When it comes to family-friendly SUVs, you can’t beat Toyota and Kia. Both brands offer strong competitors in the midsize crossover segment, but which is right for you? In the Toyota vs. Kia SUV comparison below, Rountree Moore Kia takes a side-by-side look at the new Kia Sorento vs. Toyota Highlander in terms of price, performance, and interior features. If you’d like to continue your research from behind the wheel, give us a call at %%di_phone_number%% to book your test drive today!
Kia Sorento vs. Toyota Highlander: Price
For many drivers across Macclenny, price is the number one midsize SUV comparison point. The Sorento costs less than the Highlander by a margin of more than $5,000 — a major difference if you’re working with a strict budget:
- 2022 Kia Sorento Starting Price: $29,490 MSRP
- 2021 Toyota Highlander Starting Price: $35,085 MSRP
You may wonder whether the Sorento is more affordable because it offers fewer standard features. Actually, the standard feature list is very similar between our Toyota and Kia contenders.
Kia Sorento vs. Toyota Highlander: Performance
Next, we’ll see how our Kia vs. Toyota SUVs stack up in terms of power and efficiency on the road in Macclenny. The Highlander is equipped with a more-powerful base engine, but those 295 horses are overkill if you need your SUV for daily driving, rather than off-roading. That said, the base Sorento engine generates an impressive 191 hp while earning up to 24 city/29 highway MPG. Compare the specs here:
2022 Kia Sorento
- Standard engine: 2.5L 4-cylinder engine producing 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque at 4000 RPM.
- Available engine: 2.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque at 1700 RPM.
- FWD max estimated MPG: 24 city/29 highway
- AWD max estimated MPG: 21 city/28 highway
2021 Toyota Highlander
- Standard engine: 3.5L V6 engine producing 295 hp and 263 lb-ft of torque at 4700 RPM.
- Available engine: No upgraded engine available.
- FWD max estimated MPG: 21 city/29 highway
- AWD max estimated MPG: 20 city/27 highway
Kia Sorento vs. Toyota Highlander: Features
At this point in our Kia vs. Toyota SUV comparison, we’ll focus on infotainment, comfort, and safety features. All are crucial when it comes to keeping your passengers protected and comfortable while you focus on the road. Both the Toyota and Kia SUVs are equipped with active driver-assistive technology and other amenities, including:
- Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto™ connectivity
- Second-row captain’s chairs
- Remote keyless entry
- Rearview camera
- Optional AWD
- Third-row seating
- Power liftgate
- And many more!
However there are a few differences here to keep in mind. While the Sorento cabin offers 6 standard USB ports (and an available 8), the Highlander can only be equipped with 5. In addition, only the Sorento offers proprietary Kia tech features such as UVO link and Kia Drive Wise.
Test Drive a New Kia Sorento for Sale in Lake City
Ready to continue your midsize SUV comparison out on the road? Stop by our showroom in Lake City — just down the road from Gainesville — to check out the 2022 Sorento for yourself! While you’re here, we’re happy to tell you more about our current new vehicle specials, help you compare Kia vs. Hyundai models, and more. Contact us online to get started today!
