Compare the2026 Kia SorentoVS 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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Both the Sorento and Outlander have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Sorento has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Outlander’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Kia Sorento achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Mitsubishi Outlander has not been tested.

Both the Sorento and Outlander have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Sorento has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Outlander’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Sorento and the Outlander have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Sorento is much safer than the Outlander:

	Sorento	Outlander
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	MARGINAL

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Kia Sorento is safer than the Outlander:

	Sorento	Outlander
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	64	171
Neck Tension	178 lbs.	201 lbs.
Neck Compression	-89 lbs.	67 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Torso Max Deflection	1.14 in	1.46 in
Torso Deflection Rate	7 MPH	8 MPH
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	959 lbs.	1071 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	68	132
Neck Compression	-67 lbs.	89 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Force	134 lbs.	156 lbs.
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	580 lbs.	647 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Sorento is 2% to 3.9% less likely to roll over than the Outlander.

The Kia Sorento has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Outlander is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Warranty

There are almost 3 times as many Kia dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Sorento’s warranty.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Sorento has a standard 150-amp alternator. The Outlander’s 120-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Sorento has a standard 760-amp battery. The Outlander’s 720-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in initial quality. With 41 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in long-term dependability. With 6 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mitsubishi is rated below average.

Engine

The Sorento LX/S’ standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 10 more horsepower (191 vs. 181) than the Outlander’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Sorento EX/SX’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 100 more horsepower (281 vs. 181) and 130 lbs.-ft. more torque (311 vs. 181) than the Outlander’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Sorento EX/SX 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Mitsubishi Outlander:

	Sorento	Outlander
Zero to 30 MPH	2.6 sec	3.7 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	6.5 sec	9.9 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	3.9 sec	5.5 sec
Quarter Mile	14.9 sec	17.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	99 MPH	83 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Sorento’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Outlander doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Sorento has 3.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander (17.7 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

The Sorento stops shorter than the Outlander:

	Sorento	Outlander
60 to 0 MPH	115 feet	117 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

The Sorento has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Outlander; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The Sorento has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Outlander doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sorento’s wheelbase is 4.3 inches longer than on the Outlander (110.8 inches vs. 106.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Sorento is 2 inches wider in the front and 2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Outlander.

The Sorento X-Line SX Prestige executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Outlander SEL AWC (26.5 seconds @ .67 average G’s vs. 27.4 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

Passenger Space

The Sorento has 1.6 inches more front hip room, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room, 1.8 inches more rear legroom, 1.8 inches more rear hip room, 2.2 inches more rear shoulder room, 2.3 inches more third row headroom, 10.9 inches more third row legroom, .4 inches more third row hip room and 1.8 inches more third row shoulder room than the Outlander.

Cargo Capacity

The Sorento’s cargo area provides more volume than the Outlander.

	Sorento	Outlander
Behind Third Seat	12.6 cubic feet	10.9 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	38.5 cubic feet	30.6 cubic feet
Third Seat Removed	45 cubic feet	n/a
Second Seat Folded	75.5 cubic feet	64.3 cubic feet

The Sorento has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The Outlander doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Sorento. The Outlander doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

Maximum trailer towing in the Mitsubishi Outlander is limited to 2000 pounds. The Sorento offers up to a 4500 lbs. towing capacity.

Ergonomics

The power windows standard on both the Sorento and the Outlander have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Sorento is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Outlander prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

On a hot day the Sorento’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Outlander can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Sorento’s standard Smart Key allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Pushbutton Start standard on the Outlander only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle. Pushbutton Start is not available on the Outlander SE/SEL/Platinum.

The Sorento’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Outlander’s power window, power lock and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Sorento’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mitsubishi only offers heated mirrors on the Outlander SE/SEL/Platinum.

The Sorento Prestige has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Outlander doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Kia Sorento and the Mitsubishi Outlander, based on reliability, safety and performance.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its December 2021 issue and they ranked the Kia Sorento X-Line SX Prestige higher than the Mitsubishi Outlander SEL AWC.

The Kia Sorento outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander by 76% during 2024.

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