Are you looking for a reliable vehicle with three rows of seats to fit your entire family? Well, the dream would to probably be to haul them around in a Chevy Tahoe. However, those massive beasts can be annoying to park, and they’re pretty expensive. 

Two sleeker models, the Kia Sorento and Nissan Pathfinder are more convenient options to drive with family-friendly prices, but which one is better? 

The Nissan Pathfinder VS. The Kia Sorrento 

When comparing these two great SUV options, let’s start by evaluating price. 

• The Nissan Pathfinder starts around $31k 
• The Kia Sorento starts around $26k 

So right from the start, we can see that the Kia Sorento is the cheaper option to buy, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it has a lower quality build. 

The Sorento has a slightly better fuel economy than the Pathfinder. The Sorento gets an average of up to 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. 

The Pathfinder only gets up to an average of 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. However, this difference is extremely minimal. 

SUV Power 

The Nissan Pathfinder comes with ample power. Its 3.5-Liter V6 engine produces 248 horsepower and 240 lb-ft torque. The Pathfinder can tow up to 6,000 lb, making it an excellent option for hauling campers. 

The Kia Sorento has two engine options. The base model comes with a 2.4-Liter four-cylinder engine that provides 185 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. The next engine option is a 3.4-Liter V6 engine that pumps out 290 horsepower and 252 lb-ft of torque.

The Sorento can tow between 2,00 to 5,000 lb depending on which engine you choose. Therefore, if you don’t need to haul a lot of more substantial items, saving with the 2.4L could be a good option. 

One crucial aspect to consider is the fact that the Nissan Pathfinder is available with 4×4, while the Kia Sorrento only offers AWD. 

All-wheel drive is excellent for driving in snow and down dirt rods to campgrounds, but being a true 4×4 vehicle makes the Pathfinder much more capable. 

Comfort And Convenience

Both the Pathfinder and Sorento have similar amounts of space in the front driver and passenger seats. However, the Pathfinder is praised for having more leg and headroom in the rear seats. 

Behind the third row of seats, the Pathfinder has up to 16 cubic feet of cargo space. When the seats are folded down, you can access up to 79 cubic feet of cargo space. 

The Kia Sorento has 11.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row of seats and 73 cubic feet of cargo space when the seats are folded down. 

So, if you need more space, especially when all of the seats are filled, the Pathfinder is the better option. 

Because the Kia Sorento has a smaller turning radius and slimmer design, it’s being praised for being great around town. It’s easy to maneuver into tight parking spaces and crowded lots. 

Despite being slightly smaller, the Kia Sorento is rated for having a nicer interior. However, both vehicles are similar in terms of tech. The Sorento has a 7” infotainment center while the Pathfinder has an 8” one. 

When it comes to picking between these two vehicles, ask yourself what you need. If you need more space and power, then go with the Pathfinder. Otherwise, you can save a few thousands with the capable Kia Sorento.