2024 Kia Sorento vs 2025 Honda Pilot

The 2024 Kia Sorento underwent a significant visual update, aligning more closely with its Kia siblings like the Telluride and EV9. It featured a bold new front end with vertically-stacked LED headlights and wing-like daytime running lights, giving it a more imposing presence. The rear updates were subtle, with higher trims boasting LED taillights and new bumpers. The rugged X-Line and X-Pro trims offered aggressive styling with blacked-out wheels and earth-tone paint options. Inside, the Sorento showcased a modern dashboard with a single-pane glass display for the gauge cluster and infotainment, enhancing its upscale feel.

In contrast, the 2025 Honda Pilot Black Edition emphasized a sleek, blacked-out aesthetic with black wheels and badges. The interior featured black leather seats with red accents and ambient lighting, creating a unique atmosphere. While the Pilot aimed for a rugged look, it was more suited for suburban environments. The interior design was practical, with quality materials, but the technology appeared dated compared to rivals. The Pilot's cabin lacked a significant "wow factor," focusing instead on functionality and comfort.

The 2024 Kia Sorento offered two engine options. The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produced 191 horsepower, which felt underpowered for the vehicle's weight, resulting in sluggish acceleration. The turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, available on higher trims, delivered 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, providing a more spirited drive. The Sorento's handling was confident, with well-weighted steering and effective brakes. The X-Line and X-Pro trims enhanced off-road capability with increased ground clearance and all-terrain tires, making them suitable for light off-road adventures.

The 2025 Honda Pilot featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, generating 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It offered multiple driving modes, including off-road options. The Pilot's AWD system provided torque vectoring and hill descent control, enhancing its capability. However, the transmission occasionally felt slow to downshift, and fuel economy was unimpressive. The Pilot's handling was predictable, but the ride quality was soft, and the steering and braking systems contributed to satisfying driving dynamics.

The 2024 Kia Sorento's cabin was modern and comfortable, with ample legroom in the first two rows. The third row was tight but functional for occasional use. The Sorento offered competitive cargo space, with up to 72.1 cubic feet available when the rear seats were folded. The interior featured ergonomic controls and plenty of storage options, though cargo space was limited with the third row in use.

The 2025 Honda Pilot excelled in form and function, with thoughtful design elements for family use. The front seats were comfortable, though the passenger seat lacked adjustability. The second row offered removable seats for easy access to the third row, which was suitable for adults on short trips. The Pilot provided generous cargo space, with up to 86.5 cubic feet available. Features like a hands-free power tailgate and effective climate control added to its practicality.

The 2024 Kia Sorento featured a modern infotainment system with a 12.3-inch screen and new software, offering improved usability. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the system supported over-the-air updates. Higher trims included a Bose audio system and Digital Key 2.0 for added convenience.

The 2025 Honda Pilot's technology appeared dated, with smaller display screens. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the system had connectivity issues. The Pilot included a Bose audio system and features like CabinTalk for communication with rear passengers. However, the voice recognition system was inconsistent, and the head-up display was small.

The 2024 Kia Sorento came equipped with an extensive suite of standard and optional safety features, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. It also offered advanced options like Highway Driving Assist 2. The Sorento received "Good" ratings in several IIHS tests, though the LATCH system was rated "Acceptable."

The 2025 Honda Pilot included standard Honda Sensing safety features, such as forward-collision warning and adaptive cruise control. The Black Edition added parking sensors and a multi-view camera system. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist had performance issues. The Pilot earned high safety ratings, including a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA.