2024 Kia Sorento vs 2023 Subaru Forester

The 2023 Subaru Forester maintained a familiar aesthetic, reminiscent of its predecessors over the past two decades. Its design, especially in the Cascade Green Silica paint, was consistent with the brand's traditional look, characterized by its boxy silhouette and functional design elements. The Premier trim, which we tested, featured 18-inch alloy wheels and satin chrome exterior trim, adding a touch of sophistication to its otherwise utilitarian appearance. Inside, the Forester Premier offered brown leather and metallic accents, maintaining a traditional Subaru interior with analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen. Despite the abundance of hard plastic, the cabin was easy to clean and practical, with a layout that emphasized functionality over flair.

In contrast, the 2024 Kia Sorento received a significant visual update, aligning it more closely with its siblings like the Telluride and EV9. The new design featured a bold front grille, vertically stacked LED headlights, and refined taillights, giving it a more contemporary and upscale look. The interior was revamped with a new dashboard and combined gauge and infotainment displays under a single pane of glass. Higher trims boasted twin 12.3-inch displays, and the materials used throughout the cabin were upgraded for a more luxurious feel. The Sorento's design changes made it more visually appealing and aligned with modern SUV trends, offering a more upscale experience compared to the Forester.

The 2023 Subaru Forester was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT featured eight programmed ratios, mimicking a traditional automatic transmission, and included a Subaru Intelligent Drive system with a Sport mode for enhanced responsiveness. The Forester's X-Mode off-road traction control system, available on all trims, included hill descent control and additional settings for deep snow and mud on the Sport trim and above. The Forester Premier, despite its tamer setup, handled adverse weather conditions with ease, showcasing its capability in flooded roadways and muddy trails. However, the engine's performance was merely adequate, and the Forester's fuel economy fell short of expectations, returning 9.1 litres per 100 kilometres compared to the official rating of 8.2 L/100 km.

The 2024 Kia Sorento offered two engine options: a base 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 2.5-litre engine producing 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. The turbocharged engine, paired with a dual-clutch eight-speed automatic transmission, provided a more robust 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 for off-road capability. The Sorento's ride was smooth and quiet, with well-weighted steering and effective brakes. The X-Pro trim, equipped with all-terrain tires, excelled in off-road conditions, offering a towing capacity of 2,040 kilograms. While the Sorento's fuel economy was average for its class, the turbocharged engine delivered a lively driving experience.

The 2023 Subaru Forester prioritized function over form, offering a practical and straightforward interior. The Touring trim provided features like a panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable driver's seat, and heated front seats. Higher trims offered additional luxuries like leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control. The Forester's standout feature was its excellent outward visibility, thanks to tall glass and thin windshield pillars. However, the panoramic sunroof lacked sufficient tinting, leading to solar heating issues. The Forester's cargo space was generous, with 762 litres behind the rear seats and up to 1,957 litres with the seats folded down, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2024 Kia Sorento's cabin was modern and upscale, with comfortable seating in the first two rows and a tighter third row. The Sorento offered more legroom in the front and second rows compared to some competitors, and higher trims featured noise-insulating glass and ventilated front seats. The third row, while not spacious, was suitable for occasional use by children. The Sorento's cargo space was limited with the third row in use, offering only 357 litres, but expanded to 1,090 to 1,274 litres with the seats folded down. The Sorento's interior was well-designed, with ergonomic controls and ample storage space, making it a versatile choice for families.

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. An 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system was available on higher trims. The Forester's infotainment system was user-friendly, with separate climate controls and easy-to-use volume and tuning knobs. However, the voice-recognition system was unreliable, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto a preferable choice for navigation and other functions.

The 2024 Kia Sorento boasted a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system across all trims, integrated into a single-pane display with the gauge cluster. The new Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (CCnC) software prioritized popular features and offered a user-friendly interface. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the system supported over-the-air updates. Higher trims featured a Bose 12-speaker audio system and Digital Key 2.0, allowing smartphone access to the vehicle. While the voice command system had limitations, the Sorento's technology offerings were comprehensive and modern.

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured the next-generation EyeSight system, with updated software and cameras for improved performance. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, while higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and Automatic Emergency Steering. The Forester's Rear Automatic Braking system was overly sensitive, and the DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System was exclusive to the Limited and Premier trims. The Forester received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA, though it fell short in some new crash tests.

The 2024 Kia Sorento offered an extensive suite of standard and optional safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims featured navigation-based adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist 2. The Sorento's safety systems were enhanced with additional sensors and machine-learning capabilities. While the IIHS had not fully evaluated the 2024 model, previous models received "Good" ratings in several tests. The Sorento's safety features were comprehensive and advanced, providing peace of mind for drivers.