2023 GMC Acadia Vs 2023 Kia Sorento Comparison

Size matters when it comes to three-row SUVs.

To stuff in three full rows of passengers, a utility vehicle is going to be on the large size. Most of the stalwarts in this segment measure around the 200-inch (5,080 mm) mark in total length. That’s a sizeable a vehicle, and one that not everyone necessarily needs, or is comfortable driving. That’s a why a slightly smaller class of three row SUVs exist, like the Kia Sorento and GMC Acadia.

These two walk the middle ground, around 6–12 inches (152–305 mm) shorter than vehicles like the Honda Pilot and Hyundai Palisade, but larger than a Toyota RAV4 or Subaru Forester. The Kia and GMC are for folks who constantly need two rows of seating, but only require the third row on select occasions.

To see which 2+1 row SUV is the better choice, we’re going to have a little head-to-head competition. It’s the Kia Sorento vs GMC Acadia. On hand we have a fully loaded Kia Sorento SX Prestige AWD that comes in at an as tested price of $45,260 ($52,195 CAD) including destination charges. In the other corner is a well-optioned 2023 GMC Acadia SLT AWD that lists for $50,800 ($55,988 CAD) as tested including destination charges. Read on to see which is the best option.

Kia Sorento: As one of the top trims in the Sorento lineup, our tester comes equipped with LED headlights, fog lights, and taillights. There are black trim features including the grille, roof rails, and alloy wheels. The contrasting Glacial White Pearl exterior against the painted black cladding looks great. Recognizable as a member of the Kia family, the Sorento looks good like many of its corporate siblings.

GMC Acadia: The GMC Acadia we have on hand also includes LED headlights, fog lights, and taillights. Included on the options list is the Elevation Package that adds black 20-inch wheels, black GMC lettering, a black grille, black roof rails, and black exterior accents. Like the Sorento, the Acadia’s exterior paint, Sterling Metallic in this case, contrasts nicely with the lower cladding. But on the GMC this cladding is unfinished plastic that doesn’t look as premium.

Bottom Line: Looks are subjective, but to us, we prefer the Sorento’s overall look. The polished two-tone lower trim is a nicer look compared to the Acadia’s unfinished plastic cladding. The Kia looks a bit more modern and premium overall. For this category, it’s advantage Kia.

Kia Sorento: The Kia Sorento can be had with seven or six passenger seating. The SX Prestige model only comes with six seats as it features captain’s chairs in the second row. Up front, passengers enjoy 40.3 inches (1,024 mm) of headroom and 41.4 inches (1,052 millimeters) of legroom. Our biggest issue up front has to do with the headrest that protrudes forward too much for our liking. It pushes our head forward, forcing an unusual seating position to compensate for it.

Those in the second-row captain’s chairs get a bit less headroom at 39.1 inches (994 mm). It’s noticeable the decrease in head space as our six-foot tester’s head rubs up against the headliner. Leg room on the other hand is very generous with 41.7 inches (1,060 mm) on hand.

The third row of seats is hard to access as the center tunnel is high off the ground. The seat cushion is set very low, but still only allows for 36.8 inches (935 mm) of headroom. Legroom is equally small at just 29.6 inches (752 mm) and adults will find their knees are folded up into their chest. The rear windows are very small and lack outward visibility, causing a claustrophobic feeling.

GMC Acadia: The GMC Acadia can also be had as a seven or six passenger vehicle. Like the Sorento, our Acadia arrived to the test in six-passenger configuration with a set of captain’s chairs in the second row. Front passengers get 40.0 inches (1,106 mm) of headroom and 41.0 inches (1,041 mm) of legroom. The front seats are on par comfort-wise with those in the Kia but have a far better positioned headrest.

The second row has more usable headroom compared to the Sorento, even if the figures look similar with 39.6 inches (1,006 mm) available. Legroom is a bit lower at 39.7 inches (1,008 mm), but the seats themselves in the Acadia are softer and more comfortable.

The GMC’s third row is surprisingly spacious and can even fit adults in a pinch. The seat cushion is a bit low and the arm rests hard plastic, but there is enough headroom (37.2 inches / 945 mm) and legroom (29.7 inches / 754 mm) for a six-foot tall passenger. The decent size rear windows add to an airier feeling. We’d wager there’s more usable space back here than some larger three-row SUVs like the Toyota Highlander and Mazda CX-9.

Kia Sorento: What the Kia gives up in comfort it more than makes up for in terms of interior design and finish. It has a far more attractive interior design that looks modern, elegant, and premium. We especially like the fake metal trim touches, the design around the vents, and the way the infotainment system blends in the driver information screen.

Officially, cargo capacity is listed at12.6 cubic feet (357 liters) behind the third row, 45.0 cubic feet (1,274 L) behind the second row, and 75.5 cubic feet (2,139 L) behind the front seats. Although the Sorento offers less cargo space on paper, it has a more functional design. The SUV swallows an adult hybrid bike better than Acadia. The Kia also has other nice cargo-hauling touches like a lock button on the rear hatch and buttons to fold second row from the cargo area.

GMC Acadia: The GMC Acadia’s interior is very functional and well laid out but looks and feels about a generation old. Many competitors like the Sorento are adding premium touches and materials that are absent in this GMC. The Acadia has a lot of dull plastic surfaces, and some hard plastics. Is it user-friendly? Yes. Pretty? Not so much.

The Acadia’s cargo area is rated a bit larger with 12.8 cubic feet (362 L) behind the third row, 41.7 cubic feet (1,181 L) behind the second row, and 79.0 cubic feet (2,237 L) behind the first row. But like we mentioned, we had a harder time getting an adult hybrid bike in and out of the Acadia compared to the Sorento.

