Head-to-head
2026 Kia Sorento vs 2026 Toyota RAV4
The Kia Sorento edges it, 94.5 to 91, on safety, tech & comfort, space & cargo. The Toyota RAV4 is ahead on fuel & range and performance.
B
2026 Kia Sorento
The 2026 Kia Sorento is sold in the U.S. as a plug-in hybrid, hybrid and gas compact SUV with 7 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Sorent…
vs
A2026 Toyota RAV4
The 2026 Toyota RAV4 is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid compact SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the RAV4, is EPA-rated at 43 mpg c…
Verdict · default weights
2026 Kia Sorento
Slight edgeThe Kia Sorento edges it, 94.5 to 91, on safety, tech & comfort, space & cargo. The Toyota RAV4 is ahead on fuel & range and performance.
Safety 2026 Kia Sorento leads by 20.6
Fuel & range 2026 Toyota RAV4 leads by 13.9
Tech & comfort 2026 Kia Sorento leads by 9.4
| Category · weight | 2026 Kia Sorentooverall 94.5 | 2026 Toyota RAV4overall 91 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 98.5 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | ||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 86.1 | 100 | ||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | ||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 93.4 | 72.8 | ||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | ||||||||||||||
| Space & cargow 2 | 100 | 90.3 | ||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | ||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 87.4 | 97.5 | ||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | ||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 100 | 90.6 | ||||||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | ||||||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | No data | No data | ||||||||||||
| Overall | 94.5 | 91 | ||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 6 of 7 categories compared
Kia Sorento: base trim LX FWD · Toyota RAV4: base trim LE FWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2026 Kia Sorento wins
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (9 against 44 filed with NHTSA).
- It lists 26 standard driver-assist features against 16.
- It seats 7 against 5.
Where the 2026 Toyota RAV4 answers
- It is rated 43 combined against 37 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
- It costs $250 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,550 against $1,800).
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
55 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Kia SorentoLX FWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $32,390 | $31,900 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | naturally aspirated | Atkinson Cycle |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 2,497 cc | 2,487 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | 2.5L 4-cylinder Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine | 2.5-liter Dynamic Force 4-cylinder, aluminum alloy block with aluminum alloy cylinder head |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | D-4S |
| Valve configuration | DOHC 16-Valve | DOHC 16-Valve |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 191 hp | 226 hp |
| Torque | 181 lb-ft | 163 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 23 mpg | 47 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | 26 mpg | 43 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | 31 mpg | 40 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.798:1 (FWD) | — |
| Transmission speeds | 8 | — |
| Transmission type | automatic | Electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (ECVT) with sequential shift mode |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 6.9 in | 8.1 in |
| Overall height | 66.7 in | 66.7 in |
| Overall length | 190 in | 181 in |
| Overall width | 74.8 in | 73 in |
| Wheelbase | 111 in | 106 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 75.5 cu-ft | 70.4 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 38.5 cu-ft | 37.8 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 3rd row | 12.6 cu-ft | — |
| Total interior volume | — | 98.9 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 7 | 5 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 40.3 in | 37.9 in |
| Second-row headroom | 39.1 in | 39.5 in |
| Third-row headroom | 36.8 in | — |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 41.4 in | 41 in |
| Second-row legroom | 41.7 in | 37.8 in |
| Third-row legroom | 29.6 in | — |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 3,814 lbs | 3,640 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 3,814 lbs | 3,640 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 5,512 lbs | 4,920 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | McPherson Strut | Independent MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar |
