Compare the2026 Ford ExplorerVS 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Ford Explorer have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The Explorer has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Explorer and the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Explorer is much safer than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid:

The Ford Explorer has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

The Explorer’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid runs out after 100,000 miles.

There are almost 4 times as many Ford dealers as there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Explorer’s warranty.

The Explorer has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

The Explorer’s standard 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 39 more horsepower (300 vs. 261) and 40 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 270) than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Explorer’s optional 3.0 turbo V6 produces 139 more horsepower (400 vs. 261) and 145 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 270) than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

Both the Explorer and Sorento Plug-In Hybrid have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The Explorer has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Explorer 2.3L EcoBoost I-4’s standard fuel tank has 6.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (18.6 vs. 12.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Explorer 3.0L EcoBoost V6’s standard fuel tank has 7.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (20.2 vs. 12.4 gallons).

The Explorer has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Ford Explorer, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

For better stopping power the Explorer’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid:

For better traction, the Explorer has larger standard tires than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (255/65R18 vs. 235/55R19). The Explorer’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (275/45R21 vs. 235/55R19).

The Explorer’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Explorer offers optional 21-inch wheels. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the Explorer can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

The Explorer’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Explorer’s wheelbase is 8.3 inches longer than on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (119.1 inches vs. 110.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Explorer is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

For greater off-road capability the Explorer has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (7.6 vs. 6.9 inches), allowing the Explorer to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Explorer Tremor’s minimum ground clearance is 1.8 inches higher than on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (8.7 vs. 6.9 inches).

The Ford Explorer may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 350 pounds less than the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

The front grille of the Explorer uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Explorer offers available computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Explorer offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid can only carry 6.

The Explorer has 45 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (150.3 vs. 105.3).

The Explorer has .4 inches more front headroom, 1.6 inches more front legroom, 3.6 inches more front hip room, 3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom, 4 inches more rear hip room, 3.8 inches more rear shoulder room, 2.1 inches more third row headroom, 2.2 inches more third row legroom and 1.6 inches more third row shoulder room than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

The Explorer’s cargo area provides more volume than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

The Explorer’s cargo area is larger than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s in every dimension:

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Explorer uses the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The engine in the Explorer is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The Explorer’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

On a hot day the Explorer’s driver can lower the front windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Explorer’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Explorer’s standard Intelligent Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Smart Key standard on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The Explorer’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Explorer has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Explorer Platinum also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The Explorer’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Explorer (except Active) offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

The Explorer is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Ford Explorer, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Ford Explorer outsold the Kia Sorento by over two to one during 2024.