2024 Kia Sorento vs 2024 Subaru Outback

The 2024 Subaru Outback maintained its rugged charm with minor updates to the Wilderness trim, featuring a new front fascia and LED fog lights. The dark gray cladding contrasted beautifully with the Autumn Green Metallic color of the Touring XT model, offering a surprisingly appealing aesthetic. The Outback's various trims showcased different levels of black and chrome exterior fittings, with the Touring trim displaying the most chrome, which was tastefully executed. Wheel designs varied across trims, with the Wilderness trim featuring matte black 17-inch alloy wheels, while the Onyx Edition and higher trims sported larger 18-inch wheels with a machine finish. Inside, the top-trim Touring XT impressed with its luxurious Java Brown Nappa leather upholstery, a step above the standard leather and synthetic options in lower trims.

The 2024 Kia Sorento underwent a significant visual update, aligning more closely with its siblings like the Telluride and EV9. The new front end, with a bold grille and vertically-stacked LED headlights, gave the Sorento a more imposing presence. The rear received subtle updates, including new bumpers and LED taillights on higher trims. The Sorento's trims, including the rugged X-Line and new X-Pro, offered aggressive styling with blacked-out wheels and earth-tone paint colors. Inside, the Sorento featured a redesigned dashboard with a clean, horizontal layout. The gauge cluster and infotainment displays were combined under a single pane of glass, with higher trims boasting twin 12.3-inch displays. The cabin materials felt upscale, with faux open-pore wood grain and quality stitching on the leather-wrapped steering wheel and seats.

The 2024 Subaru Outback was powered by a "Boxer" horizontally opposed engine, with the base 2.5-liter flat-four producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. The XT trims, including the Wilderness, featured a more powerful 2.4-liter turbocharged engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, increasing the towing capacity to 3,500 lbs. Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and Lineartronic CVT were standard, providing a comfortable ride with adequate steering feel. The Outback's ground clearance ranged from 8.7 inches on the base model to 9.2 inches on the Wilderness trim, which also included all-terrain tires and an advanced X-Mode for off-road adventures.

The 2024 Kia Sorento retained its mechanical components, with the base 2.5-liter engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. This engine struggled with the Sorento's weight, resulting in sluggish acceleration. Higher trims featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with a dual-clutch eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged Sorento offered lively performance, with a zero-to-60 time in the mid-seven-second range. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The Sorento's ride was smooth and quiet, with the X-Pro trim offering enhanced off-road capability and a towing capacity of 4,500 pounds.

The 2024 Subaru Outback offered generous interior space, with more headroom and legroom than competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The cargo area measured 32.6 cubic feet with all seats in place and 75.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Outback featured dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver's seat on most trims. Higher trims included heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and a hands-free power liftgate. The Outback's raised roof rails with retractable cross bars added practicality for outdoor enthusiasts.

The 2024 Kia Sorento provided a comfortable cabin with ample legroom in the first two rows, though the third row was tight with only 29.6 inches of legroom. The Sorento's cargo space was limited to 12.6 cubic feet with the third row in use, expanding to 72.1 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Sorento's interior featured noise-insulating acoustic glass, heated and ventilated front seats, and a power liftgate on higher trims. The optional captain's chairs in the second row allowed for easy access to the third row, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2024 Subaru Outback featured an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented infotainment screen on all but the base trim, which retained a dual-7-inch-screen system. The Subaru Starlink multimedia platform included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, with wireless capability starting from the Premium trim. The Outback offered a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system on most trims, with Wi-Fi capability and a CD player available on the Touring trim. The climate controls were integrated into the touchscreen, with hard buttons for essential functions.

The 2024 Kia Sorento adopted a single-pane, twin-screen setup with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen on all trims. The new "Connected Car Navigation Cockpit" software prioritized popular features and offered a user-friendly interface. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with over-the-air updates ensuring the system remained current. The Sorento included USB-C outlets in all three rows and a 12-speaker Bose audio system on higher trims. The SX and SX-Prestige models featured Digital Key 2.0, allowing smartphone access to the vehicle.

The 2024 Subaru Outback earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The Outback's safety features included the EyeSight suite of driver-assistance technologies, with adaptive cruise control, lane-centering, and automatic emergency braking. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on the Onyx Edition, while the Touring trim added a wide-angle camera, digital rearview mirror, and driver-attention monitor.

The 2024 Kia Sorento's Drivewise suite of active safety features 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's safety systems were enhanced with additional sensors and machine-learning capabilities. The IIHS rated the Sorento "Good" in several tests, though the LATCH system received an "Acceptable" rating. The NHTSA had not yet evaluated the 2024 model.