Compare the2026 Ford ExplorerVS 2026 Kia Sorento Hybrid

The Explorer has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Explorer and the Sorento Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ford Explorer is safer than the Kia Sorento Hybrid:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Ford Explorer is safer than the Kia Sorento Hybrid:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Explorer’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Sorento Hybrid runs out after 100,000 miles.

There are almost 4 times as many Ford dealers as there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Explorer’s warranty.

The Explorer has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

The Explorer’s standard 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 73 more horsepower (300 vs. 227) and 52 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 258) than the Sorento Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Explorer’s optional 3.0 turbo V6 produces 173 more horsepower (400 vs. 227) and 157 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 258) than the Sorento Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford Explorer is faster than the Kia Sorento Hybrid:

Both the Explorer and Sorento Hybrid have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The Explorer has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Explorer 2.3L EcoBoost I-4’s standard fuel tank has almost a gallon more fuel capacity than the Sorento Hybrid (18.6 vs. 17.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Explorer 3.0L EcoBoost V6’s standard fuel tank has 2.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sorento Hybrid (20.2 vs. 17.7 gallons).

The Explorer has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Ford Explorer, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Sorento Hybrid.

For better stopping power the Explorer’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Sorento Hybrid:

The Explorer ST’s optional front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Sorento Hybrid are solid, not vented.

The Explorer stops shorter than the Sorento Hybrid:

For better traction, the Explorer has larger standard tires than the Sorento Hybrid (255/65R18 vs. 235/55R19). The Explorer’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sorento Hybrid (275/45R21 vs. 235/55R19).

The Explorer’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sorento Hybrid’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Explorer offers optional 21-inch wheels. The Sorento Hybrid’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the Explorer can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

The Explorer’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Explorer’s wheelbase is 8.3 inches longer than on the Sorento Hybrid (119.1 inches vs. 110.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Explorer is 2 inches wider in the front and 1.6 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Sorento Hybrid.

The Explorer ST 4WD handles at .85 G’s, while the Sorento Hybrid EX pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Explorer ST 4WD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the Sorento Hybrid EX (26.4 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 27.7 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Explorer has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Sorento Hybrid (7.6 vs. 6.9 inches), allowing the Explorer to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Explorer Tremor’s minimum ground clearance is 1.8 inches higher than on the Sorento Hybrid (8.7 vs. 6.9 inches).

The front grille of the Explorer uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Explorer offers available computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Explorer has 45 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Sorento Hybrid (150.3 vs. 105.3).

The Explorer has .4 inches more front headroom, 1.6 inches more front legroom, 3.6 inches more front hip room, 3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom, 4 inches more rear hip room, 3.8 inches more rear shoulder room, 2.1 inches more third row headroom, 2.2 inches more third row legroom and 1.6 inches more third row shoulder room than the Sorento Hybrid.

The Explorer’s cargo area provides more volume than the Sorento Hybrid.

The Explorer’s cargo area is larger than the Sorento Hybrid’s in every dimension:

The Explorer’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Sorento Hybrid’s (5000 vs. 2000 pounds).

The engine in the Explorer is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Sorento Hybrid. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The Explorer’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Sorento Hybrid’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Explorer’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Explorer’s standard Intelligent Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Smart Key standard on the Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The Explorer’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Sorento Hybrid’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Explorer’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Sorento Hybrid’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Explorer has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Explorer Platinum also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The Explorer’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Sorento Hybrid has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Explorer (except Active) offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Sorento Hybrid.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Ford Explorer and the Kia Sorento Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Ford Explorer outsold the Kia Sorento by over two to one during 2024.