Compare the2024 Jeep Grand CherokeeVS 2024 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

The Jeep Grand Cherokee 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.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the Grand Cherokee Overland/Summit helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Grand Cherokee 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, around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee 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 Grand Cherokee’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.

Jeep pays for scheduled maintenance on the Grand Cherokee for 2 years and unlimited miles. Jeep will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance (up to 2 visits). Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

There are over 3 times as many Jeep dealers as there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Grand Cherokee’s warranty.

The Grand Cherokee’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 32 more horsepower (293 vs. 261) than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Grand Cherokee 4xe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 114 more horsepower (375 vs. 261) and 212 lbs.-ft. more torque (470 vs. 258) than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Jeep Grand Cherokee is faster than the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid:

Both the Grand Cherokee 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 Grand Cherokee V6 has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Grand Cherokee 4xe’s standard fuel tank has 6.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (19 vs. 12.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Grand Cherokee’s standard fuel tank has 10.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (23 vs. 12.4 gallons).

The Grand Cherokee 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.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Jeep Grand Cherokee, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

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

For better traction, the Grand Cherokee has larger standard tires than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (245/70R17 vs. 235/55R19). The Grand Cherokee Summit Reserve’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (275/45R21 vs. 235/55R19).

The Grand Cherokee Summit Reserve’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Grand Cherokee Summit Reserve has standard 21-inch wheels. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Grand Cherokee has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Grand Cherokee offers an optional full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The Grand Cherokee Trailhawk has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The Grand Cherokee offers an available 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 Grand Cherokee offers an optional automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Grand Cherokee’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Grand Cherokee’s wheelbase is 5.9 inches longer than on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (116.7 inches vs. 110.8 inches).

For greater off-road capability the Grand Cherokee has a 1.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (8.4 vs. 6.9 inches), allowing the Grand Cherokee to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Grand Cherokee Trailhawk Air Suspension’s minimum ground clearance is 4 inches higher than on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (10.9 vs. 6.9 inches).

The Jeep Grand Cherokee may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 250 pounds less than the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

The front grille of the Grand Cherokee 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 Grand Cherokee offers available 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.

The Grand Cherokee has 1.2 inches more front headroom, 1.8 inches more front hip room, .1 inches more front shoulder room, 1.5 inches more rear headroom and 1.2 inches more rear hip room than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

The Grand Cherokee has a much larger cargo volume than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid with its rear seat up (37.7 vs. 12.6 cubic feet).

The Grand Cherokee’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s (3500 vs. 2000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid is only 2000 pounds. The Grand Cherokee offers up to a 6200 lbs. towing capacity.

The Grand Cherokee 4WD with optional equipment can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Grand Cherokee can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Grand Cherokee 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.

The engine in the Grand Cherokee 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.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid, the Grand Cherokee Overland Luxury Tech/Summit has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position (with optional power wheel adjuster), outside mirror angle and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Grand Cherokee 4xe/Limited/Overland/Summit’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and 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 Grand Cherokee’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 Grand Cherokee Overland/Summit offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, certain gauge 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.

When the Grand Cherokee Overland/Summit 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 Grand Cherokee’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.

Optional air conditioned front and rear seats keep the Grand Cherokee’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

The Grand Cherokee Overland Luxury Tech/Summit has standard 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 Grand Cherokee Summit’s Parallel and Perpendicular 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.

The Grand Cherokee 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.

Insurance will cost less for the Grand Cherokee owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Grand Cherokee will cost $1355 to $2700 less than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid over a five-year period.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee outsold the Kia Sorento by almost three to one during 2023.