2022 Kia Sorento vs 2023 Toyota 4Runner

The 2022 Kia Sorento, particularly in the X-Line trim, presented a stylish and rugged appearance. This midsize SUV featured rugged bumpers, matte-finish wheels, black lower body cladding, and robust roof rails, enhancing its already attractive design. In the U.S., the X-Line was a package applied to the top trim, while in Canada, it was a standalone mid-grade package. Canadian Sorentos came standard with all-wheel drive, including hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, with pricing ranging from $34,595 to $48,085 for the gas-only version and starting at $36,695 for the hybrid and $44,995 for the plug-in hybrid, excluding a $1,900 destination charge.

Inside, the Sorento exuded quality, with leather upholstery and simulated wood trim on the dashboard. The cabin's construction was rock-solid, with nothing feeling flimsy. Kia's attention to design detail extended even to the most affordable Sorento LX+ model. The interior style and traditional cable-operated transmission shifter did not compromise practical storage space. Buyers of the Sorento often felt they got an excellent deal, even at sticker price.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition (40 ASE) was based on the SR5 trim level and added $3,330 to the SR5's price. This special edition featured retro body stripes, a heritage grille design, bronze 17-inch wheels, and bronze exterior and interior badges. It also included a numbered plaque on the dashboard, indicating its limited production of 4,040 units for 2023, with 400 destined for Canada. The 4Runner lineup included various trims, with prices ranging from $51,050 to $66,220, plus a $1,930 destination charge. The 40 ASE test vehicle had no options and an MSRP of $54,380.

The 4Runner's design paid homage to truck-based SUVs of the past, with a purposeful interior featuring solid plastic components and easy-to-use controls. The retro stripes and bronze alloy wheels added a touch of nostalgia. Despite its truck-like appearance, the 4Runner's interior was functional, with idiot-proof controls that were easy to use, even with gloves on. The 4Runner's enduring appeal lay in its rugged design and practical features.

The 2022 Kia Sorento offered a standard 191-horsepower 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, which took nearly 9.5 seconds to accelerate the 1,761-kilogram SUV to 60 mph. However, the Sorento's other engine options, including a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder, a turbocharged hybrid powertrain, and a turbocharged plug-in hybrid powertrain, provided more satisfying performance. The turbo 2.5-litre engine generated 281 hp and 311 pound-feet of torque, making it more enjoyable than the V6 in the larger Kia Telluride. The turbo engine was paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission, allowing the Sorento to reach 60 mph in about 7.5 seconds. The Sorento's suspension offered a blend of compliance and composure, making it feel more like a sports sedan than an SUV. Fuel consumption was rated at 9.7 litres per 100 kilometres with the base engine and 9.9 L/100 km with the turbo engine, though real-world testing showed an average of 11.5 L/100 km.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured a 4.0-litre V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. It offered a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. The 4Runner had two 4WD systems, with the Limited trim offering a full-time 4WD system. Fuel economy was rated at 13.8 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with the 40 ASE averaging 13.9 L/100 km. The 4Runner's off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like a locking rear differential, Crawl Control, and Multi-Terrain Select. The TRD Sport and Limited trims had suspensions designed for on-road performance, while the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trims focused on off-road capabilities. The 4Runner excelled in off-road conditions, but its on-road performance was less impressive, with leisurely acceleration and heavy steering.

The 2022 Kia Sorento's interior felt luxurious, with features like heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Second-row captain's chairs were standard from the EX trim, with heated seats in the EX+ and SX. The third-row seat was less comfortable, with limited legroom and head restraints flush against the rear window. Cargo space was limited with the third-row seat in use, but folding it down expanded the cargo area to 1,274 litres, and folding the second-row seats increased it to 2,139 litres. The Sorento's "smart" power tailgate was a convenient feature.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner's rear window powered down into the tailgate, providing excellent ventilation. The 4Runner's interior featured comfortable seats, with the Limited trim offering ventilated leather seats. The 40 ASE test vehicle had SofTex artificial leather. Dual-zone climate control and numerous storage locations were available, though some lacked rubber liners. The second-row seating area was roomy, with good legroom and air conditioning vents. The third-row seat option reduced cargo space and was uncomfortable. The cargo area featured storage cubbies, trays, and a 120-volt AC power outlet. With the third-row seat option, cargo space was limited to 254 litres, while the standard five-passenger configuration offered 1,337 litres of cargo space.

The 2022 Kia Sorento offered an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on lower trims, while higher trims featured a 10.25-inch display with navigation, satellite radio, and Kia Connect services. The base system included Bluetooth and wireless smartphone integration, while the larger display required a cable for app connectivity. The infotainment system was intuitive, though the font style and graphics might not appeal to everyone. The Sorento SX had a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system, and a wireless phone charger was standard from the LX Premium trim.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured traditional analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio, with available upgrades like a navigation system and JBL premium sound system. The infotainment system's home screen displayed multiple functions simultaneously, and the voice recognition system performed well, though it couldn't find reggae music or adjust cabin temperature. The 4Runner's interior controls were user-friendly, with large knobs and buttons.

The 2022 Kia Sorento offered a comprehensive list of safety features, including a rear-seat reminder system, Junction Assist, and a Blind View Monitor system. Highway Driving Assist provided Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capabilities. The Sorento received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with a four-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner included standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all trims. The 4Runner's adaptive cruise control performed well, though it was slow to accelerate after lane changes. The 4Runner received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a three-star rating for front passenger protection and rollover resistance.