Kia Sorento vs. Sportage Size
1. Introduction
To understand how size matters, we need to establish what exactly defines the term size in terms of a truck or automobile. There are many vehicles and cars nowadays which have different shapes, based on models of old and new, based on countries, etc. However, these are almost always divided into 4 categories: small cars, medium cars, large cars, and 4x4s/sport utility vehicles. To help understand how these differ, we can compare the Kia Rio (small car), the Kia Magentis (medium car), and the Kia Sorento (4x4). A notable difference between cars of the same model is width and length. Cars and models are often remodeled to increase a wider and longer base. This is to help improve vehicle stability, grip, and cabin space. More width and length in a vehicle give a better chassis and weight distribution, thus making a vehicle more stable and easier to handle. In contrast, weight and height are significant factors in the difference between types of vehicles. A vehicle with a bigger weight and height off the ground will be good for off-road use because it will have better ground clearance, and being lightweight gives good fuel efficiency. Despite what has been said, car sizes are notably similar and differences are hard to distinguish. For example, there isn't much difference between a recent model Honda Civic and a Honda CR-V, but the Civic is a medium car and the CR-V is a 4x4. Higher-end models in the large car range are often convertibles or luxury cars. The most significant difference in car size is medium cars to small 4x4s and small to medium/large SUVs. [1][2][3][4][5]
Today, the Kia Sorento and Kia Sportage are among the most popular car models in the United Kingdom. Both can be termed as credible and practical trucks. It can be seen that often times in car reviews all over the internet, car experts tend to compare and criticize car size. Like in this review found at [insert website], but what are the advantages of one truck being bigger or smaller? How can size affect the truck capabilities? These are some of the arguments that some customers may have when they are considering to buy either the Kia Sorento or the Kia Sportage. Now let's find out the significance of these questions. In this case, we are examining the differences between these two truck sizes and how these significantly affect the truck capabilities. This review can give a potentially new truck buyer an insight as to what truck size is more suitable for them. Learn More: Kia technological edge.
2. Size Comparison
- One way the Kia Sorento and Sportage are different is the size of the vehicles. The Sorento is significantly larger than the Sportage. This difference is due to the fact that the Sorento is a midsize SUV while the Sportage is a compact SUV. The 2008 Sorento is 6.3 inches longer, 2.3 inches wider, and 3 inches taller than the 2008 Sportage. The only dimension that is similar between the two vehicles is the wheelbase. The wheelbase is the measurement from the center of the front wheel to the center of the back wheel. The wheelbase of the Sorento is 5 inches longer than the Sportage wheelbase. This increase in size gives the Sorento a more stable ride compared to the Sportage. Stating on the stability of the vehicles, the government crash test ratings give the Sorento 5 stars and the Sportage only 4 stars. With these measurements and crash test ratings, it is easy to see that the Sorento is the more stable and safer ride compared to the Sportage. The next reason for the size difference between the two vehicles is the interior space offered. The larger size of the Sorento gives it the ability to hold 7 passengers where the Sportage only holds 5. The Sportage also has less cargo area compared to the Sorento. This is an important factor for people who want a vehicle that has plenty of room for passengers and the ability to haul items compared to vehicles that only have enough room for the driver.
2.1. Exterior Dimensions
Exterior dimensions are way too generically compare two vehicles, but it is a good starting point. The Sportage is 8.1" shorter in length, 0.6" shorter in width, and 3.2" shorter in height than the Sorento. This results in over 6" less front overhang and 7" less rear overhang. Couple this with a tighter turning radius, and the Sportage might have the edge getting around tight spots. The Sorento and Sportage both share the same wheelbase, 106.3". This is interesting because the Sorento is considered a mid-size crossover while the Sportage is considered a compact crossover. Comparing these vehicles to others in the same class yields conflicting results. It seems wheelbase is one of the primary factors determining vehicle class. To be honest, I was a bit surprised with that finding! A longer wheelbase usually equates to a better ride and more interior room. Wheelbase length will be the subject of a future post! Lastly, both new Kias have ground clearance near 7.5", while the Sorento has a bit more and the Sportage a bit less. Less ground clearance may compromise off-road capability, but will actually aid in on-road driving dynamics since the center of gravity will be lower.
