Compare the2023 Chevrolet TahoeVS 2023 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

The Tahoe (except LS with front bench seat) 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 Tahoe and the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The Chevrolet Tahoe weighs 936 to 1367 pounds more than the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Chevrolet Tahoe 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 Chevrolet Tahoe 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 Tahoe’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s (6/100,000 vs. 5/100,000).

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

The Tahoe 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.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Tahoe first among large suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 9 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked fourth.

The Tahoe’s standard 5.3 V8 produces 94 more horsepower (355 vs. 261) and 125 lbs.-ft. more torque (383 vs. 258) than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Tahoe’s optional 6.2 V8 produces 159 more horsepower (420 vs. 261) and 202 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 258) than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

The Tahoe’s 3.0 turbo diesel produces 16 more horsepower (277 vs. 261) and 202 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 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 Tahoe V8’s fuel efficiency. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Both the Tahoe 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 Tahoe has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Tahoe has 11.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (24 vs. 12.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Tahoe 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.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Chevrolet Tahoe, 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 Tahoe’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid:

For better traction, the Tahoe has larger standard tires than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (265/65R18 vs. 235/55R19). The Tahoe’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (275/50R22 vs. 235/55R19).

The Tahoe’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 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 Tahoe offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Chevrolet Tahoe’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Tahoe 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 Tahoe has a standard 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 Tahoe offers an optional 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 Tahoe Z71/High Country has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Tahoe’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 Tahoe’s wheelbase is 10.1 inches longer than on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (120.9 inches vs. 110.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Tahoe is 3.5 inches wider in the front and 2.9 inches wider in the rear than on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

For greater off-road capability the Tahoe has a 1.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (8 vs. 6.9 inches), allowing the Tahoe to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Tahoe Z71 Air Ride’s minimum ground clearance is 3.1 inches higher than on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (10 vs. 6.9 inches).

The front grille of the Tahoe (except Diesel) 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 Tahoe offers optional seating for 9 passengers; the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid can only carry 6.

The Tahoe has 63 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (168.3 vs. 105.3).

The Tahoe has 2 inches more front headroom, 3.1 inches more front legroom, 5.9 inches more front hip room, 6.9 inches more front shoulder room, 1.7 inches more rear legroom, 6.2 inches more rear hip room, 6.7 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.4 inches more third row headroom, 5.3 inches more third row legroom, 6.9 inches more third row hip room and 9.7 inches more third row shoulder room than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

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

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

Both the Tahoe and the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid offer second row automatic folding seats. The Tahoe’s (not available on LS) optional third row seats also fold up or down at the press of a switch. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer automatic folding third row seats.

The Tahoe’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s (7700 vs. 2000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid is only 2000 pounds. The Tahoe offers up to a 8400 lbs. towing capacity.

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

The Tahoe 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 Tahoe 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 Tahoe LT/RST/Z71/Premier/High Country’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 Tahoe’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 Tahoe (except LS/LT/RST/Z71) offers an available heads-up display that projects speed, warning 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.

On a hot day the Tahoe’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.

When the Tahoe LT/RST/Z71/Premier/High Country 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 Tahoe LT/RST/Z71/Premier/High Country’s standard rear view mirror and optional 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 Tahoe Premier/High Country’s optional Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist 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.

The Tahoe 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 Tahoe owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Tahoe will cost $1825 to $2625 less than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid over a five-year period.

The Tahoe will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Tahoe will retain 51.65% to 55.27% 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 Tahoe second among large 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 Chevrolet Tahoe outsold the Kia Sorento by 27% during 2022.