The Kia Sorento is a tweener--it offers a third-row seat, but in overall interior space, it has more in common with many five-passenger crossovers.
So while you're taking a look at the Sorento, you'll want to consider a couple of other alternatives, starting with the Hyundai Santa Fe, a mechanical cousin of the Sorento, built alongside it in Georgia (or in South Korea, if you're looking at the three-row model).
The Santa Fe comes with four- or six-cylinder engines, depending on body style, but lacks the Sorento's blind-spot monitor option.
The Dodge Journey cuts an even smaller profile than the Sorento, but has some inventive storage solutions under its seats and some excellent infotainment features on its options list.
The Ford Explorer crosses from the SUV to crossover worlds as successfully as the Sorento, with a super turbo V-6 version subbing in for the former V-8 option.
Among the other possibilities, we like the Toyota Venza's sporty look and tighter-than-expected handling, and we're disappointed by the Honda Pilot's bulky styling and poorly trimmed dash.
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 2014 Kia SorentoBrowse Used Listings |  2014 Dodge JourneyBrowse Used Listings |  2014 Ford ExplorerBrowse Used Listings |  2013 Honda PilotBrowse Used Listings |  2013 Hyundai Santa FeBrowse Used Listings |  2013 Toyota VenzaBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | |||||
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The 2014 Kia Sorento gets a quick fix for its minor flaws: they brighten the cabin and soften the ride. |
The 2014 Dodge Journey offers three rows of seats in an easy-to-manage package, all for an affordable price. |
The 2014 Ford Explorer does build on its heritage, but on-road fluency and passenger comfort are clearly at center stage. |
The 2013 Honda Pilot looks tough and truck-like from the outside, yet inside it's one of the better family haulers. |
The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe splits its identity in two: the three-row ute goes V-6 only, while the five-passenger Sport leans on turbo power, a flexible second-row seat and a cushy ride to make its best case ever. |
The Toyota Venza gets substantial improvements in entertainment and connectivity for 2013; otherwise it remains a comfortable, practical, and somewhat stylish pick for those who don't need a rugged SUV. |
| MSRP From | |||||
| $24,100 | $19,995 | $30,015 | $29,520 | $24,700 | $27,850 |
| Gas Mileage | |||||
| 18 MPG City / 26 MPG Hwy | 16 MPG City / 26 MPG Hwy | 16 MPG City / 24 MPG Hwy | 17 MPG City / 25 MPG Hwy | 18 MPG City / 29 MPG Hwy | 18 MPG City / 26 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | |||||
| Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded V-6 | Gas V6 | Gas I4 | Gas I4 |
| EPA Class | |||||
| Small Sport Utility Vehicles 2WD | Small Sport Utility Vehicles 2WD | Standard Sport Utility Vehicles 2WD | 2WD Sport Utility Vehicle | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | Sport Utility |
| Style Name | |||||
| 2WD 4-Door I4 LX | FWD 4-Door American Value Pkg | FWD 4-Door Base | 2WD 4-Door LX | FWD 4-Door Sport | 4-Door Wagon I4 FWD LE (GS) |
| Drivetrain | |||||
| Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||||
| 5 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | |||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||||
| Sport Utility | Sport Utility | Sport Utility | Sport Utility | Crossover | Wagon |
| Transmission | |||||
| Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic | Automatic w/Manual Shift | Automatic |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
| 2014 Kia Sorento vs. 2014 Dodge Journey | 2014 Kia Sorento vs. 2014 Ford Explorer | 2014 Kia Sorento vs. 2013 Honda Pilot | 2014 Kia Sorento vs. 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe | 2014 Kia Sorento vs. 2013 Toyota Venza | |