Kia Sorento: Being a top trim model, the 2023 Kia Sorento SX Prestige comes loaded with a lot of features. These include rain sensing wipers, lane change cameras, leather seating surfaces, heated and cooled front seats, power driver and passenger seats, a heated steering wheel, rear sunshades, a power tailgate, third row climate controls, and a panoramic moonroof.

There’s a 12.3-inch digital driver information center that attaches to a 10.25-inch infotainment screen. Although there is a wireless phone charger, the Sorento does not support wireless wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

GMC Acadia: The 2023 GMC Acadia SLT may be a mid-trim model, but it came to this comparison with a lot of additional equipment making it just as loaded as the Kia Sorento. The SLT comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, a keyless entry button on the rear doors, second row climate controls, an 8.0-inch infotainment screen with navigation, and a power tailgate.

One of the options added to the SUV is the Technology Package that includes head-up display, surround vision, and an 8.0-inch driver information center. Our tester also has the Preferred Package that adds a power driver seat, power passenger seat, heated and ventilated front seats, heated middle row seats, power telescopic steering wheel, heated steering wheel, and more.

Other options include the Floor Liner Package and a panoramic sunroof, which is more like two separate moonroofs.

Bottom Line: It’s hard to pick a winner between the Kia Sorento versus GMC Acadia on a features front. Both include a lot of the same equipment and various other features the other SUV does not. We’ll call this one a draw.

Kia Sorento: The Kia Sorento can be had a choice of naturally aspirated, turbocharged, or hybrid powertrains. As the top trim, our tester comes equipped with the most powerful option, a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, producing 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. The all-wheel drive system is fed by an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

As a larger turbo four-cylinder, the engine doesn’t need to work hard to create power and has plenty of low rpm torque. Even with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters and various drive modes, this Kia isn’t exactly sporty. But, there’s a pleasing engine note and the Sorento feels faster than the Acadia in a straight line, partial due to a lower curb weight.

The lighter weight also helps with fuel economy. The whole package is rated to deliver 21 mpg (10.9 L/100 km ) in the city and 28 mpg (8.7 L/100 km) on the highway. Our only real gripe has to do with the slow-reacting start-stop system.

GMC Acadia: The Acadia sticks to a more traditional 3.6-liter V6 engine, that makes more power with 310 hp on tap. Torque is rated lower though, at 271 lb-ft. The all-wheel drive system is partnered up with a traditional automatic transmission on the GMC with nine forward gears.

On the road, the engine and transmission are very smooth in regular driving. General Motor’s 3.6-liter is a great engine, and it continues to shine. We also like its more pleasing V6 grunt compared to the Kia. But the Acadia requires dipping into higher rpms to get maximum power out of it. There’s still decent low-end power, just not as much as the Kia.

On the fuel economy front, the heavier Acadia is rated a bit lower. Expect around 19 mpg (12.6 L/100 km) city and 26 mpg (9.2 L/100 km) highway. To help save a bit of fuel, the Acadia also features drive modes including one that locks the SUV into front-wheel drive only.

Kia Sorento: Kia holds a small ground clearance advantage with 8.2 inches (209 mm) of total height. The SUV wears wider 255/45R20 tires and weighs less at 4,120 lb (1,856 kg).

This gives the Sorento a more car-like driving experience. It responds to a driver’s inputs more like a large sedan than a SUV. The ride comfort is on the stiffer side, but not terrible. It only gets upset when crashing over large bumps.

For those that tow, the Sorento can haul up to 3,500 lb (1,588 kg) with tow package that’s not equipped here.

GMC Acadia: The Acadia features 7.2 inches (183 mm) of ground clearance and wears slightly narrower 235/55R20 tires. At 4,493 lb (2,038 kg) pounds, the SUV is nearly 400 pounds heavier than the Sorento.

The GMC drives a bit softer than the Kia. It’s softer in the vehicle’s responses, softer in comfort, softer in steering. Very predictable and easy to operate, the Acadia drives more SUV like than the Sorento. It’s not a roly-poly SUV like some larger three-rows out there as it handles most road imperfection with a soft bob up and down.

The towing advantage goes to the Acadia as it can drag upwards of 4,000 lb (1,814 kg) when equipped with the tow package.

Kia Sorento: As a family hauler, the 2023 Kia Sorento SX Prestige includes a lot of standard safety features. This includes blindspot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane keep assist, lane watch camera, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, rear park assist, and more.

Pricing for the Sorento starts at $31,415 (all prices including destination) in the United States or $38,344 in Canada. As tested, this loaded up SX Prestige AWD example comes in at $45,260 for Americans or $52,195 for Canadians.

GMC Acadia: Our Acadia tester came equipped with the GMC Pro Safety Plus package. The means it has lane keep assist, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, rear park assist, and more. Also standard on the vehicle are blindspot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert.

The Acadia has a higher starting price of $38,195 ($45,058 CAD). As tested, the SLT AWD with all the options included closes the gap to the Sorento a bit, at a price of $50,800 ($55,988 CAD).

Bottom Line: Safety wise both vehicles come well equipped and with features expected at their price points. It’s those price points that are the deciding factor as the Kia Sorento holds a significant edge in that department, winning this category.

In this somewhat niche battle of slightly smaller three row SUVs, we give the edge to the Kia Sorento. The GMC holds its own with more passenger space, better comfort, and a user-friendly experience overall. But in other areas, it gets outshined.

The Sorento has more style, substance, better fuel economy, and a more premium feel inside and out. The biggest deciding factor though comes down to price. The Kia’s value is the ultimate deciding factor in this head-to-head showdown.

Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletter here.