2017 Kia Sorento in 7 passenger SUV showdown with Toyota, Honda, and Mazda
The 2017 Kia Sorento is a strong 7 passenger crossover contender for anyone looking to step up into a 3 row SUV. Hovering between mid-size and full-size, the recently-redesigned Kia Sorento manages to deliver much of the same comfort, equipment, and practicality that more established brands like Toyota and Honda have to offer, while at the same time undercutting the competition on price.
Value has always been a key part of the Kia proposition, but over the course of the past five years it's been joined on the list by style, technology, and power. The Kia Sorento is an excellent example of the sea change that's taken place at the brand, as the handsome crossover manages to avoid the semi-anonymous design cues that are typical for large, multi-passenger rides. Inside there's a similarly-engaging esthetic that keeps things simple, clean, and somewhat more upscale than one would expect, regardless of which price point you choose.
You'll want to pay attention to the mechanical details of the Kia Sorento when it comes time to put your money down, because while there are three engines available you can't mix and match them with every configuration of the SUV. Specifically, the most recent addition to the order sheet – the Sorento's 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder – is only available with two-row, five-passenger editions of the vehicle. That's right – if you want to haul anyone in the way, way back of the Kia, you're going to have to settle for the entry-level, 2.4-liter four-cylinder, or splurge for the top-tier 3.3-liter V6.
The base motor is perfectly serviceable, and it's not like the V6 doesn't add an extra 50 horsepower over the 240 ponies available from the turbo unit. The two are nearly matched for torque, however (252 lb-ft from the V6 vs. 260 from the four-cylinder), and the sweet low-end grunt from the 2.0-liter mill helps it feel just as quick as the six-cylinder model. In our experience it seems like the biggest difference between the V6 and the turbo – in all-wheel drive trim – is how much more fuel the bigger motor consumes around town.
The 2017 Kia Sorento is the real deal, but it's up against an entrenched cadre of 7 passenger SUVs that have proved to be quite popular with the family crowd. Check out our comparison that sees the big crossover face off against three of the most popular high capacity haulers currently on the market.
2017 Toyota Highlander
Killer Features: The Toyota Highlander benefits from a host of updates for the current model year, including an improved V6 engine and a long-overdue eight-speed automatic transmission to go with it. Where space-craving shoppers are likely to fixate, however, is on the one extra seat that's offered by the Highlander, which features eight passenger spots in total when ordered with the second-row bench. This makes the Toyota more like a minivan in terms of practicality, and adds a practical dimension some families will appreciate.Better Than The Kia Sorento? Combine that extra passenger with the 83.7 cubic feet of total cargo space (10 on top of the Sorento), and you've got a compelling argument to make that the Highlander is a more logical choice if hauling is your primary concern.Worse Than The Kia Sorento? For all its interior wonders, the Highlander isn't much of a looker. We're not saying that the Toyota is unattractive, but it was clearly a case of function over form when the automaker's designers penned the conservative and straight-forward lines of the large SUV. The Highlander also lacks a turbocharged four-cylinder lump in the middle of its line-up, which means you have to choose between a passable four-cylinder and a solid, but relatively thirsty 270 horsepower V6.2017 Honda Pilot
Killer Features: If you're willing to pay the price, Honda is happy to outfit the Pilot with a long list of features, luxuries, and other gear intended to entice you away from going with a genuine luxury brand. Many, but not all of those items can be had at a lower price inside the Sorento, however.Better Than The Kia Sorento? Like the Highlander, the Honda Pilot can seat up to eight passengers, which gives it a leg up on the Sorento. It also offers that 10 additional cubes of cargo room, albeit in a somewhat narrower package than either the Highlander or the Sorento.Worse Than The Kia Sorento? Hope you were looking for a V6 engine, because that's the only option offered by the Pilot (albeit in a modern, 280 horsepower, 3.5-liter design with an available nine-speed automatic). The bigger bugaboo with the Honda SUV has to do with its LaneWatch system, a somewhat unusual camera that replaces traditional blind spot warning with an image shown on the center LCD display – and only from the right side of the vehicle. It takes some getting used to, and leaves the driver's side essentially unprotected.2017 Mazda CX-9
Killer Features: The 2017 Mazda CX-9 was completely redesigned for the previous model year, and it stepped up significantly when it comes to interior refinement. Offering perhaps the nicest and most comfortable cabin in the Mazda showroom, the CX-9 is exceptionally well-appointed, especially in Signature trim which trumps even the Pilot when it comes to high end feel.Better Than The Kia Sorento? In addition to its outstanding interior, the CX-9 features a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that is paired with standard 7-passenger seating. With 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque on tap, not only does it add two extra riders compared to the Kia, but it's also somewhat quicker than the Sorento's four-banger when passing at highway speeds.Worse Than The Kia Sorento? That final row of accommodations is fairly tight, but more of an issue is the lack of an entry-level engine to go with the single-drivetrain turbo configuration offered by the CX-9. Kia provides more choices at a wider range of price points compared to Mazda when it comes to its large SUV.