Compare the2023 Volkswagen AtlasVS 2023 Kia Sorento

The Atlas has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Sorento 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 Atlas and the Sorento have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

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

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 Volkswagen Atlas is safer than the Kia Sorento:

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

The Atlas’ corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Sorento’s (7/100,000 vs. 5/100,000).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Atlas for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Sorento.

The Volkswagen Atlas’ engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the Sorento’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Atlas’ reliability 41 points higher than the Sorento.

The Atlas’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 44 more horsepower (235 vs. 191) and 77 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 181) than the Sorento’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

The Atlas has almost a gallon more fuel capacity than the Sorento (18.6 vs. 17.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Atlas’ brake rotors are larger than those on the Sorento:

The Atlas’ standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Sorento are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Atlas has larger standard tires than the Sorento (245/60R18 vs. 235/65R17). The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sorento (265/45R21 vs. 255/45R20).

The Atlas’ 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 LX’s standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Atlas has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Sorento LX. The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Sorento.

The Atlas’ drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Sorento doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Atlas’ wheelbase is 6.5 inches longer than on the Sorento (117.3 inches vs. 110.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Atlas is 2.2 inches wider in the front and 2.5 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Sorento.

For greater off-road capability the Atlas 2.0T has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Sorento (7.1 vs. 6.9 inches), allowing the Atlas to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Atlas has 48.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Sorento (153.7 vs. 105.3).

The Atlas has 1 inch more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, 2.6 inches more front hip room, 2.4 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, 2.9 inches more rear hip room, 2.7 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.5 inches more third row headroom, 4.1 inches more third row legroom, 2.6 inches more third row hip room and 1.9 inches more third row shoulder room than the Sorento.

The Atlas’ cargo area provides more volume than the Sorento.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Atlas easier. The Atlas’ cargo hatch lift-over height is 29.7 inches, while the Sorento’s liftover is 31.7 inches.

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

Maximum trailer towing in the Kia Sorento is limited to 3500 pounds. The Atlas offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

The Atlas uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Sorento 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 Atlas’ power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Sorento’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The Atlas’ 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’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Atlas the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Sorento can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Atlas’ 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’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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

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

The Atlas has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Sorento S/EX/SX/Prestige.

The Atlas SEL Premium’s 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 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Volkswagen Atlas, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Kia Sorento isn't recommended.