Things for Families to Consider When Choosing Between the Sorento and Telluride

May 10th, 2024 by

A gray 2024 Kia Sorento for sale is shown driving through water.

Kia has managed to provide the market with some really great family-focused vehicles across multiple segments. Interestingly enough, they actually have two different three-row SUVs: the Sorento and the Telluride. If you were shopping for a 2024 model-year three-row SUV and you were possibly eyeing a Kia Sorento for sale or a Kia Telluride from your nearest Kia dealer, like Rusty Wallace Kia of Knoxville, you would probably be asking yourself what the similarities and differences are and which one is a better family-friendly SUV…

What makes the Kia Telluride a good three-row, full-size SUV for your family? What makes the Kia Sorento a good three-row crossover SUV for your family? Why would you choose one over the other, and what makes them great family vehicles? All of these questions can lead you to weigh every pro and con of the features of the Sorento and Telluride, but there’s an easier way to tell the differences between them…

Size Comparisons

Both the 2024 Sorento and 2024 Telluride are considered large SUVs, as both vehicles offer three rows in different configurations. Despite both being three-row SUVs, however, the Sorento is considered a crossover, whereas the Telluride is considered a full-size model.

This is due to the Telluride having more cargo capacity and being on a longer wheelbase than the Sorento, with the 2024 Telluride clocking in at 114.2 inches compared to the Sorento’s 110.8-inch wheelbase. This affects the structure of the vehicles, as the Telluride has a max ground clearance of 8.4 inches while the Sorento tops out at 8.2 inches. It also alters the towing capacity: the Telluride has a maximum towing capacity of up to 5,500 lbs, whereas the Sorento tops out at 4,500 lbs, so that’s another thing to consider if you plan on towing items during vacation or family outings.

There are also differences in how many the Sorento and Telluride can both seat. The Sorento can be configured to seat between six and seven passengers across three rows; for six passengers, you have three sets of two seats in each row, whereas for the seven-seater configuration, you have captain’s chairs up front, an easy-fold split bench in the middle, and two seats in the rear. For the Telluride, you can seat between seven or eight people across all three rows; this includes either four captain’s chairs across the first two rows and a split bench in the rear for the seven-seater version or two captain’s chairs up front and two split benches for the second and third rows.

A blue 2024 Kia Telluride is shown parked near a house.

Differences in Fuel Economy

One of the major differences between the Sorento and the Telluride is in the fuel economy, and this is because they have two very different powertrains. The Telluride is powered by a single 3.8-liter Lambda V6 that manages up to 20 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway in front-wheel drive, and 18 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway in all-wheel drive. This is an important consideration if you do a lot of daily driving and need a large family vehicle for potential long commutes.

The Sorento offers you multiple powertrains, all of which have great fuel economy for their size. This includes a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder that manages 23 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway in front-wheel drive, and 23 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway in all-wheel drive. There is also a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder that manages 20 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway in front-wheel drive, and 20 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway in all-wheel drive.

Another big departure is the hybrid powertrains for the Sorento, with a 1.6-liter engine and electric motor that manages 39 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway in front-wheel drive, and 36 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway in all-wheel drive. The plug-in hybrid version delivers 79 MPG-equivalent and 32 miles of electric-only travel in all-wheel drive.

To put it simply, when it comes to range and fuel economy, you get more and better options with the Sorento. Plus, since it’s slightly smaller than the Telluride, it also means it’s going to be easier to handle on the road. This is a big consideration if you’re not completely comfortable driving a full-size SUV but still need a lot of space for your family. The Sorento sure hits the sweet spot between size, fuel economy, and convenience!

Infotainment and Cargo

Depending on what you need from a family vehicle will determine whether you need something the size of the Sorento or the size of the Telluride. While both offer three rows, you have more cargo capacity in the Telluride, even though you still have plenty in the Sorento. The Sorento offers 12.6 cu.ft. of space behind the third row, 45.0 cu.ft. behind the second row, and 75.5 cu.ft. behind the first row.

For the Telluride, you have 21.0 cu.ft. of space behind the third row, 46.0 cu.ft. behind the second row, and 87.0 cu.ft. behind the first row. While both vehicles offer plenty of space, the difference comes down to how much space you need. If you have a small- or medium-sized family, then the Sorento offers plenty of room. If you have a large family and want the extra cargo space, then the Telluride provides it.

Inside, you also have plenty of convenience features that make the most of your cabin space. If you have enough family members to occupy all three rows, they won’t be bored along the way. You have the standard infotainment suite available for both vehicles, but in different sizes depending on the trim.

The Sorento and Telluride both offer a 12.3-inch HD touchscreen with smartphone syncing via wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto—but they’re not limited to just infotainment touchscreens in the first row, as there are rear-seat entertainment packages available for both models, enabling all passengers to stay occupied and entertained during your travels. One interesting difference between the two is that hybrid Sorentos come with a 10.25-inch touchscreen instead of the 12.3-inch one.

The black and brown interior cargo area in a 2024 Kia Sorento is shown.

Convenience Features

In terms of convenience features shared by both the Sorento and Telluride, their trims have a lot of standard inclusions. You have USB media hubs, full driver assistance suites, and various seating materials like cloth, SynTex, and leather. Privacy glass and panoramic roof panels are also featured on both the Sorento and Telluride, along with dual-zone climate control, smart key access with remote start, power front seats, and Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity.

The differences come with the operating system that powers both models’ infotainment suites. The 2024 Sorento has the latest in Kia’s connectivity tech, known as the Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (CCNC) operating system; this provides the Sorento with faster menu navigation, faster app access, and quicker load times over the Telluride. Plus, the Sorento has over-the-air updates, so new features, apps, telemetry, navigation, and smart device integration can be upgraded for the Sorento via simple software updates.

What’s more is that the Sorento also comes with Digital Key 2.0, so now you can use your Apple or Android smartphone or an NFC-enabled smart card to remotely access the Sorento, ushering in the next generation of tech accessibility when it comes to vehicular connectivity.

Another big difference between the Sorento and Telluride in the convenience area is the Smart Cruise-Control Machine Learning (SCC-ML). This system attempts to learn the driver’s behavior and adapt it while on the road, and it works in conjunction with the Highway Driving Assist 2 system, featuring a lot of automated and tech-enabled driver aids. This lets the vehicle do most of the driving—thanks to the adaptive Smart Cruise Control—so you can focus more on your kids as you trek to school rather than constantly worrying about all the minutiae of daily travel.

Which 2024 Kia Family SUV Is Right for You?

Both the 2024 Sorento and 2024 Telluride are large SUVs with three rows, and both have a litany of features inside and out that make them great for families—but which model do you opt for? Well, it boils down to which of the two hits those marks on your checklist more often than not.

Maybe the Telluride is rugged and large enough for your family, or maybe you opt for a Sorento since it provides more tech. Maybe you want the Telluride’s greater towing and cargo capacity, or you want the optimized fuel economy and range of the Sorento. If you need help deciding, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask us about the trims and configurations of Kia’s popular three-row SUVs to find out which one best suits your needs.