Starting at
Starting at
| 300-400 | Horsepower (hp) | 191-281 |
| 5,600 | Max Towing (lbs) | 3,500 |
| 87.8 | Cargo Space (cu.ft.) | 75.5 |
In the past few decades, the world has watched as the SUV has undergone an incredible transformation from the days of the larger-than-life models that were popular at the start of the new millennium to the sub-compact and crossover models that are practical choices for consumers to the EV options that are becoming more and more accessible each year. While the upward trajectory of the SUV’s popularity has been impressive, it might not have ever occurred had it not been for the Ford Explorer. Launched in 1991, the Explorer has remained in production ever since and has been the flagship SUV for the Ford brand.
Because the automotive industry is one that’s built upon competition, many have attempted to challenge the Explorer’s legacy as the most popular SUV on the marketplace. Korean manufacturer Kia has established a reputation over the past several decades as a purveyor of a reliable product at a lower cost and one that’s backed by some of the best warranty coverage on the marketplace. The company’s midsize SUV, the Sorento, has been gaining more popularity year after year. So, could this be the moment where the crown from Ford is usurped? Let's take a look at the 2023 Ford Explorer vs 2023 Kia Sorento to see if Kia has managed to surpass Ford in the SUV arena.
Perhaps one of the aspects that have led to the immense popularity of the SUV has been its versatility. There’s no question that the vehicle appeals to a very wide demographic of customers, all of whom have different needs and expectations when it comes to choosing a vehicle. It’s no surprise that many who gravitate towards the SUV are family-oriented consumers, but there are still those who favor them for off-roading, and others just enjoy the aspect of performance and style that has long been associated with the body style.
When it comes to determining a vehicle’s capabilities that are related to performance, it all begins with the powertrain. Both the Explorer and Sorento offer a variety of options, and we’ll begin our “deep-dive” to see what exactly Kia is wronging to the table for the 2023 model year. The standard offering from Kia takes the shape of a 2.5L four-cylinder engine that possesses 191 hp and gets an EPA-estimated 24 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway. For those who enjoy a little more kick in their commute, a turbocharged version of the same engine is available and increases the total amount of horsepower to 281 hp, which drops the fuel economy to 22 MPG in the city but maintains 29 MPG on the highway.
Both of these engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. A hybrid version of the Sorento is also available. A combination of a 1.6L four-cylinder engine and an electric motor gives consumers 227 hp and is the ideal compromise between the two other engines. Unlike its siblings, Kia pairs this with a six-speed automatic transmission. This is certainly the ideal option for consumers looking to save money on fuel costs, as the fuel economy averages 39 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway.
Similar to the offerings from Kia, the Ford Explorer comes with three distinctive powertrain options that are perfectly suited for the daily commute and the extracurricular activities on the weekend. The base offering on the Explorer is anything but basic. Ford offers up a turbocharged 2.3L four-cylinder engine, which outclasses the Kia with a beefy horsepower output of 300 hp.
For those looking to go full throttle in the quest for better performance, Ford has you covered with a 3.0L turbo V6. 400 hp is generated from the twin-turbocharged engine, and all models come standard with a ten-speed automatic transmission. A hybrid version of the Explorer is also available. This engine gets 27 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway for fuel economy.
Perhaps the single-most telling difference in the performance factor of the two vehicles is towing capacity. While Kia might be ideal for those with minimal hauling, its maximum capacity of 3,500 lbs falls short of the Explorer’s impressive 5,600 lbs. Once again, Ford proves its worth in terms of versatility and performance.
It’s time to get behind the wheel and take a look at the interior of each vehicle. While the exterior is something that you notice first when looking at a vehicle, it’s the interior where you’ll really be able to gauge a good impression if it’s the right choice for you. After all, this is where you’ll be spending the majority of your time.
Much to our surprise, Kia did an outstanding job at placing presentation and style at the forefront when it comes to the interior of the Sorento. Taking a cue from some of the same aesthetics found in 2001: A Space Odyssey, a blinding white color scheme embraces you the moment you open up the door and get behind the wheel. Anchored by an eight-inch infotainment screen that’s placed at the top of the dashboard, the color contrast is certainly a feast for the eyes. A 10.25-inch screen is available on some of the higher trim levels, as is a 12-speaker stereo system from Bose. It appears that the Achilles heel of the interior is its cramped third row of seating, which appears to be able to seat children comfortably but not adults. For those who need to carry a great deal of cargo, Kia offers up to 75.5 cu.ft. of available storage room when all the seats are folded down.
While Kia certainly has a grasp on presentation and aesthetics, Ford takes the opposite road and focuses its attention on practicality and the act of being versatile. Anchored by a user-friendly infotainment screen that stretches out to 10.1 inches, everything is conveniently placed to allow the driver to access the features they need without being distracted from the road. Like Kia, Ford offers a high-end, 12-speaker stereo system, but this one is from B&O. Ford’s choice to focus on practicality is certainly evident in the Explorer’s storage capacity, which outclasses Kia with 87.8 cu.ft. of available cargo space. It’s the simple act of focusing on consumer needs instead of overblown style that makes the Explorer more in line with today’s modern consumer.
Let's turn our attention to the most important aspect of any vehicle purchase—safety. Performance and comfort are factors that anyone takes into consideration when shopping around, but ensuring the safety of you, your passengers, and the other vehicles and pedestrians you share the road with is of the utmost importance.
We begin our examination of the Sorento by examining the results from testing conducted each and every year by the NHTSA. For 2023, the Sorento was awarded a four-star overall safety rating, the highest available being five stars. Testing showed that while the vehicle was exceptional in side crashes, front barrier crash testing and rollover were higher risk. Test results aside, Kia offers a few choice offerings as far as standard safety features are concerned, thanks to the Kia Drive Wise suite. Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Braking and Vehicle Detection is essential in assisting with reaction time to prevent or lessen impacts. Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, and Lane Keeping Assist are also included in this driver-assist package.
In an age where technology is advancing at a tremendous rate in the field of safety and driving assistance, many of the same features can be found across many manufacturers. Once again, Ford does what it’s always done best, and places consumer needs first. The array of standard safety features on the Explorer certainly goes to show this. The Ford Co-Pilot360 suite gives you plenty of driver-assist technology, including automatic high beams, the Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert, Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, and the Lane-Keeping System. As you can see, Ford does its part to improve the features in the car to help prevent or lessen crashes with people, objects, and other vehicles.
With unsurpassed quality in the realms of performance, storage space, towing, and safety, it’s no wonder why the Ford Explorer has continuously been praised as the king of the SUVs. When it comes to unsurpassed quality, look no further than DePaula Ford for the all-new 2023 Ford Explorer and the other offerings from the Ford fleet. We place a high value on customer satisfaction. We’ll walk you through the scope of the entire purchasing process and find you the perfect vehicle which perfectly fits your needs.
Our finance team is standing by to work with your budget and credit score to find you a lease or loan that fits your needs. After you drive away and enjoy your new Explorer, remember to bring it back for your routine maintenance or, if needed, any repairs. We understand that a vehicle is essential for obtaining a higher quality of life, and at DePaula Ford, we want to help you attain both.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
