2024 Kia Sorento vs 2025 Jeep Wrangler

The 2024 Kia Sorento underwent a significant visual transformation, aligning more closely with its Kia siblings like the Telluride and EV9. This update included a robust new front end, enhanced taillights, and a more modern, upscale cockpit. The exterior featured a prominent grille, vertically-stacked LED headlights, and wing-like daytime running lights, giving the Sorento a larger and more intimidating presence. The rear received subtle updates, with higher trims boasting LED taillights and new bumpers. The Sorento's trims remained consistent, but the rugged X-Line package was limited to EX and higher models, with the SX-Prestige available only as an X-Line or the new X-Pro. Inside, the Sorento showcased a redesigned dashboard with a clean, horizontal layout, combining the gauge cluster and infotainment displays under a single pane of glass. The materials used in the cabin were upgraded, offering a more luxurious feel, with options for green and brown interior colors adding character.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler Sport S, encountered as a rental in Hawaii, presented a stark contrast with its black-on-black color scheme. Despite the initial disappointment, the Wrangler's open-air experience, with windows down and roof panels removed, made the color less significant. The Wrangler offered various trims, including the powerful Rubicon 392 with a 470-horsepower V8 engine. The Sport S model featured a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, priced at nearly $50,000. The interior, though basic, included a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and functional elements designed for rugged use. The Wrangler's appeal lay in its nostalgic design, rooted in American freedom and off-road capability, despite lacking sophistication compared to modern vehicles.

The 2024 Kia Sorento retained its mechanical components, with the base engine being a 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. This engine struggled with the Sorento's weight, resulting in sluggish acceleration. The EX and higher models featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, offering improved performance. The Sorento's all-wheel-drive option provided enhanced usability, with increased ground clearance and aggressive styling. The X-Pro trim excelled in off-road conditions, offering a smoother ride and improved towing capacity. While the Sorento's fuel efficiency was average, it delivered a confident driving experience with well-weighted steering and effective brakes.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler offered a choice between a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a six-speed manual transmission and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged engine delivered 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, providing a lively performance, especially at higher elevations. The Wrangler's standard four-wheel drive, high ground clearance, and off-road capabilities made it well-suited for adventurous driving. However, its ride was rough, and the steering felt disconnected. The Wrangler's fuel economy averaged 19.2 mpg during testing, and its three-star rollover resistance rating raised safety concerns.

The 2024 Kia Sorento offered a comfortable cabin with ample legroom in the first two rows, though the third row was tight. It provided advantages over smaller SUVs with optional third-row seating, offering more room than some larger alternatives. The Sorento's seats were comfortable, with options for heated and ventilated front seats. The third row had limited legroom but was suitable for occasional use. The Sorento's cargo space was compromised with the third row in use, but folding it down provided ample storage. The interior featured ergonomic controls and convenient storage options.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler posed challenges for entry and exit due to its high ground clearance and narrow door openings. The front seats were comfortable, with cloth upholstery and optional heated features. Rear-seat legroom was adequate, but taller passengers needed to be cautious of plastic hooks. Storage space was limited, with small bins and cupholders for small items. Accessing the cargo area required opening the tailgate and lifting the rear window, which could be inconvenient in tight spaces. The Wrangler offered a reasonable cargo capacity, with the option to fold the back seat for additional space.

The 2024 Kia Sorento featured a single-pane, twin-screen setup for its gauge and infotainment displays. The infotainment system, known as "Connected Car Navigation Cockpit" (CCnC), offered a user-friendly interface with prioritized features. All models had a 12.3-inch screen, with higher trims featuring a second digital display. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with over-the-air updates for future-proofing. The Sorento included USB-C outlets in all rows and an optional Bose 12-speaker audio system. Digital Key 2.0 allowed keyless access and sharing capabilities.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler boasted the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system remained bright and easy to use, even with the roof panels removed. The Convenience Group package added a digital display between analog gauges, passive entry, and remote engine starting. Rear parking sensors were available in the Active Safety Group package, enhancing safety during reversing.

The 2024 Kia Sorento featured the Drivewise suite of active safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and more. Optional features included navigation-based adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist. The Sorento received "Good" ratings in IIHS tests, though its LATCH system earned an "Acceptable" rating. NHTSA had not yet evaluated the 2024 model.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler introduced standard side curtain airbags and offered optional advanced driver assistance systems. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on most trims, while forward collision warning required the Sahara trim. The Wrangler received a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating from NHTSA. IIHS tests showed "Good" ratings for side-impact protection but a "Marginal" rating in the small overlap frontal-impact test.