Compare the2023 Volkswagen AtlasVS 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid

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

Safety

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The Atlas has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Atlas offers optional Maneuver Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Atlas SEL Premium has a standard Area View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Sorento Hybrid only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the Atlas and the Sorento Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and lane departure warning systems.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volkswagen Atlas is safer than the Kia Sorento Hybrid:

	Atlas	Sorento Hybrid
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	307	334
Leg Forces (l/r)	67/229 lbs.	212/405 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	277	390
Neck Injury Risk	39%	53%
Neck Stress	129 lbs.	159 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Volkswagen Atlas is safer than the Kia Sorento Hybrid:

	Atlas	Sorento Hybrid
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	14 inches	15 inches
HIC	279	280

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

The Atlas’ corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Sorento Hybrid’s (7/100,000 vs. 5/100,000).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Atlas for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Sorento Hybrid.

Reliability

The Volkswagen Atlas’ engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the Sorento Hybrid’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

Engine

The Atlas’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 8 more horsepower (235 vs. 227) than the Sorento Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Atlas’ optional 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 49 more horsepower (276 vs. 227) and 8 lbs.-ft. more torque (266 vs. 258) than the Sorento Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Volkswagen Atlas V6 is faster than the Kia Sorento Hybrid:

	Atlas	Sorento Hybrid
Zero to 60 MPH	7.3 sec	8.4 sec
Quarter Mile	15.6 sec	16.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	90.8 MPH	87.2 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Atlas has almost a gallon more fuel capacity than the Sorento Hybrid (18.6 vs. 17.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Volkswagen Atlas, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Sorento Hybrid.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Atlas’ front brake rotors are larger than those on the Sorento Hybrid:

	Atlas	Sorento Hybrid
Front Rotors	13.2 inches	12.8 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Atlas has larger standard tires than the Sorento Hybrid (245/60R18 vs. 235/65R17). The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sorento Hybrid (265/45R21 vs. 235/65R17).

The Atlas’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sorento Hybrid S’ standard 65 series tires. The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Sorento Hybrid EX’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Atlas has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Sorento Hybrid S. The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s 21-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the Sorento Hybrid EX.

Suspension and Handling

The Atlas’ drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Atlas’ wheelbase is 6.5 inches longer than on the Sorento Hybrid (117.3 inches vs. 110.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Atlas is 2 inches wider in the front and 2.2 inches wider in the rear than on the Sorento Hybrid.

The Atlas SEL 4Motion handles at .84 G’s, while the Sorento Hybrid EX pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Atlas SEL 4Motion executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Sorento Hybrid EX (27.1 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 27.7 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Atlas 2.0T has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Sorento Hybrid (7.1 vs. 6.85 inches), allowing the Atlas to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Atlas V6’s minimum ground clearance is .65 inch higher than on the Sorento Hybrid (7.5 vs. 6.85 inches).

Passenger Space

The Atlas has standard seating for 7 passengers; the Sorento Hybrid can only carry 6.

The Atlas has 48.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Sorento Hybrid (153.7 vs. 105.3).

The Atlas has 1 inch more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, 2.6 inches more front hip room, 2.4 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, 2.9 inches more rear hip room, 2.7 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.5 inches more third row headroom, 4.1 inches more third row legroom, 2.6 inches more third row hip room and 1.9 inches more third row shoulder room than the Sorento Hybrid.

Cargo Capacity

The Atlas’ cargo area provides more volume than the Sorento Hybrid.

	Atlas	Sorento Hybrid
Behind Third Seat	20.6 cubic feet	12.6 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	55.5 cubic feet	38.5 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	96.8 cubic feet	75.5 cubic feet

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Atlas easier. The Atlas’ cargo hatch lift-over height is 29.7 inches, while the Sorento Hybrid’s liftover is 31.7 inches.

The Atlas’ cargo area is larger than the Sorento Hybrid’s in every dimension:

	Atlas	Sorento Hybrid
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	23.8”/53”/85”	15.5”/42.5”/76.5”
Max Width	61.6”	54”
Min Width	45”	42.4”
Height	37.5”	33”

Towing

Maximum trailer towing in the Kia Sorento Hybrid is limited to 2000 pounds. The Atlas offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The Atlas uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Sorento 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.

Ergonomics

When three different drivers share the Atlas SEL, the memory system makes it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Atlas’ front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Sorento Hybrid’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Atlas the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Sorento Hybrid can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Atlas’ rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Sorento Hybrid’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Atlas SEL to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Atlas offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Atlas SEL also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Atlas to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the Atlas SEL is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Sorento Hybrid’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Atlas and the Sorento Hybrid have standard heated front seats. The Atlas SEL Premium also has standard heated second row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated second row seats aren’t available in the Sorento Hybrid.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Atlas SEL Premium keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Atlas SEL’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Atlas offers an optional 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 Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Atlas SEL Premium’s 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 Hybrid doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Volkswagen Atlas, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Volkswagen Atlas outsold the Kia Sorento by 63% during the 2021 model year.

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