2024 Kia Sorento vs 2023 Genesis GV70

The 2023 Genesis GV70 was a striking compact luxury SUV, drawing design inspiration from its sedan sibling, the G70. Its exterior featured split-bar headlights and a distinctive chrome line that elegantly curved from behind the rear window, giving it a coupe-like appearance without sacrificing versatility. Inside, the GV70's cabin was a testament to luxury, with high-quality materials and impeccable fit and finish. The interior design was both modern and timeless, with climate controls integrated into a curving bezel and a touchscreen that seamlessly emerged from the dashboard. The GV70's dash was equipped with a full touchscreen, complemented by a rotary dial and button controls on the centre console, offering a tactile experience superior to touch capacitive controls found in some competitors.

In contrast, the 2024 Kia Sorento underwent a significant visual update, aligning its design more closely with its popular siblings, the Telluride and EV9. The Sorento's exterior boasted a bold new grille, vertically stacked LED headlights, and wing-like amber LED daytime running lights, giving it a more imposing presence. The rear received subtle updates, with higher trims featuring attractive LED taillights. Inside, the Sorento's cabin was modern and upscale, with a new dashboard design that mirrored the EV9's horizontal expanse. The gauge cluster and infotainment displays were combined under a single pane of glass, providing a clean and contemporary look. The Sorento's interior materials were upgraded, with faux open-pore wood grain and quality stitching on the leather-wrapped steering wheel and seats, enhancing its luxurious feel.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 offered two powertrain options: a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 engine delivering 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The turbo-four provided ample power for most driving situations, while the V6 catered to performance enthusiasts with its extra grunt and throaty engine note. The GV70 excelled in blending comfort and sharp handling, offering a refined driving experience. The Electrified GV70 featured a 77.4-kWh battery powering two electric motors, producing a combined 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, with a Boost Mode increasing output to 483 horsepower for short bursts. It had a range of 383 kilometres and supported DC fast charging.

The 2024 Kia Sorento retained its mechanical components, with the base engine being a 2.5-litre four-cylinder producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission but struggled with the Sorento's weight. Higher trims featured a turbocharged 2.5-litre engine generating 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, mated to a dual-clutch eight-speed automatic. The turbocharged Sorento offered lively performance, with zero-to-100 times in the mid-seven-second range. All Sorentos in Canada came with all-wheel drive, and the X-Line and X-Pro trims offered increased ground clearance. The Sorento handled confidently, with well-weighted steering and effective brakes. The X-Pro trim excelled in off-road conditions, with all-terrain tires and improved engine cooling, allowing for a towing capacity of 2,040 kilograms.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 provided 1,611 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 818 litres with the seats in use, making it competitive in the compact luxury SUV segment. The GV70 featured a hands-free power liftgate and a well-designed centre console with large cupholders and a retractable tray. While front-seat comfort was commendable, rear legroom was tighter, requiring front-row occupants to adjust their seats for rear passenger comfort. The rear bench offered a reclining feature for added comfort.

The 2024 Kia Sorento's cabin was spacious and comfortable in the first two rows, with 1,052 millimetres of front legroom and 1,060 millimetres in the second row. The third row, with 752 millimetres of legroom, was tighter but still competitive compared to larger SUVs. The Sorento's third row was suitable for children or occasional use, offering flexibility without the need for a larger vehicle. With the third row in use, cargo space was limited to 357 litres, but folding it down expanded capacity to 1,090 to 1,274 litres, depending on trim. With all seats down, the Sorento offered up to 2,139 litres of cargo space. The Sorento's interior featured ergonomic controls and ample small-item storage, though it lacked a dedicated purse storage area.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 came equipped with a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The touchscreen was user-friendly, with large icons and logical menu navigation. The GV70 also included a rotary dial for scrolling and selecting, though its proximity to the rotary shifter could cause confusion. The vehicle offered four USB ports, wireless device charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a nine-speaker stereo system. Optional features included ambient lighting, a digital instrument panel, a Lexicon 18-speaker audio system, and the Genesis digital key.

The 2024 Kia Sorento featured a single-pane, twin-screen setup with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and a redesigned software system called "Connected Car Navigation Cockpit" (CCnC). The system prioritized popular features on the home screen and offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The Sorento's infotainment system supported over-the-air updates and included USB-C outlets in all three rows. Higher trims featured a Bose 12-speaker surround sound system and Digital Key 2.0, allowing for keyless access and driving via compatible smartphones or NFC smart cards.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, driver attention monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and highway driving assist with lane-keeping assist. The 2.5T Advance Plus trim added a blind-spot camera system and a 360-degree parking camera system, while the Prestige grade included reverse automatic emergency braking. The Electrified GV70 came standard with much of this equipment. The GV70 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2024 Kia Sorento boasted an extensive array of standard and optional safety features, including adaptive cruise control with stop and go, forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-following and lane-keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert with emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims offered navigation-based adaptive cruise control, Highway Driving Assist, and Highway Driving Assist 2 with automated lane changes. The Sorento's adaptive cruise control systems were enhanced with machine-learning capabilities. The Sorento had not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but previous models received favourable ratings.