What Ford is comparable to Kia Sorento?
The Ford Explorer is the closest Ford equivalent to the Kia Sorento in size, seating capacity and everyday practicality.
The Kia Sorento sits in the competitive midsize SUV class with three rows and solid value. Ford answers with the Explorer, a long-running three-row SUV that offers more powertrain choices and a broader feature set. Here’s how the two stack up and why the Explorer is considered the most comparable Ford option.
Closest Ford rival: Explorer
Key reasons the Explorer aligns with the Sorento in this segment include seating flexibility, powertrain variety and available technology.
- Seating for seven with a configurable second row and third row, plus versatile cargo space.
- Range of engines, from efficient EcoBoost four-cylinders to a more powerful EcoBoost V6 in higher trims, plus a hybrid option in recent years.
- Available all-wheel drive and a driving experience tuned for family use and longer trips.
- Modern interior technology and safety features, with Ford's SYNC infotainment and Co-Pilot360 safety suite across trims.
- Competitive pricing and a broad range of trims that position it against the Sorento's value proposition.
In practice, the Explorer's strength lies in its engine choices and capability, while the Sorento remains attractive for its interior efficiency and value. The Explorer is the natural pick for buyers prioritizing power and versatility in a Ford badge.
Past and present Ford midsize options
Edge was Ford's other mid-size, three-row-compatible option in years past, but it was discontinued after the 2023 model year. Today, the Explorer stands as the primary Ford model in this segment, with the Escape filling a smaller, non-three-row niche for buyers who want a Ford SUV in a different size class.
Summary
The Kia Sorento and Ford Explorer occupy a similar space in the midsize SUV market: both offer three-row practicality and solid feature sets. The Explorer is the clearer direct competitor among Ford models thanks to its larger powertrain lineup and higher towing ambitions, while Sorento’s strengths lie in efficiency, modern design and value across trims. For buyers deciding between these two, the choice often comes down to whether they value engine variety and capability (Explorer) or interior efficiency and value (Sorento).
