If you’re looking for a three-row SUV, this Honda vs Kia comparison will be helpful. We evaluate the 2025 Honda Pilot and the 2025 Kia Sorento, both of which are excellent options for consideration. These SUVs are budget-friendly, roomy, and fuel-efficient.
The Pilot boasts a spacious and well-designed interior. It can fit seven or eight people, depending on its setup. The front two rows of seats have enough room for adults. The third row, however, is best for children. This Honda has a very generous 87 cubic feet of cargo room with the second and third rows stowed.
The Sorento’s interior is also impressive given its affordability. With a standard second-row bench seat, it can accommodate up to seven passengers. But if you opt for second-row captain’s chairs, the capacity is reduced to six. Both layouts provide ample space and comfort in the first two rows. Like in the Pilot, the third row in this Kia is more appropriate for children.
As far as cargo space is concerned, the Sorento comes short of the Pilot, offering only 75.5 cubic feet when both the second and third rows are folded.
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2025 Honda Pilot |
2025 Kia Sorento |
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Rows: 3 Max Seating: 8 Max Cargo Capacity: 87 Cubic Feet Upholstery Options: Cloth (standard), Genuine Leather (optional) |
Rows: 3 Max Seating: 7 Max Cargo Capacity: 75.5 Cubic Feet Upholstery Options: Cloth (standard), Synthetic Leather (optional) |
The Pilot is a fun-to-drive three-row SUV. It provides a smooth ride with strong, reliable braking performance. There is only one powertrain choice for this Honda: a 285-hp V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
The Sorento offers good handling for a midsize SUV. It’s easy to maneuver through tight streets and parking lots, and its suspension provides a smooth ride on different surfaces. The 191-hp base engine is more than adequate for daily driving. Choosing the 281-hp turbo-4 engine, though, provides the Sorento with a notable performance increase.
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2025 Honda Pilot |
2025 Kia Sorento |
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Base Engine: 3.5-Liter V6 Horsepower: 285 Torque: 262 lb-ft Transmission: 10-Speed Automatic |
Base Engine: 2.5-Liter 4-Cylinder Horsepower: 191 Torque: 195 lb-ft Transmission: Eight-Speed Automatic |
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Available Engine: Turbocharged 2.5-Liter 4-Cylinder Horsepower: 281 Torque: 311 lb-ft Transmission: Eight-Speed Dual-Clutch Automatic |
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Max Towing Capacity: 5,000 Pounds |
Max Towing Capacity: 4,500 Pounds |
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Max Payload Capacity: 1,625 Pounds |
Max Payload Capacity: Not Specified |
The Pilot’s infotainment system is easy to use, even for those who are not techies. It includes physical controls and knobs for essential functions, letting drivers maintain their focus on the road instead of being distracted by digital displays.
The Sorento’s infotainment system is also simple and user-friendly. The touchscreen responds swiftly, and the visuals are sharp, although some buttons on the display can be small.
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2025 Honda Pilot Top 5 Technology Features |
2025 Kia Sorento Top 5 Technology Features |
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The Pilot has received outstanding ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It offers a good selection of standard safety features. These include forward collision warning and lane-keep assist, which play a critical role in reducing the risk of serious accidents.
The Sorento generally garners positive ratings from both the IIHS and the NHTSA. It also comes equipped with more standard driver aids than the Pilot, such as rear cross-traffic alert and stop-and-go adaptive cruise control.
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2025 Honda Pilot Safety Features |
2025 Kia Sorento Safety Features |
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This 2025 Honda Pilot vs 2025 Kia Sorento comparison shows that, while similar, these two three-row SUVs cater to different buyers. The Pilot is ideal for larger families who need additional cargo space, greater towing capability, and reliable safety features. The Sorento, on the other hand, is an excellent choice for those who want an SUV that offers a high-performance engine.
Ultimately, the Pilot stands out in terms of practicality. Consider taking it for a test drive today at Mt. Kisco Honda in Bedford Hills, NY.
