Compare the2023 Subaru Crosstrek HybridVS 2023 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

The Crosstrek Hybrid has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Crosstrek Hybrid and the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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 and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid 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 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid 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.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, with its optional vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Crosstrek Hybrid its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 128 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2022.

The Crosstrek Hybrid’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.

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 Crosstrek Hybrid’s reliability 20 points higher than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 2 places higher in reliability than Kia.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Crosstrek Hybrid lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the Crosstrek Hybrid running on electricity gets better mileage than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid running on electricity (99 city/80 hwy vs. 83 city/75 hwy MPGe).

On the EPA test cycle the Crosstrek Hybrid running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid running its gasoline engine (36 city/35 hwy vs. 35 city/33 hwy).

The Crosstrek Hybrid has a standard locking fuel door and a locking charge port 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.

The Crosstrek Hybrid 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 maneuverability, the Crosstrek Hybrid’s turning circle is 2.5 feet tighter than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s (35.4 feet vs. 37.9 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Crosstrek Hybrid has a 1.8 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (8.7 vs. 6.9 inches), allowing the Crosstrek Hybrid to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 800 pounds less than the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

The Crosstrek Hybrid is 1 foot shorter than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid, making the Crosstrek Hybrid easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Crosstrek Hybrid 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 front step up height for the Crosstrek Hybrid is 1.5 inches lower than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (17.5” vs. 19”). The Crosstrek Hybrid’s rear step up height is 1 inches lower than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s (18” vs. 19”).

The Crosstrek Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid with its rear seat up (15.9 vs. 12.6 cubic feet).

The engine in the Crosstrek Hybrid 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.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Crosstrek Hybrid’s 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 Crosstrek Hybrid 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.

Insurance will cost less for the Crosstrek Hybrid owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Crosstrek Hybrid will cost $1755 to $2245 less than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid over a five-year period.

The Crosstrek Hybrid will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Crosstrek Hybrid will retain 51.71% 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 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid will be $10691 to $13261 less than for the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

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

The Subaru Crosstrek outsold the Kia Sorento by 86% during 2022.