Comparing The 2025 Volvo XC90 Vs. 2025 Kia Sorento

Is your large family debating the benefits of the 2025 Volvo XC90 vs. Kia Sorento SUVs? Both models have up to seven seats and offer you turbocharged power. However, the Volvo XC90 is ultimately the more luxurious, muscular option. Join us as we lay out the reasons why the Gunther Volvo Cars Daytona Beach team believes the Volvo model has the advantage.

Volvo XC90 vs. Kia Sorento Performance and Safety

Get where you're going faster in a 2025 Volvo XC90. Its standard B5 powertrain makes 247 horsepower and can get you from zero to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds. Meanwhile, the 2025 Kia Sorento has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 191 horsepower. While its standard 0-60 time isn't available, it likely hasn't changed too drastically from the 9.6 seconds it achieved in previous model years.¹

Both SUVs have a second engine option, but the Volvo model still proves more powerful, generating 295 horsepower compared to the 281 offered by the Kia's turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The Volvo SUV can also tow 5,000 pounds in any trim level.² The Kia tops out at 4,500 pounds, and that capacity is only possible with the top-of-the-line trim.³

Comparing the AWD versions of both models with their standard powertrains, the Kia Sorento and Volvo XC90 are very similar in terms of fuel efficiency, with the Volvo SUV scoring an EPA-estimated 26 MPG (Combined) and the Kia getting an EPA-estimated 25 MPG (Combined).^4,5 Both vehicles can achieve up to 23 MPG (Combined) with their available engines.^4,6 However, since the Volvo model has a larger fuel tank, it can go further between refueling stops.

Those interested in even more impressive performance can peruse our collection of new Volvo cars for sale for a Volvo XC90 Plug-In Hybrid, a three-row PHEV sibling of the regular Volvo XC90. With its T8 AWD powertrain, this vehicle produces 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque. The 2025 Sorento also comes in a plug-in hybrid variant, but with only 261 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, you're in for a less exciting time.

As important as fuel efficiency is, safety is a higher priority when choosing between the Volvo XC90 or Kia Sorento. Both SUVs have been rated as Top Safety Picks from the IIHS; however, the Volvo XC90 slightly edges out the Kia by achieving the highest award - Top Safety Pick+.⁷

Kia Sorento vs. Volvo XC90 Dimensions

The new Volvo XC90 is the larger midsize SUV. While both models have first and second rows suited for adults, their third rows are ideally meant for kids. Still, with a growing family, giving them as much wiggle room as possible will only be helpful. The Volvo XC90 has 31.9 inches of legroom in its third row, while the Kia Sorento only has 29.6 inches.

With all three rows of seats in use, you can load up 15.8 cubic feet of cargo into the Volvo model.⁸ By contrast, the Kia Sorento only saves 12.6 cubic feet behind its third row, which is equivalent to many sedans' cargo space.

Volvo XC90 vs. Kia Sorento Interior

The Kia Sorento features eight different trim levels – an overwhelming and complicated menu that may make it harder to track down your ideal interior cabin. Alternatively, there are three well-appointed Volvo trim levels, all of which give you more of what you want right from the beginning.

The Volvo XC90 Core has a panoramic roof, leatherette upholstery, four-zone climate control, heated and ergonomically designed comfort front seats, and memory settings for the driver's seat. The Kia Sorento only gains a standard panoramic roof in its fourth trim and has available dual-zone climate control. Its introductory trim also uses cloth seats that are not heated.

The Volvo XC90 Plus has heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel, which are only reserved for the top Kia Sorento tiers. An integrated booster cushion also gets added to this Volvo edition, providing safe and comfortable seating for kids; no other model on the market, including the Sorento, has this innovative feature to date.

The Volvo XC90 Ultra steps things up further with heated and ventilated Nappa leather upholstery, a 14-speaker Harman Kardon® premium sound system, and memory settings for the passenger-side seat. Most of these luxuries are beyond what the Kia model delivers. For instance, while the Sorento has driver's seat memory in the top two trims, this is never available for the passenger side.

Kia Sorento vs. Volvo XC90 Technology

Volvo automakers pride themselves on offering intuitive and genuinely supportive driver assistance technology. This is why the Volvo XC90 has standard Pilot Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control and an available Head-Up Display. While the Kia Sorento has Smart Cruise Control, it has no HUD. You also need to go up four trim levels to get a Surround View Monitor, which is available on the Volvo XC90 Plus.

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We hope you've found our Kia Sorento vs. Volvo XC90 review informative. If you want to learn more about our Volvo XC90 lease or financing offers, please call or stop by our dealership today.

Frequently Asked Questions About 2025 Volvo XC90 vs. Kia Sorento Models

What Kia is comparable to the Volvo XC90?

The Kia Sorento is similar to a Volvo XC90 in the sense that they are both midsize SUVs that can seat up to seven people. However, the Volvo model is a bit larger, with more cargo room, more horsepower, and greater maximum towing capacity. Our team can go into more depth if you want to compare Kia Sorento vs. Volvo XC90 models.

What has better gas mileage: the Volvo XC90 or Kia Sorento?

When you want to compare Volvo XC90 vs. Kia Sorento gas mileage, you must decide which of their powertrains you want to look at. With their standard engines and AWD, the Volvo XC90 makes an EPA-estimated 26 MPG (Combined),⁵ while the Kia Sorento achieves 25 MPG (Combined).⁴ However, with their available turbocharged engines and AWD, the Volvo XC90 and Kia Sorento deliver 23 MPG (Combined).^4,6

Which is cheaper to maintain: a Volvo SUV or a Kia SUV?

A Volvo model is a luxury vehicle, so its replacement parts are likely to be more expensive than those of a Kia SUV, which isn't considered to be as elite. That being said, those who buy a new Volvo SUV get three years of Complimentary Factory Scheduled Maintenance,⁹ while the same perk is not offered with a new Kia. You can also count on Volvo reliability.

¹This information is not verified by the official manufacturer and shall serve solely as unofficial general information. For details, visit: https://www.caranddriver.com/kia/sorento-2024.

²When properly equipped.

³Towing requires additional equipment. See Owner’s Manual for towing capacity, additional instructions and warnings. Always use caution while towing.

⁴Based on EPA estimates. Actual mileage will vary with options, driving conditions, driving habits and your vehicle’s condition. See www.fueleconomy.gov.

⁵EPA estimated range is 23 MPG city/30 MPG highway/26 MPG combined (B5 AWD). Your actual range will vary for many reasons, including but not limited to, driving conditions, how and where you drive, how you maintain your vehicle, battery-package/condition, and other factors. See https://www.fueleconomy.gov/.

⁶EPA estimated range is 20 MPG city/26 MPG highway/23 MPG combined (B6 AWD). Your actual range will vary for many reasons, including but not limited to, driving conditions, how and where you drive, how you maintain your vehicle, battery-package/condition, and other factors. See https://www.fueleconomy.gov/

⁷Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this award, visit www.iihs.org

⁸Reference to this third-party review/claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For more details, please visit https://www.motortrend.com/cars/volvo/xc90/2025/specs?trim=B5+Core+AWD

⁹Volvo Cars recommends that you bring your vehicle in for service at least once a year regardless of mileage. In such cases Volvo will cover the recommended services at 1 per year for the first 3 years.