Compare the2022 Nissan PathfinderVS 2021 Kia Sorento

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics

Safety

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The Nissan Pathfinder has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Sorento doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Pathfinder Platinum has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Sorento doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

The Pathfinder has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. Only the Sorento S/EX/SX/Prestige/X-Line offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Pathfinder has a standard cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the Sorento S/EX/SX/Prestige/X-Line has a cross-path warning system.

Both the Pathfinder and the Sorento have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

Warranty

The Pathfinder’s 5-year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Sorento runs out after 100,000 miles.

There are over 40 percent more Nissan dealers than there are Kia dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Pathfinder’s warranty.

Reliability

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Nissan 2 places higher in reliability than Kia.

Engine

The Pathfinder’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 93 more horsepower (284 vs. 191) and 78 lbs.-ft. more torque (259 vs. 181) than the Sorento 2.5’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Pathfinder’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 3 more horsepower (284 vs. 281) than the Sorento 2.5T’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

Transmission

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Nissan Pathfinder, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Sorento.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Pathfinder’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Sorento:

	Pathfinder	Sorento
Front Rotors	13.8 inches	12.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	12 inches

The Pathfinder’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Sorento are solid, not vented.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Pathfinder has larger tires than the Sorento (255/60R18 vs. 235/65R17).

The Pathfinder’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sorento LX’s standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Pathfinder has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Sorento LX.

The Pathfinder has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Sorento doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Pathfinder’s wheelbase is 3.4 inches longer than on the Sorento (114.2 inches vs. 110.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Pathfinder is 2.2 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Sorento.

Passenger Space

The Pathfinder has standard seating for 8 passengers; the Sorento can only carry 7.

The Pathfinder has 42.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Sorento (148 vs. 105.3).

The Pathfinder has 2 inches more front headroom, 2.9 inches more front legroom, 2.7 inches more front hip room, 1.8 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 1.2 inches more rear hip room, 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room, 1 inch more third row headroom, 4.2 inches more third row hip room and 5.4 inches more third row shoulder room than the Sorento.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Pathfinder’s middle and third row seats recline. The Sorento’s third row seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Pathfinder’s cargo area provides more volume than the Sorento.

	Pathfinder	Sorento
Behind Third Seat	16.6 cubic feet	12.6 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	45 cubic feet	38.4 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	80.5 cubic feet	75.5 cubic feet

The Pathfinder’s cargo area is larger than the Sorento’s in every dimension:

	Pathfinder	Sorento
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	79.8”	15.5”/42.5”/76.5”
Max Width	58.5”	54”
Height	33.3”	33”

Towing

The Pathfinder’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Sorento’s (3500 vs. 2000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Kia Sorento is only 3500 pounds. The Pathfinder offers up to a 6000 lbs. towing capacity.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Pathfinder SL/Platinum, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position (with optional power wheel adjuster) and outside mirror angle. The Sorento doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Pathfinder Platinum’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Sorento doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Pathfinder Platinum has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Sorento doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Pathfinder’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Sorento’s parking brake has to released manually.

The Pathfinder’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Sorento’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Sorento can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Pathfinder Platinum’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Sorento’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Pathfinder to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Sorento doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the Pathfinder Platinum is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Sorento’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Pathfinder and the Sorento offer available heated front seats. The Pathfinder also offers optional heated second row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated second row seats aren’t available in the Sorento.

The Pathfinder has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Sorento S/EX/SX/Prestige/X-Line.

The Pathfinder Platinum has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Sorento doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

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