If you’re looking for a versatile SUV that won’t break the bank, we suggest you look closely at the 2024 Kia Sorento and 2024 Chevrolet Equinox. These popular midsize crossovers have earned plenty of honors. Both SUVs are affordable, tech-forward, and attractive. One is a 2-row, and the other is a 3-row, so which is right for you may depend on how many seats you require.
Let’s take a closer look at these two vehicles.
2024 Kia Sorento
The 2024 Kia Sorento is a bit of a ’tweener in terms of size, somewhere between a compact and a midsize, giving it just enough space to include an optional third row. The extra seating is not necessary, but it’s handy to have.
The third row is designed to haul smaller people for shorter runs. It’s not a huge space, but it’s big enough to be useful. It also means you don’t have to pay large SUV prices for occasional convenience. Plus, it has all the good things expected of top vehicles in the segment.
While the base model comes powered by a 191-horsepower 4-cylinder, you can get another 90 hp for a bit more money. Adding a turbocharger pushes the output to 281 hp, but the average EPA-estimated combined fuel economy drops from 26 mpg to 23 mpg in combined city and highway driving. The turbocharged Sorento is available with all-wheel drive (AWD) as well. A hybrid and plug-in hybrid are on the roster but not part of this comparison. Prices start at $33,365, including destination charges.
Kia Sorento Highlights
Class-leading warranty: The Kia Sorento gives the driver peace of mind with class-leading warranty coverage. It boasts a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
X-Line: The X-Line models in the Kia Sorento lineup add a rugged appearance package with an extra inch of ground clearance, high-utility roof rails, and unique wheels and bumpers and come standard with torque-vectoring all-wheel drive for added capability.
Drive Wise: Standard on every Kia Sorento, it’s a suite of safety technology that includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, driver attention warning, and more.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Sorento models near you.
2024 Chevrolet Equinox
The Chevrolet Equinox is a 2-row SUV with big sales numbers. With simple, clean exterior styling, a spacious interior, current technology, good fuel economy, and an affordable price, it’s not a surprise it’s popular.
The cabin offers ample space for five people, and the styling is uncomplicated. A third-row seat is not available on the Equinox. An all-new 2025 Chevy Equinox is on the way, and we think it’ll be worth the wait.
Powered by a capable 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine putting out 175 hp through a 6-speed automatic, the Equinox gets good gas mileage, an EPA-estimated 28 combined mpg. The Equinox has four trim packages: LS, LT, RS, and Premier. Pricing begins at $27,995, including destination charges. You can upgrade to AWD on any trim level for $1,600.
Chevrolet Equinox Highlights
Special editions: While Equinox’s exterior styling may be aging, upgrading to the Midnight Edition or Redline Edition appearance packages injects a dose of excitement.
Confidence & Convenience Package: This package is standard on all but the base LS trim and features a power liftgate, remote start, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and safety tech features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
Chevy Safety Assist: This suite of advanced driver assistance technology features automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, a following distance indicator, and automatic high beams.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Equinox models near you.
Similarities
The Kia Sorento and Chevy Equinox base engines have comparable performance and efficiency specs, and both SUVs are nicely equipped with modern safety and infotainment features.
Conclusion
If you can benefit from 3-row seating, the Kia Sorento is the one to get, and the class-leading warranty is a big selling point. If you’d rather save a few bucks at the dealership and get better fuel economy, the Chevy Equinox is a competent SUV, albeit not as modern as the refreshed 2024 Sorento.
| 2024 Kia Sorento | 2024 Chevrolet Equinox | |
| Starting Price | $33,365 | $27,995 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | 1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 191 hp @ 6,100 rpm | 175 hp @ 5,600 rpm |
| Torque | 195 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 203 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 6-speed automatic |
| Fuel Economy | 23 city/31 highway/26 combined mpg | 26 city/31 highway/28 combined |
| Also Available | 2.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder, Hybrid, PHEV, AWD | AWD |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | N/R | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 7 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 110.8 inches | 107.3 inches |
| Overall Length | 189.6 inches | 183.1 inches |
| Width | 74.8 inches | 72.6 inches |
| Height | 66.7 inches | 65.4 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 37.9 feet | 37.4 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.3 inches | 40.0 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 39.1 inches | 38.5 inches |
| Headroom, 3rd Row | 36.8 inches | N/A |
| Legroom, Front | 41.4 inches | 40.9 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 41.7 inches | 39.9 inches |
| Legroom, 3rd Row | 29.6 inches | N/A |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 59.1 inches | 57.2 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 58.1 inches | 55.5 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 3rd Row | 53.0 inches | N/A |
| Cargo Volume | 12.6/38.5/75.5 cubic feet | 29.9/63.9 cubic feet |
