2027 Kia Sorento vs 2027 Subaru Outback
The Kia Sorento wins clearly, 100 to 88.1, on fuel & range.
2027 Kia Sorento
The 2027 Kia Sorento is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas compact SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Sorento Hybrid FWD, is…
2027 Subaru Outback
The 2027 Subaru Outback is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Outback AWD, is EPA-rated at 2…
2027 Kia Sorento
Clear winThe Kia Sorento wins clearly, 100 to 88.1, on fuel & range.
| Category · weight | 2027 Kia Sorentooverall 100 | 2027 Subaru Outbackoverall 88.1 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricenot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 100 | 72.3 | |||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 100 | 100 | |||||||||
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 & cargonot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||
| Performancenot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||
| Tech & comfortnot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||
| Overall | 100 | 88.1 | |||||||||
Safety-only comparison · 2 of 7 categories compared · specs not available for Kia Sorento
Kia Sorento: safety only (EPA and NHTSA record; specs not available) · Subaru Outback: base trim Base AWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2027 Kia Sorento wins
- It costs $700 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,800 against $2,500).
- It is rated 37 combined against 27 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
What they share
- A Safety Signal of 100.
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
46 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Kia Sorento | Subaru OutbackBase AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | — | $32,995 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | — | naturally aspirated |
| Cylinder count | — | 4 |
| Engine displacement | — | 2,498 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | — | DOHC 4-cylinder horizontally opposed SUBARU BOXER; aluminum cylinder block and heads |
| Fuel injection system | — | gdi mpi |
| Valve configuration | — | DOHC |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | — | 180 hp |
| Torque | — | 178 lb-ft |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | — | 4.111 |
| Transmission speeds | — | 8 |
| Transmission type | — | cvt |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | — | 8.7 in |
| Overall height | — | 67.5 in |
| Overall length | — | 192 in |
| Overall width | — | 74 in |
| Wheelbase | — | 108 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | — | 80.5 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | — | 34.6 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | — | 112 cu-ft |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | — | 41 in |
| Second-row headroom | — | 40.5 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | — | 43 in |
| Second-row legroom | — | 39.5 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | — | 3,700 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | — | 3,700 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | — | 5,027 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | — | MacPherson-type struts, lower L-arms, coil springs, dampers, stabilizer bar, hydraulic engine mounts |
| Rear suspension type | — | Double wishbone, coil springs, dampers, stabilizer bar |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | — | Electric Power Assisted Rack-and-Pinion (Dual Pinion) |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | — | 36.5 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | — | 315 mm |
| Front brake type | — | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | — | electronic |
| Rear brake diameter | — | 300 mm |
| Rear brake type | — | ventilated disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | — | 18 in |
| Wheel material | — | alloy |
| Wheel width | — | 7 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | — | 225/60R18 100H |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | — | 18 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | — | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | — | MySubaru Companion |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | — | 60 months |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | — | 57.9 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | — | 57.4 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
75 features · differences first, then sharedSafety24 differ · 24 listed
| Feature | Kia Sorento | Subaru OutbackBase AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Adaptive Cruise Control w/Lane Centering | — | std |
| Auto Vehicle Hold | — | std |
| Auto Vehicle Shut Down | — | std |
| Automatic Emergency Steering | — | std |
| Blind Spot Warning | — | std |
| Brake Assist | — | std |
| DriverFocus® Driver Monitoring System | — | std |
| Emergency Lane Keep Assist | — | std |
| Emergency Stop Assist | — | std |
| EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology | — | std |
| Lane Change Assist | — | std |
| Lane Departure & Lane Sway Warning | — | std |
| Lead Vehicle Start Alert | — | std |
| Passenger Airbag ON / OFF Indicator | — | std |
| Pre-Collision Braking, Follow Distance Warning, and Throttle Management | — | std |
| Rear Cross-Traffic Warning | — | std |
| Rear Radar Detection Sensors | — | std |
| Rear Seat Reminder | — | std |
| Rear-Vision Camera | — | std |
| Reverse Automatic Braking | — | std |
| Seatbelt: Driver's Warning Light & Chime | — | std |
| Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) with electronic traction control (TCS) and rollover sensors | — | std |
| Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) with electronic traction control (TCS) and rollover sensors | — | std |
| Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) with electronic traction control (TCS) and rollover sensors | — | std |
Infotainment10 differ · 10 listed
| Feature | Kia Sorento | Subaru OutbackBase AWD |
|---|---|---|
| 6-speaker system | — | std |
| AM/FM Stereo HD Radio® | — | std |
| Bluetooth® Audio Streaming, Hands-Free Phone Connectivity, SMS Text Messaging | — | std |
| MySubaru Companion (5-Year Free Trial/Subscription Required After): SOS Emergency Assistance, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Advanced Automatic Collision Notification, Maintenance Notifications, Diagnostic Alerts, Vehicle Condition Check, Vehicle Health Report, Service Appointment Scheduler, Remote Vehicle Locator, Stolen Vehicle Recovery and Immobilization | — | opt |
| MySubaru Companion+ (Subscription Required): Remote Engine Start w/Remote Climate Controls, Remote Lock, Unlock, Horn and Lights; Curfew, Boundary and Speed Alerts; Valet Mode w/Password Reset, Pin, and Speed Alert; Trip Logs; Driving Journal; MySubaru Personal Assistant | — | opt |
| Paddle Shift Control | — | std |
| SiriusXM with 360L (4 Month Free Trial / Subscription required after) | — | opt |
| Subaru 12.1-inch Multimedia System | — | std |
| Voice Activated Controls | — | std |
| Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ | — | std |
Convenience4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Kia Sorento | Subaru OutbackBase AWD |
|---|---|---|
| 12-Volt Power Outlet | — | std |
| Door Handles: w/ Driver & Front Passenger Door Unlock/Lock Sensor | — | std |
| Illuminated Engine Start / Stop Switch | — | std |
| Keyless Access w/ Push Button Start | — | std |
Seating7 differ · 7 listed
| Feature | Kia Sorento | Subaru OutbackBase AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Heated Front Seats (All-Weather Package) | — | std |
| 6-way Manual Driver's Seat | — | std |
| 10-way Power Driver's Seat (includes 2-way Power Lumbar Support) | — | std |
| Black Cloth Upholstery | — | std |
| Rear Seatback 60/40 split | — | std |
| Reclining Seatback | — | std |
| Whiplash Reducing Front Seats | — | std |
Interior8 differ · 8 listed
| Feature | Kia Sorento | Subaru OutbackBase AWD |
|---|---|---|
| 12.3-inch full digital instrument display | — | std |
| Center Dash Panel: Black Tricot Cloth (No Stitch) | — | std |
| Cord Management Clip | — | std |
| Rear Seatback and Cargo Floor (Carpeted) | — | std |
| Rear Seatback Release Levers | — | std |
| Soft Grip Urethane Steering Wheel | — | std |
| Welcome Lighting | — | std |
| Rear View Mirror: Day / Night | — | std |
Exterior18 differ · 18 listed
| Feature | Kia Sorento | Subaru OutbackBase AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Door Handles: Body Color | — | std |
| Front Badge: Subaru 6 Star Logo | — | std |
| Front Grille: Black Insert Material w/ Black Accent | — | std |
| Heated Power Exterior Mirrors (All-Weather Package) | — | std |
| LED Fog Lights | — | std |
| LED Steering Responsive Headlights w/Automatic High Beams | — | std |
| Power Mirrors: Black | — | std |
| Rear Badge / Black: OUTBACK | — | std |
| Rear Badge / Black: SYMMETRICAL AWD | — | std |
| Rear Badge: 6 Star Logo | — | std |
| Rear Bumper Trailer Hitch Cover | — | std |
| Roof Rail Tie Down Points: Black Finish | — | std |
| Roof Rails: Raised Ladder Type: Black finish w/ Black finish End Mount Accent Covers and Crossbar | — | std |
| Side Cladding Letter Imprint: SYMMETRICAL AWD | — | std |
| Sound Insulating Windshield | — | std |
| Wheel Arch & Side Cladding: Black | — | std |
| Windshield Wiper De-Icer (All-Weather Package) | — | std |
| Rear Roof Spoiler: Body Color w/ Black Edge & End Panels | — | std |
Powertrain2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Kia Sorento | Subaru OutbackBase AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive | — | std |
| X-MODE® Single-Mode System with Hill Descent Control | — | std |
Cargo2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Kia Sorento | Subaru OutbackBase AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Sub-floor Cargo Area Storage Cover | — | std |
| Sub-floor Tire Repair Kit | — | std |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPKia Sorento
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Subaru Outback
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Kia Sorento | Subaru OutbackBase AWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — | $32,995 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | — | $32,995 – $46,595 7 trims |
| Powertrains | HEV, GAS | GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | Sorento Hybrid FWD | Outback AWD |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 37 | 27 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $1,800 | $2,500 |
| 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 2027 Kia Sorento or the 2027 Subaru Outback?
The Kia Sorento wins clearly, 100 to 88.1, on fuel & range. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2027 Kia Sorento scores 100 and the 2027 Subaru Outback 88.1. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which has the better safety record, the 2027 Kia Sorento or the 2027 Subaru Outback?
2027 Kia Sorento: no NHTSA rating yet, grade A, 0 recalls. 2027 Subaru Outback: no NHTSA rating yet, grade A, 0 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 2027 Kia Sorento and the 2027 Subaru Outback?
Where the 2027 Kia Sorento wins: it costs $700 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,800 against $2,500) and is rated 37 combined against 27 (EPA mpg or MPGe). What they share: a Safety Signal of 100.