2023 Mazda CX-5 vs 2024 Kia Sorento

The 2023 Mazda CX-5, despite its age, continued to be a strong contender in the compact crossover SUV market. It was praised for its stylish design and high-quality materials, giving it the appearance and feel of a small luxury SUV. The available turbocharged engine provided impressive power, and the model boasted a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. However, the CX-5 had its drawbacks, such as a small back seat, limited cargo space, and a frustrating infotainment system. Mazda's decision to transition the CX-5 to the CX-50 was part of a broader marketing strategy, similar to Infiniti's renaming of the G37 to the Q50 and Q60. This move aimed to ease consumers into the change while maintaining the model's loyal customer base.

The 2024 Kia Sorento received its first major visual update since its 2021 debut, aligning its design more closely with Kia's other SUVs like the Telluride and EV9. The Sorento's new front end, enhanced taillights, and upscale cockpit contributed to its more contemporary and cohesive look. The exterior featured a bold grille, vertically stacked LED headlights, and new wheel designs, while the interior boasted a redesigned dashboard with twin 12.3-inch displays in higher trims. The Sorento's cabin materials were upgraded, offering a more luxurious feel, and the vehicle provided a solid and upscale experience compared to competitors like the Chevrolet Blazer and Honda Passport.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options. The base model featured a Skyactiv-G 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. It achieved a fuel economy rating of 9.0 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The more enticing option was the 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which produced 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel, or 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet on regular gas. This engine also used the six-speed automatic and AWD system, with a fuel economy of 9.8 L/100 km. The turbo engine's power delivery was smooth, and the CX-5's structural and suspension updates enhanced its driving dynamics, making it feel more like an entry-level luxury vehicle.

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 its performance was underwhelming for the Sorento's size. 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. This setup provided lively acceleration and ample passing power. All Sorentos came with AWD, and the X-Line and X-Pro trims offered increased ground clearance. The Sorento's handling was confident, with well-weighted steering and effective brakes. The X-Pro trim, with its all-terrain tires, excelled in off-road conditions and challenging weather, offering a smoother ride and improved grip.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 received updates to its front seats for improved comfort and support. It offered features like power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated seats, and dual-zone climate control. The Signature trim included luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. However, the CX-5's interior space was limited, with small storage areas, cramped rear seats, and a modest cargo capacity of 871 litres behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,680 litres with the seats folded.

The 2024 Kia Sorento's cabin was modern and comfortable in the first two rows, though the third row remained tight. It offered more legroom in the front and second rows compared to some two-row SUVs. The third row had 752 mm of legroom, suitable for occasional use by children. The Sorento's cargo space was limited with the third row in use, providing 357 litres, but expanded to 1,090 to 1,274 litres with the third row folded, and up to 2,139 litres with all seats down. The Sorento's interior featured ergonomic controls and ample storage space, with higher trims offering noise-insulating glass and ventilated front seats.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5's Mazda Connect infotainment system featured a 10.25-inch display with sophisticated graphics but was criticized for its awkward physical controls and lack of a voice recognition system. The system required memorization and focus, making it distracting to use while driving. Despite these issues, it offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Bose premium audio system in upper trims. The test vehicle included a front-facing camera and a surround-view camera system for easier parking.

The 2024 Kia Sorento adopted a single-pane, twin-screen setup for its gauge and infotainment displays. All models featured a 12.3-inch screen with new software called "Connected Car Navigation Cockpit" (CCnC), which prioritized popular features on the home screen. The system was user-friendly, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The Sorento also offered over-the-air updates, USB-C outlets in all rows, and a Bose 12-speaker audio system in higher trims. The X-Line Limited and X-Pro models included Digital Key 2.0, allowing smartphone access to the vehicle.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 excelled in safety features, with most driver assistance technologies offered as standard under the i-Activsense banner. Exclusive features for the 2.5 Turbo Signature included a surround-view camera system, parking sensors, and Traffic Jam Assist. The CX-5 received top safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, earning a Top Safety Pick ranking. However, it lacked a warning system for driving without headlights at night, which was a concern.

The 2024 Kia Sorento offered an extensive suite of standard and optional safety features, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Advanced options included navigation-based adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist 2 with automated lane changes. The Sorento's safety systems performed well, though some sensors were affected by weather conditions. The IIHS rated the Sorento "Good" in several tests, but the LATCH system received an "Acceptable" rating. The NHTSA had not yet evaluated the 2024 model.