2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid vs. 2021 Toyota Venza

2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Hybrids have made great strides in recent years. Originally, these gas-electric vehicles were dismissed as slow and overpriced. Now, many hybrid powertrains combine outstanding mileage along with agreeable pep, all at reasonable prices. Even some spacious, family-friendly vehicles are in on the action, as are some high-end luxury options.

But this year, two brand-new models are bringing hybrids’ advantages to a new segment. They’re mid-size crossover SUVs that are upscale yet relatively affordable (starting in the low $30,000s), and decently roomy without being bulky. They’re the 2021 Toyota Venza, reintroduced this year as a hybrid-only vehicle, and the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid, a first-time member of the redesigned Sorento lineup. In the pages that follow, we’ll discuss how these two models compare in various ways and name our overall winner.

Exterior Design

The Venza and Sorento Hybrid take different styling approaches, though both are contemporary. Mechanically speaking, the Venza is a slightly larger version of the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, but with graceful curves that replace the RAV4’s chunky, aggressive stance. At a glance, the Venza’s slim lights and high, sloping roofline could easily pass for a Lexus.

The Sorento Hybrid, like other newly redesigned Sorento models, has sharper edges and a boxier stance than the rounded-off Venza. It’s a handsome, if somewhat conservative, overall design. Kia dresses up the vehicle with unusual touches like two-part taillights (with a vertical gap running down the middle) and a chrome wave on each side window behind the rear door. Which one you like more will likely come down to whether you prefer curves or straight lines, so we won’t declare a winner.

Tie

Photo by Brady Holt

Interior Design

Inside, the vehicles again have a different vibe. The Sorento’s dashboard is blocky and purposeful, functional without looking downscale. The Venza’s takes a more obvious luxury tilt, with a curved dashboard and richer materials. You can also get the Venza with a huge 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while every Sorento Hybrid has the same 8-inch screen size as the base Venza.

There is one important caveat: Opting for the Venza’s 12.3-inch screen, like we had on our test vehicle, eliminates most of its physical dashboard buttons and knobs in favor of cumbersome touch-sensitive controls. While the Sorento also has a few touch-sensitive buttons, the overall setup is a breeze compared to the Toyota’s. Still, since most buyers will likely opt for the more affordable, more user-friendly 8-inch Venza system, we’ll give it the nod for this category due to its richer materials.

Toyota Venza

Photo by Brady Holt

Passenger Accommodations

The Kia Sorento Hybrid is longer and wider than the Toyota Venza, and that means more space to spread out in both the front and second-row seats. The Toyota feels narrower, and the Kia’s second-row captain’s chairs and third-row seat are unexpected perks in a vehicle this size.

Now, while the Sorento is better than the Venza at carrying either four passengers (there’s more space for each person) or six passengers (the five-seat Toyota can’t do it at all), the Venza is more comfortable for five. That’s because there will be two people in the front seats and three in the rear bench seat. But because the Sorento Hybrid only offers captain’s chairs in the second row, its fifth passenger has to squeeze into the little third row. Still, the Sorento is the more accommodating choice for most scenarios.

Kia Sorento Hybrid

Photo by Brady Holt

Cargo and Towing

The Sorento Hybrid’s cargo advantage is even bigger than its advantage for passenger space. There’s a tiny 12.6 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, but it easily folds flat to provide a generous 38.5 cubic feet. Fold down the middle row too, and you get 75.5 cubic feet.

The Venza has a much more modest space: 28.8 cubic feet behind its rear seat and 55.1 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. That’s even less room than the smaller Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, due to the Venza’s lower, more sloped roof. Also, the Sorento Hybrid can tow up to 2,000 pounds, while the Venza isn’t recommended for towing at all.

Kia Sorento Hybrid

Photo by Brady Holt

All-Weather Capability

The Toyota Venza has an important capability advantage over the Kia Sorento Hybrid. The Venza comes standard with all-wheel drive, and it’s not even an option on the Sorento Hybrid.

