Compare the2022 Chrysler PacificaVS 2021 Kia Sorento HEV

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and middle seat shoulder belts of the Chrysler Pacifica are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Kia Sorento HEV doesn’t offer height-adjustable middle seat belts.

The Chrysler Pacifica 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 HEV doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Pacifica has standard Rear Park Assist with Stop that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Sorento HEV doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Pacifica offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Sorento HEV doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Pacifica Touring L/Limited/Pinnacle has a standard Surround View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Sorento HEV only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the Pacifica and the Sorento HEV 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

The Chrysler Pacifica weighs 542 to 1031 pounds more than the Kia Sorento HEV. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, rear impact and roof-crush tests, with its optional front crash prevention system, its “Acceptable” rating in the new passenger-side small overlap crash test, and its available headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Pacifica the rating of “Top Pick” for 2019, a rating granted to only 169 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Sorento HEV has not been tested, yet.

Warranty

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

There are over 3 times as many Chrysler dealers as there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Pacifica’s warranty.

Engine

The Pacifica Hybrid’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6 hybrid produces 33 more horsepower (260 vs. 227) than the Sorento HEV’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Pacifica’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 60 more horsepower (287 vs. 227) and 4 lbs.-ft. more torque (262 vs. 258) than the Sorento HEV’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Pacifica Hybrid on full charge Electric Motor CVT FWD running on electricity gets better mileage than the Sorento HEV (87 city/76 hwy MPGe vs. 39 city/35 hwy).

The Pacifica Hybrid can drive on battery power alone for up to 32 miles. The Sorento HEV must run its internal combustion engine to move.

The Pacifica’s standard fuel tank has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sorento HEV (19 vs. 17.7 gallons).

The Pacifica has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Sorento HEV doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Chrysler Pacifica, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Sorento HEV.

The Pacifica Hybrid has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Sorento HEV doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Pacifica	Pacifica AWD	Sorento HEV
Front Rotors	13 inches	13.8 inches	12.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13.4 inches	12.8 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Pacifica’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sorento HEV (245/50R20 vs. 235/65R17).

The Pacifica’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sorento HEV’s 65 series tires.

For better load carrying, ride, handling and brake cooling the Pacifica offers optional 20-inch wheels. The Sorento HEV’s largest wheels are only 17-inches.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the Pacifica can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The Sorento HEV doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

Suspension and Handling

The Pacifica’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Sorento HEV doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Pacifica’s wheelbase is 10.8 inches longer than on the Sorento HEV (121.6 inches vs. 110.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Pacifica is 3.4 inches wider in the front and 3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Sorento HEV.

Chassis

The front grille of the Pacifica uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Sorento HEV doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Pacifica uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Sorento HEV doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The Pacifica offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the Sorento HEV can only carry 6.

The Pacifica has 59.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Sorento HEV (165.1 vs. 105.3).

The Pacifica has 3.4 inches more front hip room, 4.7 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 9.7 inches more rear hip room, 4.9 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.9 inches more third row headroom, 6.9 inches more third row legroom, 7 inches more third row hip room and 8.2 inches more third row shoulder room than the Sorento HEV.

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

The front step up height for the Pacifica is 2.7 inches lower than the Sorento HEV (16.3” vs. 19”). The Pacifica’s rear step up height is .8 inches lower than the Sorento HEV’s (18.2” vs. 19”).

Cargo Capacity

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

	Pacifica	Sorento HEV
Behind Third Seat	32.3 cubic feet	12.6 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	87.5 cubic feet	38.5 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	140.5 cubic feet	75.5 cubic feet

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Pacifica easier. The Pacifica’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 24.3 inches, while the Sorento HEV’s liftover is 31.7 inches.

The Pacifica’s cargo area is larger than the Sorento HEV’s in almost every dimension:

	Pacifica	Sorento HEV
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	23.2”/57.5”/92.5”	15.5”/42.5”/76.5”
Max Width	49.3”	54”
Min Width	48.8”	42.4”
Height	47.6”	33”

The Pacifica has standard Stow ’n Go second and third row seats (except Hybrid for the second row), which fold flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The Sorento HEV only has a third row seat which folds into the floor. The Sorento HEV’s second row seat doesn’t fold into the floor and eats up cargo room.

Towing

The Pacifica’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Sorento HEV’s (3600 vs. 2000 pounds).

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Pacifica Touring L/Limited/Pinnacle, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle and radio stations. The Sorento HEV doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Pacifica Touring L/Limited/Pinnacle’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 HEV doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Pacifica’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Sorento HEV does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Pacifica’s standard front power windows open 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 HEV’s front passenger window doesn’t open automatically. The Pacifica’s optional front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches.

The Pacifica’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Sorento HEV’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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

When the Pacifica Touring L/Limited/Pinnacle 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 HEV’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Pacifica’s standard rear view mirror and optional side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Sorento HEV offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Pacifica and the Sorento HEV have standard heated front seats. The Pacifica 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 HEV.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Pacifica Limited/Pinnacle keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Sorento HEV doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Pacifica’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Sorento HEV doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Pacifica (except Touring)’s available GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that plots alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The Sorento HEV’s available navigation system doesn’t offer real-time traffic updates.

The Pacifica offers an optional 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 HEV doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Pacifica Touring L/Limited/Pinnacle’s ParkSense Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Sorento HEV doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

The Pacifica was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” for 3 of the last 5 years. The Sorento HEV has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five/10Best Truck” pick.