| Rear suspension type | Multi-Link | Multi-link with stabilizer bar |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | C-MDPS | Electric Power Steering (EPS); rack-mounted parallel-type electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 19 ft | 36.9 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 325 mm | 305 mm |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | epb | epb |
| Rear brake diameter | 305 mm | 282 mm |
| Rear brake type | ventilated disc | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 17 in | 17 in |
| Wheel material | forged alloy | alloy |
| Wheel width | 7 in | 7.5 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 235/65R17 | 235/65R17 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 17.7 gal | 14.5 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | — | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | — | Toyota Safety Connect / Drive Connect / Remote Connect |
| Connected services trial (premium tier) | — | 12 months |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | — | 60 months |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 59.1 in | 57 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | 58.1 in | 56.4 in |
| Third-row shoulder room | 53 in | — |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
135 features · differences first, then sharedSafety32 differ · 37 listed
| Feature | Kia SorentoLX FWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Collision Warning (BCW) with Parallel Exit | std | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA) Fusion Type, Car, Pedestrian and Cyclist, Junction Assist | std | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Junction Turning (FCA-JT) | std | — |
| Lane Following Assist (LFA) | std | — |
| Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist (RCCA) | std | — |
| Dual front advanced airbags | std | — |
| Dual front seat-mounted side airbags | std | — |
| Full-length side curtain airbags | std | — |
| Lane Departure Warning (LDW) | std | — |
| Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) | std | — |
| Rear view camera with dynamic guidelines | std | — |
| Downhill Assist Control (DAC) | std | — |
| Driver Attention Warning, including Lead Vehicle Departure Alert (DAW) | std | — |
| Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) | std | — |
| Rear Side Airbags | std | — |
| Safe Exit Assist (SEA) | std | — |
| Trailer-Sway Control (TSC) | — | std |
| Adjustable front shoulder anchors | — | std |
| Backup camera with dynamic gridlines | — | std |
| Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) | — | std |
| Child-protector rear door locks and power window lockout control | — | std |
| Driver's knee airbag | std | — |
| Eight airbags — includes driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver's knee airbag, front passenger seat cushion airbag, and front and rear side curtain airbags | — | std |
| Electric Parking Brake (EPB) with Brake Hold | — | std |
| Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) | std | — |
| Front and outboard second-row seatbelts with seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters | — | std |
| High Beam Assist (HBA) | std | — |
| Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA) | std | — |
| LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) includes lower anchors on outboard rear seats and tether anchors on all rear seats | — | std |
| Rear Occupant Alert with Ultrasonic sensors (ROA) | std | — |
| Vehicle Proximity Notification System (VPNS) | — | std |
| Anti-theft system with engine immobilizer | — | std |
| Toyota Safety Sense™ 4.0 (TSS 4.0) — Pre-Collision System w/Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control w/Eco Mode (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert w/Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), Road Sign Assist (RSA), Proactive Driving Assist | std | std |
| Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) | std | std |
| Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) | std | std |
| Star Safety System™ — includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Smart Stop Technology® (SST) | std | std |
| Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) with direct pressure readout and individual tire location alert | std | std |
Infotainment17 differ · 17 listed
| Feature | Kia SorentoLX FWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Remote Connect — 1-year trial subscription | — | std |
| Remote Connect — remotely interact with your vehicle through the Toyota app via your smartwatch | — | std |
| Safety Connect® Stolen Vehicle Locator | — | std |
| Wi-Fi Connect — includes AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot and Integrated Streaming (Spotify® – separate subscription required) compatibility. 30-day trial subscription with Unlimited Hotspot Data | — | std |
| Safety Connect® — includes Emergency Assistance Button, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification, and Stolen Vehicle Locator | — | std |
| 10.5-in. Toyota Audio Multimedia, six speakers, with wireless Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™ compatibility, SiriusXM® with 360L with 3-month trial | — | std |
