If you need seating for seven, there aren’t too many choices in the midsize SUV class. Fortunately, the 2024 Kia Sorento and 2024 Subaru Ascent provide some options.
While they are among the smaller 3-row SUVs, the two midsize utilities can haul seven passengers — or eight in the Ascent. The Kia and the Subaru still have some agility as you wend through crowded streets.
If you need a 3-row midsize SUV, take a closer look.
2024 Kia Sorento
Slotted between a compact and a midsize vehicle, the 2024 Sorento has just enough space for a third row. You won’t want to stuff an adult or two back there for too long; it’s suited to hauling smaller people on shorter trips. Some trims feature captain’s chairs in the second row, replacing the bench seat, reducing seating capacity to six, and increasing overall comfort and luxury.
The base model is powered by a 191-horsepower 4-cylinder, but you can add 90 hp for a bit more cash. Adding the turbocharger pushes the output to 281 hp, but the average combined fuel economy only drops from 26 to 23 mpg. It’s also available with all-wheel drive (AWD).
A hybrid and plug-in hybrid are on the roster but not part of this comparison. Prices start at $33,365, including destination charges.
Kia Sorento Highlights
Easy access: Sorento examples with the EX trim and higher feature the Smart Power Tailgate, allowing hands-free opening and closing. This feature adds a lot of convenience to loading and unloading the cargo area.
Drive Wise: This suite of safety technology includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and driver attention warning. It is standard on all Sorentos.
X-Line: The X-Line models in the Sorento lineup add a rugged appearance package with an extra inch of ground clearance, high-utility roof rails, and unique wheels and bumpers. X-Line models come standard with torque-vectoring AWD for added capability.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Sorento models near you.
2024 Subaru Ascent
With eight trim levels, finding one of these family haulers in your preferred setup should be relatively easy. As is the case with nearly every Subaru, you won’t have to worry about whether or not all-wheel drive is part of the package, as it’s standard on every trim level of the Ascent.
The Ascent is powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, putting out 260 hp. It can tow up to 5,000 pounds and, depending on configuration, seat eight or seven passengers. Pricing for the Ascent starts at $35,490, including the destination charge.
Subaru Ascent Highlights
Standard AWD: Slippery roads and rough terrain are no match for Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, which comes standard on every trim of the Ascent. X-Mode off-road drive modes also come standard in the top three trim levels. The combination makes it a competent off-roader for a 3-row family SUV.
Outstanding sound: The Ascent’s cabin is comfortable and roomy, with plenty of technology to make your drive better. The available Harman Kardon sound system, with 13 speakers and a subwoofer, pumps out 792 watts of clear, crisp sound.
Room for eight: While the Sorento can seat up to seven people, the Ascent does it one better. The Subaru can accommodate up to eight people when configured with a second-row bench instead of captain’s chairs.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Ascent models for sale near you.
Similarities
With seating for seven passengers, the Sorento and Ascent certainly squeeze the most out of their cabins. Each SUV offers impressive convenience and safety technologies.
Conclusion
You can’t make a wrong choice here. The Ascent comes with a much more powerful engine, but the Sorento can be upgraded to have 21 hp more. The price of each model will be about the same. Check each one out, and that should make the decision easier.
Specs
| 2024 Kia Sorento | 2024 Subaru Ascent | |
| Starting Price | $35,490 | $35,490 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | 2.4-liter turbo 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 191 hp @ 6,100 rpm | 260 hp @ 5,600 rpm |
| Torque | 195 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 277 lb-ft @ 4,800 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic/FWD | CVT/AWD |
| Fuel Economy | 23 city/31 highway/26 combined mpg | 20 city/26 highway/22 combined mpg |
| Also Available | 2.5-liter turbo, plus Hybrid/PHEV, AWD | |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | N/R | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 7 with 2nd-row bench, 6 with captain’s chairs | 8 with 2nd-row bench, 7 with captain’s chairs |
| Wheelbase | 110.8 inches | 113.8 inches |
| Overall Length | 189.6 inches | 196.8 inches |
| Width | 74.8 inches | 76.0 inches |
| Height | 66.7 inches | 71.6 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 37.9 feet | 38.0 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.3 inches | 41.2 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 39.1 inches | 40.0 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.4 inches | 42.2 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 41.7 inches | 38.6 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 59.1 inches | 61.1 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 58.1 inches | 60.3 inches |
| Max cargo Volume behind 3rd/2nd/1st row | 12.6/45.0/75.5 cubic feet | 17.8/43.5/75.6 cubic feet |
