Compare the2022 Lexus RXLVS 2022 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Lexus RXL have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The Lexus RXL 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 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The RXL has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the RXL and the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Lexus RXL is safer than the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Lexus RXL is safer than the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The RXL’s corrosion warranty is 1 year and unlimited miles longer than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s (6/unlimited vs. 5/100,000).

J.D. Power and Associates rated the RXL first among midsize premium suvs in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked 6th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus third in overall reliability. Kia is ranked 15th.

The RX 350L’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 29 more horsepower (290 vs. 261) and 5 lbs.-ft. more torque (263 vs. 258) than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The RX 450hL’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid produces 47 more horsepower (308 vs. 261) than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

The RXL’s standard fuel tank has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (19.2 vs. 17.7 gallons).

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Lexus RXL, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

The RX 450hL 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 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RXL offers optional 20-inch wheels. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

For greater off-road capability the RXL has a 1.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (8.1 vs. 6.9 inches), allowing the RXL to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The RXL has standard seating for 7 passengers; the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid can only carry 6.

The RXL has 11.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (117 vs. 105.3).

The RXL has .2 inches more front hip room, .7 inches more rear hip room and 1.3 inches more third row hip room than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

The RXL’s cargo area is larger than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s in almost every dimension:

Both the RXL and the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid offer second row automatic folding seats. The RXL’s third row seats also fold up or down via a control in the cargo area. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer automatic folding third row seats.

The RXL uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Kia. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 63% lower rating, Kia is ranked 26th.

When three different drivers share the RXL, the optional memory system makes it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a memory system.

The RXL’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The RXL offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning 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 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

If the windows are left open on the RXL the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The RXL’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 Plug-In Hybrid’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the RXL offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer cornering lights. The RXL also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

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

When the RXL 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 Plug-In Hybrid’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The RXL’s standard rear and 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 Plug-In Hybrid offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The RXL 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 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The RXL is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® chose the Lexus RXL as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Lexus RX Series outsold the Kia Sorento by 56% during the 2021 model year.