| 12.3‑inch Touchscreen Display, Radio, Bluetooth, Wireless Android Auto / Wireless Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth Voice Recognition (ccNC Lite) | std | — |
| 2 - 15w front USB-C charging ports and 1 center console media USB-C charging port | — | std |
| Android Auto™ | std | — |
| Apple CarPlay™ | std | — |
| Auxiliary, USB and iPod audio input jacks | std | — |
| Bluetooth® wireless technology with voice recognition | std | — |
| Drive Connect — includes Cloud Navigation with Google Points of Interest (POI) data, Intelligent Assistant with Hey, Toyota, and Destination Assist. Capable, subscription required (LE, XLE Premium, SE, Woodland); 1-year trial (Limited, XSE, GR SPORT) | — | std |
| Drive Recorder Dash Cam- integrated drive recording system that utilizes front and rear (front and Panoramic View Monitor if equipped) camera systems for video recording | — | std |
| Service Connect — receive personalized maintenance updates and vehicle health reports. 5-year minimum trial subscription | — | std |
| Standard sound system | std | — |
| Steering wheel audio controls | std | — |
Convenience8 differ · 8 listed
| Feature | Kia SorentoLX FWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Key System on front doors and liftgate with Push Button Start, remote keyless entry system with lock, unlock, and panic functions, power liftgate and remote illuminated entry | std | — |
| 12V Power outlet (rear floor console, luggage) | std | — |
| Driver and Passenger's central door lock | std | — |
| Keyless Entry Remote Control with Burglar Alarm and Panic | std | — |
| One 12V/120W auxiliary power outlet in front instrument panel storage tray and one 12V/120W auxiliary power outlet [12v] in cargo area | — | std |
| Power windows with auto up/down and jam protection in all positions | — | std |
| Remote keyless entry system with lock, unlock, panic functions, and remote illuminated entry | — | std |
| Manual Tailgate | std | — |
Climate3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Kia SorentoLX FWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd Row Air Vents | std | — |
| Dual zone automatic climate control system with dust and pollen filter and rear-seat vents | — | std |
| Manual air conditioning | std | — |
Seating5 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Kia SorentoLX FWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd-row 60/40 split-folding seats | std | — |
| 6-way adjustable driver's seat with height adjuster | std | — |
| 4-way adjustable passenger's seat | std | — |
| 60/40 split reclining fold-flat rear seat with center armrest and cup holders | — | std |
| Fabric-trimmed seats; 8-way manual-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support; 6-way manual front passenger seat with seatback pocket | — | std |
| Fabric-trimmed seats | std | std |
Interior24 differ · 25 listed
| Feature | Kia SorentoLX FWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 12.3-in. digital gauge cluster with customizable settings, integrated multimedia information, odometer, tripmeters, clock, outside temperature, rear passenger seatbelt indicators, fuel gauge, hybrid energy monitor, battery charge meter, fuel economy information, trip timer, shift-position and scheduled maintenance indicators, and warning messages | — | std |
| 4.3-inch color TFT LCD supervision meter cluster | std | — |
| Black carpet flooring with driver-side footrest | — | std |
| Chrome painted dash with urethane dash panels and soft touch leather wrapped armrests | — | std |
| Door pocket bottle holder | std | — |
| Front and rear side door pockets | std | — |
| Front-door storage pockets with bottle holders | — | std |
| Leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob | std | — |
| Metal paint interior door handles | std | — |
| Overhead console, room lamp and cargo lamp | std | — |
| Passenger Seating Capacity 7 Passenger | std | — |
| Passenger-side lockable glove compartment | — | std |
| Polyurethane steering wheel and soft PVC shift knob | std | — |
| RAV4 branded center console | — | std |
| Rear center armrest with dual cup holders | std | — |
| Removeable front cupholder divider | — | std |
| Tilt and telescopic steering column | std | — |
| Turn signal stalk with headlight controls and one-touch 3-blink lane change turn signals | — | std |
| Front console with center armrest, cup holders and storage box | std | — |
| Sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors | — | std |
| Tilt/telescopic 3-spoke steering wheel | — | std |
| Dual sunvisor, sliding with vanity mirrors | std | — |
| Front seatback pockets | std | — |
| Overhead console with maplights, sunglasses storage and Safety Connect® button | — | std |
| Day/night rearview mirror | std | std |
Exterior24 differ · 27 listed
| Feature | Kia SorentoLX FWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 17-in. dark gray metallic wheels | — | std |
| 17-inch alloy wheels | std | — |
