Compare the2023 Ford Escape PHEVVS 2023 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Ford Escape 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 Escape PHEV has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply 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 Escape 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, 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, driver alert monitors and available 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 Ford Escape PHEV is safer than the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid:

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 Ford Escape PHEV is safer than the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid:

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

The Escape PHEV’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.

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

The Escape PHEV has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

On the EPA test cycle the Escape PHEV running on electricity gets better mileage than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid running on electricity (117 city/93 hwy vs. 83 city/75 hwy MPGe).

On the EPA test cycle the Escape PHEV running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid running its gasoline engine (43 city/38 hwy vs. 35 city/33 hwy).

The Escape PHEV can travel with zero emissions on electricity, only, on a full charge for 37 miles. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid has to start its internal combustion engine after only 32 miles.

The Escape PHEV 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.

The Escape PHEV has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a CVT.

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

For better maneuverability, the Escape PHEV’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s (37.2 feet vs. 37.9 feet).

The Ford Escape PHEV may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 pounds less than the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

The Escape PHEV is 8.9 inches shorter than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid, making the Escape PHEV easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Escape 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 Escape PHEV has 1 inch more front legroom and .2 inches more rear headroom than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

The Escape PHEV has a much larger cargo volume than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid with its rear seat up (34.4 vs. 12.6 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Escape PHEV easier. The Escape PHEV’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.9 inches, while the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s liftover is 31.7 inches.

The Escape PHEV 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 Escape PHEV can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid can’t be towed flat on the ground.

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

The Escape PHEV’s optional Active Park Assist 2.0 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.

Insurance will cost less for the Escape PHEV owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Escape PHEV will cost $1080 to $2095 less than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid over a five-year period.

The Escape PHEV will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Escape PHEV will retain 48.6% to 48.86% of its original price after five years, while the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid only retains 45.04% to 45.21%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Ford Escape PHEV will be $11615 to $13184 less than for the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Ford Escape PHEV and the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Ford Escape outsold the Kia Sorento by 65% during 2022.