Compare the2023 Chevrolet TraverseVS 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid

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

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the Chevrolet Traverse’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 Traverse 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 Traverse (except LS) 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 Traverse 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, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

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

	Traverse	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 Chevrolet Traverse is safer than the Kia Sorento Hybrid:

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

There are almost 4 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Traverse’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 9 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked fourth.

Engine

The Traverse’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 Chevrolet Traverse is faster than the Kia Sorento Hybrid:

	Traverse	Sorento Hybrid
Zero to 30 MPH	2.4 sec	3.1 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	6.4 sec	8.4 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	10.4 sec	13.8 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	3.2 sec	4.2 sec
Quarter Mile	14.8 sec	16.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	94.9 MPH	87.2 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Traverse 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 Traverse AWD’s standard fuel tank has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sorento Hybrid (21.7 vs. 17.7 gallons).

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

Brakes and Stopping

The Traverse stops shorter than the Sorento Hybrid:

	Traverse	Sorento Hybrid
60 to 0 MPH	116 feet	121 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

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

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

The Chevrolet Traverse’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 Traverse 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 Traverse’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 Traverse is 2.3 inches wider in the front and 1.6 inches wider in the rear than on the Sorento Hybrid.

The Traverse RS AWD handles at .81 G’s, while the Sorento Hybrid EX pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Traverse RS AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Sorento Hybrid EX (27 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.7 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

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

Chassis

The front grille of the Traverse 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 Traverse 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 Traverse has standard seating for 8 passengers; the Sorento Hybrid can only carry 6.

The Traverse has 2.5 inches more front headroom, 2.5 inches more front hip room, 2.8 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom, 1.8 inches more rear hip room, 4.1 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.4 inches more third row headroom, 3.9 inches more third row legroom, 6 inches more third row hip room and 4.5 inches more third row shoulder room than the Sorento Hybrid.

Cargo Capacity

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

	Traverse	Sorento Hybrid
Behind Third Seat	23 cubic feet	12.6 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	57.8 cubic feet	38.5 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	98.2 cubic feet	75.5 cubic feet

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Traverse easier. The Traverse’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 30.6 inches, while the Sorento Hybrid’s liftover is 31.7 inches.

Towing

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

The Traverse can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Traverse can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Sorento Hybrid can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Servicing Ease

The Traverse 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.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Traverse Premier/High Country, 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 Traverse Premier/High Country’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 Traverse’s front power windows 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.

On a hot day the Traverse’s driver can lower all 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.

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

When the Traverse Premier/High Country 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 Traverse’s optional 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 Traverse and the Sorento Hybrid offer available heated front seats. The Traverse Premier/High Country 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 Traverse Premier/High Country 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 Traverse’s optional (except LS) 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 Traverse (except LS) 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 Traverse owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Traverse will cost $300 to $1840 less than the Sorento Hybrid over a five-year period.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Chevrolet Traverse, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Chevrolet Traverse outsold the Kia Sorento by 78% during the 2021 model year.