2024 Kia Sorento vs 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

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, including a robust new front end, elegant taillights, and a more modern, upscale interior. The exterior featured a prominent grille, vertically-stacked LED headlights, and wing-like daytime running lights, giving it a larger and more intimidating presence. The rear received subtle updates, with higher trims boasting LED taillights and new bumpers, while new wheel designs were introduced across most versions.

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, enhancing its aggressive appearance. Inside, the Sorento showcased a redesigned dashboard with a horizontal layout reminiscent of the EV9, offering a cleaner look. The gauge cluster and infotainment displays were integrated under a single glass pane, with SX and SX-Prestige models featuring twin 12.3-inch displays. The cabin materials were upgraded, with faux open-pore wood grain and quality stitching on the leather-wrapped steering wheel and seats, providing a more upscale feel.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport emphasized its sporty identity within the Range Rover family, boasting a taller stance and a shorter wheelbase for a more athletic appearance. Large front air intakes and fake vents on the hood and fenders contributed to its sporty look, although it appeared somewhat tall and narrow from certain angles. The lineup included SE, Dynamic SE, Autobiography, and SV Edition Two trims, with the Dynamic SE offering a Stealth appearance package featuring Carpathian metallic-gray paint, gloss black trim, and black 23-inch wheels.

The SV Edition 2, the highest-performance model, featured mechanical upgrades and optional 23-inch carbon-fiber wheels. Its interior showcased red leather upholstery, sport seats with light-up "SV" inserts, and illuminated steering-wheel paddle shifters. The minimalist design included a touchscreen, stubby shifter, and engine start button, creating a cockpit-like feel. While the console, dash, and door panels were high, providing an enclosed feel, the material quality met luxury standards. However, the use of reflective piano black plastic was excessive.

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. These turbocharged Sorentos achieved zero-to-60 times in the mid-seven-second range, offering lively acceleration and ample passing power. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The X-Line setup, which included more aggressive styling and increased ground clearance, was available on EX and SX trims. The Sorento handled confidently, with well-weighted steering and effective brakes. The X-Pro trim, with its all-terrain tires, excelled in off-road conditions and offered improved towing capacity.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered multiple powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The base SE model featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine producing 355 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The Dynamic SE offered a higher output of 395 hp and 406 lb-ft, along with a plug-in hybrid powertrain rated at 454 hp and 487 lb-ft. The Autobiography trim had the plug-in hybrid powertrain with increased output of 543 hp and 590 lb-ft, and an optional BMW-sourced twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 producing 523 hp and 553 lb-ft.

The SV Edition Two utilized the same twin-turbo BMW V8, but with output increased to 626 hp, making it the most powerful production model in the Range Rover lineup. It achieved zero to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and had a top speed of 180 mph. The Range Rover Sport's sport-tuned air suspension provided excellent cornering capabilities, while four-wheel steering and brake-based torque vectoring enhanced agility. The Terrain Response system, hill descent control, and ascent control ensured off-road capability, with the Autobiography trim offering a two-speed transfer case for low-range off-roading.

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 in its class. The third row had 29.6 inches of legroom, which was tight but comparable to larger vehicles like the Highlander.

The Sorento's third row was suitable for occasional use, accommodating children or additional passengers when needed. With optional captain's chairs in the second row, access to the third row was convenient. The new dashboard design was ergonomic, with controls within easy reach and ample small-item storage. 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. With all seats down, it provided up to 72.1 cubic feet of cargo space.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport positioned itself between the Range Rover Velar and the full-size Range Rover in terms of dimensions. It offered more room than the Velar but remained a midsize SUV. Unlike some competitors, it was a two-row, five-seater. Front-seat occupants enjoyed similar headroom to other midsize luxury SUVs, while rear-seat headroom was not significantly impacted by the sloping roof. The Range Rover Sport provided adequate legroom, with reclining rear seats and 20-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and memory.

Cargo space in the Range Rover Sport measured 31.9 cubic feet behind the second row, which was more than a Lexus RX but less than competitors like the Acura MDX, BMW X5, and Mercedes-Benz GLE. With the rear seats folded, it offered 53 cubic feet of cargo space. The vehicle featured power operation and an "access height" setting for the air suspension, making loading and unloading easier. The Range Rover Sport's towing capacity was 7,716 pounds for turbo-six and V8 models, while plug-in hybrids were rated at 6,614 pounds.

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 gauge cluster in lower trims consisted of two dials and a 4.3-inch TFT information display, while SX and SX-Prestige models had a second 12.3-inch digital display. The infotainment system, called "Connected Car Navigation Cockpit" (CCnC), prioritized popular features on the home screen and offered a user-friendly interface. 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 Sorento's infotainment system could receive over-the-air updates, ensuring it remained up-to-date. USB-C outlets were available in all three rows, and SX-Prestige models featured a Bose 12-speaker surround sound system. Digital Key 2.0 allowed certain smartphones to lock, unlock, and drive the vehicle without a key, and access could be shared with others.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport shared its screen setup with the larger Range Rover, featuring a 13.7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.1-inch touchscreen for infotainment functions. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with Amazon Alexa integration. The screens had a clean, minimalist design, but the lack of physical controls made some functions less convenient. The Pivi Pro infotainment system was responsive and offered natural-language voice recognition.

The Range Rover Sport SV Edition 2 featured "Body and Soul Seats" with embedded transducers that pulsed with the music or provided relaxation programs. The Meridian audio system offered up to 29 speakers, depending on configuration. While the seat feature was unique, it felt somewhat gimmicky.

The 2024 Kia Sorento's Drivewise suite of active safety 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. Optional features included navigation-based adaptive cruise control, Highway Driving Assist, and Highway Driving Assist 2 with automated lane changes. The Sorento had not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but previous models received favorable ratings.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered standard driver-assist features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver attention monitor. A 360-degree camera system and digital rearview mirror aided parking, although the parking sensors were overly sensitive. The Range Rover Sport had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA.