Kia Sorento vs Jeep Grand Wagoneer

The 2025 Kia Sorento presented a somewhat perplexing lineup with its gas-only models, featuring core trims like LX, S, EX, SX, and SX Prestige. The latter three trims upgraded from a basic 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine to a more robust turbocharged version of the same engine. The EX and SX trims could be enhanced with an X-Line appearance package, which was standard on the SX Prestige. This package included blacked-out exterior trim and detailing, while the top-tier X-Pro SX Prestige came fully loaded with exclusive enhancements. The 2025 model introduced Panthera Gray as a new color, replacing Gravity Gray, and the X-Line and X-Pro versions sported black badges. The Sorento's design updates aligned it more closely with other Kia models, featuring a wide grille, stacked headlights, and distinctive amber "Star Map" running lights. The X-Pro SX Prestige boasted unique bumper covers, utility roof rails, matte-black 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, and improved towing capacity, although it didn't offer significantly better off-roading capabilities than the X-Line models.

Inside, the Sorento X-Pro SX Prestige featured an Olive Brown interior, which, while not perfectly matching the exterior, offered a luxurious feel with leather seats, an artificial suede headliner, and a 24-inch panoramic display. The panoramic sunroof illuminated the cabin, and the quality of materials varied, reflecting the base model's affordability. The X-Pro SX Prestige was equipped with carpeted floor mats and a cargo mat with seatback protection, bringing the MSRP to $49,405, including the destination charge. Despite its rugged appearance, the X-Pro was more about style than enhanced capability, with its knobby tires and roof rack. The interior's hard and glossy plastics were mostly confined to the lower cabin areas, while the upper trims exuded a luxury SUV vibe.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer underwent a refresh four years into its lifecycle, maintaining its upright stance, low beltline, and large windows. The new illuminated grille and welcome-lighting sequence gave it a fresh and modern feel, inspired by the all-electric Wagoneer S. The Upland trim we tested added front recovery hooks in the lower fascia, enhancing utility without compromising the elegant design. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer exuded modernity with clean design and strong horizontal lines. While the 12-inch infotainment screen seemed small for such a large vehicle, it wasn't an all-encompassing screen design, and redundant HVAC and audio controls were present. The seats, though plain in appearance, were comfortable and highly adjustable, making them suitable for various drivers. The cabin's trim and materials were more premium than mainstream, with solid metal gearshift dials and available Nappa and Palermo leather in upper trims. The Grand Wagoneer's fit and finish were commendable, with doors that closed with a solid thwap and a sturdy armrest closure.

The 2025 Kia Sorento offered two engine options. The base LX and S trims were equipped with a 191-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering up to 26 mpg in combined driving. For those seeking more power, the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, standard in higher trims, generated 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided a more satisfying driving experience, with peak torque available at 2,300 rpm and spread across the rev range from 1,700 to 4,000 rpm. The turbo engine's EPA gas mileage rating was 23 mpg in combined driving, and during testing, the Sorento X-Pro SX Prestige averaged 23.4 mpg. The turbo engine was paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT), which could feel different to those unfamiliar with DCTs. The Sorento X-Pro's 17-inch wheels and 235/65 BF Goodrich Trail Terrain tires contributed to excellent ride quality, with thick sidewalls providing cushioning and reducing concerns about potholes and curbs. Despite the rugged tires, the X-Pro remained quiet inside, with minimal tire noise. The Sorento's AWD system featured torque vectoring and a locking center differential, enhancing traction on challenging terrain. In daily driving, the Sorento excelled, with its size, driving dynamics, and visibility making it a pleasure to drive in various settings.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a standard 3.0-liter Hurricane twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine, delivering 420 horsepower and 468 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided smooth and effortless power, even in a vehicle weighing around 6,000 pounds. The Hurricane engine offered more horsepower and torque than the previous 5.7-liter Hemi V8, delivering power in a quieter and more luxurious manner. For 2026, the Grand Wagoneer experienced a power downgrade, with the high-output Hurricane engine rated at 540 hp and 512 lb-ft being replaced by the standard-output Hurricane. Despite this change, the standard engine still provided ample power. The 2026 Grand Wagoneer was also set to receive a range-extended electric powertrain, combining a 92-kilowatt-hour battery pack with a 3.6-liter V6 gasoline engine, delivering an estimated 647 hp and 620 lb-ft of torque, with a total range of over 500 miles. Despite its large proportions, the Grand Wagoneer was surprisingly agile and easy to drive, with large windows and squared-off corners aiding visibility. The SUV absorbed bumps well, and while there was some tire and wind noise, it remained relatively quiet. The seats were comfortable for long drives, accommodating a wide range of passenger sizes.

