Starting at
Starting at
288 hp | Top Horsepower | 240 hp |
Yes | OnStar | No |
116.3 cubic-ft | Maximum Cargo Space | 73.5 cubic-ft |
There are a number of notable SUV options out on the market. However, if you’ve already done the majority of your research, we’re sure you’ve been considering the 2017 Chevy Traverse vs 2017 Kia Sorento in Cincinnati, OH. These are perfectly reasonable targets, as the two SUVs provide all of the amenities and capabilities that a driver could want from their new ride. However, when you begin to compare the two nameplates side-by-side, you’ll find that Chevy’s offering is far superior.
SUVs predictably make excellent family vehicles. Fortunately, you’ll never have to worry about your younger passengers’ safety thanks to the Traverse and Sorrento’s array of safety functions. These units won’t only play a significant role in preventing accidents, but they’ll also protect if you do find yourself in a collision.
Of course, if you are going to be relying on your Traverse to serve as a family ride, then you’ll surely appreciate the model’s array of safety functions. The vehicle is equipped with a number of functions that are intended to keep drivers out of harm’s way. For instance, the Forward Collision Alert, Side Blind Zone Alert, and Lane Departure Warning will prove to be invaluable when you’re on the highway. Meanwhile, the Rear Cross Traffic Alert, rear vision camera, and Rear Park Assist should help reduce those pesky fender benders.
In the event of a collision, the Traverse is prepared to protect all of the SUV’s occupants. The vehicle is equipped with an extensive airbag unit, including an industry-exclusive Front Center Air Bag. The SUV is also built around a high-strength steel safety cage, which should absorb the majority of an accident’s energy (while also keeping it away from passengers). Finally, if help is needed, drivers can turn to the OnStar Automatic Crash Response System, which will send emergency personnel directly to the site of the crash following a simple push of a button.
The Sorento has been consistently commended for its safety capabilities, which has been confirmed by the vehicle earning a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Similar to its competitor, the SUV includes a number of safety functions that will prevent an accident. This includes the Electronic Stability Control and the Hill-Start Assist Control, which could prove to be instrumental in any road conditions.
In the event of an emergency, the vehicle’s body will surely keep passengers protected. The SUV is composed of 53-percent advanced high-strength steel, meaning your occupants will surely be secure during an accident. The Sorento is also equipped with an extensive airbag unit, which should provide all occupants with the necessary amount of cushion.
Ultimately, you’re going to be spending a whole lot of time inside the actual SUV. Therefore, you’ll want your vehicle’s cabin to be equipped with a number of technological and comfort amenities. Well, the 2017 Chevy Traverse certainly delivers, as owners can anticipate one of the most enjoyable driving experiences in the entire class. The 2017 Kia Sorento includes its own collection of features, but they still aren’t nearly as impressive as those available in the Traverse.
The 2017 Traverse is regarded as one of the premier family SUVs, and a big reason for that sentiment can be attributed to the interior amenities. It starts with the array of technological inclusions which will keep occupants busy and entertained during any long journey. The Chevy MyLink system, which is accessible via the built-in touchscreen, delivers an assortment of useful applications. Occupants can also connect their smartphone to the unit thanks to the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, allowing them to make phone calls or listen to their favorite playlists. To top it off, owners can opt for the available 4G LTE Wi-Fi, which provides a strong wireless internet connection for up to seven different devices.
Of course, owners also expect interior space from a new SUV, and there’s no denying that the 2017 Traverse delivers in this regard. The vehicle delivers a solid 24.4-cubic-feet of space behind the third row, but owners can unlock a best-in-class 116.3-cubic-feet of space when the rear seats are hidden. Plus, thanks to the 60/40 split folding rear seats, owners will be able to fit any combination of cargo and passengers.
While the Traverse seemingly focuses on technological inclusions, the Sorrento seems to focus on comfort amenities. For instance, the SUV includes heated seats and a 14-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. This mean drivers will never have to finagle with the settings as they’re trying to find their ideal vantage point of the road. The interior is also adorned in YES Essentials upholsteries, which will protect the materials from any stains.
Of course, the Sorrento manages to deliver a respectable amount of cargo space, although these specs aren’t nearly as impressive as the Traverse’s. The vehicle manages to deliver an adequate 38.8-cubic-feet of space behind the second row, and drivers can ultimately unlock 73.5-cubic-feet of maximum cargo space.
While there are surely a number of reasons why you’re pursuing an SUV, we’re confident that you’re enticed with the segment’s power. Well, if you opt for the 2017 Chevy Traverse, you’ll surely be able to appreciate a muscular engine. Unfortunately, the 2017 Kia Sorento’s offerings are inferior to those of the Traverse, emphasizing why Chevy’s SUV is the optimal target.
The Traverse is categorized as a “mid-size sports utility vehicle,” so it shouldn’t be all that surprising that the accompanying engine manages to pack quite the punch. The 3.6-liter V6 engine manages to pump out a whole lot of power, and drivers can even anticipate solid fuel efficiency specs. It’s rare that you see an engine that contains these two attributes, especially in this particular segment.
Ultimately, owners can expect the V6 engine to pump out 288 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. These specs predictably lead to impressive performance specs, including the 5,200-pound towing capacity. To accommodate for the SUV’s hauling prowess, engineers also included a number of towing-centric features. Finally, to top it all off, the brand added fuel-saving technologies like Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing. This ultimately leads to an impressive 22-mile-per-gallon highway fuel efficiency, numbers that are rarely seen in this segment.
Kia’s engineers did an admirable job of including three different engine options with their 2017 Kia Sorrento. However, none of these three offerings hold a candle to the single option included under the Traverse’s hood.
The 2.4-liter engine is the weakest of the bunch, as the unit is only capable of pumping out 185 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine may be a bit smaller, but it manages to upgrade those muscle specs to 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Finally, the hefty 3.3-liter V6 engine pumps out the most power among these options at 290 horsepower and 252 pound-feet of torque.