2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2022 Kia Sorento

The 2022 Kia Sorento, especially with the X-Line treatment, presented a stylish and rugged appearance. The X-Line package added rugged bumpers, matte-finish wheels, black lower body cladding, a lifted suspension, and robust roof rails, giving the SUV a serious presence. Our test vehicle, equipped with the X-Line package, featured all-wheel drive (AWD) as standard, along with extra-cost Wolf Gray paint, Rust-colored leather, floor mats, and a cargo net, bringing the total MSRP to $45,310, including the $1,215 destination charge. Even without the X-Line package, the Sorento exuded quality, with leather upholstery and simulated wood trim on the dashboard, and a rock-solid cabin construction.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received subtle styling updates for the model year. The front bumper featured gloss black trim, and the rear bumper had a more squared-off design to improve aerodynamics. New wheel designs and colors were introduced, and the rear VW logo now lit up. While the ID.4 was easily distinguishable as an EV compared to VW’s gasoline models, it lacked the upright profile and added ground clearance of traditional SUVs. The ID.4’s interior carried over the best qualities from recent VW gasoline-car interiors, including a minimalist design and an overall feeling of quality. Leatherette upholstery with seat and door-panel inserts made partly from recycled fibers were standard for 2023.

The 2022 Kia Sorento came with a standard 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which took almost 9.5 seconds to accelerate the 3,715-pound SUV to 60 mph. This sluggish performance led to recommendations for other powertrains, including a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a turbocharged hybrid powertrain, and a new-for-2022 turbocharged plug-in hybrid powertrain. The turbo 2.5-liter engine, generating 281 hp and 311 pound-feet of torque, was more satisfying, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission. With AWD, the turbo Sorento could reach 60 mph in about 7.5 seconds. Despite the X-Line’s raised suspension, the Sorento drove more like a sports sedan, with excellent body motion control and communication. However, the X-Line package’s suspension lift was more for show than serious off-roading. The EPA estimated 24 mpg in combined driving, but real-world tests averaged around 20.7 mpg.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered a new 62-kWh battery pack for the base Standard and S models, available only with RWD. The Pro, Pro S, and Pro S Plus retained the 82-kWh pack, available with RWD or AWD. Single-motor RWD models produced 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while dual-motor AWD models upped output to 295 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, achieving zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 240 pounds, improving acceleration and handling. The ID.4’s AWD provided acceleration comparable to hot hatchbacks but lacked handling precision. Regenerative braking was present but did not support one-pedal driving, offering a more familiar experience for EV newcomers.

The 2022 Kia Sorento’s interior felt luxurious, with the SX Prestige featuring a 14-way power driver’s seat and 10-way power front passenger seat, both heated and ventilated. The second-row captain’s chairs, standard from EX trim, were heated in the SX Prestige X-Line. The third-row seat, however, was cramped and uncomfortable for adults. Cargo space was limited to 12.6 cubic feet with the third row up, expanding to 38.5 cubic feet with it folded, and 75.5 cubic feet with the second row down. The “smart” power tailgate was convenient but could open unintentionally.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more interior space than other affordable EVs, with 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with them folded. It provided more legroom and headroom than competitors like the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Nissan Leaf. The ID.4 also had a towing capacity of 2,200 pounds for RWD models and 2,700 pounds for AWD models. Interior updates for 2023 included a conventional lid for the center console, a better phone spot, and available three-zone climate control with rear-seat controls and heated outboard rear seats.

For 2022, the Kia Sorento’s base LX trim retained an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while other trims received a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, satellite radio, Kia Connect services, and both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger screen required a cable for smartphone integration, unlike the wireless capability of the base system. The infotainment system was feature-rich but had a unique font style and color scheme. The SX Prestige X-Line exclusively offered a 12-speaker Bose premium surround-sound system, and wireless smartphone charging was standard from EX trim.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 made the 12.0-inch touchscreen standard across all models, with software updates to improve responsiveness. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remained standard, along with the ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster. The infotainment system featured sharp graphics and natural-language voice recognition. However, the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel were distracting, though voice recognition often made them redundant. The ID.Light system provided ambient lighting and navigation cues, blending in with other driver aids.

The 2022 Kia Sorento came with Kia Drive Wise, offering a range of safety features depending on the trim level. Our test vehicle included rear-seat reminder, Junction Assist, Blind View Monitor, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, and Highway Driving Assist. The IIHS named the Sorento a Top Safety Pick, with the highest rating for the SX and SX Prestige trims’ LED headlights. The NHTSA gave the Sorento a four-star overall crash-test rating.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests, and four stars in rollover tests. The 2022 model received the IIHS’ Top Safety Pick+ rating, with top scores in all crash tests and front crash prevention. The ID.4 included standard driver-assist features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and VW’s Travel Assist 2.0. New for 2023 were Park Assist Plus, automated lane-change for Travel Assist, and a 360-degree camera system.