| Body-color outside door handles | std | — |
| Color-keyed roof-mounted shark-fin antenna | — | std |
| Dual exhaust | — | std |
| Front variable intermittent windshield wipers | std | — |
| Heated power outside mirrors | std | — |
| LED positioning lamps | std | — |
| LED side mirror repeater lamps | std | — |
| LED taillights | — | std |
| Low-profile black roof rails | — | std |
| Power adjustable outside mirrors with integrated LED Turn Signals | std | — |
| Privacy glass on all rear side, quarter and liftgate windows | — | std |
| Rear combination lamps | std | — |
| Rear liftgate-mounted spoiler | std | — |
| Satin Chrome DLO surround | std | — |
| Shark fin antenna | std | — |
| Tailgate glass heater with timer | std | — |
| Tinted Front Door Windows and Windshield | std | — |
| Auto light control | std | — |
| Privacy Rear Windows and Tailgate Glass | std | — |
| Rear liftgate window defogger | — | std |
| Solar Front Door Windows and Windshield | std | — |
| LED High Mounted Stop Lamp | std | — |
| LED projector low- and high-beam headlights, daytime running lights (DRLs) and front side marker lamp with chrome accent, Automatic High Beams (AHB) | std | std |
| LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) | std | std |
| Temporary spare tire/wheel | std | std |
Powertrain5 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Kia SorentoLX FWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) 4-cylinder engine | std | — |
| 8-speed automatic transmission | std | — |
| Drive Mode Select (Sport, Eco, Smart Modes) | std | — |
| Emissions: SULEV (50-state compliant) | std | — |
| Idle Stop and Go (ISG) | std | — |
| Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) | std | std |
Chassis2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Kia SorentoLX FWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| MacPherson front suspension and Multi-link rear suspension | std | — |
| Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) | std | — |
Cargo4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Kia SorentoLX FWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo area tonneau cover | — | std |
| Dual-level cargo floor | std | — |
| Height-adjustable rear cargo area deck board | — | std |
| Luggage area: net hook | std | — |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPKia Sorento
Safety Signal 89 B
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls 2
Owner complaints 9 · 2 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Unspecified (3), Engine (3), Service Brakes (2)
Top recalls
- high Tires 25V745000 · 45 vehicles
- minor Electrical System 26V046000 · 42,677 vehicles
Toyota RAV4
Safety Signal 94 A
NHTSA overall —
Frontal / side / rollover — / — / —
Recalls 2
Owner complaints 44 · 3 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Forward Collision Avoidance (17), Unspecified (14), Electrical System (8)
Top recalls
- minor Engine And Engine Cooling 26V659000 · 30,978 vehicles
- minor Equipment 26V571000 · 135 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Kia SorentoLX FWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $32,390 (base trim) | $31,900 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $32,390 – $53,490 17 trims | $31,900 – $48,500 13 trims |
| Powertrains | PHEV, HEV, GAS | HEV |
| EPA configuration compared | Sorento Hybrid FWD | RAV4 |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 37 | 43 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $1,800 | $1,550 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | — | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
| Powertrain warranty | — | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
| Roadside assistance | — | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2026 Kia Sorento or the 2026 Toyota RAV4?
The Kia Sorento edges it, 94.5 to 91, on safety, tech & comfort, space & cargo. The Toyota RAV4 is ahead on fuel & range and performance. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Kia Sorento scores 94.5 and the 2026 Toyota RAV4 91. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which is cheaper, the 2026 Kia Sorento or the 2026 Toyota RAV4?
The 2026 Toyota RAV4 starts lower — $31,900 against $32,390, a gap of $490 at the trims compared here. Both are manufacturer MSRPs before destination, options and dealer charges.
Which has the better safety record, the 2026 Kia Sorento or the 2026 Toyota RAV4?
2026 Kia Sorento: 5 NHTSA stars, grade B, 2 recalls. 2026 Toyota RAV4: no NHTSA rating yet, grade A, 2 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2026 Kia Sorento and the 2026 Toyota RAV4?
Where the 2026 Kia Sorento wins: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (9 against 44 filed with NHTSA), lists 26 standard driver-assist features against 16, and seats 7 against 5. Where the 2026 Toyota RAV4 answers: it is rated 43 combined against 37 (EPA mpg or MPGe) and costs $250 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,550 against $1,800).