2020 Kia Sorento vs. 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The Sorento EX/SX’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Atlas Cross Sport doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

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

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, with its optional vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, with its optional vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Sorento the rating of “Top Pick” for 2020, a rating granted to only 30 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Atlas Cross Sport has not been tested, yet.

The Sorento comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Atlas Cross Sport’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year and 10,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Sorento 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than Volkswagen covers the Atlas Cross Sport. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Atlas Cross Sport ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 18 percent more Kia dealers than there are Volkswagen dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Sorento’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Sorento’s reliability 51 points higher than the Atlas Cross Sport.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Sorento third among midsize suvs in their 2019 Initial Quality Study. The Atlas Cross Sport isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2019 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 43 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 25th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2019 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 12th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ December 2019 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 18 places higher in reliability than Volkswagen.

The Sorento’s optional 3.3 DOHC V6 produces 14 more horsepower (290 vs. 276) than the Atlas Cross Sport’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6.

On the EPA test cycle the Sorento gets better fuel mileage than the Atlas Cross Sport:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Kia Sorento uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Atlas Cross Sport requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Kia Sorento higher (5 out of 10) than the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport (3 to 5). This means the Sorento produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Atlas Cross Sport every 15,000 miles.

The Sorento has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Sorento flat and controlled during cornering. The Atlas Cross Sport’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For better maneuverability, the Sorento’s turning circle is 3.3 feet tighter than the Atlas Cross Sport’s (37.2 feet vs. 40.5 feet). The Sorento AWD’s turning circle is 3.2 feet tighter than the Atlas Cross Sport’s (37.3 feet vs. 40.5 feet).

The Kia Sorento may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 pounds less than the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport.

The Sorento is 6.5 inches shorter than the Atlas Cross Sport, making the Sorento easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Sorento has standard seating for 7 passengers; the Atlas Cross Sport can only carry 5.

The Sorento has 42.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Atlas Cross Sport (154.2 vs. 112).

The Sorento has .1 inches more front headroom, 2.5 inches more front legroom and 1.5 inches more rear headroom than the Atlas Cross Sport.

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the Sorento’s second row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Atlas Cross Sport doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The Sorento SX’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Atlas Cross Sport doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Sorento has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Atlas Cross Sport only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Kia Sorento, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Kia Sorento outsold the Volkswagen Atlas by 18% during 2019.