2025 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2024 Kia Sorento

The 2024 Kia Sorento underwent a significant visual transformation, aligning more closely with its Kia siblings like the Telluride and EV9. This update included a robust new front end, enhanced taillights, and a more sophisticated interior. The exterior featured a prominent grille, vertically stacked LED headlights, and wing-like daytime running lights, giving the Sorento a larger and more assertive appearance. The rear received subtle updates, with higher trims boasting elegant LED taillights and new bumpers. The Sorento's trims in Canada included LX, EX, X-Line, X-Line Limited, and the new X-Pro, each offering distinct visual elements, such as blacked-out wheels and earth-tone paint colours. Inside, the Sorento showcased a redesigned dashboard with a horizontal layout, combining the gauge cluster and infotainment displays under a single pane of glass. The materials used in the cabin were upgraded, with faux open-pore wood grain and quality stitching on the leather-wrapped steering wheel and seats, enhancing the overall upscale feel.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 500h F Sport Black Line, presented a luxurious yet somewhat unremarkable exterior design. Priced at $90,000, it featured an exclusive Incognito paint job and orange brake calipers, but its overall appearance was dependent on the chosen version and colour/wheel combination. The RX Hybrid lineup included the RX 350h, RX 500h, and RX 450h+ models, each offering different powertrains and efficiency levels. The RX 350h was the base model, while the RX 500h delivered more power and sportier performance. The RX 450h+ was a plug-in hybrid with an electric-only driving range. All models came with standard all-wheel drive in Canada, and the RX 500h featured sport-tuned adaptive damping suspension and performance brakes. Inside, the RX Hybrid offered a contemporary interior with quality materials and ambient lighting. However, the ergonomics of the controls were mixed, with some being intuitive and others less so. The RX Hybrid's interior space was designed for comfort, with ample room for passengers and practical cargo space.

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 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, was available only on the LX trim and was considered underpowered for the Sorento's size. The EX and 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 transmission. This turbocharged engine provided better acceleration, with zero-to-100 km/h times in the mid-seven-second range. All Sorento models in Canada came with all-wheel drive, 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 had a towing capacity of 2,040 kilograms. However, the gas-powered Sorento's fuel economy was average for its class, with the non-turbo engine achieving 9.4 litres per 100 kilometres combined and the turbo engine at 10.3 L/100 km combined.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered three models with varying performance characteristics. The RX 350h, the least powerful but most efficient model, featured a hybrid powertrain with 246 horsepower and 233 pound-feet of torque. It used a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and provided good fuel efficiency. The RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid had a total system output of 304 horsepower and a 0-100 km/h time of 6.5 seconds. The RX 500h, with a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine and a traditional six-speed automatic transmission, delivered 366 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It achieved a 0-100 km/h time of 6.2 seconds but had higher fuel consumption. The RX 500h featured a sport-tuned adaptive damping suspension, Direct4 AWD system, and performance brakes. While it offered impressive straight-line acceleration, its fuel economy was less than expected, averaging 13.5 L/100 km during testing. The RX 500h's handling was capable but lacked communication between the road and the driver, making it less rewarding to drive.

The 2024 Kia Sorento's interior was modern and comfortable, with ample space in the first two rows but limited room in the third row. It offered advantages over smaller SUVs with third-row seating, such as the Mitsubishi Outlander and Volkswagen Tiguan, and was comparable in space to larger models like the Toyota Highlander. The Sorento provided 1,052 millimetres of legroom in the front seats and 1,060 mm in the second row, making it more spacious than many two-row SUVs. The third row had 752 mm of legroom, which was better than some competitors. The Sorento's cargo space varied depending on the configuration, with up to 2,139 litres available with all seats folded down. The interior featured ergonomic controls and ample storage space, although the third row limited cargo capacity when in use.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid focused on occupant comfort and practical cargo space. The RX 500h's front seats were snug due to enhanced bolstering, and the automatic climate system's fan was noisy on hot days. The rear seats were comfortable, with optional power-reclining, heated, and ventilated features. The RX Hybrid provided ample room for adults in the back seat. Interior storage was practical, but the rear centre armrest lacked lining, causing potential noise issues. The RX Hybrid offered 838 litres of cargo space, with hooks for grocery bags and a small storage area under the load floor. Folding down the second row increased cargo volume to 1,308 litres, which was modest for a midsize SUV.

The 2024 Kia Sorento featured a single-pane, twin-screen setup for its gauge and infotainment displays, with a redesigned infotainment system called "Connected Car Navigation Cockpit" (CCnC). All models had a 12.3-inch screen, with higher trims getting a second 12.3-inch digital display. The infotainment system prioritized popular features and offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The Sorento also had USB-C outlets in all three rows and an auxiliary jack for older audio devices. Higher trims featured a Bose 12-speaker surround sound system, and Digital Key 2.0 allowed for keyless access and sharing.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered advanced technology features, including digital key functionality, a camera-based digital rearview mirror, and a hands-free power liftgate. The RX 500h model featured a 14-inch touchscreen display with a modern Lexus Interface infotainment system. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and cloud-based navigation. The RX Hybrid also had a 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. However, the steering wheel controls were distracting and challenging to use while driving. The head-up display was helpful but not as comprehensive as some competitors.

The 2024 Kia Sorento came with a comprehensive suite of active safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward automatic emergency braking, lane-following and lane-keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included navigation-based adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist 2. The Sorento's adaptive cruise control systems learned from driver behaviour and offered precise distance control. The Sorento had not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS or NHTSA for the 2024 model year.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid featured Safety Connect, providing automatic collision notification, SOS emergency assistance, and roadside assistance. Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Proactive Driving Assist monitored forward progress and used braking or steering input to maintain safe distances. The RX Hybrid received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA but a Poor rating from the IIHS in the updated moderate overlap frontal-impact test.