2024 Kia Sorento vs 2024 Land Rover Defender

The 2024 Land Rover Defender presented a unique blend of classic and modern design elements. Its boxy profile and angular headlights paid homage to its rugged heritage while aligning with the contemporary aesthetics of other Land Rover models. Inside, the Defender's cabin was robust and adventure-ready, featuring durable materials reminiscent of a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco, yet with a touch of luxury through soft-touch materials. The Defender was available in three body styles: the two-door 90, the four-door 110, and the extended-wheelbase four-door 130, each offering various trims like the S, X-Dynamic SE, X, Carpathian Edition, and Outbound. Our test drive of the Defender 110 S, equipped with the County visual package, showcased its vintage appeal with white wheels and retro graphics, while standard features included 19-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, and a panoramic glass roof.

In contrast, the 2024 Kia Sorento underwent a significant visual update, aligning more closely with its Kia siblings like the Telluride and EV9. The Sorento's exterior featured a bold new grille, vertically-stacked LED headlights, and refined taillights, giving it a more imposing presence. The interior was modernized with a new dashboard and upscale materials, offering a more luxurious feel. The Sorento's trims, including LX, S, EX, SX, and SX-Prestige, provided various options, with the rugged X-Line and X-Pro packages adding aggressive styling and off-road capabilities. The cabin was spacious in the first two rows, though the third row remained tight, suitable for occasional use. Overall, the Sorento's updates made it a more attractive and competitive option in the midsize SUV segment.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the P300, producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Our P400 test model featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. For those seeking more power, the Defender offered two supercharged 5.0-liter V8 options: the P500 with 493 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque, and the P525 with 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time active four-wheel drive. The Defender's towing capacity varied, with the six-cylinder and eight-cylinder models capable of towing up to 7,716 pounds, while the four-cylinder could tow up to 5,500 pounds. The Defender excelled in off-road capabilities, with features like adaptive air suspension and Terrain Response 2 system enhancing its performance on challenging terrains.

The 2024 Kia Sorento retained 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, resulting in a sluggish 0-60 mph time of nearly 10 seconds. Higher trims, starting from the EX, featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with a dual-clutch eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup offered improved performance, with 0-60 times in the mid-seven-second range. The Sorento was primarily front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The X-Line and X-Pro trims provided enhanced off-road capabilities, with increased ground clearance and all-terrain tires. The Sorento's towing capacity varied, with the X-Pro capable of towing up to 4,500 pounds.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered a luxurious yet functional interior, featuring soft-touch materials, grip handles, and rubberized floors. Seating capacity varied, with the Defender 110 offering an optional third row, while the Defender 130 provided seating for up to eight passengers. However, the third row was best suited for children, and the overall space was limited compared to larger SUVs. Cargo capacity depended on the model, with the Defender 130 offering up to 76.1 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Defender 110 provided 78.8 cubic feet in the two-row configuration, while the Defender 90 offered up to 58.3 cubic feet. The cargo area featured practical hard plastic surfaces, making it easy to clean.

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 provided 41.4 inches of legroom in the front and 41.7 inches in the second row, with optional captain's chairs available. The third row offered 29.6 inches of legroom, suitable for occasional use. Cargo space was limited with the third row in use, offering 12.6 cubic feet, but expanded to 72.1 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Sorento's interior featured ergonomic controls and ample storage space, though the new dash lacked convenient areas for larger items.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.4-inch touchscreen. While smaller than some competitors, the touchscreen was simple and aligned with the Defender's utilitarian nature. It included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, HD radio, and a 10-speaker Meridian stereo system. The straightforward setup and home buttons made it user-friendly, providing essential features without overwhelming the driver.

The 2024 Kia Sorento featured a single-pane, twin-screen setup, with all models now using a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. The gauge cluster varied, with lower trims having a 4.3-inch TFT display, while higher trims received a second 12.3-inch digital display. The new infotainment system, "Connected Car Navigation Cockpit" (CCnC), prioritized popular features and offered a user-friendly interface. Navigation was standard on most trims, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were now included. The system supported over-the-air updates and featured multiple USB-C outlets. Higher trims offered a Bose 12-speaker surround sound system and Digital Key 2.0 for keyless access.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender included a comprehensive list of standard driver assistance features, such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional safety tech included traffic sign recognition, automatic high beams, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a 360-degree parking camera system. However, the lane-departure and lane-keeping assist systems were noted to be overly sensitive. As of this writing, the Defender had not been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA.

The 2024 Kia Sorento's Drivewise suite offered an extensive array of standard and optional safety features. Standard features included adaptive cruise control, forward automatic emergency braking, lane-following and lane-keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included navigation-based adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist 2. The Sorento's adaptive cruise control systems were enhanced with machine-learning capabilities. The IIHS had not fully evaluated the 2024 Sorento, but previous models received "Good" ratings in several tests. The NHTSA had not yet evaluated the 2024 model.