2026 Kia Sorento vs 2026 Mazda CX-70

$32,190 · Crossover

$42,250 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical distinction between the 2026 Kia Sorento and the 2026 Mazda CX-70 is the $10,060 difference in Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price, starting at $32,190 for the Sorento versus $42,250 for the CX-70. This price gap aligns with performance metrics: the CX-70 produces a substantial 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, significantly outperforming the Sorento's 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy shows a slight edge for the Sorento at 26 combined MPG compared to the CX-70's 25 combined MPG. Furthermore, the CX-70 is the larger vehicle, measuring 200.8 inches long compared to the Sorento's 189.6 inches, which contributes to its much larger 39.6 cu ft of cargo capacity against the Sorento's 12.6 cu ft. The CX-70 also mandates All-Wheel Drive standard, whereas the Sorento reviewed features Front Wheel Drive.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Kia Sorento

The 2026 Kia Sorento offers superior efficiency with 26 combined MPG, translating to lower operational costs for daily commuting.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Mazda CX-70

The 2026 Mazda CX-70 provides substantially more utility with 39.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Sorento's 12.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Mazda CX-70

The 2026 Mazda CX-70 delivers significantly higher output with 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2026 Kia Sorento

The 2026 Kia Sorento commands the value segment by offering utility at an MSRP $10,060 lower than the CX-70.

Choose the Kia Sorento if...

Your budget necessitates an MSRP below $33,000, as the Sorento starts at $32,190.
Maximizing miles per gallon is critical, given the Sorento's 31 highway MPG rating.
You prefer a more compact footprint at 189.6 inches in length for easier urban navigation.

Choose the Mazda CX-70 if...

Performance is the primary metric, with the CX-70 offering 280 hp versus the Sorento's 191 hp.
All-Wheel Drive capability is required standard, which the CX-70 includes.
You need maximum storage, benefiting from the CX-70's 39.6 cu ft of cargo volume.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia Sorento	Mazda CX-70
Length	189.6"	200.8"
Width	74.8"	-
Height	66.7"	68.2"
Wheelbase	110.8"	122.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Kia	Mazda
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	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	—
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Kia	Mazda
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	3.3 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 6
Base Engine Type	gas	mild hybrid
Horsepower	191 hp @ 6100 rpm	280 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque	181 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	332 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	24
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

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

Fuel

Feature	Kia	Mazda
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	23/31 MPG	24/28 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	26 MPG	25 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	407.1/548.7 mi.	444.0/518.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.7 gal.	18.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Kia	Mazda
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	✓	—
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Kia	Mazda
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	8
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	—
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	—
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Kia	Mazda
One-Touch Power Windows	1	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Moonroof Type	—	1st Row Power Glass

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	Mazda
Front Head Room	40.3 in.	39.7 in.
Front Leg Room	41.4 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.1 in.	59.2 in.
Front Hip Room	55.6 in.	56.2 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	—
Seat Material: Leather	—	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Driver Seat Memory Settings	—	2
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Driver Seat Ventilation	—	✓
Passenger Seat Ventilation	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Kia	Mazda
Rear Head Room	39.1 in.	39.3 in.
Rear Leg Room	41.7 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.1 in.	58.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	55.1 in.	55.5 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—
Heated Rear Seats (Multi-Level)	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Kia	Mazda
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Size	17 x 7.0 in	21 x 9.5 in.
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/65R17	275/45R21
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Kia	Mazda
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 2026 Kia Sorento and 2026 Mazda CX-70.

What is the exact difference in horsepower and torque between the two models?

The 2026 Mazda CX-70 boasts 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. This provides an 89 hp advantage over the 2026 Kia Sorento, which is rated at 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque.

How does the standard drivetrain affect their intended use?

The Sorento comes standard with Front Wheel Drive, prioritizing efficiency, while the CX-70 comes standard with All Wheel Drive, offering better traction in varied conditions.

Which crossover offers more space for cargo behind the rear seats?

The 2026 Mazda CX-70 is significantly more capacious, offering 39.6 cu ft of cargo capacity. The 2026 Kia Sorento lists only 12.6 cu ft in the same configuration.

Are the MPG ratings significantly different for highway driving?

Yes, the Kia Sorento achieves 31 Highway MPG compared to the Mazda CX-70’s 28 Highway MPG, giving the Sorento a slight edge in long-distance fuel efficiency despite the CX-70 having slightly better city MPG (24 vs 23).

What is the price separation impacting the overall value proposition?

The Mazda CX-70 carries an MSRP of $42,250, creating a $10,060 premium over the Kia Sorento's starting price of $32,190.

Do both vehicles use the same type of transmission?

Both utilize an 8-speed automatic transmission; however, the CX-70's unit is specified as a shiftable automatic, potentially offering a more engaging driver experience than the Sorento’s standard 8-speed automatic.