Compare the2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVVS 2023 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 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 Outlander PHEV 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 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Both the Outlander PHEV and the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, 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.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Outlander PHEV the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 55 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2022.

The Outlander PHEV’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s (7/100,000 vs. 5/100,000).

The Outlander PHEV’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (332 vs. 258) than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

The Outlander PHEV can travel with zero emissions on electricity, only, on a full charge for 38 miles. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid has to start its internal combustion engine after only 32 miles.

The Outlander PHEV has 2.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (14.8 vs. 12.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Outlander PHEV has a standard locking fuel door and a locking charge port with a power remote release convenient to the driver and which locks and unlocks with the power locks, respectively. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and a locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

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

For better traction, the Outlander PHEV SE/SEL’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (255/45R20 vs. 235/55R19).

The Outlander PHEV SE/SEL’s 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 Outlander PHEV SE/SEL has standard 20-inch wheels. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Outlander PHEV 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.

For better maneuverability, the Outlander PHEV’s turning circle is 1.8 feet tighter than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s (36.1 feet vs. 37.9 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Outlander PHEV has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (7.8 vs. 6.9 inches), allowing the Outlander PHEV to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Outlander PHEV is 4 inches shorter than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid, making the Outlander PHEV easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Outlander PHEV 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 Outlander PHEV has standard seating for 7 passengers; the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid can only carry 6.

The Outlander PHEV has 20.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (125.5 vs. 105.3).

The Outlander PHEV has .3 inches more front headroom and .3 inches more front legroom than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Outlander PHEV’s middle and third row seats recline. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s third row seats don’t recline.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid, the Outlander PHEV has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Outlander PHEV SEL’s standard easy entry system 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 Outlander PHEV SEL offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed 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.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Outlander PHEV has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer headlight washers.

When the Outlander PHEV SEL 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 Plug-In Hybrid’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Outlander PHEV SEL 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.