Compare the2024 Kia Sorento Plug-In HybridVS 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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Both the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid and Crosstrek Hybrid have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Crosstrek Hybrid’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid has a standard Surround View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Crosstrek Hybrid only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

Both the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid and Crosstrek Hybrid have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Crosstrek Hybrid’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Compared to metal, the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid has a metal gas tank.

Both the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid and the Crosstrek 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 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid weighs 785 pounds more than the Subaru Crosstrek 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 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid is safer than the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid:

	Sorento Plug-In Hybrid	Crosstrek Hybrid
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	21%	36%
Neck Stress	168 lbs.	304 lbs.
Neck Compression	22 lbs.	42 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.7 inches
Neck Stress	159 lbs.	195 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	81/191 lbs.	230/427 lbs.

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 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid is safer than the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid:

	Sorento Plug-In Hybrid	Crosstrek Hybrid
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	49 G’s

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

Warranty

The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Crosstrek Hybrid’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Subaru covers the Crosstrek Hybrid. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Crosstrek Hybrid ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

There are over 22 percent more Kia dealers than there are Subaru dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in initial quality. With 15 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in reliability, above the industry average. With 81 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 22nd.

Engine

The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 113 more horsepower (261 vs. 148) than the Crosstrek Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

Fuel Economy and Range

The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid can travel with zero emissions on electricity, only, on a full charge for 32 miles. The Crosstrek Hybrid has to start its internal combustion engine after only 17 miles.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid higher (7 out of 10) than the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid (6 to 7). This means the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Crosstrek Hybrid every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Sorento Plug-In Hybrid	Crosstrek Hybrid
Front Rotors	12.8 inches	11.6 inches
Rear Rotors	12.8 inches	11.2 inches

The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Crosstrek Hybrid are solid, not vented.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid has larger tires than the Crosstrek Hybrid (235/55R19 vs. 225/55R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid has standard 19-inch wheels. Only 18-inch wheels are available on the Crosstrek Hybrid.

The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Crosstrek Hybrid; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s wheelbase is 5.9 inches longer than on the Crosstrek Hybrid (110.8 inches vs. 104.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid is 3.8 inches wider in the front and 4 inches wider in the rear than on the Crosstrek Hybrid.

Passenger Space

The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid has standard seating for 6 passengers; the Crosstrek Hybrid can only carry 5.

The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid has 4.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Crosstrek Hybrid (105.3 vs. 100.8).

The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid has .5 inches more front hip room, 2.4 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, 4 inches more rear legroom, 1.1 inches more rear hip room and 2.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Crosstrek Hybrid.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s middle row seats recline. The Crosstrek Hybrid’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

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

	Sorento Plug-In Hybrid	Crosstrek Hybrid
Third Seat Folded	38.5 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	45 cubic feet	15.9 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	75.5 cubic feet	43.1 cubic feet

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

	Sorento Plug-In Hybrid	Crosstrek Hybrid
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	15.5”/42.5”/76.5”	n.a./28.9”/63.1”
Max Width	54”	53”
Min Width	42.4”	43”
Height	33”	30”

Pressing a button automatically lowers the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s second row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s power liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s power liftgate can also be opened or closed by pressing a button. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Towing

The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Crosstrek Hybrid’s (2000 vs. 1000 pounds).

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Crosstrek Hybrid has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Crosstrek Hybrid’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Crosstrek Hybrid’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Subaru only offers heated mirrors on the Crosstrek Hybrid Premium/Sport/Limited.

Both the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid and the Crosstrek Hybrid have standard heated front seats. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid also has standard heated second row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Crosstrek Hybrid.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Crosstrek Hybrid.

The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid and the Crosstrek Hybrid offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid has a 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Recommendations

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

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