Compare the2024 Audi Q4 e-tronVS 2024 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

The Q4 e-tron’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.

The Q4 e-tron has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Q4 e-tron and the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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 and available 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 Audi Q4 e-tron 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 Audi Q4 e-tron achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

The Q4 e-tron’s corrosion warranty is 7 years and unlimited miles longer than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s (12/unlimited vs. 5/100,000).

The Q4 50 e-tron’s standard electric motors produces 34 more horsepower (295 vs. 261) and 81 lbs.-ft. more torque (339 vs. 258) than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the Q4 e-tron gets better mileage than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid running on electricity:

On the EPA test cycle the Q4 e-tron gets better mileage than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid running its gasoline engine:

The Q4 e-tron can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 236 to 265 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 Audi Q4 e-tron higher (10 out of 10) than the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (7). This means the Q4 e-tron 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 Q4 e-tron’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid:

For better traction and acceleration, the Q4 e-tron has larger rear tires than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (255/50R19 vs. 235/55R19).

The Q4 e-tron’s standard 255/50R19 rear 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 standard 55 series tires. The Q4 e-tron Quattro’s optional 235/50R20 front and 255/45R20 rear tires have a lower 50 series front and 45 series rear profile than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Q4 e-tron Quattro offers optional 20-inch wheels. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Q4 e-tron offers an optional or off-road. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better maneuverability, the Q4 e-tron 40’s turning circle is 4.4 feet tighter than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s (33.5 feet vs. 37.9 feet). The Q4 e-tron 50’s turning circle is .2 feet tighter than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s (37.7 feet vs. 37.9 feet).

The Q4 e-tron is 8.7 inches shorter than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid, making the Q4 e-tron easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Q4 e-tron has a much larger cargo volume than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid with its rear seat up (24.8 vs. 12.6 cubic feet).

The Q4 e-tron’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s (2205 vs. 2000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid is only 2000 pounds. The Q4 e-tron offers up to a 2646 lbs. towing capacity.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Audi service is better than Kia. J.D. Power ranks Audi 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 31% lower rating, Kia is ranked 26th.

The Q4 e-tron offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed 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 Q4 e-tron 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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Q4 e-tron to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Q4 e-tron Prestige has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer headlight washers.

When the Q4 e-tron with available tilt-down mirrors 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 Q4 e-tron’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 Q4 e-tron Premium Plus/Prestige’s Park Steering 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.

The Q4 e-tron 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.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Audi Q4 e-tron and the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.