Compare the2024 Chrysler PacificaVS 2024 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

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

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and middle seat shoulder belts of the Chrysler Pacifica are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer height-adjustable middle seat belts.

The Chrysler Pacifica 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.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The Pacifica offers optional Emergency Vehicle Alert System, a system that seamlcommunicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from other vehicles.

Both the Pacifica 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, 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, 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 Chrysler Pacifica is safer than the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid:

	Pacifica	Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	168	334
Leg Forces (l/r)	75/194 lbs.	212/405 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	196	390
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.5 inches
Neck Injury Risk	25%	53%
Neck Stress	117 lbs.	159 lbs.
Neck Compression	51 lbs.	89 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 Chrysler Pacifica is safer than the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid:

	Pacifica	Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	15 inches

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

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Pacifica is 4.3% to 5% less likely to roll over than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

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 Pacifica the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 98 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2022.

Warranty

The Pacifica’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 over 3 times as many Chrysler dealers as there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Pacifica’s warranty.

Engine

The Pacifica’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 26 more horsepower (287 vs. 261) and 4 lbs.-ft. more torque (262 vs. 258) than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Pacifica Hybrid running on electricity gets better mileage than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid running on electricity (87 city/77 hwy vs. 83 city/75 hwy MPGe).

Both the Pacifica 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 Pacifica (except Pacifica Hybrid) has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Pacifica Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 4.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (16.5 vs. 12.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Pacifica’s standard fuel tank has 6.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (19 vs. 12.4 gallons).

The Pacifica 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 nine-speed automatic is standard on the Chrysler Pacifica, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

The Pacifica 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.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Pacifica	Pacifica AWD	Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
Front Rotors	13 inches	13.8 inches	12.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13.4 inches	12.8 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Pacifica’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (245/50R20 vs. 235/55R19).

The Pacifica’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 load carrying, ride, handling and brake cooling the Pacifica offers optional 20-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 Pacifica 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 Pacifica’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 Pacifica’s wheelbase is 10.8 inches longer than on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (121.6 inches vs. 110.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Pacifica is 3.6 inches wider in the front and 3.2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

Chassis

The front grille of the Pacifica 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 Pacifica 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 Pacifica offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid can only carry 6.

The Pacifica has 59.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (165.1 vs. 105.3).

The Pacifica has 1.4 inches more front headroom, 3.4 inches more front hip room, 4.7 inches more front shoulder room, 1.7 inches more rear headroom, 9.7 inches more rear hip room, 4.9 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.9 inches more third row headroom, 6.9 inches more third row legroom, 7 inches more third row hip room and 8.2 inches more third row shoulder room than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

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

The front step up height for the Pacifica is 2.7 inches lower than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (16.3” vs. 19”). The Pacifica’s rear step up height is .8 inches lower than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s (18.2” vs. 19”).

Cargo Capacity

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

	Pacifica	Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
Behind Third Seat	32.3 cubic feet	12.6 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	87.5 cubic feet	38.5 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	140.5 cubic feet	75.5 cubic feet

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Pacifica easier. The Pacifica’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 24.3 inches, while the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s liftover is 31.7 inches.

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

	Pacifica	Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	23.2”/57.5”/92.5”	15.5”/42.5”/76.5”
Max Width	49.3”	54”
Min Width	48.8”	42.4”
Height	47.6”	33”

The Pacifica has standard Stow ’n Go second and third row seats (except Hybrid for the second row), which fold flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid only has a third row seat which folds into the floor. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s second row seat doesn’t fold into the floor and eats up cargo room.

Towing

The Pacifica’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s (3600 vs. 2000 pounds).

Ergonomics

The Pacifica Touring L/Limited/Pinnacle’s standard easy entry system 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 Pacifica’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 Pacifica’s standard sliding doors can be opened with less than three inches side clearance. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s standard rear swing-out doors are bulky and make loading in tight spots difficult.

The Pacifica’s power side sliding doors make it much easier to load and unload kids and cargo. One touch opens the door, before you even get to the van. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a power rear door.

When the Pacifica Limited/Pinnacle 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 Pacifica’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 Pacifica (except Touring)’s optional ParkSense Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

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

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Pacifica owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Pacifica will cost $2120 to $2865 less than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid over a five-year period.

Recommendations

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

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Pacifica as the 2017 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid has never been chosen.

The Chrysler Pacifica/Voyager outsold the Kia Sorento by 18% during 2022.

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