Compare the2022 Nissan PathfinderVS 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid

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

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and middle seat shoulder belts of the Nissan Pathfinder 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 Hybrid doesn’t offer pretensioners for the middle seat belts.

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 Hybrid 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 Hybrid doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Pathfinder has standard Rear Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Pathfinder SL/Platinum has a standard Around View® Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Sorento Hybrid 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 Pathfinder and the Sorento Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

Warranty

The Pathfinder’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Sorento Hybrid 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

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan fifth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 1 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked 6th.

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 57 more horsepower (284 vs. 227) and 1 lbs.-ft. more torque (259 vs. 258) than the Sorento Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Nissan Pathfinder is faster than the Kia Sorento Hybrid:

	Pathfinder	Sorento Hybrid
Zero to 60 MPH	7.1 sec	8.4 sec
Quarter Mile	15.5 sec	16.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	92.3 MPH	87.2 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

Both the Pathfinder and the Sorento Hybrid have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All Pathfinders have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Pathfinder 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 Hybrid doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

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

Brakes and Stopping

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

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

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Pathfinder has larger tires than the Sorento Hybrid (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 Hybrid S’ standard 65 series tires. The Pathfinder’s optional tires have a lower 50 series profile than the Sorento Hybrid EX’s 55 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 Hybrid S. The Pathfinder’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the Sorento Hybrid EX.

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 Hybrid 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 Hybrid (114.2 inches vs. 110.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Pathfinder is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than on the Sorento Hybrid.

For greater off-road capability the Pathfinder has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Sorento Hybrid (7 vs. 6.85 inches), allowing the Pathfinder to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Passenger Space

The Pathfinder has standard seating for 8 passengers; the Sorento Hybrid can only carry 6.

The Pathfinder has 42.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Sorento Hybrid (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, 1.7 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 Hybrid.

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

Cargo Capacity

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

	Pathfinder	Sorento Hybrid
Behind Third Seat	16.6 cubic feet	12.6 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	45 cubic feet	38.5 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	80.5 cubic feet	75.5 cubic feet

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

	Pathfinder	Sorento Hybrid
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	79.8”	15.5”/42.5”/76.5”
Max Width	58.5”	54”
Min Width	45.7”	42.4”
Height	33.3”	33”

Towing

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

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Pathfinder 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 Hybrid doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Pathfinder Platinum’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and 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 Hybrid doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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

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 Hybrid’s 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 Hybrid can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Pathfinder’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Sorento Hybrid’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted. The Pathfinder Platinum’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Pathfinder to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Sorento Hybrid 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 Hybrid’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Pathfinder and the Sorento Hybrid 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 Hybrid.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Pathfinder Platinum keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

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

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 Hybrid doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.