Compare the2023 BMW X5 xDrive45eVS 2022 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Transmission
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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The X5 xDrive45e’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The BMW X5 xDrive45e 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 X5 xDrive45e has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The X5 xDrive45e has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the X5 xDrive45e 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, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, 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 around view monitors.

The BMW X5 xDrive45e weighs 1109 to 1144 pounds more than the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the BMW X5 xDrive45e is safer than the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid:

	X5 xDrive45e	Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	342	390
Neck Injury Risk	35%	53%

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 BMW X5 xDrive45e is safer than the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid:

	X5 xDrive45e	Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	14 inches	15 inches

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

Warranty

The X5 xDrive45e’s corrosion warranty is 7 years and unlimited miles longer than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s (12/unlimited vs. 5/100,000).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X5 xDrive45e for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

Reliability

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 3 places higher in reliability than Kia.

Engine

The X5 xDrive45e’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 128 more horsepower (389 vs. 261) and 185 lbs.-ft. more torque (443 vs. 258) than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW X5 xDrive45e, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

The X5 xDrive45e’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer launch control.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the X5 xDrive45e has larger standard tires than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (265/50R19 vs. 235/55R19). The X5 xDrive45e’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (F:275/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. 235/55R19).

The X5 xDrive45e’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s standard 55 series tires. The X5 xDrive45e’s optional 275/40R21 front and 315/35R21 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 xDrive45e offers optional 21-inch wheels. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X5 xDrive45e can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The front and rear suspension of the X5 xDrive45e uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The X5 xDrive45e has a standard 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 Plug-In Hybrid’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The X5 xDrive45e has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The X5 xDrive45e’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X5 xDrive45e’s wheelbase is 6.3 inches longer than on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (117.1 inches vs. 110.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the X5 xDrive45e is 1.1 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

For greater off-road capability the X5 xDrive45e has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (8.3 vs. 6.9 inches), allowing the X5 xDrive45e to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The front grille of the X5 xDrive45e 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 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The X5 xDrive45e offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid can only carry 6.

The X5 xDrive45e has .5 inches more front headroom and .9 inches more front shoulder room than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

Cargo Capacity

The X5 xDrive45e has a much larger cargo volume than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid with its rear seat up (33.1 vs. 12.6 cubic feet).

Both the X5 xDrive45e and the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid offer second row automatic folding seats. The X5 xDrive45e’s optional third row seats also fold down at the press of a button. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer automatic folding third row seats.

The X5 xDrive45e’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

Servicing Ease

The X5 xDrive45e 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.

The engine in the X5 xDrive45e is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Kia. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 32% lower rating, Kia is ranked 26th.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the X5 xDrive45e, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a memory system.

The X5 xDrive45e’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The X5 xDrive45e 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 X5 xDrive45e the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows 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 X5 xDrive45e’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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X5 xDrive45e to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the X5 xDrive45e has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer cornering lights. The X5 xDrive45e also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X5 xDrive45e to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the X5 xDrive45e is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The X5 xDrive45e’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 X5 xDrive45e offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

The X5 xDrive45e’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer an automated parking system.