More and more buyers want vehicles that can carry and hold more and more. Of course, they also want them to look good. Of course, many people immediately choose an SUV if they need a lot of space. With the 2024 Kia Sorento and 2024 Mazda CX-90, you get vehicles that can do multiple jobs and look good doing it.
Let’s see how these three-row midsize SUVs perform.
2024 Kia Sorento
While more space is helpful, not everyone needs the largest 3-row SUV available. For buyers who occasionally need a third row, there’s the 2024 Kia Sorento.
If you have two children and want to bring each of them a friend to an event, the Kia Sorento is your vehicle. There is not an excessive amount of space, but neither is an excessively high price. However, it has all the good features that you would expect from top vehicles in this segment.
While the base model is powered by a 191 hp 4-cylinder engine, an additional 90 hp is available for a little more money. Adding the turbocharger increases power to 281 horsepower, but average EPA-estimated combined fuel economy drops just a small mpg, from 26 mpg to 25 mpg. It is also available with all-wheel drive (AWD). Hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants of the Sorento are on the list but are not part of this comparison. Prices start at $33,365, including destination charges.
Kia Sorento highlights
Security suite: The standard Kia Drive Wise safety technology suite on every Sorento includes automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, driver attention warning and more.
Great place: It’s a fairly roomy space – at least until the third row is used – but higher trim levels also offer quilted leather seats, open-pore wood and light satin finishes for reasonable money.
X-line: The X-Line models in the Kia Sorento range offer a robust appearance with an extra inch of ground clearance, practical roof rails and unique wheels and bumpers. They all come standard with torque vectoring all-wheel drive for added performance.
Check out this week’s Fair purchase price or watch this Sorento models near you.
2024 Mazda CX-90
The all-new Mazda CX-90 is possibly the greatest and most luxurious vehicle ever – plus it can accommodate up to eight passengers – one more than the Sorento’s maximum capacity. This new flagship SUV is also available as a plug-in hybrid, although it’s not part of this comparison.
While the exterior design is impressive, it’s inside that the CX-90 really shines. The infotainment system has a 10.25-inch or 12.3-inch screen depending on the equipment and is primarily configured and controlled via a button in the center console.
The CX-90 is offered in eight trim levels. Prices start at $39,220, including destination charges.
Mazda CX-90 highlights
Turbo 6-cylinder engine: Mazda has equipped the CX-90 with a 3.3-liter inline 6-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 280 horsepower. However, step up to the range-topping version and the ponies increase to 340bhp of fuel when using premium unleaded petrol.
Spaciousness: The new model features an open, minimalist, modern cabin. The design team left a reasonable number of buttons and dials so you don’t lose your mind.
Simple technology: The infotainment system features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wireless on upper trim levels), as well as Mazda Connect, which includes voice control for the infotainment system, Pandora integration and automatic emergency notifications.
Check out this week’s Fair purchase price or watch this CX-90 models near you.
similarities
The Kia Sorento and Mazda CX-90 offer three rows of seating, attractive exterior design and numerous safety and comfort technologies.
Diploma
The Kia Sorento and Mazda CX-90 are both three-row SUVs, but the CX-90 – new for 2024 – is larger and roomier inside. With the entire interior, the Mazda is almost a luxury vehicle. The disadvantage? It’s about $6,000 more expensive. If you regularly need three-row seating and want a 6-cylinder engine, the price may be worth it. If not, then the Kia Sorento could be right for you, especially if you want to secure Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
| 2024 Kia Sorento | 2024 Mazda CX-90 | |
| Starting price | $33,365 | $39,220 |
| Popular powertrains | ||
| engine | 2.5 liter 4 cylinder | 3.3 liter turbo 6 cylinder |
| Horsepower | 191 hp at 6,100 rpm | 280 hp at 5,000 rpm |
| Torque | 195 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm | 332 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm |
| transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Fuel consumption | 24 city/29 highway/26 combined mpg | 24 city/28 highway/25 mpg combined |
| Also available | 2.5 liter turbo; Hybrid; PHEV | 340 hp 6-cylinder turbo engine; PHEV |
| Specifications | ||
| Basic guarantee | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Total Safety | 5 Stars | 5 Stars |
| Maximum seating capacity | 7 | 8th |
| wheelbase | 110.8 inches | 122.8 inches |
| overall length | 189.0 inches | 201.6 inches |
| Width | 74.8 inches | 77.6 inches |
| Height | 66.7 inches | 68.2 inches |
| turning diameter | 37.9 feet | 38.1 feet |
| Front headroom | 40.3 inches | 39.7 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd row | 39.1 inches | 39.3 inches |
| Headroom, 3rd row | 36.8 inches | 36.9 inches |
| Front legroom | 41.4 inches | 41.7 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd row | 41.7 inches | 39.4 inches |
| Legroom, 3rd row | 29.6 inches | 30.4 inches |
| Shoulder room at the front | 59.1 inches | 59.2 inches |
| Shoulder room, 2nd row | 58.1 inches | 58.1 inches |
| Shoulder room, 3rd row | 53.0 inches | 53.3 inches |
| Freight volume | 12.6 cubic feet | 14.9 cubic feet |