2022 Toyota Venza vs 2021 Kia Sorento

The 2021 Kia Sorento represented a significant leap forward in design compared to its predecessor. It shed the previous model's bubbly aesthetic for a more athletic and muscular silhouette. The SX Prestige trim with the X-Line package featured roof rails, a shark fin antenna, and a rear roof spoiler, enhancing its rugged appeal. The front showcased an expansive tiger-nose grille, flanked by headlights with distinctive running lights. The side profile was accentuated by a silver trim between the front fender and door, while the rear boasted stylish vertical taillights. Despite the large D-pillar potentially creating a blind spot, the overall design was modern and visually appealing.

Inside, the Sorento was packed with high-value features. Heated outside mirrors, second-row air vents, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and keyless entry were standard across all trims. The base LX trim offered a six-way adjustable driver’s seat, while higher trims provided 10-way adjustment with power lumbar support. The front passenger seat had limited adjustability on lower trims but improved on the SX and SX Prestige. Heated seats were available on all but the LX trim, and the SX Prestige with the X-Line package included ventilated seats. The interior visibility was excellent, and the panoramic sunroof added a touch of luxury, though it sometimes let in too much sunlight.

The 2022 Toyota Venza re-emerged with a sleek and modern design, riding on the proven Toyota New Global Architecture K (TGNA-K) platform. Measuring 186.6 inches in length, 73.0 inches in width, and 65.9 inches in height, with a 105.9-inch wheelbase, the Venza had excellent proportions for a midsize crossover. Its exterior design featured a deeply scalloped body side and a horizontally bisected tailgate with LED lighting. The prominent nose and longer overhang were more suited for urban environments than off-road adventures.

Inside, the Venza offered a Lexus-like interior with high-quality materials and an elegant layout. The layered dash and well-placed touchscreen display added to the sophisticated feel. The front seats were supportive and comfortable, and the rear seats could accommodate three adults with ease. The cabin felt spacious, especially with the available Star Gaze fixed panoramic glass roof on the Limited trim. Convenience features included an overhead console with LED map lights, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a four-way power-adjustable front passenger seat on higher trims. The Venza also had ample storage options and a quiet, serene cabin thanks to extensive sound-blocking materials.

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. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and was available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. However, our test car featured the more powerful turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) with a wet clutch to AWD. This setup provided ample power for merging, cruising, and passing.

The Sorento also offered a hybrid version with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor, available only in FWD. The AWD system in our test car included torque vectoring and a center-locking differential for improved traction. The X-Line package added 1.3 inches of ride height, 20-inch alloy wheels, and a roof rack. The suspension setup, consisting of McPherson struts up front and a multi-link rear, ensured a smooth and comfortable ride. The various drive modes, including Eco, Normal, and Sport, allowed drivers to tailor the driving experience to their preferences. Despite its 4,000-pound weight, the Sorento handled corners well without excessive body lean.

The 2022 Toyota Venza featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine and three electric motors, producing a combined 219 horsepower. The hybrid system balanced electric and gas drive for optimal efficiency and performance. Drivers could choose between electric-only (EV) mode for short distances and Normal, Eco, and Sport modes for different driving conditions. Regenerative braking helped recharge the lithium-ion battery, while the main charge came from the gas engine.

The Venza offered a smooth and agile driving experience, similar to the Camry, thanks to its shared wheelbase. While the taller body and higher ground clearance didn't encourage aggressive cornering, the Venza excelled as a comfortable midsize family hauler. The hybrid system's transparency and the lack of need for charging infrastructure made it a practical choice for many drivers. The Predicted Efficient Drive (PED) program used navigation data to optimize battery charging and fuel consumption, enhancing overall efficiency.

The 2021 Kia Sorento, with its three-row seating, was practical but best suited as a four-seater in higher trims. The second-row captain's chairs were comfortable, but the third row was too tight for adults. Cargo space behind the third row was limited to 12.6 cubic feet, making it more practical to fold the seats down. The second-row seats offered ample legroom, with 41.4 inches in the front and 41.7 inches in the rear. The Sorento provided various storage options, including a phone spot with an optional wireless charger, cupholders, and a decent-sized center console bucket. Total cargo volume was 75.5 cubic feet, comparable to compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

The 2022 Toyota Venza seated five in two rows, with comfortable bucket seats in the front and a 60/40-split folding second-row bench seat. Both rows offered good headroom and legroom, with 45.2 inches of hip room in the second row. The cabin felt spacious, especially with the Star Gaze fixed panoramic glass roof on the Limited trim. Convenience features included an overhead console with LED map lights, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a four-way power-adjustable front passenger seat on higher trims. The Venza also had ample storage options, including a large glove compartment and door pockets that could hold 24-ounce bottles. Cargo capacity was 28.8 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 55.1 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. The Venza's cabin was designed to be a quiet and serene space, with extensive sound-blocking materials used throughout.

The 2021 Kia Sorento featured an 8-inch touchscreen display on the LX, S, and EX trims, with hard buttons, volume and tuning knobs, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger 10.25-inch screen on the SX and SX Prestige trims looked fantastic but required a physical connection for smartphone projection. The infotainment system lacked a dedicated home button, and the right third of the screen was often underutilized when using Android Auto. The Sorento had plenty of USB ports but no USB-C ports. 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 2022 Toyota Venza's hybrid powertrain required no special attention and eliminated the need for charging infrastructure. The Venza's hybrid system was transparent in operation, and the Predicted Efficient Drive (PED) program optimized battery charging and fuel consumption. The LE and XLE models came with an eight-inch touchscreen, AM/FM/HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, and Bluetooth connectivity. The Limited trim added a nine-speaker JBL audio system, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and intelligent touch-capacitive controls. Toyota Connected Services, including Safety Connect, Service Connect, Remote Connect, and WiFi Connect, were standard. The Advanced Technology Package on the Limited trim included a head-up display, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a digital rearview mirror.

The 2021 Kia Sorento came equipped with a comprehensive array of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, a driver-attention warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, lane-following assist, and auto high beams. Our test car also had a surround-view camera and adaptive cruise control, which worked smoothly. The lane-keeping assist system occasionally made excessive corrections. The Sorento received four out of five stars overall from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2022 Toyota Venza included the Toyota Star Safety System, featuring stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, smart stop technology, and a rearview camera. The Venza also had eight airbags, three-point seatbelts for all seating positions, and LATCH lower anchors for child safety seats. Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0) added forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, daytime bicycle detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, lane tracing assist, and road-sign assist. The Venza received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and five stars from the NHTSA.