Kia Sorento and Honda Pilot

Kia Sorento: The standard 2.5L 4-cylinder engine produces 191 horsepower and 182 lb-ft of torque, with an available turbocharged 2.5L engine kicking that up to 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. Both are paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission built for responsive, confident performance. Front-wheel drive comes standard, with all-wheel drive available for enhanced traction when Missouri weather turns unpredictable.

Press the accelerator from a stop and the Sorento’s 8-speed automatic responds with a decisiveness that feels premium well above its price point — clean, linear power delivery that makes highway on-ramps and passing maneuvers feel effortless rather than anxious. Choose the turbocharged 2.5L and that confident feeling amplifies considerably: 311 lb-ft of torque means the Sorento pulls with real authority whether you’re loaded with passengers and cargo or running solo toward Jefferson City on a tight schedule. The AWD system monitors road conditions continuously and redistributes torque to the wheels with the most grip before you ever feel a loss of traction — it’s the kind of intelligent all-weather capability that lets you stop thinking about the road and start enjoying the drive. Explore Sorento powertrain options at Kia of Columbia.

Honda Pilot: The Pilot features a 3.5L V6 engine generating 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It uses a 10-speed automatic transmission focused on balancing power and efficiency. All-wheel drive is available on most trims for increased capability in various weather conditions, but no hybrid option is offered.

Kia Sorento: The Sorento’s cabin sets a new standard for what a midsize family SUV should feel like inside. An available 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster pairs with a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen to create a crisp, integrated command center that puts essential information exactly where you need it. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ mean your phone connects without a cable the moment you sit down. Higher trims elevate the experience further with a Bose® premium sound system, a panoramic sunroof that floods all three rows with natural light, and heated and ventilated front seats with memory settings that recall your perfect position every time.

What sets the Sorento’s technology apart is how naturally it all works together in motion. Steering wheel controls let the driver manage navigation, audio, and calls without a glance away from the road. The 10.25-inch touchscreen responds with the kind of speed and accuracy you’d expect from a modern smartphone — swipe, tap, done. The Bose system available on upper trims doesn’t just play music; it fills the entire cabin, including the third row, with a balanced, immersive sound that makes a two-hour drive to St. Louis feel like a private concert. And the panoramic sunroof transforms the mood of the cabin instantly — second and third-row passengers get a view of the sky that makes even a routine commute feel like an occasion.

Honda Pilot: The Pilot offers a 7-inch digital instrument display and a 7-inch or available 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system designed for intuitive operation. Physical controls complement the touchscreen for commonly used functions. Wireless smartphone connectivity is restricted to higher trim levels, and it features an available 12-speaker Bose® premium audio system.

Kia Sorento: Provides 12.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 38.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 75.5 cubic feet with both rear rows folded flat. A power liftgate with smart opening functionality is available for hands-free access when your arms are full.

Day to day, the Sorento’s cargo area proves its worth in the small moments as much as the big ones. The smart power liftgate means you never have to set down groceries or gear to pop the tailgate — walk up and it reads your intention, opening automatically so you can load without breaking stride. With the third row in use, there’s still enough space for a realistic amount of family cargo, and the fold-flat second and third rows create a genuinely flat, wide loading floor when you need maximum hauling capacity for a trip to Rock Bridge Memorial State Park or a Mizzou game-day load-out. Third-row passengers, often the forgotten occupants in this segment, benefit from the Sorento’s smart packaging — access is easier than you’d expect and the space, while snug, is livable for shorter drives around Boone County.

Honda Pilot: Offers 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 48.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and expands to 87.0 cubic feet with both rows down. Also features a hands-free power tailgate on higher trim levels.

Kia Sorento:

2.5L 4-cylinder (standard)

• City: 24 mpg
• Highway: 29 mpg

2.5L Turbocharged

• City: 22 mpg
• Highway: 27 mpg

Hybrid: 1.6L Turbocharged hybrid

• City: 39 mpg
• Highway: 35 mpg

The Sorento’s powertrain lineup is genuinely one of its most compelling advantages over the competition. The hybrid option is a game-changer for families and commuters who put real miles on their vehicle — 39 mpg in the city is extraordinary for a three-row midsize SUV, and it means fewer fuel stops on long drives and meaningfully lower running costs over time. The hybrid system blends the 1.6L turbocharged engine with electric motor assistance seamlessly; you’ll never feel it switching between power sources, just a smooth, quiet progression of acceleration that feels more refined than the numbers suggest. For drivers who want to go further still, the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid adds all-electric range for short daily commutes while keeping full hybrid capability for longer trips. And if the Sorento Hybrid is on your radar, Kia of Columbia has the details and inventory to match. Check current Sorento specials here.

Honda Pilot:

3.5L V6 (FWD)

• City: 19 mpg
• Highway: 27 mpg

3.5L V6 (AWD)

• City: 18 mpg
• Highway: 25 mpg

Kia Sorento: Comes equipped with Kia Drive Wise, which includes Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Following Assist, and Highway Driving Assist. Upper trims add Parking Distance Warning, a Surround View Monitor, and Safe Exit Assist to protect passengers exiting the vehicle.

Think of Kia Drive Wise as a co-pilot that never gets distracted, never gets tired, and never stops paying attention. Highway Driving Assist takes the mental weight off long interstate stretches — the Sorento steers, accelerates, and brakes within its lane automatically, keeping a safe buffer from the car ahead so the driver can arrive at the destination genuinely relaxed rather than wrung out. Lane Following Assist makes divided attention on unfamiliar roads feel manageable, providing gentle corrective steering before a lane drift even fully registers. The Surround View Monitor available on upper trims eliminates the guesswork from parking in busy Columbia lots or tight downtown street spots, assembling a seamless 360-degree bird’s-eye view of the entire vehicle on the screen. And Safe Exit Assist is one of those features that sounds optional until the day it matters: it monitors approaching traffic and prevents the rear doors from opening if a vehicle is coming, protecting the passengers — including kids — who might not think to check before stepping out.

Honda Pilot: Features Honda Sensing® technology, including Collision Mitigation Braking System, Road Departure Mitigation System, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, and Lane Keeping Assist System. Higher trims add Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Monitor and front and rear parking sensors.