Kia Sorento vs Chevrolet Bolt

The 2025 Kia Sorento presented a somewhat perplexing lineup with its gas-only models, offering core trims like LX, S, EX, SX, and SX Prestige. The latter trims upgraded from a basic 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine to a more robust turbocharged version. The X-Line appearance package was available for the EX and SX trims and came standard with the SX Prestige, featuring blacked-out exterior trim and detailing. At the top of the lineup, the X-Pro SX Prestige was packed with features and exclusive enhancements. The 2025 model introduced Panthera Gray, replacing Gravity Gray, and the X-Line and X-Pro versions sported black badges. The test car, a 2024 model, lacked these new badges but otherwise mirrored the 2025 offerings, including the Road Rider Brown paint color, which cleverly concealed dirt. The interior, with its Olive Brown hue, offered a mix of materials, with the X-Pro SX Prestige boasting luxury touches like leather seats and a 24-inch panoramic display.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt retained a familiar look, with slight styling changes that made its front end resemble a conventional gas-powered car. The 2027 model continued from where the 2023 version left off, offering a single body style that straddled the line between a large hatchback and a subcompact SUV. The RS model added gloss black exterior trim for a touch of flair. Inside, the Bolt underwent a more dramatic makeover, featuring a larger digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. The push-button gear selector was relocated to the steering column, freeing up storage space in the center console. The cabin was dominated by hard plastic surfaces, reinforcing its budget feel, though the RS trim upgraded to Evotex synthetic leather with red stitching. Despite its econobox-like footprint, the Bolt prioritized utility and interior space, offering a flat floor and adequate headroom for rear passengers.

The 2025 Kia Sorento offered two engine options: a 191-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine for the LX and S trims, and a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine for the higher trims, delivering 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The turbo engine, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, provided a more satisfying driving experience, with an EPA rating of 23 mpg in combined driving. The Sorento X-Pro SX Prestige, equipped with 17-inch wheels and BF Goodrich Trail Terrain tires, offered a smooth ride quality and impressive grip on winding roads. The AWD models featured torque vectoring and a locking center differential, enhancing traction and nimbleness on various terrains. The Sorento excelled in daily driving, with its size, driving dynamics, and visibility making it a pleasure to drive in different settings.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt featured a new 65-kilowatt-hour lithium-iron phosphate battery pack, reducing costs and requiring fewer rare earth minerals. Its motor, borrowed from the Chevy Equinox EV, produced 210 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in the low seven-second range. While this acceleration might seem modest by EV standards, it was quick compared to gas-powered subcompact SUVs. The Bolt offered one-pedal driving with adjustable brake regeneration levels, though it could be jumpy at low speeds. The ride was firm but not overly stiff, with road noise more noticeable due to the absence of an internal combustion engine. The Bolt's low center of gravity, thanks to the heavy battery, contributed to its agility on curvy roads. On a full charge, the Bolt offered an EPA-estimated range of 262 miles, with a Tesla-derived NACS charge port standard on all models, allowing for faster charging.

The 2025 Kia Sorento appealed to families with its spacious first two rows of seats and a third-row seat suitable for shorter trips. The X-Pro SX Prestige trim featured heated and ventilated front seats with 10-way power adjustment, providing comfort during drives. The second-row passengers enjoyed heated seats, sunshades, USB ports, and air conditioning vents. The Sorento offered generous storage space throughout the cabin, with a cargo room of 12.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 38.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 75.5 cubic feet. These figures compared favorably with larger compact crossovers, offering more power and a third-row seat.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt provided an upright driving position with ample space for larger occupants. Taller drivers might have wished for more telescoping extension from the steering wheel, but the rear seats offered plenty of headroom and thigh support. The Bolt's flat floor reduced the penalty for center-seat passengers. It offered 16.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, with a large bin underneath the floor for additional storage. The rear seatbacks folded flat with the cargo floor, providing more luggage space. While there was no frunk, the Bolt offered ample storage for personal items, with a large bin, floor tray, and center armrest bin accommodating various items.

The 2025 Kia Sorento featured a 24-inch panoramic display, combining a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While Kia Connect required a subscription, the Sorento offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making it easy to use voice assistants like Siri. The infotainment system included a touch-sensing strip of dual-function controls, which could be frustrating to use. Digital Key technology transformed smartphones into key fobs, and the Sorento offered a digital rearview mirror and an excellent surround-view camera system for easy parking.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt came with an 11-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.3-inch center touchscreen, running on a Google-based operating system. While Apple CarPlay and standalone Android Auto were not supported, the system offered enough browsing control via Bluetooth. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, digital rear-view mirror, and wireless charging pad. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with logical menus and quick responses. The Bolt's navigation system helped find charging stations and preconditioned the battery for optimal charging rates. The Bolt also offered vehicle-to-load charging, serving as a backup power source for a home.

The 2025 Kia Sorento came equipped with numerous standard safety features, with more advanced technology available in higher trims. The SX and SX Prestige trims added active collision avoidance features, evasive steering assist, and a Blind-Spot View Monitor. The Highway Driving Assist technology, available on all trims except the LX, offered semi-autonomous driving features. The Sorento earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for 2024, though changes in testing criteria might affect its 2025 rating.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt's crash test results were not available at the time of writing, but it was expected to achieve high scores based on its platform. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitors. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, digital rear-view mirror, and traffic-sign recognition. GM's Super Cruise hands-free driving system was available for an additional cost, making the Bolt one of the few budget EVs with such advanced technology.