2.2. Interior Space
Compared to the Sorento, the Sportage offers less room for passengers in every respect. The front is tight due to limited head and leg space and chair height. There is adequate room for smaller adults and children in the rear. Like the Sorento, the second row is 60/40 split, and the Sportage provides a fold-flat function. With the rear seats folded, the Sportage offers 66.3 cubic feet of cargo space. Though neither model offers especially cavernous space, the Sorento's larger dimensions offer a more comfortable environment for passengers and more cargo capacity. This makes the Sorento a superior choice for family duties.
As I have already mentioned, the Kia Sorento is larger in every respect when compared to the Sportage. Therefore, it should not be surprising that, because of its larger dimensions, the Sorento has a more spacious interior. None of the Kia's interior dimensions are especially large for the class, which can be attributed to the packaging compromise made necessary to accommodate the third-row seat. That said, the Sorento's interior is quite roomy. The front offers plenty of head and legroom, and the chair height allows for easy ingress and egress. The second row is also comfortable, and there is plenty of room for adults. The optional third-row seat, on the other hand, is a child-only affair. It's best suited for pre-teens and younger, and only for short trips. Entry to the third row is made easy by a spring-loaded mechanism that moves the second-row seat out of the way at the pull of a lever. The third row is split 50/50 and can be folded for additional cargo space. When the second and third rows are folded, the Sorento offers 72.5 cubic feet of cargo space.
3. Practicality and Versatility
Now compare the seating of the two, and things become more complicated. Both models offer 2 seats at the front, and the 2nd row of seats is where the difference is made. The Sorento offers a 3-seater bench with a 40:20:40 split configuration, whereas the Sportage has a slightly less versatile 2nd row, split 60:40 or 2 individual seats with a lever to aid access to the 3rd row. This gives the Sorento 7-seater capacity compared to the 5 of the Sportage. The 3rd row of seats (standard in New Zealand Sorento, compared to the optional in other countries) has a 50:50 split and flips up from the boot floor. This option of the 3rd row of seats is one that is not available on many SUVs in this price range and is a huge advantage for those with a large or expanding family.
With the folding down of the 2nd row of seats until the SUV becomes a 2-seater, the Sorento has a much larger space to utilize, and this could be a deal closer for buyers who need the extra cargo space. Another point to consider is the minimum ground-to-floor space with the 2nd row of seats folded. The Kia Sorento has a considerably larger area compared to the Sportage, which again is an important factor when fitting larger objects. These figures show that for potential buyers who count cargo space as a major requirement for a new vehicle, the Sorento would be a more practical purchase.
Cargo capacity is a significant factor for most SUV buyers and, in this respect, the Sorento is the clear winner of the two. The Sorento offers a cargo capacity of 554 liters (to window) with the 5-seater model and a massive 813 liters for the 2-seater configuration. Kia Sportage, on the other hand, offers only 465 liters in total, including the underfloor storage area. This offers 116 liters more than the previous model's 351-liter cargo capacity. With the rear seats folded, the Kia Sorento allows for 1,530 liters of cargo space, compared to the Sportage's 1,353 liters. Both vehicles offer a 6:4 split for the 2nd row of seats.
3.1. Cargo Capacity
3.2. Seating Options The Sorento, as mentioned, is a 7-seater, with the rear two seats folding flat into the floor. The second row of seating can be folded flat into the floor also and pushed forward to create extra space for the third row of seating. The second and third rows of seating are split 60:40 so they can be used to carry long or tall items and still carry rear passengers. The Sportage only has a 5-seater option.
