Kia Sorento vs Subaru Outback
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Subaru Outback
Overview
| Spec | Kia SorentoLX | Subaru OutbackPremium |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Kia SorentoLX | Subaru OutbackPremium |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $32,190 (best) | $34,995 |
| Lowest listing price | $5,442 (best) | $7,995 |
| Median listing price | $37,072 (best) | $42,338 |
| Highest listing price | $50,695 (best) | $53,175 |
| For sale now | 1,336 (best) | 160 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Kia SorentoLX | Subaru OutbackPremium |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 26 MPG | 28 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 23 MPG | 26 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 31 MPG | 32 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 17.7 gal | 18 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Kia SorentoLX | Subaru OutbackPremium |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 191 hp (best) | 180 hp |
| Torque | 181 lb-ft (best) | 178 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 2.5 L | 2.5 L |
| Cylinders | I4 | flat 4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Kia SorentoLX | Subaru OutbackPremium |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 7 seats (best) | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 75.5 cu ft | 80.5 cu ft (best) |
| Towing capacity | 2,000 lbs (best) | — |
| Curb weight | 3,814 lbs | 3,741 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | 6.9 in | 8.7 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 110.8 in (best) | 108.1 in |
| Length | 189.6 in | 191.7 in (best) |
| Width | 74.8 in (best) | 74 in |
| Height | 66.7 in | 67.5 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Kia SorentoLX | Subaru OutbackPremium |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 4 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 4 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Rollover | 4 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| 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 Outback |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LX $32,190 MSRP(Currently comparing) | Premium $34,995 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | S $35,090 MSRP | Limited $41,715 MSRP |
| 3 | S $37,090 MSRP | Limited XT $44,365 MSRP |
| 4 | EX $38,290 MSRP | Wilderness $44,995 MSRP |
| 5 | EX $39,790 MSRP | Touring $45,395 MSRP |
| 6 | EX $38,890 MSRP | Touring XT $47,995 MSRP |
| 7 | EX $40,690 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 Sorento1,336 for sale
See all
New2026 Kia Sorento
S
Wolf Gray•Black8 mi$36,070Sewell KIA
Midland, TX
New2026 Kia Sorento
LX
Panthera Metal•Black9 mi$30,632Sewell KIA
Midland, TX
New2026 Kia Sorento
LX
Glacial White Pearl•Black9 mi$31,294Sewell KIA
Midland, TX
New2026 Kia Sorento
LX
Glacial White Pearl•Black9 mi$31,294Sewell KIA
Midland, TX
New2026 Kia Sorento
S
Ebony Black•Black8 mi$33,516Sewell KIA
Midland, TX
New2026 Kia Sorento
LX
Panthera Metal•Black9 mi$30,835Sewell KIA
Midland, TX
Subaru Outback160 for sale
See all
Used2013 Subaru Outback
2.5i
Satin White Pearl•Saddle Brown146,791 mi$8,990Drive Appeal
Eden Prairie, MN
Used2024 Subaru Outback
Limited XT
Crystal White Pearl•Warm Ivory13,467 mi$30,686Classic Kia Smithfield
Smithfield, NC
Used2023 Subaru Outback
Limited XT
Autumn Green Metallic•Warm Ivory74,887 mi$24,386Classic Kia Smithfield
Smithfield, NC
Used2025 Subaru Outback
Premium
White•Black2,572 mi$30,096Kia on Atlantic
Jacksonville, FL
Used2024 Subaru Outback
Wilderness
Crystal Black Silica•gray35,213 mi$31,531Fred Anderson Toyota of Charleston
Charleston, SC
Used2016 Subaru Outback
2.5i
Ice Silver Metallic•Black85,540 mi$15,531Fred Anderson Toyota of Charleston
Charleston, SC
Kia Sorento vs Subaru Outback FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 Kia Sorento or 2026 Subaru Outback?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 Kia Sorento vs 2026 Subaru Outback 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 2026 Subaru Outback?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Kia Sorento starts lower at $32,190. Live Kia Sorento listings start at $5,442. Live Subaru Outback listings start at $7,995.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Kia Sorento or 2026 Subaru Outback?
- The 2026 Kia Sorento leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (32,190).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 Kia Sorento or 2026 Subaru Outback?
- The 2026 Kia Sorento leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (37).
- Which has better electricRangeMi: 2026 Kia Sorento or 2026 Subaru Outback?
- The 2026 Kia Sorento leads on electricRangeMi in this comparison (30).
- Which has better horsepower: 2026 Kia Sorento or 2026 Subaru Outback?
- The 2026 Kia Sorento leads on horsepower in this comparison (281).
- Which has better seats: 2026 Kia Sorento or 2026 Subaru Outback?
- The 2026 Kia Sorento leads on seats in this comparison (7).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2026 Kia Sorento or 2026 Subaru Outback?
- The 2026 Kia Sorento leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (4,500).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 Kia Sorento vs 2026 Subaru Outback?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Kia Sorento (5/5 NHTSA overall); Subaru Outback (Not Rated/5 NHTSA overall).