Kia Sorento vs Subaru Ascent
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2027 Subaru Ascent
Overview
| Spec | Kia SorentoLX | Subaru AscentPremium |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | LX | Premium |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2026 | 2027 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Kia SorentoLX | Subaru AscentPremium |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $32,190 (best) | $40,795 |
| Lowest listing price | $5,442 (best) | $12,980 |
| Median listing price | $37,054 | $32,080 (best) |
| Highest listing price | $50,695 (best) | $54,499 |
| For sale now | 1,398 (best) | 48 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Kia SorentoLX | Subaru AscentPremium |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 26 MPG (best) | — |
| City MPG | 23 MPG (best) | — |
| Highway MPG | 31 MPG (best) | — |
| Fuel tank | 17.7 gal | 19.3 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Kia SorentoLX | Subaru AscentPremium |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 191 hp | 260 hp (best) |
| Torque | 181 lb-ft | 277 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 2.5 L (best) | 2.4 L |
| Cylinders | I4 | flat 4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Kia SorentoLX | Subaru AscentPremium |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 7 seats | 7 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 75.5 cu ft | 75.6 cu ft (best) |
| Towing capacity | 2,000 lbs | 5,000 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | 3,814 lbs (best) | 4,450 lbs |
| Ground clearance | 6.9 in | 8.7 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 110.8 in | 113.8 in (best) |
| Length | 189.6 in | 196.8 in (best) |
| Width | 74.8 in | 76 in (best) |
| Height | 66.7 in | 71.6 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Kia SorentoLX | Subaru AscentPremium |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 4 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 4 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Rollover | 4 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | 2 | None reported (best) |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Kia Sorento | Subaru Ascent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LX $32,190 MSRP(Currently comparing) | Premium $40,795 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | S $35,090 MSRP | Premium $40,795 MSRP |
| 3 | S $37,090 MSRP | Limited $47,985 MSRP |
| 4 | EX $38,290 MSRP | Limited $47,985 MSRP |
| 5 | EX $39,790 MSRP | Limited Bronze Edition $49,095 MSRP |
| 6 | EX $38,890 MSRP | Touring $51,165 MSRP |
| 7 | EX $40,690 MSRP | Onyx Edition Touring $51,995 MSRP |
| 8 | SX $42,090 MSRP | — |
| 9 | X-Line EX $42,590 MSRP | — |
| 10 | X-Line SX $43,890 MSRP | — |
| 11 | X-Line SX Prestige $46,590 MSRP | — |
| 12 | X-Line SX Prestige $47,190 MSRP | — |
| 13 | X-Line SX Prestige $53,490 MSRP | — |
| 14 | X-Pro SX Prestige $47,590 MSRP | — |
| 15 | EX $48,290 MSRP | — |
Live inventory
Kia Sorento1,398 for sale
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Subaru Ascent48 for sale
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Used2024 Subaru Ascent
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Idaho Falls, ID
Certified2023 Subaru Ascent
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Grand Forks, ND
Certified2025 Subaru Ascent
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Ice Silver Metallic•Slate Black5,512 mi$38,395Dulles Kia Leesburg
Leesburg, VA
Used2024 Subaru Ascent
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Cosmic Blue Pearl•Java Brown27,227 mi$36,300Jim Coleman Nissan Bethesda
Bethesda, MD
Used2020 Subaru Ascent
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Gray Metallic•Java111,074 mi$18,740Bob Boyte Honda Moss Point
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Used2023 Subaru Ascent
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Cosmic Blue Pearl•gray43,384 mi$32,516Fred Anderson Toyota of Asheville
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Kia Sorento vs Subaru Ascent FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 Kia Sorento or 2027 Subaru Ascent?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 Kia Sorento vs 2027 Subaru Ascent on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2026 Kia Sorento or 2027 Subaru Ascent?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Kia Sorento starts lower at $32,190. Live Kia Sorento listings start at $5,442. Live Subaru Ascent listings start at $12,980.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Kia Sorento or 2027 Subaru Ascent?
- The 2026 Kia Sorento leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (32,190).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 Kia Sorento or 2027 Subaru Ascent?
- The 2026 Kia Sorento leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (37).
- Which has better electricRangeMi: 2026 Kia Sorento or 2027 Subaru Ascent?
- The 2026 Kia Sorento leads on electricRangeMi in this comparison (30).
- Which has better horsepower: 2026 Kia Sorento or 2027 Subaru Ascent?
- The 2026 Kia Sorento leads on horsepower in this comparison (281).
- Which has better seats: 2026 Kia Sorento or 2027 Subaru Ascent?
- The 2027 Subaru Ascent leads on seats in this comparison (8).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2026 Kia Sorento or 2027 Subaru Ascent?
- The 2027 Subaru Ascent leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (5,000).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 Kia Sorento vs 2027 Subaru Ascent?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Kia Sorento (5/5 NHTSA overall).