The 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid straddles the line between Kia’s compact Sportage and midsize Telluride SUVs. Some reviews characterize the Sorento Hybrid as a large-compact or small-midsize SUV, so finding similar-sized SUVs for comparison proves difficult. The closest competitors include the Honda CR-V, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, and Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid.
The 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid
The 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid offers three-row seating for six with front bucket seats, second-row captains chairs, and a rear bench seat. Edmunds lists the following specs for the Sorento Hybrid:
- Passenger volume – 121.3 cubic feet
- Cargo capacity with all seats in place – 12.6 cubic feet
- Wheelbase – 110.8 inches
- Overall length – 189.4 inches
- Height – 66.7 inches
- Curb weight – 4,255 pounds
- Maximum towing capacity – 2,000 pounds
The Sorento Hybrid’s turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motor powertrain produce 227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque while returning an EPA-estimated 37 mpg combined city and highway with front-wheel drive (FWD).
While FWD is standard on the EX Hybrid, all-wheel drive (AWD) is optional and included on the SX Prestige Hybrid; however, AWD lowers fuel economy to 34 mpg combined.
The 2023 Honda CR-V is smaller than the Sorento
The smaller 2023 Honda CR-V offers seating for five with front bucket seats and a rear bench seat. The following dimensions apply to the CR-V:
- Passenger volume – 103.5 cubic feet
- Cargo capacity with all seats in place – 39.3 cubic feet
- Wheelbase – 106.3 inches
- Overall length – 184.8 inches
- Height – 66.2 inches
- Curb weight – 3,752 pounds
- Maximum towing capacity – 1,000 pounds
The 2023 Honda CR-V’s powertrain includes a 204-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder hybrid system paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The smaller, lighter FWD CR-V gets 40 mpg combined, and AWD versions get 37 mpg with the same powertrain.
The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is bigger than the Sorento
The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid seats eight, with front bucket and bench seats in the second and third rows. Size specifications for the Highlander Hybrid are as follows:
- Passenger volume – 139.5 cubic feet
- Cargo capacity with all seats in place – 16.0 cubic feet
- Wheelbase – 112.2 inches
- Overall length – 194.9 inches
- Height – 68.1 inches
- Curb weight – 4,330 pounds
- Maximum towing capacity – 3,500 pounds
The Highlander Hybrid’s 243-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder Hybrid powertrain uses a CVT to deliver power to FWD or AWD drivetrains. A Highlander Hybrid with FWD gets an EPA-estimated 36 mpg, and AWD-equipped models get 35 mpg.
The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid gets close
The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid has seating for five, with front bucket seats and a rear bench seat. The following size dimensions apply to the Santa Fe Hybrid:
- Passenger volume – 111.5 cubic feet
- Cargo capacity with all seats in place – 36.4 cubic feet
- Wheelbase – 108.9 inches
- Overall length – 188.4 inches
- Height – 67.3 inches
- Curb weight – 4,078 pounds
- Maximum towing capacity – 2,000 pounds
The Santa Fe Hybrid’s standard AWD drivetrain includes a turbocharged 1.6-liter with 226 horsepower and a six-speed automatic transmission. Meanwhile, gas/electric Hybrid returns an EPA-estimated 34 mpg combined.
