Kia Sorento vs Toyota bZ

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 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 featured blacked-out exterior trim and detailing, while the top-tier X-Pro SX Prestige came with additional features and 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 test vehicle, a 2024 model, lacked these badges but otherwise mirrored the 2025 offerings, including the Road Rider Brown paint color, which cleverly concealed dirt. The interior of the Sorento X-Pro SX Prestige boasted an Olive Brown color scheme, which, while not perfectly matched, provided a unique aesthetic. The vehicle was equipped with carpeted floor mats and a cargo mat with seatback protection, bringing the MSRP to $49,405, including the destination charge. The Sorento's styling updates aligned it with other Kia models, featuring a wide grille, stacked headlights, and distinctive amber "Star Map" running lights. The X-Pro SX Prestige had exclusive bumper covers, utility roof rails, matte-black 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, and an improved towing capacity of 4,500 pounds. Despite its rugged appearance, the X-Pro did not offer significantly better off-roading capabilities than the X-Line models, focusing more on aesthetics than functionality. Inside, the Olive Brown interior was illuminated by a panoramic sunroof, and while the materials varied in quality, the X-Pro SX Prestige was outfitted like a luxury SUV with leather seats, an artificial suede headliner, and a 24-inch panoramic display.

The 2026 Toyota bZ was available in XLE and Limited trims, with options for single-motor front-wheel drive (FWD) or dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) and two battery sizes. Models with the larger battery were more expensive but offered enhanced power, performance, and range, with prices ranging from $36,495 to $46,895, including the destination charge. The XLE test vehicle featured FWD and the optional larger battery, which was standard on the Limited trim. This upgrade, costing $3,000, transformed the XLE into the XLE Plus. Additional options included Heavy Metal paint, carpeted floor mats, a cargo mat, door sill protectors, and wheel locks, bringing the MSRP to $40,468. The 2026 bZ's restyled appearance was an improvement over its predecessor, with body-color trim replacing the black overfender trim that had deterred some buyers. The interior featured a cleaner dashboard and center console, enhancing the sense of quality and organization. The XLE's fabric seats had an upscale pattern that effectively concealed dirt. Toyota increased the center touchscreen size to 14 inches and integrated climate control with the display, which, despite initial concerns, proved user-friendly with large temperature adjustment dials and buttons for essential functions. However, the digital driver display remained a point of contention, as its placement near the windshield base and small size made it difficult to read, with the steering wheel potentially obstructing visibility.

The 2025 Kia Sorento offered a choice between two engines. 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. This engine was adequate for budget-conscious buyers. For those seeking more power, the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, standard in higher trims, produced 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, with peak torque available at lower RPMs. This engine provided a more satisfying driving experience, with an EPA rating of 23 mpg in combined driving. 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, with its 17-inch wheels and BF Goodrich Trail Terrain tires, offered excellent ride quality and reduced noise, while maintaining good handling and grip on winding roads. AWD models featured torque vectoring and a locking center differential, enhancing traction and nimbleness. The Sorento excelled in daily driving, with its size, dynamics, and visibility making it a pleasure to drive in various settings.

The 2026 Toyota bZ offered different powertrain options. The XLE with FWD featured a single electric motor and a 57.7-kilowatt-hour battery pack, providing 165 horsepower and 198 pound-feet of torque, with an EPA-estimated range of 236 miles and an efficiency rating of 26 kWh/100 miles. The optional 74.7-kWh battery increased power to 224 hp and extended the range to 314 miles, with the same efficiency rating. Dual-motor models, available only with the larger battery, produced 338 hp, with 198 lb-ft in front and 125 at the back. The XLE AWD offered 288 miles of range, while the Limited trim had a range of 278 miles. Recharging the bZ using a DC fast charger took about 30 minutes to reach 80% battery capacity. The bZ was compatible with Tesla Superchargers and came with a CCS adapter for other charging stations. Using a Level 2 home charger, the larger battery required seven hours to recharge, while the smaller battery took five and a half hours. During testing, the XLE Plus averaged 4.5 miles per kWh on a fuel economy loop and 3.9 miles per kWh on a mountainous route. The bZ's instant torque made it easy to break traction, but it was a comfortable and quiet cruiser on the highway. However, the FWD model struggled on winding roads due to its tires and steering.

The 2025 Kia Sorento was appealing to families of four with occasional back-seat use. The first two rows offered ample space, and adults could fit in the third row for short trips if the second-row passengers slid forward. The Sorento X-Pro SX Prestige featured heated and ventilated front seats with 10-way power adjustment, including lumbar and thigh support. While the seats were generally comfortable, extended highway driving revealed some lack of support. The Sorento offered a seven-passenger capacity with a second-row bench seat in lower trims, while higher trims had captain's chairs for six-passenger capacity. Second-row passengers enjoyed heated seats, sunshades, USB ports, and air conditioning vents. Storage space was generous, with 12.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 38.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 75.5 cubic feet.

The 2026 Toyota bZ, built on a skateboard-style EV platform, offered 8.1 inches of ground clearance, making it easy to enter and exit. Both front seats had standard height adjustment, with eight-way power adjustment in XLE and Limited trims. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard, with ventilated seats in the Limited trim. The bZ lacked a traditional glove compartment but compensated with a large bin under the center armrest, a tray beneath the console, dual wireless chargers, cupholders, and door pockets. Rear-seat passengers had ample legroom, though foot space was tight. The bZ offered 27.7 cubic feet of cargo space (25.8 cubic feet in the Limited trim) and 56.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded (55 cubes in the Limited trim).

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, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. Kia Connect offered features like 911 Connect, remote access, and safe driver settings. The Sorento had a touch-sensing strip for dual-function controls, which could be frustrating, but steering wheel controls provided an alternative. Digital Key technology allowed smartphone use as a key fob, and a digital rearview mirror offered a camera-based view. The surround-view camera system was excellent for parking.

The 2026 Toyota bZ came with a 7-inch digital driver display and a new 14-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The driver display was criticized for its placement and readability. The infotainment system, running Toyota Audio Multimedia, was generally user-friendly but lacked a home screen for simultaneous data display. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with SiriusXM and various connected service plans. Drive Connect powered the navigation system and voice assistant, which performed well in testing.

The 2025 Kia Sorento came with numerous standard safety features, with more advanced technology in higher trims. The SX and SX Prestige added active collision avoidance, evasive steering assist, a Blind-Spot View Monitor, and a surround-view camera system. Highway Driving Assist, a semi-autonomous feature, was standard on most trims, with HDA 2 offering lane-changing functionality. The Sorento earned five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, though future ratings were uncertain.

The 2026 Toyota bZ featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including high-beam assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control. Proactive Driving Assist provided subtle braking and steering inputs. The bZ also had blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, safe-exit assist, and parking sensors. The Limited trim added Traffic Jam Assist, lane-change assist, and Advanced Park Assist. The IIHS rated the bZ's front-crash avoidance as Good, but its headlights and frontal-impact crash tests received lower ratings.