2024 Kia Sorento vs 2023 Ford Bronco

The 2023 Ford Bronco was a standout with its retro-cool styling and modern engineering, offered in nine distinct trim levels. Its blocky, upright shape, wide horizontal grille, and big round headlights were unmistakable, even from afar. The Base trim had a primitive charm with steel wheels and minimal adornment, while the Raptor trim boasted a wide stance, elevated height, and massive tires. The Heritage Edition trim evoked nostalgia with a white grille, roof, and wheels, and unique plaid seat upholstery. The Bronco's rugged interior featured a broad dash, sealed switches, and waterproof marine-grade vinyl upholstery, emphasizing durability over luxury. Despite some creaking over bumps, it was quieter than a Jeep Wrangler.

The 2024 Kia Sorento received its first major visual update since 2021, aligning more closely with its siblings like the Telluride. It featured a robust new front end, vertically stacked LED headlights, and wing-like amber LED daytime running lights, giving it a more intimidating presence. The interior boasted a new dashboard with a clean, horizontal expanse and combined gauge cluster and infotainment displays under a single pane of glass. The Sorento's cabin materials were upgraded, with faux open-pore wood grain and quality stitching on the optional leather-wrapped steering wheel and seats. The Sorento felt solidly assembled and more upscale than some other midsize SUVs.

The 2023 Ford Bronco offered three engine choices, starting with a 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, available with a seven-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic transmission. The optional twin-turbo 2.7-litre V6 engine delivered 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, while the top-of-the-line Raptor featured a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 with 418 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque. All Broncos came with a 4WD drivetrain and a two-speed transfer case. The Bronco excelled in off-road capabilities, with G.O.A.T. drive modes and numerous camera views for tight confines. It offered a bouncy ride but was quieter and more stable on highways than a Jeep Wrangler.

The 2024 Kia Sorento retained its base 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Higher trims featured a turbocharged 2.5-litre engine producing 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, mated to a dual-clutch eight-speed automatic. All Sorentos in Canada were AWD by default, with varying ground clearance depending on the trim. The Sorento handled confidently, with well-weighted steering and effective brakes. The X-Pro trim excelled in light off-road conditions, offering a smoother ride with 17-inch rims and all-terrain tires. The Sorento's towing capacity reached 2,040 kilograms with the X-Pro trim.

The 2023 Ford Bronco's boxy shape provided ample interior space, with the four-door model offering easier access to the rear seats. The two-door Bronco had up to 634 litres of cargo space, expanding to 1,481 litres with the seats folded, while the four-door offered 1,008 litres and 2,197 litres, respectively. However, the rear seats didn't fold flat, creating a step-up that hindered sliding longer cargo. The Bronco's fenders and doors were easily removable, catering to hardcore off-roaders.

The 2024 Kia Sorento's cabin was comfortable in the first two rows, with 1,052 millimetres of front legroom and 1,060 mm in the second row. The third row offered 752 mm of legroom, suitable for occasional use by children. The Sorento's cargo space varied, with 357 litres when the third row was in use, expanding to 1,090 to 1,274 litres with it folded, and up to 2,139 litres with all seats down. The Sorento's controls were ergonomic, and higher trims featured noise-insulating acoustic glass and ventilated front seats.

The 2023 Ford Bronco featured G.O.A.T. drive modes for off-road adventures, with numerous camera views and Trail Turn Assist for sharp turns. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Ford’s SYNC 4 and FordPass Connect. Most Broncos came with an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 12-inch display available for easier use.

The 2024 Kia Sorento adopted a single-pane, twin-screen setup with a 12.3-inch screen for all models. The new infotainment system, "Connected Car Navigation Cockpit" (CCnC), prioritized popular features on the home screen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the system supported over-the-air updates. Higher trims featured a Bose 12-speaker surround sound system and Digital Key 2.0 for keyless access.

The 2023 Ford Bronco received mixed safety ratings, with the four-door earning four stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection from NHTSA. IIHS awarded it "Good" in most crashworthiness tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and hill-start assist. Optional packages added features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.

The 2024 Kia Sorento boasted an extensive suite of standard and optional safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Advanced options included Highway Driving Assist 2 with automated lane changes. The Sorento earned "Good" ratings in several IIHS tests, though its LATCH system received an "Acceptable" rating. NHTSA had not yet evaluated the 2024 model.