2024 Kia Sorento vs 2025 Land Rover Defender

The 2024 Kia Sorento underwent a significant visual transformation, marking its first major update since the current generation debuted in 2021. Previously overshadowed by the popular Telluride, the Sorento adopted design cues from its siblings, resulting in a more cohesive family resemblance. The new front end featured a bold grille, vertically-stacked LED headlights, and wing-like daytime running lights, giving it a more imposing presence. The rear received subtle updates, including LED taillights on higher trims and redesigned bumpers across all versions. The interior saw a modern overhaul with a cleaner dashboard, a combined gauge cluster and infotainment display under a single pane of glass, and improved materials, enhancing the overall upscale feel.

The Sorento's trim lineup remained consistent with LX, S, EX, SX, and SX-Prestige, but the rugged X-Line package was now exclusive to EX and higher models. The new X-Pro trim, similar to the X-Line, featured smaller wheels and all-terrain tires, offering a more aggressive look. Inside, the Sorento boasted a new dashboard design with a vast horizontal expanse, reminiscent of the EV9, and improved materials, including faux open-pore wood grain and quality stitching on optional leather-wrapped elements. The cabin felt more upscale, with optional green and brown interior colors adding character. Overall, the 2024 Sorento presented a solidly assembled and more refined option compared to some competitors.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender, known for its rugged appeal, offered a range of customization options. The Defender 110 four-door model struck a balance in design, while the 90 appeared stubby and the 130 carried excess visual mass. Base prices ranged from $58,525 for a 90 to $120,525 for a 130 V8, with the new Defender OCTA priced at $153,625. The test vehicle, a Defender 130 in X trim, featured the Extended Black Exterior Pack, upgraded interior materials, and comprehensive off-roading technology. It swapped standard 22-inch wheels for 20s with Pirelli Scorpion Zero tires, and options like the Towing Pack and Climate Pack increased the MSRP to $106,092.

The test model, painted in Gondwana Stone, lacked the new matte paint protection film and clashed with the Defender X's orange brake calipers. Inside, the Defender X upgraded to premium Windsor hides with Kvadrat fabric, offering a choice of Ebony or Caraway colors. The interior maintained an industrial theme with quality materials, though it wasn't a traditional luxury SUV. The Defender's cabin was purposeful, with illuminated door-sill treadplates and metal pedal covers adding to its appeal. Despite its quirks, the Defender's interior provided a unique and functional experience.

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, as the base-model LX weighed 3,814 pounds and took nearly 10 seconds to reach 60 mph. The LX and S trims were equipped with this powerplant and an eight-speed automatic transmission, but their performance was underwhelming. EX and higher models featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine generating 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with a dual-clutch eight-speed automatic transmission. Turbocharged Sorentos achieved zero-to-60 times in the mid-seven-second range, offering lively acceleration and ample passing power.

The Sorento was primarily front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The AWD setup included the X-Line package, which added aggressive styling, blacked-out 20-inch wheels, and increased ground clearance to 8.2 inches. The Sorento handled confidently, with well-weighted steering and effective brakes. The X-Line's large wheels could transmit vibrations on rough surfaces, but the X-Pro trim, with 17-inch rims and all-terrain tires, provided a smoother ride and better grip on loose terrain. The X-Pro excelled in off-road conditions, offering improved engine cooling and a towing capacity of 4,500 pounds. While not as capable as a Toyota 4Runner, the Sorento performed well on forest trails and snowy conditions.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender offered a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with a mild-hybrid system, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, the Defender 130 X accelerated to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. The adaptive air suspension, hill descent control, and Terrain Response 2 driving modes enhanced its off-road capabilities. The Defender's off-road prowess exceeded the typical driver's skill level, and it handled challenging trails with ease. On pavement, the Defender 130 excelled in suburban environments, though its 20-inch wheels and Pirelli tires limited its enthusiasm for twisty roads.

