2025 Kia Sorento vs 2025 Subaru Ascent

$31,990 · Crossover

$39,995 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the 2025 Kia Sorento and the 2025 Subaru Ascent often boils down to balancing upfront cost versus capability. Buyers face a significant initial hurdle, as the Ascent starts at $39,995, which is $8,005 more than the Sorento's $31,990 MSRP. If fuel economy is a daily concern, the Sorento pulls ahead easily, offering 26 combined MPG versus the Ascent's 22 combined MPG. However, that higher price for the Ascent nets you substantially more power: 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque compared to the Sorento's 191 hp and 181 lb-ft. Furthermore, the Ascent is physically larger, standing taller at 71.6 inches high and providing more utility with 17.8 cu ft of cargo capacity, contrasting with the Sorento’s 12.6 cu ft. Deciding means weighing affordability and efficiency against size and brute force.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Sorento

The Kia Sorento wins for daily commuting due to its superior fuel economy, achieving 26 combined MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Subaru Ascent

The Subaru Ascent is better for families needing more space, boasting a larger 17.8 cu ft cargo capacity and a taller 71.6-inch height.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Subaru Ascent

Enthusiasts will prefer the Ascent because it offers significantly more output with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Sorento

The Kia Sorento provides better upfront value, saving the buyer $8,005 compared to the Ascent's starting price.

Choose the Kia Sorento if...

You prioritize keeping running costs low, benefiting from 4 more miles per gallon in combined driving (26 MPG).
Your budget is firm, as the $31,990 MSRP is significantly lower than the competitor's $39,995.
You primarily drive in city or highway conditions where AWD is unnecessary, relying on the standard FWD setup.

Choose the Subaru Ascent if...

You frequently drive in inclement weather, as the standard All-Wheel Drive offers better traction.
You need genuine performance, highlighted by the Ascent's 69 horsepower advantage (260 hp vs 191 hp).
You require maximum utility, given the Ascent offers 17.8 cu ft of cargo space versus the Sorento's 12.6 cu ft.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia Sorento	Subaru Ascent
Length	189.6"	196.8"
Width	74.8"	76.0"
Height	66.7"	71.6"
Wheelbase	110.8"	113.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	—
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	—
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	✓	—
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	—
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.4 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	flat 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	191 hp @ 6100 rpm	260 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque	181 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	277 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Transmission Type	8-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	23/31 MPG	20/26 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	26 MPG	22 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	407.1/548.7 mi.	386.0/501.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.7 gal.	19.3 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	✓	—
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	11.6 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	—
Satellite Radio Trial Length	—	4 months

Power Feature

Feature	Kia	Subaru
One-Touch Power Windows	1	2
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Front Head Room	40.3 in.	41.2 in.
Front Leg Room	41.4 in.	42.2 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.1 in.	61.1 in.
Front Hip Room	55.6 in.	57.8 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	4-way
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Rear Head Room	39.1 in.	40.0 in.
Rear Leg Room	41.7 in.	38.6 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.1 in.	60.3 in.
Rear Hip Room	55.1 in.	57.5 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Wheel Material	Alloy	Alloy
Wheel Size	17 x 7.0 in	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/65R17	245/60R
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Underbody Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Basic Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia Sorento and 2025 Subaru Ascent.

How much more does the 2025 Subaru Ascent cost compared to the Kia Sorento?

The Subaru Ascent carries a considerable price premium, starting at $39,995, which is exactly $8,005 more expensive than the Kia Sorento's base MSRP of $31,990.

Is the power difference between these crossovers noticeable in daily driving?

Yes, the power gap is substantial; the Ascent produces 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, significantly outperforming the Sorento's 191 hp and 181 lb-ft.

Which crossover is better equipped for snowy climates right off the showroom floor?

The 2025 Subaru Ascent is better suited for poor weather because it comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, whereas the Kia Sorento uses Front Wheel Drive.

If I focus on fuel savings, which vehicle should I choose?

The Kia Sorento is the clear winner for fuel savings, delivering 26 combined MPG on regular unleaded fuel, four miles per gallon better than the Ascent's 22 combined MPG.

How does the physical size difference affect interior space?

The Ascent is larger overall, which translates to better utility; it offers 17.8 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Sorento's 12.6 cu ft in the rear.

Are both vehicles efficient with transmission technology?

While both use automatics, the Sorento utilizes a traditional 8-speed automatic, while the Ascent uses a Continuously Variable-Speed Automatic (CVT) transmission.