The Kia Sorento vs. the Toyota Highlander

Shop New Kia Sorento Inventory

Compare the Kia Sorento to the Toyota Highlander Here in Grand Rapids

If you're in the market for a new SUV for your family here in the Kalamazoo area, you might be feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of options you have. Do you go large, compact, or midsize? We know that it can be difficult to be sure that you're getting the right one for you, especially when you shop with Fox Kia. The Kia Sorento offers drivers here in Michigan with the versatility, performance, and features that you need, especially when you compare it to the Toyota Highlander.

What's New for 2019?

The Kia Sorento gets a few changes for this year including an updated style, new safety features, and more so you can be sure that you're getting a better-than ever SUV for your life here in the North Grand Rapids area. The V6 engine also features a new eight-speed automatic transmission.

The Toyota Highlander doesn't get many changes this year, aside from a few exterior updates and changes along with a new Nightshade Special Edition. The changes are mild, having seen a refresh for the 2017 model year.

Performance & Capabilities

The Kia Sorento is powered by a 185-horsepower four-cylinder engine to start, though you have the option of upgrading to a 290-horsepower V6. The base engine will satisfy your daily errand running around town with ease, and efficiency, though if you're looking for more heft, the V6 is the clear winner. Plus, with the V6 you can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. That's enough for a small trailer or fishing boat with ease around Holland MI.

Under the hood of the Highlander, you'll find a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine with a six-speed automatic transmission. Critics and drivers alike find that this engine is underwhelming, so you almost always have to upgrade to the available 3.5-liter V6 engine. Front-wheel drive is standard, though you can upgrade to all-wheel drive here in the Kentwood MI area. Similarly, the Highlander has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.

Safety & Technology

You might think that the only choice for an SUV packed with safety features is one from Toyota, but thankfully, you don't have to spend the big bucks on a new Highlander just to get modern safety features that you'll love here in the Wyoming MI area. The Kia Sorento comes standard with a rearview camera, and offers numerous driver assistance features. You can add blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, driver drowsiness monitoring, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera, parking sensors, and more!

The  Highlander comes standard with a rearview camera as well as pre-collision braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. You can also add some of the same features as the Sorento, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera. You'll miss out on the driver drowsiness monitoring feature of the Sorento if you pick the Highlander though.

Interior Features

The Sorento offers you seating for up to seven on three rows of comfortable seats. Previously, the Sorento offered a two-row option, but in favor of families, the new Sorento focuses on the three-row option. The Kia Sorento is comfortable inside, with the first two rows offering a spacious and comfortable place for everyone to sit. The third row is smaller, but your youngsters will sit comfortable back there. Behind the rear row you'll have 11 cubic feet of cargo space, while the Highlander does offer 13.8 cubic feet behind the rear row of seats.

The Highlander also offers three rows of seating as well with seating for up to eight inside. Much like the Sorento, the highlander offers spacious seating in the front two rows, with the third row being more cramped. You can reduce your seating to seven to match the Sorento when you equip the second-row captain's chairs.

Contact

Fox Kia South

4141 28th Street SE
Directions Grand Rapids, MI 49512

  • Sales: 616-942-5000
  • Service: (616) 942-5000
  • Parts: (616) 942-5000

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