Compare the2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee VS 2022 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk/Overland/Summit helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Grand Cherokee and the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, available all wheel drive, around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

The Grand Cherokee’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid runs out after 100,000 miles.

Jeep pays for scheduled maintenance on the Grand Cherokee for 3 years and unlimited miles. Jeep will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance (up to 3 oil changes). Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

There are over 3 times as many Jeep dealers as there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Grand Cherokee’s warranty.

The Grand Cherokee’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 32 more horsepower (293 vs. 261) and 2 lbs.-ft. more torque (260 vs. 258) than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Grand Cherokee’s optional 5.7 V8 produces 96 more horsepower (357 vs. 261) and 132 lbs.-ft. more torque (390 vs. 258) than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Grand Cherokee 4xe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 114 more horsepower (375 vs. 261) and 212 lbs.-ft. more torque (470 vs. 258) than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Grand Cherokee V8’s fuel efficiency. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Grand Cherokee 4xe Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 6.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (19 vs. 12.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Grand Cherokee 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 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

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

For better stopping power the Grand Cherokee’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid:

	Grand Cherokee	Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
Front Rotors	13.9 inches	12.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13.8 inches	12.8 inches

For better traction, the Grand Cherokee has larger standard tires than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (245/70R17 vs. 235/55R19). The Grand Cherokee Summit’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (275/45R21 vs. 235/55R19).

The Grand Cherokee Summit’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s 55 series tires.

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

The Grand Cherokee 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 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Grand Cherokee offers an optional full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The Grand Cherokee Trailhawk has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The Grand Cherokee 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 Plug-In Hybrid’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Grand Cherokee offers an optional automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Grand Cherokee’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 Grand Cherokee’s wheelbase is 5.9 inches longer than on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (116.7 inches vs. 110.8 inches).

For greater off-road capability the Grand Cherokee has a 1.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (8.4 vs. 6.9 inches), allowing the Grand Cherokee to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Grand Cherokee Trailhawk Air Suspension’s minimum ground clearance is 4 inches higher than on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (10.9 vs. 6.9 inches).

The Jeep Grand Cherokee may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 250 pounds less than the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

The front grille of the Grand Cherokee 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.

The Grand Cherokee offers available computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Grand Cherokee has 1.8 inches more front hip room, .1 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom and 1.2 inches more rear hip room than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

The Grand Cherokee has a much larger cargo volume than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid with its rear seat up (37.7 vs. 12.6 cubic feet).

The Grand Cherokee 4WD with optional equipment 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 Grand Cherokee can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Grand Cherokee 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 Grand Cherokee 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.

The Grand Cherokee Limited/Trailhawk/Overland/Summit’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 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Grand Cherokee’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Grand Cherokee Overland/Summit offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, certain gauge 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.

The Grand Cherokee’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 Plug-In Hybrid’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted. The Grand Cherokee’s optional 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 Grand Cherokee to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the Grand Cherokee with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, the 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 Grand Cherokee’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 Plug-In Hybrid offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Optional air conditioned front and rear seats keep the Grand Cherokee’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

The Grand Cherokee Overland Lux Tech/Summit has standard 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 Grand Cherokee 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 Grand Cherokee Summit’s Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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

Insurance will cost less for the Grand Cherokee owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Grand Cherokee will cost $1005 to $2670 less than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid over a five-year period.

The Grand Cherokee will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Grand Cherokee will retain 52.29% to 57.18% of its original price after five years, while the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid only retains 45.04% to 45.21%.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Grand Cherokee third among midsize SUVs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid isn’t in the top three.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee outsold the Kia Sorento by almost three to one during the 2022 model year.