Buyers who aren’t wedded to all-wheel drive won’t mind Kia’s decision, of course. But many people buy SUVs in part for their all-weather capability, and the Sorento Hybrid comes up short on that front.

Toyota Venza

Photo by Brady Holt

Driving Experience

The Kia Sorento Hybrid has an unusual powertrain for a hybrid: a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and a conventional six-speed automatic transmission, combined with electric motors. Total output is a hearty 227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft, and the transmission helps keep the smooth engine from droning unnaturally. The Sorento also feels both comfortingly solid yet respectably agile, with both responsive handling and a smooth ride.

The Toyota Venza feels lighter and less substantial than the Sorento Hybrid. Its suspension clomps over bumps with less sophistication, and its steering feels less natural. And its powertrain is more typical for a hybrid: Its electric motors pair with a naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable automatic transmission. Total output is 219 horsepower (Toyota doesn’t quote a torque specification), but the engine is well behind the Sorento Hybrid’s for noise, vibration, and harshness. Neither car is hushed on the highway, but the Sorento Hybrid has the superior overall driving experience.

Kia Sorento Hybrid

Photo by Brady Holt

Fuel Economy

Despite its all-wheel drive, the Venza has better EPA fuel economy ratings than the Sorento Hybrid. The Venza achieves an estimated 40 mpg in the city, 37 mpg on the highway, and 39 mpg overall. That compares favorably with the Sorento Hybrid’s 39 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 37 mpg overall.

In our tests, we widened the gulf a little further, averaging 42 mpg in the Venza and 38 mpg in the Sorento Hybrid. Moreover, we found that the Sorento Hybrid’s mileage plummeted to only around 30 mpg when cruising at 70 mph on the freeway — about what a non-hybrid Sorento would have likely managed. Our Venza stayed closer to 40 mpg in those conditions. Both these crossovers provided outstanding mileage in slower and stop-and-go conditions, comfortably exceeding their EPA ratings when driven carefully. But if you expect to travel on more stretches of open highway, our experience suggests the Venza’s advantage is even bigger than EPA ratings suggest.

Toyota Venza

Photo by Brady Holt

Pricing and Features

The 2021 Toyota Venza has a broader model range than the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid. It has a choice of three trim levels — LE ($32,470), XLE ($36,000), and Limited ($39,800) — that lets buyers choose whether to pay up for more features or accept a more affordable model with fewer luxuries. Even the base model includes all-wheel drive as standard equipment, along with adaptive cruise control and other advanced driver aids. High-end options include a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a unique frosted-glass panoramic sunroof, and ventilated front seats.

The 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid is available in a choice of two similarly equipped trim levels: S ($33,590) and EX ($36,590). Both have leatherette upholstery, 8-inch touchscreens, front-wheel drive, and a generous suite of driver aids. The EX brings adaptive cruise control, a more sophisticated automatic emergency braking system than the Sorento S, a conventional panoramic sunroof, a power liftgate, and a wireless smartphone charger. The Venza generally has more features at similar prices, plus a longer list of tempting options. Toyota also provides two years of free scheduled maintenance. 

Toyota Venza

Photo by Brady Holt

Final Thoughts

With its roomier cabin and superior driving experience, we were happier behind the wheel of the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid than the 2021 Toyota Venza. But in the final analysis, the Toyota comes out on top.

The Venza costs less than the Sorento Hybrid and gets better gas mileage. And while its driving experience isn’t as upscale as its aesthetics, its well-finished cabin is suitably luxurious. It also has a wider variety of models and features. If you don’t need all-wheel drive and aren’t overly focused on the numbers, the peppy, agile Sorento Hybrid could certainly win you over — but overall, the Venza is the stronger choice. As a final note: Toyota shoppers can also consider the mechanically related Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, which isn’t as fancy as the Venza but has a similar driving experience and even more interior room at a lower price.

Toyota Venza

Photo by Brady Holt