2024 Kia Sorento vs 2024 Subaru Outback

The 2024 Subaru Outback maintained its rugged charm with minor updates to the Wilderness trim, featuring a new front fascia and LED fog lights. The dark grey cladding contrasted beautifully with the Autumn Green Metallic paint of the Premier XT model, offering a unique and appealing aesthetic. The Outback's various trims showcased different levels of black and chrome exterior fittings, with the Premier XT trim displaying the most chrome, which was tastefully executed. Wheel designs varied across trims, with the Wilderness trim sporting matte black 17-inch alloy wheels, while the Onyx trim upgraded to 18-inch wheels. Inside, the Premier XT impressed with its Java Brown Nappa leather upholstery, providing a luxurious feel uncommon for Subaru, which typically prioritizes capability over luxury.

In contrast, the 2024 Kia Sorento received a significant visual update, aligning it more closely with its siblings, the Telluride and EV9. The Sorento's new front end, with a bold grille and vertically stacked LED headlights, gave it a more imposing presence. The rear updates were subtle, with higher trims featuring LED taillights and new bumpers. The Sorento's trims, including the rugged X-Line and new X-Pro, offered aggressive looks with blacked-out wheels and earth-tone paint colours. Inside, the Sorento boasted a redesigned dashboard with a clean, horizontal layout, and higher trims featured twin 12.3-inch displays. The cabin materials were upgraded, with faux open-pore wood grain and quality stitching, enhancing the Sorento's upscale feel.

The 2024 Subaru Outback was powered by a "Boxer" horizontally opposed engine, with the base model featuring a 2.5-litre flat-four engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. The XT trims, including the Wilderness, were equipped with a 2.4-litre turbocharged engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, significantly improving towing capacity to 1,587 kilograms. The Premier XT test car's turbo engine provided a better fit for the vehicle's weight, and the CVT mimicked the sound and feel of eight distinct gears. The Outback's suspension and ground clearance, especially in the Wilderness trim, made it a comfortable and capable choice for off-road adventures.

The 2024 Kia Sorento retained its mechanical components, with the base engine being a 2.5-litre four-cylinder producing 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. However, the EX and higher models 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 and various drive modes, including the X-Pro's enhanced off-road capabilities, made it a confident performer on and off the road. The X-Pro's 2,040-kilogram towing capacity and improved engine cooling added to its appeal for adventurous drivers.

The 2024 Subaru Outback offered impressive interior space despite its sleek design. It provided more headroom and legroom in the front compared to competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The cargo area measured 923 litres with all seats in place and expanded to 2,141 litres with the rear seats folded. The Outback's feature availability included dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel, with higher trims offering additional conveniences like a power moonroof and hands-free power liftgate.

The 2024 Kia Sorento's cabin was comfortable in the first two rows, with 1,052 millimetres of front legroom and 1,060 mm in the second row. The third row, while tight with 752 mm of legroom, was suitable for occasional use. The Sorento's cargo space varied depending on the configuration, with up to 2,139 litres available with all seats down. The Sorento's ergonomic layout and optional captain's chairs in the second row added to its practicality, while higher trims offered features like a power liftgate and noise-insulating acoustic glass.

The 2024 Subaru Outback featured a mix of old-school and modern technology, with USB-C and USB-A ports on all trims. The Premier XT trim boasted an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented infotainment screen, while the Convenience trim retained a dual-7-inch-screen system. The Subaru Starlink multimedia platform included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, with wireless options starting from the Touring trim. The Premier XT also offered a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, enhancing the audio experience.

The 2024 Kia Sorento adopted a single-pane, twin-screen setup for its gauge and infotainment displays, with all models featuring a 12.3-inch screen. The new "Connected Car Navigation Cockpit" software prioritized popular features and offered a user-friendly interface. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity were standard, and the system supported over-the-air updates. The Sorento's top trims featured a Bose 12-speaker surround sound system, and the X-Line Limited and X-Pro models offered Digital Key 2.0 for added convenience.

The 2024 Subaru Outback earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The EyeSight suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies was standard, including adaptive cruise control, automatic pre-collision braking, and lane-keep assist. The Touring trim and higher added features like reverse automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, and a wide-angle camera for improved cyclist and pedestrian detection.

The 2024 Kia Sorento offered an extensive suite of active safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The top trims featured Highway Driving Assist 2, which included automated lane changes. The Sorento's adaptive cruise control systems learned from driver behaviour, and available options included surround-view cameras and a rear-view camera mirror. The IIHS rated the Sorento "Good" in several tests, while the NHTSA had not yet evaluated the 2024 model.