2020 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Kia Sorento

The 2020 Subaru Outback retained its winning formula, focusing on incremental improvements rather than a complete overhaul. This sixth-generation Outback sat on Subaru’s Global Platform, enhancing structural rigidity by 70%. The base 2.5-liter engine, while seeming familiar, had 90% of its parts updated, delivering 182 horsepower. For those seeking more power, higher trims offered the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine from the Ascent, providing 260 horsepower.

Externally, the difference between the 2020 and the previous generation was subtle, mainly noticeable in the updated head- and taillights. However, the significant changes were inside the vehicle. The 2020 Outback introduced an 11.6-inch touchscreen for all trims except the base 2.5i, which featured dual 7-inch screens. An innovative tech feature was DriverFocus, utilizing infrared sensors to monitor driver alertness and employing facial recognition to adjust settings between drivers.

The Outback was available in seven trims, starting with the 2.5i at an MSRP of $26,645, offering features like LED headlights, keyless entry, and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay through the StarLink infotainment system. Safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The Premium trim, at $28,895, introduced the 11.6-inch touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, and a power driver's seat, with optional features like a power liftgate and blind-spot monitoring. The higher trims, such as the Limited at $33,445 and Touring at $37,345, added more advanced features, while the new Onyx Edition XT, priced at $34,895, offered off-road capabilities with hill-descent control and enhanced X-Mode.

In comparison, the 2021 Kia Sorento marked a significant departure from its previous jelly-bean-inspired design, adopting a more athletic and muscular appearance. The SX Prestige trim with the X-Line package featured roof rails and a shark fin antenna, complementing its robust silhouette. The front showcased an extensive tiger-nose grille, flanked by headlights with distinctive running lights. The side profile included a silver accent between the front fender and door, while the rear boasted cohesive vertical rectangle taillights, exuding a modern yet stylish aura.

Inside, the Sorento excelled in comfort and features. Heated mirrors, second-row air vents, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard across all trims. The base LX trim offered a six-way adjustable driver’s seat, but higher trims provided ten-way power adjustment with lumbar support. While the front passenger’s adjustment was limited, the top-tier SX Prestige with the X-Line package offered 10-way adjustment with lumbar support. Heated seats were available from the S trim upwards, with ventilated seats reserved for the highest trim.

The Sorento's visibility was impressive, thanks to large windows and a panoramic sunroof, though the massive D-pillar did present a blind-spot challenge. The interior materials ranged from standard cloth in the LX to luxurious perforated leather in the SX Prestige.

The 2020 Subaru Outback’s base 2.5-liter engine offered 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, representing a slight improvement over the previous year. With an EPA rating of 26 mpg city and 33 highway, it was efficient, gaining 1 mpg in both categories. For those desiring more power, the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine produced 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, enabling the Outback to accelerate from 0-60 mph in roughly 7 seconds.

Both engines were mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which Subaru tuned to mimic a traditional automatic transmission, minimizing the usual CVT drawbacks. The symmetrical all-wheel-drive (AWD) system was always active, providing seamless power delivery and enhanced traction without the delay typical in other systems. The AWD system and boxer engine offered a low center of gravity, improving handling and reducing wear on components.

Off-road, the Outback excelled with 8.7 inches of ground clearance, an approach angle of 18.6 degrees, a departure angle of 21.7 degrees, and a breakover angle of 19.4 degrees. The upgraded X-Mode on the Onyx XT, with hill-descent control, further enhanced its off-road capabilities.

The 2021 Kia Sorento, available with various powertrains, featured a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine on the lower trims, delivering 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission. However, our test vehicle had the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) and AWD. This combination provided impressive merging, cruising, and passing power.

The Sorento’s AWD system used torque vectoring and featured a center-locking differential for enhanced traction. The X-Line package added 1.3 inches of ride height, 20-inch alloy wheels, and a roof rack. The vehicle's suspension, comprising McPherson struts up front and a multi-link setup in the rear, provided a smooth ride, even with the larger wheels.

The various drive modes significantly impacted performance. Eco mode prioritized fuel efficiency, while Normal mode provided a balanced drive. Sport mode improved throttle response, making the Sorento feel more dynamic. Although the vehicle leaned in corners due to its 4,000-pound weight, it remained stable, offering a comfortable ride.

The 2020 Subaru Outback excelled in functionality, offering the benefits of a station wagon with the clearance of an SUV. It featured 32.5 cubic feet of trunk space, expanding to 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, easily activated via handles at the trunk. This increase in volume was complemented by excellent rear seat space, with ample legroom and headroom even for taller occupants. The design prioritized visibility, offering clear sightlines except for the rear quarters, which had a notable blind spot.

In comparison, the 2021 Kia Sorento, a three-row SUV, was best considered as a four-seater in its upper trims, which replaced the second-row bench with captain's chairs. The third row was tight, making it suitable only for children or short trips. Behind the third row, cargo space was limited to 12.6 cubic feet, necessitating folded seats for more substantial storage. With the third row down, total cargo volume reached 75.5 cubic feet, comparable to compact crossovers.

Despite its smaller size, the Sorento offered excellent storage solutions, with functional spaces for phones, cups, and small items throughout the cabin. The door pockets held water bottles, while the rear seats featured integrated cupholders. The front and rear seating provided ample legroom, enhancing overall comfort.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured a tablet-style, 11.6-inch touchscreen on all but the base trim. The screen was attractive and easy to use, though some functions, like climate control, were buried in menus. Unfortunately, users faced significant lag across various functions, including navigation and volume control, which detracted from the otherwise positive experience. The camera resolution was also behind the times, affecting the usability of the large screen.

Conversely, the 2021 Kia Sorento offered an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, paired with physical buttons and knobs. Higher trims featured a 10.25-inch screen with haptic touch buttons and easy navigation. However, the larger screen required a physical connection for smartphone projection and divided the display space inefficiently. The Sorento included numerous USB ports but lacked USB-C variations. The optional Bose stereo system was average, and the navigation system struggled with address input, although most users would rely on smartphone navigation apps.

The 2020 Subaru Outback maintained a strong safety suite, including standard AWD and Subaru’s EyeSight system, offering adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. However, the optical nature of EyeSight made it susceptible to obstructions like snow or mud. The DriverFocus system aimed to enhance safety by alerting distracted drivers but suffered from frequent false alerts, detracting from its effectiveness.

Meanwhile, the 2021 Kia Sorento impressed with a robust array of standard safety features: automatic emergency braking, driver-attention warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, lane-following assist, and auto high beams. The vehicle’s adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems worked smoothly, although the latter occasionally overcorrected. The Sorento received a four-star rating from NHTSA for overall and frontal-impact crash tests and a perfect five-star rating for side impacts. IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick, with higher trims receiving better ratings for their LED headlights.