Compare the2023 Buick EnclaveVS 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the Buick Enclave’s middle seat shoulder belts have child comfort guides to move the belt to properly fit children. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages children to buckle up. The Kia Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer comfort guides on its middle seat belts.

The Enclave 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.

The Enclave offers an optional Surround Vision 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 Enclave and the Sorento Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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 and available all wheel drive.

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

	Enclave	Sorento Hybrid
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	216	334
Neck Injury Risk	15.6%	21%
Leg Forces (l/r)	53/40 lbs.	212/405 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	333	390
Neck Injury Risk	35.2%	53%
Neck Stress	128 lbs.	159 lbs.
Neck Compression	51 lbs.	89 lbs.

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 Buick Enclave is safer than the Kia Sorento Hybrid:

	Enclave	Sorento Hybrid
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	14 inches	15 inches
HIC	251	280
Hip Force	554 lbs.	579 lbs.

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

Warranty

The Enclave’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Sorento Hybrid’s (6/100,000 vs. 5/100,000).

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

Reliability

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

Engine

The Enclave’s 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 83 more horsepower (310 vs. 227) and 8 lbs.-ft. more torque (266 vs. 258) than the Sorento Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Buick Enclave is faster than the Kia Sorento Hybrid:

	Enclave	Sorento Hybrid
Zero to 60 MPH	7 sec	8.4 sec
Quarter Mile	15.4 sec	16.4 sec

Fuel Economy and Range

The Enclave FWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sorento Hybrid (19.4 vs. 17.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Enclave AWD’s standard fuel tank has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sorento Hybrid (21.7 vs. 17.7 gallons).

The Enclave 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 Buick Enclave, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Sorento Hybrid.

Tires and Wheels

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

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Enclave has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Sorento Hybrid S. The Enclave’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the Sorento Hybrid EX.

The Buick Enclave’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Kia Sorento Hybrid only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Enclave 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

The Enclave offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Sorento Hybrid’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Enclave’s wheelbase is 10.1 inches longer than on the Sorento Hybrid (120.9 inches vs. 110.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Enclave is 2.3 inches wider in the front and 1.6 inches wider in the rear than on the Sorento Hybrid.

For greater off-road capability the Enclave has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Sorento Hybrid (7.5 vs. 6.85 inches), allowing the Enclave to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The front grille of the Enclave 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 Hybrid doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

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

Passenger Space

The Enclave has standard seating for 7 passengers; the Sorento Hybrid can only carry 6.

The Enclave has 52 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Sorento Hybrid (157.3 vs. 105.3).

The Enclave has 2.3 inches more front headroom, 3.4 inches more front hip room, 3.1 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 2.6 inches more rear hip room, 3.5 inches more rear shoulder room, .8 inches more third row headroom, 3.9 inches more third row legroom, 6 inches more third row hip room and 4.3 inches more third row shoulder room than the Sorento Hybrid.

Cargo Capacity

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

	Enclave	Sorento Hybrid
Behind Third Seat	23.6 cubic feet	12.6 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	57.7 cubic feet	38.5 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	97.4 cubic feet	75.5 cubic feet

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Enclave easier. The Enclave’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 30.5 inches, while the Sorento Hybrid’s liftover is 31.7 inches.

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

	Enclave	Sorento Hybrid
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	26.2”/54”/90”	15.5”/42.5”/76.5”
Max Width	52.7”	54”
Min Width	48.5”	42.4”
Height	30.8”	33”

Towing

Maximum trailer towing in the Kia Sorento Hybrid is limited to 2000 pounds. The Enclave offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The Enclave uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Sorento 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 Buick service is better than Kia. J.D. Power ranks Buick fifth in service department satisfaction. With a 38% lower rating, Kia is ranked 26th.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Enclave Premium/Avenir, 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), outside mirror angle and radio stations. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Enclave Premium/Avenir’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 Enclave Premium/Avenir has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and tachometer 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 Enclave’s front and rear power windows all lower with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Sorento Hybrid’s passenger windows don’t open automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Enclave the driver can close them all from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the Sorento Hybrid can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Enclave’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

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

When the Enclave Premium/Avenir 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.

The Enclave’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 Hybrid offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Enclave and the Sorento Hybrid have standard heated front seats. The Enclave Premium/Avenir also has standard 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 Enclave Premium/Avenir 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 Enclave’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 Enclave Premium/Avenir has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Sorento Hybrid.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Buick Enclave has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Sorento Hybrid EX offers wireless charging.

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

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Enclave owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Enclave will cost $285 to $1390 less than the Sorento Hybrid over a five-year period.

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