2021 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Kia Sorento

Ford had taken a consistent approach to its SUV lineup, with the 2021 Explorer fitting seamlessly into the family. The exterior design was sporty and modern, though it could be hard to distinguish from the Edge at a quick glance. The Explorer offered six trim levels, each with varying degrees of exterior and interior refinement, starting from the base model at $32,925 to the top-tier Platinum at $52,730. Inside, the Explorer featured three rows of seats as standard, with the base model offering cloth upholstery. The dashboard was clean and user-friendly, dominated by an 8-inch LCD touchscreen and large, easy-to-use knobs and buttons for the audio and climate controls. The XLT trim, the most popular choice, added more comfort and tech features, while higher trims offered leather upholstery and advanced amenities.

The 2021 Kia Sorento marked a significant departure from its previous generation, adopting a more athletic and muscular design. The SX Prestige trim with the X-Line package added roof rails and a shark fin antenna, enhancing its rugged look. The front featured an expansive tiger-nose grille and stylish headlights, while the rear boasted vertical taillights that looked modern and cohesive. Inside, the Sorento was packed with high-value features, including heated outside mirrors, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and keyless entry. The base LX trim had a six-way adjustable driver’s seat, while higher trims offered 10-way adjustment with power lumbar support. The SX Prestige trim provided real perforated leather seats, which were soft and comfortable, though a bit more thigh support would have been appreciated.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, weighing in at 4,345 pounds, offered a base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission across all trims. The Limited Hybrid trim featured a V6 hybrid drivetrain with 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. Higher trims came with a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, delivering 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, while the sport-oriented ST trim offered 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Explorer excelled in towing capacity, ranging from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the trim and engine, making it a strong contender for those needing to tow heavy loads.

The 2021 Kia Sorento offered a range of powertrains, with the most common being a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. However, the test car featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Sorento also had a hybrid version with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine and electric motor. The AWD system with torque vectoring and a center-locking differential provided excellent traction and stability. The suspension setup ensured a smooth and comfortable ride, even with the larger 20-inch wheels. The various drive modes, including Eco, Normal, and Sport, offered noticeable differences in performance and fuel efficiency.

The base 2021 Ford Explorer had seating for seven, while other trims featured second-row captain’s chairs, reducing capacity to six. The Explorer offered 39 inches of legroom for second-row passengers, which was competitive within its class. With the third row deployed, it provided 21 cubic feet of cargo space, and with the rear seats folded, the total cargo volume was 81 cubic feet, which was on the smaller side for its segment.

The 2021 Kia Sorento, while a three-row SUV, was best considered a four-seater in its top trims due to the tight third row. The second-row captain's chairs were very comfortable, offering 41.4 inches of legroom, while the front seats provided 41.7 inches. Cargo space behind the third row was limited to 12.6 cubic feet, but folding the seats increased the total cargo volume to 75.5 cubic feet, which was more in line with compact crossovers. The Sorento also featured practical storage solutions, including a spot for a phone, cupholders, and a decent-sized center console bucket.

The 2021 Ford Explorer came with an 8-inch touchscreen as standard, offering AM/FM radio, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, and Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system. Higher trims featured a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and an optional 10.1-inch touchscreen. Charging options included two USB ports in the center console and five 12-volt power points, with a 110-volt AC power outlet available on higher trims.

The 2021 Kia Sorento featured an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger 10.25-inch screen on higher trims required a wired connection for smartphone integration. The Sorento had plenty of USB ports but lacked USB-C options. The optional Bose stereo system was decent but not exceptional. The navigation system needed improvement, particularly in voice search and Point-of-Interest functions.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests and an “Acceptable” rating for adaptive headlights. The base model included the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, featuring auto high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and other advanced features.

The 2021 Kia Sorento came with a robust array of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, driver-attention warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, lane-following assist, and auto high beams. The NHTSA awarded the Sorento four out of five stars overall, while the IIHS gave it a Top Safety Pick designation. The SX trims received perfect scores for their LED headlights, while lower trims had poorer ratings for their LED reflector headlights.