charging ports and a leather handrest for the touchpad, showcased careful design consideration.

The 2024 Kia Sorento embraced a new single-pane, twin-screen setup for its gauge and infotainment displays, featuring a newly designed infotainment system called “Connected Car Navigation Cockpit” (CCnC). This new system prioritized frequently used features on the home screen, making it easier to navigate and future-proof.

All Sorento trims now featured a 12.3-inch screen, with lower trims having a two-dial gauge cluster and a 4.3-inch TFT display, while SX and SX-Prestige trims had dual 12.3-inch displays. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were now standard across all trims, addressing previous limitations. The system could also receive over-the-air updates, and numerous USB-C outlets supported device connectivity. Higher trims offered a Bose 12-speaker surround sound system and Digital Key 2.0 for digital access.

The 2024 Acura MDX boasted a comprehensive suite of high-tech driver assistance features. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane-departure warning, driver attention monitoring, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added features like front and rear parking sensors, reverse automatic emergency braking, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a 360-degree parking camera system, and a head-up display.

The 2024 MDX had yet to be tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but the 2022 model, which carried over to 2024, earned a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and was an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ with a best score of Superior for its crash-prevention technology. However, the distracting infotainment system was a notable downside, potentially reducing driver focus.

The 2024 Kia Sorento’s Drivewise suite offered an extensive range of standard and optional driver-assistance features with redesigned functionality. Standard features included adaptive cruise control with stop and go, forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, intersection assistance, lane-following and lane-keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert with emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and safe exit warnings. Navigation-based adaptive cruise control, Highway Driving Assist, and Highway Driving Assist 2 (with automated lane changes) were among the advanced options.

The SX-Prestige trim featured surround-view cameras and a rear-view camera mirror. While IIHS had not fully evaluated the 2024 model, the Sorento earned “Good” ratings in several tests, though its LATCH system received an “Acceptable” rating. NHTSA had not yet tested the 2024 Sorento, but previous models received four-star overall ratings.