The Kia Sorento is a 5-door SUV, and it is larger than the Sportage. This means it has more room for the boot, and because the Sorento is a 7-seater vehicle, the rear seats can be folded to the floor to create a flat load area at the back. A space saver wheel is standard for the Sorento, so a full-size wheel will take up that much more boot area. The Kia Sportage is a 5-seater and has a smaller capacity. Both vehicles offer a two-stage floor for additional storage of items, although in the Sorento this is optional. In both models, the load space is practical with near-vertical sides providing maximum use of space.
3.2. Seating Options
Seating options are the Kia Sorento's strength, with seating for five or seven. The 60/40 split-folding second row seats also slide to allow easy entry to the third row. The 40/20/40 split-folding second row for the Sportage also slides and makes it child's play for rear seat access. The Sorento can be configured with a 50/50 split third row, or in the case of the V6 LX and all EX or EX V6 models, they come standard with the third row. Initially, this may seem like a good idea, but the third row is really best suited for kids. An interesting note is that the five-cylinder LX model does not come with a third row option, and the upcoming FWD Sorento with the four-cylinder, with a base price of $20,000, will not be available with these seating configurations at all. 50/50 split-folding rear seats are standard on all Sportage trims. Both vehicles are also available with optional leather seats. The aforementioned four-cylinder Sorento is only available with cloth, as is the front-wheel drive V6. Leather seating is standard on the LX V6 and EX front-wheel drive, and it can be added to the EX V6 and Sorento V6 LX with the luxury package. Kia noted as a key strength for both of these vehicles is the use of easily cleaned materials for the seats, so they are ideal cars for parents and pet owners. [6][7][8][9]
3.3. Storage Solutions
Within the Sorento, the customary YES Essentials treated cloth interior makes cleanups easy and resistant to stains. There are many useful storage areas throughout the vehicle to help families on the go, with an under-rear-cargo-floor storage compartment for additional storage space to keep items separated from the rest of the cargo area. Other storage areas include a dual-layer glove box with a cooled lower bin to keep beverages, large center console storage, and rear door and side panel storage bins. The Sportage has an abundance of storage areas as well, made of easy-to-clean materials to cater to active, on-the-go lifestyles.
The storage solutions found within the cabin of both the Sorento and Sportage are two of the most remarkable attributes featured in Kia's line of SUVs. Each of these models is carefully designed for a driver to cater to the needs of their lifestyle and, though remarkably different, each vehicle offers an excellent storage solution for its size. The Sorento is perfect for large families or those with full carloads, whereas the Sportage finds a niche for singles or couples who have an active lifestyle. Reconfigurable seating (Sorento) and flat folding seats (Sportage) make it easy to transform the interior of each vehicle to optimize the use of available storage space.
4. Conclusion
It is logical that the Sorento is larger than the Sportage. Not only is the Sorento higher up in the Kia line-up, but it is also a 7-seater vehicle, whereas the Sportage is just a 5-seater. There are many people who can only afford a Sorento budget and own a horse that they need to transport. Usually, the only option is a 4x4, and the horse owners have recently been buying Land Rover Discoveries and Mitsubishi Shoguns. A Sorento would be perfect for this application, as it is able to 4x4 where the Shogun can go, and with its towing ability of 3,500 lbs, the Sorento can trailer the horse and trailer, unlike the Discovery. This is just one example to show that the Sorento would be better for transportation, towing, and, above all, off-road ability than a Sportage. As can be seen, size is a very important factor to look at when buying a vehicle. If the buyer is a businessman who needs a vehicle just for a bit of off-road and winter driving, the Sportage would be fine. But with it being short on space and lacking in towing ability, off-road performance, and build quality for those wanting a 4x4, the Sportage may end up being just a more expensive version of what the buyer had beforehand, a high-up hatchback. The Sorento would be suitable for anyone needing a 4x4, with the exceptions of those who need serious 4x4s able to endure farm tracks and tough terrain where a Sorento would be at risk of panel scratches and dents!
References:
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