What do you look for in a great car? A great style? The perfect finely tuned engine? Plenty of intuitive safety and infotainment features? A lot goes into finding the right car, and with so many factors at play, and so many manufacturers and models to deal with, it can be difficult to sift the good from the bad, and vice versa. In this article, we’ll do just that, by comparing the 2019 Ford Edge vs the 2019 Kia Sorrento. Two impressive compact SUVs that at first glance could be considered equals. The line that separates them can appear blurred at first. They both offer sleek styling, and they’re both manufactured by two brands with a solid reputation. However, when you look a little closer, you’ll find that one of these compact SUVs offers a more comprehensive package than the other.
The Experience Behind the Wheel
When you sit down to pilot an SUV, even a compact one, there are certain things that you should be able to expect. Solid handling, a responsive engine, and an overall driving experience that has you itching for more. So, how does the 2019 Ford Edge match up alongside the 2019 Kia Sorrento? Well, as can be expected of a compact SUV, both come with a four-cylinder engine as standard.
The 2019 Kia Sorrento sports a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine beneath its hood, which is partnered by an okay 6-speed transmission. The engine works to provide drivers with 185 horsepower and 178 lb-ft worth of torque to play around with. Towing capacity for the Kia Sorrento is moderate for a vehicle of its size, offering 2,000 pounds in the base model. And when it comes to fuel economy, the 2019 Kia Sorrento is reasonable as well offering 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.
How does the 2019 Ford Edge compare? Well, the Ford Edge is equipped with a marginally smaller 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine; however, size doesn’t stop it, as the Ford Edge still clocks in at 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft worth of torque; blowing its competition out of the water. The Ford Edge also has an 8-speed transmission that is incredibly responsive and offers a driving experience that is quite remarkable for a vehicle of its class. Fuel economy is remarkably the same as its competitor, earning 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. Unfortunately, where the 2019 Ford Edge falls a bit flat is towing, topping out at 1,500 lbs in the standard model.
All that said, both SUVs offer a V6 option, taking power up a notch. The 2019 Kia Sorrento can be upgraded to a 3.3 liter V6 engine which bumps things up to 290 horsepower, 252 lb-ft worth of torque, and a max towing capacity of 5,000 lbs. The 2019 Ford Edge competes again with engine power with its 2.6-liter V6 variant. Drivers of the more powerful Ford Edge will find an engine that delivers 335 horsepower, 380 lb-ft worth of torque and a 3,500-pound towing capacity.
When it comes to engine and performance, both vehicles are neck and neck. The 2019 Kia Sorrento is rather sluggish when compared against the 2019 Ford Edge. That said, the Ford Edge lacks in towing capacity, which may disappoint drivers who are hoping to haul a trailer. Although it is important to note that all models of the Ford Edge come with AWD so that outdoorsy drivers can rejoice.
Where do Both Vehicles Stand in Safety?
While automotive technology has advanced by leaps and bounds in recent years, many vehicles offer similar specs and features in terms of safety. Sure, these features shouldn’t be overlooked. Many of these modern smart safety features do wonders in preventing accidents and use hardware that is advanced beyond measure. That said, the 2019 Kia Sorento and the 2019 Ford Edge stand pretty close when it comes to safety.
Let’s start with the ratings. Both vehicles received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA, which means you can rest easy as both SUVs are fully crash tested. But what about the tech? Well the 2019 Kia Sorento offers quite the safety package. Drivers can opt for blind-spot monitors which provide alerts when a car is passing within your vehicle’s blind spot. Some models of the Kia Sorento offer a surround-view-camera system giving drivers a 360 view of their vehicle and everything around it when backing up. Forward collision warnings and automatic emergency braking are also both pleasant additions to the Kia Sorento. However, it is important to mention that none of these features come as standard, meaning you’ll have to shell out extra cash to get the full package.
When it comes to safety features, Ford is in much better standing with their flagship compact SUV. In the 2019 Ford Edge drivers can expect to find forward-collision warnings, automatic emergency braking, active lane control, and blind-spot monitors, all come standard. So, in terms of value, the Ford Edge is the clear victor here. You can capitalize on the Ford Edge’s safety success by adding features such as adaptive cruise control, rear-seat inflatable seatbelts, and a 180-view camera offering greater visibility when parking.
Sure, you can get a substantial safety package from the Kia Sorrento, but you’ll likely have to pay significantly more than you would to get the same features from the 2019 Ford Edge; which leads us to our next focus, the sticker price.
Comfort and Price
In comfort, both vehicles are pretty comparable. The 2019 Ford Edge and the 2019 Kia Sorento both offer plenty of room for five passengers, and when it comes to cargo space, both vehicles are nearly the same, offering roughly 74 cu.ft. of space with the rear seats put down. Infotainment hardware is also pretty similar between both vehicles, although the Ford Edge’s standard infotainment touchscreen offers some subpar resolution. However, Ford includes the Sync 3 infotainment software which is leagues ahead of the onboard software of the Kia Sorento.
Pricing is where the Kia Sorento seems to be the obvious victor. The 2019 Kia Sorento starts at $26,290 MSRP, while the 2019 Ford Edge starts at a marginally higher $29,995 MSRP. Although considering the features that come packed into the standard version of the Ford Edge, the value is difficult to ignore. Some drivers may not want all the bells and whistles though, which can blur the lines a bit.
Our Decision
The 2019 Ford Edge and the 2019 Kia Sorento, two fully capable SUVs, that at first glance seem more alike than they are different. Although, one moment behind the wheel of the standard model of each of these vehicles and the differences will be too clear to disregard. While the 2019 Kia Sorento is a reasonable purchase, the value that the Ford Edge offers is clearly superior. If you’re looking to find the same features on the Kia Sorento that the Ford Edge offers as standard, you’ll be spending a considerable amount of money. Although, we understand that not all drivers will feel the same way that we do. For that reason, we recommend that you head down to your local Kia and Ford dealership to test out both vehicles so you can get a hands-on experience of what both of these compact SUVs bring to the table.
