2024 Acura MDX vs 2024 Kia Sorento

The 2024 Acura MDX presented a striking exterior with its large shield grille, rakish headlights, and modern lower bumper design. Inside, the cabin was high-tech but cluttered, with a centre console filled with controls that could be overwhelming at first. The MDX was available in several trims, including the A-Spec and Platinum Elite, with the Type S Ultra offering top-tier features like a 25-speaker ELS sound system and massaging front seats. The interior boasted genuine leather upholstery, ambient lighting, and a panoramic moonroof, enhancing its luxurious feel.

In contrast, the 2024 Kia Sorento received a significant visual update, aligning it more closely with its siblings like the Telluride. The Sorento featured a robust new front end with vertically stacked LED headlights and wing-like daytime running lights, giving it a larger and more intimidating presence. The interior was modernized with a new dashboard and combined gauge and infotainment displays under a single pane of glass. The Sorento's cabin materials were upgraded, offering a more upscale feel, especially in higher trims with faux open-pore wood grain and quality stitching. The Sorento's design changes made it more cohesive with Kia's SUV lineup, enhancing its appeal.

The 2024 Acura MDX came standard with a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The Type S Ultra variant featured a twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, delivering 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. This power was managed by a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive System (SH-AWD). The MDX Type S Ultra offered strong acceleration and a comfortable ride, with adaptive air suspension and Brembo performance brakes enhancing its driving dynamics. The MDX's towing capacity reached up to 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds), making it a capable luxury SUV.

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. 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 Sorento's AWD system provided confidence in various driving conditions, and the X-Pro trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities with all-terrain tires and improved engine cooling. The Sorento's towing capacity varied by trim, with the X-Pro capable of towing up to 2,040 kilograms (4,500 pounds).

The 2024 Acura MDX offered three rows of seating, with the first two rows providing comfort and support, while the third row was more suitable for children. The MDX provided a maximum of 512 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,367 litres with the rear seats folded, and up to 2,690 litres with all seats down. The Type S Ultra featured a second-row bench with a fold-down centre console, offering a versatile seating arrangement. The centre console provided ample storage, though the centre stack of controls was cluttered and unintuitive.

The 2024 Kia Sorento's cabin was comfortable in the first two rows, with 1,052 millimetres of legroom in the front and 1,060 mm in the second row. The third row offered 752 mm of legroom, suitable for children or occasional use. The Sorento's cargo space was 357 litres with the third row 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 interior was ergonomic, with logical controls and ample storage space, though the third row required cargo compromises.

The 2024 Acura MDX's infotainment system was its weak point, with a 12.3-inch display controlled by a touchpad that was unintuitive and cumbersome. Despite this, the MDX offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The MDX also featured multiple USB ports, a digital instrument panel, and wireless device charging. The touchpad's placement was thoughtful, but the overall system detracted from the MDX's appeal.

The 2024 Kia Sorento featured a redesigned infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen running the new "Connected Car Navigation Cockpit" software. This system prioritized popular features and offered a clean, legible interface. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the system supported over-the-air updates. The Sorento included USB-C outlets in all rows and offered a Bose 12-speaker audio system in higher trims. The X-Line Limited and X-Pro models featured Digital Key 2.0, allowing smartphone access to the vehicle.

The 2024 Acura MDX came equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance and safety features, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The MDX earned a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and was a 2022 IIHS Top Safety Pick+. However, the infotainment system's touchpad could be a distraction, requiring drivers to look away from the road.

The 2024 Kia Sorento offered an extensive array of standard and optional safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The Sorento's systems were enhanced with more sensors and machine-learning capabilities. The IIHS rated the Sorento "Good" in several tests, though its LATCH system received an "Acceptable" rating. The NHTSA had not yet evaluated the 2024 model, but previous models received four-star ratings.