Kia Sportage vs Kia Sorento

Look at the Sportage, now back to the Sorento. Now back to the Sportage. Notice anything different? You can't tell except in person but the Sorento is the bigger sport utility vehicle while the Sportage is a compact. As you might imagine, raw materials cost money so the Sorento has a slightly higher starting price than the Sportage, $26,000 to $23,750 respectively. Those are the big differences you'll immediately notice, but that's not all. For a more complete run-down, keep reading this comparison guide featuring the 2019 Kia Sorento and Kia Sportage.

Seating: 2019 Kia Sorento

Look inside and-surprise!-there's a third row of seating in the Sorento, expanding the number of seats to seven. The Sorento is over a foot longer than the Sorento, so it makes sense that it has the room. If you sometimes carry six people or more, the Sorento should appeal to you.

On the other hand, if you're looking for hassle-free cargo room, the Sportage is better. That's because the Sportage has 30.7 cubic feet from the get-go. That's right, while the Sorento has more overall cabin space, if you leave that third row there, there's just 11.3 cubes of cargo space. Folding the back seat down expands the storage to 38 cubes, but that puts the third row out of use and can prove a hassle, especially if it involves removing car seats.

Power and Towing: 2019 Kia Sorento

Maybe towing isn't something you'd even considered or maybe it's a non-negotiable. Maybe comfort is a priority, or maybe you don't care much. Either way, there's an SUV for you. It should come as no surprise that the Sorento has more horsepower than the Sportage. But what may surprise you is the base Sorento engine offers only 4 hp more than the base Sportage. If you want a whole new energy level, upgrade to the Sorento's optional 290-horsepower V6 engine paired with an all-new eight-speed automatic transmission.

You'll really feel the difference in available power, even the upgraded Sorento is a little thirstier in the fuel economy department. Once you upgrade to the better engine, the Sorento will tow up to 5000 pounds of your favorite recreational equipment or work gear. Oh, and while the Sorento sounds pretty rugged, this SUV is more comfort-attuned than you might think.

The Sportage sports a 181-horsepower base engine, which is all anyone can get unless they go all the way up to SX Turbo trim to get 240 horses. That being said, the Sportage is nicely tuned, with agile suspension and responsive steering. The Sportage isn't quite as comfortable as the Sorento and tows a lot less, 1650 pounds at maximum, but the Sportage can feel sportier depending on options selected.

So, if you're looking for comfort, plenty of seating, and towing capability, the Sorento might call to you. But the Sportage is more affordable, nimbler, and boasts more cargo room behind the rear seats. Which one you get depends on what matters most to you.