A New SUV Comparison: 2022 Kia Sorento vs. 2022 Honda Pilot

2022 KIA Sorento or the 2022 Honda Pilot?

The newly refined 2022 KIA Sorento faces off in the third-row crossover market with one of its top competitors, the popular Honda Pilot. Both are firm family favorites across North America. With a practical-minded design that leans toward those with more expensive tastes, they offer plenty of trim options from basic to near luxury. Let’s take a closer look at just how well the two models compare.

The Basics

We can start things off with the price difference. The KIA Sorento starts at almost $10,000 less than Honda Pilot, but let’s not make a decision just yet. Both models have plenty to offer in the Crossover SUV category. Both offer standard seven-passenger seating, while Honda can seat up to eight. Both offer a lot of active and passive safety equipment, and crash test ratings are basically a tie. As far as looks go, the Sorento has a more modern appearance as opposed to the Pilot’s old-school looks.

Capability

The X-Line capabilities on the Kia Sorento make it a fun and capable off-road vehicle. The all-wheel drive and appearance package gives you high-utility roof rails, extra ground clearance, and the X-Line front and rear bumpers make Sorento a formidable off-road machine. The wheel choices for Sorento are obviously geared toward time in the outdoors with options like the gorgeous black alloy 20-inch rims on the SX Prestige model. Honda Pilot was designed to give you a comfortable and practical family ride. Honda Pilot was built for functionality and can easily carry your passengers. Although the Pilot does have a decent all-wheel drive system, it’s not a vehicle that makes for an exciting outdoor adventure. 

Power and Performance

The 2022 Kia Sorento offers a 2.5L I4 base engine and an optional 2.5L Turbocharged version of the same engine, paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The turbo option gives you 281 hp and 311 lb.-ft of torque. This provides responsiveness that is quick on the throttle, making for some fun driving. The Sorento has an estimated rating of 21 MPG city and 28 MPG highway. Honda Pilot employs its tried and true 3.5-liter V6 powertrain that loses only a single horsepower against the Sorento at 280 hp. The Pilot’s 262 lb.-ft of torque is significantly lower than that of the Sorento. The Pilot’s EPA rating is in the neighborhood of 19 mpg city and 26 on the highway, which is slightly lower than for the KIA. 

Safety and Tech

Both the Sorento and the Pilot have the burden of keeping everyone safe as they drive along America’s roads. The Pilot has standard safety features across its trim packages, but Kia matches that with a 360-degree camera and its blind view monitor. Crash test ratings on the two models were similar with no clear winner.

If you want to explore what the 2022 KIA Sorento has to offer, stop by Premier KIA of Kenner. Stop in for a test drive and see how this SUV fits your active lifestyle in New Orleans, Kenner, or Metairie.