Compare the2023 Ford ExplorerVS 2023 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Ford Explorer 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 Ford Explorer 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 Explorer 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 Explorer 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, available all wheel drive 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 Ford Explorer is safer than the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid:

	Explorer	Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	125	334
Neck Stress	167 lbs.	168 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	230/210 lbs.	212/405 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	318	390
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.5 inches
Neck Injury Risk	29.2%	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 Ford Explorer is safer than the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid:

	Explorer	Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	15 inches
Hip Force	573 lbs.	579 lbs.

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

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 Explorer 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.

Warranty

The Explorer’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 Explorer’s warranty.

Reliability

The Explorer 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.

Engine

The Explorer’s standard 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 39 more horsepower (300 vs. 261) and 52 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 258) than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Explorer’s optional 3.3 DOHC V6 hybrid produces 57 more horsepower (318 vs. 261) and 64 lbs.-ft. more torque (322 vs. 258) than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Explorer’s optional 3.0 turbo V6 produces 139 more horsepower (400 vs. 261) and 157 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 258) than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

Fuel Economy and Range

Both the Explorer and Sorento Plug-In Hybrid have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The Explorer has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Explorer 2.3-liter’s standard fuel tank has 5.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (17.9 vs. 12.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Explorer V6 Turbo’s standard fuel tank has 7.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (20.2 vs. 12.4 gallons).

The Explorer 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.

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Ford Explorer, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Explorer	Explorer ST	Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	14.3 inches	12.8 inches
Rear Rotors	12.4 inches	13.8 inches	12.8 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Explorer has larger standard tires than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (255/65R18 vs. 235/55R19). The Explorer’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (275/45R21 vs. 235/55R19).

The Explorer’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 Explorer offers optional 21-inch wheels. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the Explorer can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

Suspension and Handling

The Explorer’s 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 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Explorer’s wheelbase is 8.3 inches longer than on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (119.1 inches vs. 110.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Explorer is 1.9 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 Explorer ST has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (7.9 vs. 6.9 inches), allowing the Explorer to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Explorer Timberline’s minimum ground clearance is 1.8 inches higher than on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (8.7 vs. 6.9 inches).

Chassis

The front grille of the Explorer 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 Explorer Hybrid uses 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.

Passenger Space

The Explorer has standard seating for 7 passengers; the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid can only carry 6.

The Explorer has 47.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (152.7 vs. 105.3).

The Explorer has .4 inches more front headroom, 1.6 inches more front legroom, 3.6 inches more front hip room, 2.7 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom, 4 inches more rear hip room, 3.8 inches more rear shoulder room, 2.1 inches more third row headroom, 2.6 inches more third row legroom and 1.6 inches more third row shoulder room than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

Cargo Capacity

The Explorer’s cargo area provides more volume than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

	Explorer	Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
Behind Third Seat	18.2 cubic feet	12.6 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	47.9 cubic feet	38.5 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	87.8 cubic feet	75.5 cubic feet

The Explorer’s cargo area is larger than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s in every dimension:

	Explorer	Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	20.8”/49.8”/83.9”	15.5”/42.5”/76.5”
Max Width	59”	54”
Min Width	48.1”	42.4”
Height	33.7”	33”

Towing

The Explorer’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s (3000 vs. 2000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid is only 2000 pounds. The Explorer offers up to a 5600 lbs. towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Explorer 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.

Ergonomics

The Explorer (except Base/XLT)’s optional 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.

On a hot day the Explorer’s driver can lower all 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.

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

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Explorer Platinum has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Explorer’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 has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Explorer ST/King Ranch/Platinum 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 Explorer ST/Platinum’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.

Model Availability

The Explorer 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.

Economic Advantages

The Explorer will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Explorer will retain 48.3% to 55.09% of its original price after five years, while the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid only retains 45.04% to 45.21%.

Recommendations

The Ford Explorer outsold the Kia Sorento by over two to one during 2022.