2024 Kia Sorento vs 2023 Subaru Outback

The 2023 Subaru Outback underwent a significant facelift, featuring a new front end with redesigned LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper with dark gray vertical cladding. This design gave the Outback a more aggressive appearance, especially with the addition of a jutting simulated skid plate, fog lights in oversized housings, and asymmetrical wheel arch trim reminiscent of the Wilderness model. While these changes might not appeal to everyone, opting for a dark paint colour could help tone down the design's excesses. The Outback Onyx Edition, with its black wheels and trim, complemented the bold cladding well. The Outback was available in seven trims in Canada, with the Onyx Edition priced at $38,695. The standard 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine was offered in various trims, with prices ranging from $32,695 to $40,995, excluding a $1,995 destination charge. The turbocharged XT models, offering better acceleration, were priced between $43,195 and $46,395. All models came with a full-time all-wheel drive system. The Limited trim, with its Cosmic Blue paint and Java Brown premium Nappa leather upholstery, offered a luxurious interior with contrasting leather, dashboard, and door panels. Despite some hard plastic elements, the interior maintained an upscale feel. However, the large infotainment screen and gloss black trim on the centre console were prone to collecting dust and smudges.

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 featured a big, buff grille flanked by vertically stacked LED projector-beam headlights and wing-like amber LED daytime running lights, giving it a larger and more intimidating appearance. The rear received subtle updates, with higher trims boasting LED taillights and new bumpers. The Sorento's trims in Canada included LX, EX, X-Line, X-Line Limited, and the new X-Pro, with the latter two offering more aggressive looks. Inside, the Sorento featured a new dashboard with a vast horizontal expanse, combining the gauge cluster and infotainment displays under a single pane of glass. The X-Line Limited and X-Pro trims boasted twin 12.3-inch displays. The cabin materials were upgraded, with faux open-pore wood grain and quality stitching on the optional leather-wrapped steering wheel and seats. A brown interior colour option added character to the Sorento, making it feel more upscale than some competitors like the Chevrolet Blazer or Honda Passport.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured horizontally opposed engines, known for their flat design, which helped reduce the vehicle's centre of gravity and provided a characteristic grumble and vibration. However, the standard 2.5-litre engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, felt underpowered in the 1,705-kilogram vehicle. The continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) made good use of the power at lower speeds, but passing and climbing power was lacking. The Outback's towing capacity was 1,225 kilograms. Fuel efficiency was also disappointing, with a combined rating of 9.2 L/100 km, higher than the expected 8.3 L/100 km. The turbocharged XT models offered a more satisfying performance with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, but at the cost of fuel efficiency and a higher price. All Outback models came with an Active Torque Split AWD system and an X-Mode traction system for off-road capabilities. The Outback excelled in off-road conditions, handling mud, ruts, and snowstorms with ease. In urban settings, its excellent visibility and compact size made parking and navigating tight spaces easy. However, the standard engine's lack of power was evident on highways, requiring a heavy foot for passing. The suspension tuning provided a firm ride at lower speeds and absorbed bumps well at higher speeds, offering excellent ride quality overall.

The 2024 Kia Sorento retained most of its mechanical components, with the base engine being a 2.5-litre four-cylinder producing 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. This engine struggled with the Sorento's weight, making it less satisfying. The EX and higher trims featured a turbocharged 2.5-litre engine with 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with a dual-clutch eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged models offered lively performance, with zero-to-100 times in the mid-seven-second range. All Sorentos in Canada came with all-wheel drive, with ground clearance varying by trim. The Sorento handled confidently, with well-weighted steering and effective brakes. The X-Line and X-Pro trims offered enhanced off-road capabilities, with the X-Pro featuring 17-inch rims and all-terrain tires for a smoother ride. The Sorento's drive and terrain modes, along with hill descent control, provided decent off-road performance. The X-Pro's improved engine cooling allowed for a towing capacity of 2,040 kilograms. While the gas-powered Sorentos had average fuel economy, the turbocharged models were rated at 10.3 L/100 km combined. During testing, the X-Pro achieved this figure over 475 kilometres.

The 2023 Subaru Outback prioritized utility with features like a purposeful roof rack, flat door sill trim, and a dashboard storage shelf. The Limited trim offered a comfortable interior with a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, and heated seats wrapped in premium Nappa leather. The rear outboard seats were also heated, making the Outback cozy in cold weather. The vehicle's high ground clearance and height-adjustable front seats made entry and exit easy. The Outback provided ample cargo space, with 923 litres behind the back seat and 2,141 litres with the back seat folded down. The roof rails and rack were robust, ready for accessories. However, the Outback could benefit from more practical storage space in the cabin.

The 2024 Kia Sorento's cabin was upscale and modern, offering comfort in the first two rows but limited space in the third. With 1,052 millimetres of legroom in the front seats and 1,060 mm in the second row, the Sorento provided more room than many two-row SUVs. The third row offered 752 mm of legroom, suitable for children but not adults. The Sorento's new dash featured ergonomic controls and ample small-item storage space. Cargo space was limited with the third row in use, offering only 357 litres. However, folding the third row expanded cargo 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 2023 Subaru Outback, except for the Base trim, featured a Starlink 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with physical controls for volume, tuning, and climate control. The system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, along with subscription-based Starlink connected services. A navigation system and Harman Kardon premium audio system were available on higher trims. The infotainment system's usability improved for 2023, but the graphics and voice recognition system were lacking. Additional technologies included a camera-based digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree front-view camera.

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 "Connected Car Navigation Cockpit" software, prioritizing popular features on the home screen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity were standard, and the system supported over-the-air updates. The top trims offered a Bose 12-speaker surround sound system and Digital Key 2.0 for keyless access. The Sorento's voice commands were still a weak point, but the system's stylish graphics and functionality were commendable.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured new EyeSight cameras and an electronic brake booster, enhancing safety features like adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Outback earned top marks from the IIHS, including in the new side-impact crash test. EyeSight included an Automatic Emergency Steering system and a third Wide-Angle Mono Camera for better pedestrian and cyclist detection. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist systems felt artificial, and the rear automatic braking system was incompatible with some driveways.

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. The Sorento's adaptive cruise control systems learned from driver behaviour and maintained precise distances between cars. Optional features included surround-view cameras and a rear-view camera mirror. 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 Sorento.