Compare the2023 Mercedes EQBVS 2023 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes EQB 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 EQB’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the EQB 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

The EQB’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.

The EQB 250+’s standard electric motor produces 26 lbs.-ft. more torque (284 vs. 258) than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The EQB 300’s standard electric motor produces 30 lbs.-ft. more torque (288 vs. 258) than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The EQB 350’s standard electric motor produces 27 more horsepower (288 vs. 261) and 126 lbs.-ft. more torque (384 vs. 258) than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

The EQB can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 221 to 245 miles. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid has to start its internal combustion engine after only 32 miles.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes EQB higher (10 out of 10) than the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (7). This means the EQB produces up to 11.8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid every 15,000 miles.

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

The EQB’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.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the EQB can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The EQB 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 EQB’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.

The EQB is 5 inches shorter than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid, making the EQB easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The EQB offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid can only carry 6.

The EQB has .4 inches more front headroom and .2 inches more rear headroom than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

The front step up height for the EQB is 2 inches lower than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (17” vs. 19”). The EQB’s rear step up height is 1.5 inches lower than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s (17.5” vs. 19”).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the EQB easier. The EQB’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.5 inches, while the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s liftover is 31.7 inches.

The EQB 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.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid, the EQB has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, suspension setting, power steering assist, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The EQB’s standard easy entry and exit feature glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The EQB 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.

If the windows are left open on the EQB the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower 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.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the EQB offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer cornering lights. The EQB also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

When the EQB is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The EQB’s standard 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 EQB 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 EQB’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The EQB is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.