The 2025 Kia Sorento was an appealing choice for families of four with occasional use for a back seat. The first two rows of seats were roomy, and adults could fit into the third-row seat for shorter trips if second-row passengers were willing to slide forward. For those needing more space, the larger Kia Telluride was a suitable option. The Sorento X-Pro SX Prestige featured heated and ventilated front seats with 10-way power adjustment, including extra lumbar and seat cushion thigh support for the driver. While the seats were generally comfortable, extended highway driving revealed that the cushion could be more supportive. The Sorento offered a second-row bench seat in the LX and S trims, accommodating seven passengers, while turbocharged trims featured second-row captain's chairs for six-passenger capacity. Second-row passengers enjoyed heated seats, side window sunshades, USB charging ports, and air conditioning vents. Storage space throughout the cabin was generous and practical, with cargo room being useful when the third-row seat was folded flat. With the third row raised, the Sorento offered 12.6 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 38.5 cubic feet with the third row folded and a maximum of 75.5 cubic feet. These figures compared favorably with the largest compact crossovers, which typically lacked a third-row seat or as much power as the Sorento.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer excelled as a people mover, offering three rows with ample leg and hip room for all passengers. Our test vehicle featured an optional bench seat in the second row, allowing it to comfortably seat up to eight passengers. The third row, often an emergency space in other vehicles, could accommodate three people of small to average stature without feeling cramped. While using the third row reduced cargo space, buyers still had 27.9 cubic feet available, sufficient for strollers or athletic gear. For those needing more cargo capacity, the long-wheelbase version added about a foot in length and nearly doubled the cargo volume behind the third row to 42.6 cubic feet. The Grand Wagoneer could tow up to 10,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Upland model featured three-zone automatic climate controls, heated-and-ventilated front seats, and power-operated driver and front passenger seats. It was well-equipped despite being closer to the bottom of the lineup. For light off-roading, the Upland offered Quadra-Lift air suspension, front recovery hooks, skid plates, and all-terrain tires.

The 2025 Kia Sorento featured a 24-inch panoramic display, introduced in 2024, offering a simple and intuitive interface. In SX and SX Prestige trims, it combined a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, resembling high-end luxury brands. While the native conversational voice assistant required an active Kia Connect subscription, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, making Kia Connect less essential. Kia Connect offered features like 911 Connect, a find-my-car function, remote access to vehicle features, and safe driver settings. 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 a digital rearview mirror provided a camera-based view of the rear. The Sorento's surround-view camera system was excellent, aiding parking in tight spaces and providing information about proximity to objects.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came equipped with a range of tech features, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12-inch touchscreen display, a 10.25-inch digital cluster, a wireless phone charger, a hands-free power liftgate, three-zone automatic climate controls, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and USB ports. Higher trims offered additional features like a front console cooler, digital rearview mirror, a 23-speaker McIntosh premium sound system, a front passenger interactive display, and four-zone climate controls. While most tech worked well, the wireless phone charger failed to charge an iPhone 16 and overheated it. The 12-inch infotainment screen felt small for the vehicle's size, and a larger screen would have been preferable. Adjustable pedals, standard in previous models, were no longer available in 2026, with only the Lincoln Navigator and Ford Expedition offering this feature.

The 2025 Kia Sorento was equipped with numerous standard safety features, with higher trims offering more advanced technology. The SX and SX Prestige trims included active collision avoidance features, evasive steering assist, a Blind-Spot View Monitor, and a surround-view camera system. These trims also featured machine learning for adaptive cruise control and an enhanced Highway Driving Assist technology. Highway Driving Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist, and in SX and SX Prestige trims, it added lane-changing functionality to create Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2). While HDA 2 worked well on low-traffic rural Interstates, it required regular driver steering inputs, which could be frustrating. The 2025 Sorento received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for the 2024 calendar year, though changes in testing criteria might affect its 2025 rating.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was packed with safety features, including lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, intersection-collision assist, front and rear parking sensors, tire pressure monitoring, rear-seat reminders, and a driver-attention monitor. Available features included automated parallel and perpendicular park assist, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera system. The Upland test vehicle featured blind-spot monitors with trailer detection, a trailer-brake control, and a trailer-hitch zoom. The surround-view camera system was highly recommended, providing high-definition views with dynamic guidelines and proximity cues. The 2026 Grand Wagoneer received fair ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, with a mix of Good and Marginal scores in IIHS crash tests and a four-star safety rating from the NHTSA.