We know Kia makes strong vehicles that last, which is why its SUVs are popular among consumers. When shopping for new cars
, potential owners will often go for the three-row SUVs, so that pits Sorento and Telluride against each other. What does each one have to offer, and which one is the clear winner? Let's see what Consumer Reports has to say about them.
Kia Sorento vs Telluride: what makes each one great?
The Telluride is an award-winning three-row SUV that has the ability to tow up to 5,000 lbs. Critics alike thought this SUV was impressive enough to win three prestigious awards in 2020 from MotorTrend, Car, and Driver, and the North American Utility Vehicle of the Year.
It also offers plenty of standard features for the price point. The Telluride begins at $33,090 for the base model and goes as high as $44,890 for the highest trim.
The Kia Sorento is another midsize three-row SUV and is a sister to the Telluride. It comes with a front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, and a hybrid version. While it shares many similarities with the Telluride, there are some pretty stark differences in a couple of areas. Pricing begins at $29,590 and could go as high as $48,090 before options.
One area where they differ is the towing capacity. The Sorento can only tow up to 3,500 lbs, which is 1,500 lbs less than the Telluride.
MORE: Hyundai Palisade vs Kia Telluride: How Are They Different?
2022 Kia Sorento vs Telluride in performance
With overall scores, there's a big difference between the two. The Sorento received a 46 out of 100, while the Telluride got a 97/100. It's clear which one impressed Consumer Reports more.
When it comes to performance, the Sorento scored 83 out of 100 in the road test. The Telluride, however, had an almost perfect score of 97/100. Consumer Reports liked the 3.8-liter V6 engine, which gave the Telluride plenty of power with 291 hp.
According to Consumer Reports
, the Sorento's four-cylinder was a little underpowered, however, with the 191 hp engine. But, if you upgraded to the 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, you would get 281 hp and an acceleration time of 6.5 seconds for a 0 to 60 run, whereas the Telluride was a second slower. Braking was good in both vehicles. However, the Telluride was just a bit better with shorter stops. On wet surfaces, the Sorento stopped within 143 feet, while the Telluride was able to stop at 133 feet.
For fuel economy, the Sorento offers more savings, with 25 mpg overall. The Telluride gets 21 mpg combined. When it comes to reliability, though, the Telluride is the clear winner with a five out of five score. The Sorento only managed a one out of five rating.
Comparing the Kia Sorento vs Telluride in comfort and storage
MORE: 2022 Nissan Pathfinder vs. Kia Telluride: An Upgraded Transmission Isn't Enough for Nissan
When comparing three-row SUVs, consumers often look at the third-row seat and how much room they offer. With both the Sorento and the Telluride tied for having the worst space for the very back seating.
While both are fine for kids in the third row, adults will have a harder time sitting back there. However, the Telluride has a smidge more space, while the Sorento has next to nothing in leg or headroom. Both the front and second-row seats are tied in comfort.
The cargo area is another important feature of these midsize SUVs. If you fold the third-row seats down, you can get 47.5 cubic feet of space. With the Sorento, folding down those seats gets you 39.5 cubic feet.
Insuring your three-row SUV
No matter if you choose the Kia Sorento or the Telluride, both will be an investment for you and your family. To protect that investment, a solid insurance policy will be required. But, navigating through a sea of companies is difficult.
For Jerry
, it's not a problem. Sign up with us and we can search through over 50 providers to find the ones that can offer the best options for your vehicle. Let us take the frustration of the car insurance search away, and you can focus on other more important things. 
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