The Defender 130 provided 11.4 inches of ground clearance, a 37.5-degree approach angle, a 27.9-degree breakover angle, and a 28.8-degree departure angle. Its maximum wading depth was 35.4 inches. The six-cylinder engine delivered ample power, though it occasionally surged forward unexpectedly in city driving. The adaptive air suspension provided a comfortable ride, absorbing bumps and potholes with ease. However, the Defender's steering and stability control system limited its agility on twisty roads. On the highway, it cruised comfortably but suffered from wind noise due to its boxy shape. The observed fuel economy was 16.2 mpg, lower than the expected 19 mpg.

The 2024 Kia Sorento's cabin was modern and comfortable, with ample space in the first two rows but limited room in the third. It offered advantages over smaller models like the Mitsubishi Outlander and Volkswagen Tiguan, while being nearly as roomy as larger alternatives like the Toyota Highlander. The front seats provided 41.4 inches of legroom, and the second row offered 41.7 inches, making it more spacious than most two-row SUVs. The third row had 29.6 inches of legroom, which was tight but comparable to competitors. The Sorento's third row was suitable for occasional use, especially for children, and the optional captain's chairs in the second row allowed easy access to the back.

The Sorento's new dashboard lacked convenient storage areas like the EV9, but its controls were ergonomic and easy to reach. Cargo space was limited with the third row in use, offering only 12.6 cubic feet. Folding the third row expanded the cargo area to 38.5 to 45 cubic feet, depending on trim and configuration. With all seats down, the Sorento provided up to 72.1 cubic feet of cargo space, surpassing the Chevy Blazer and nearly matching the Honda Passport. Higher trims included a power liftgate for added convenience.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender 130 required effort to enter and exit, especially for shorter individuals, but rewarded occupants with spacious seating across three rows. The front seats offered 12-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation, with effective ventilation that could become too cold. The Defender's tall seating position provided excellent forward visibility, though the square side mirrors seemed undersized. The rear view was limited, but the Clearsight digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera system compensated for this. The panoramic sunroof and fixed glass panel over the third row created an open and airy feel.

The Defender 130's second-row captain's chairs were heated and ventilated, with adjustable armrests for added comfort. The third-row seat was heated, roomy, and supportive, accommodating adults comfortably. The side-hinged cargo door was heavy and awkward, but a button in the cargo area allowed for lowering the air suspension to ease loading. The Defender 130 provided 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 43.7 cubic feet with the third row folded. Maximum cargo volume reached 89 cubic feet with all rear seats down.

The 2024 Kia Sorento featured a single-pane, twin-screen setup for its gauge and infotainment displays, with all models now equipped with a 12.3-inch screen. The central infotainment touchscreen ran the new "Connected Car Navigation Cockpit" (CCnC) software, prioritizing popular features on the home screen. Navigation was standard on all but the base-model LX, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity were now standard across all trims. The system supported over-the-air updates and included USB-C outlets in all three rows. SX-Prestige models boasted a Bose 12-speaker surround sound system, and Digital Key 2.0 allowed for keyless access and sharing.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender came with the Pivi Pro infotainment system, accessible via an 11.4-inch touchscreen. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and connected services. Pivi Pro's response to voice commands was slower than desired, but its accuracy was impressive. The user experience was more intuitive, with fewer dead ends, and programming favorite radio stations was straightforward. The Defender's Meridian premium sound system delivered impressive audio quality. Additional features included a head-up display, ClearSight digital rearview mirror, and a surround-view camera system with a 3D view setting.

The 2024 Kia Sorento's Drivewise suite of active safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward automatic emergency braking, lane-following and lane-keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Optional features included navigation-based adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist 2. The Sorento's adaptive cruise control systems learned from driver behavior and maintained precise distances between cars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the Sorento "Good" in several tests, but its LATCH system received an "Acceptable" rating. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not yet evaluated the 2024 model.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender featured automatic high-beam headlights, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality. A lane-centering assist feature was available with adaptive cruise control. The Defender's driver aids operated smoothly, though the lane-keep assist occasionally attempted to steer the vehicle into a turnout area. Crash-test ratings for the Defender were unavailable, as low-volume models like this one were typically not tested by NHTSA or IIHS.