Nissan X-Trail vs Kia Sorento comparison

The Kia Sorento and Nissan X-Trail vehicles have a lot in common. One of the salient features is the fact that both models were previously represented in the frame SUV segment.

But the era of frame structures and all-terrain vehicles is gradually becoming a thing of the past. Automakers are increasingly taking into account modern trends, retaining old names, but translating their new products into completely different niches. Both the Sorento and the X-Trail were previously full-fledged SUVs with a frame structure, and are now positioned as crossovers, more city-oriented, but retaining the ability to travel outside of paved roads.

The X-Trail and Sorento have roughly the same level of demand. These are fairly popular and demanded cars. And it is difficult to choose one favorite among them without first understanding all the nuances and aspects.

General information

The Nissan X-Trail is now in its 3rd generation. It belongs to the category of compact SUVs with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The first two generations looked a lot like classic SUVs. But in the case of the 3rd generation, the Japanese went for an experiment, turning the frame into an urban crossover. And the risk was fully justified, since young drivers and girls began to look at this car.

Initially, the future at that time, the 3rd generation of the Japanese crossover was presented in Geneva in the form of a concept in 2012. A year later, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the world saw the production version. By the end of 2014, the assembly was organized at a plant in St. Petersburg, and sales in Russia started only in March 2015.

In the fall of 2018, the Russian version underwent a planned restyling, within the framework of which the exterior was slightly updated, the interior was modified, the suspension was revised and the steering was revised. Plus, the crossover received a number of options that were not previously available.

The 3rd generation X-Trail is assembled on a modular CMF platform. A MacPherson strut is in front, and a multi-link design in the back. If the car is front-wheel drive, then there will be a semi-independent system in the back. Adaptive Electric Power Assist is paired with fully ventilated disc brakes and ABS.

Choosing between the South Korean Kia Sorento or the Japanese Nissan X-Trail, it's worth looking at the features of the second generation Sorento.

The Sorento falls into the category of mid-size crossovers and is also equipped with full front-wheel drive. The car turned out to be large in size, but it successfully combines the capabilities of an SUV and a car.

The debut of the 2nd generation took place in the spring of 2009 in Seoul. A restyled version was prepared for the fall of 2012. In most markets, the model has ceased to be produced since 2014, as the heir appeared in the form of the 3rd generation and more premium Sorento Prime. But in Russia, the demand for the 2nd generation was impressive, which is why they decided to continue production. The assembly is still underway, although in terms of technical equipment options 2, the generation of the crossover was significantly limited.

The Sorento 2 is built on the same platform as the Hyundai Santa Fe. Independent front suspension with MacPherson struts and anti-roll bars. At the rear there is a lever-spring design, hydraulic shock absorbers and the same transverse stabilizers. Rack and pinion steering gear with electric booster. Front and rear disc brakes. The first ones are also ventilated.

Exterior

For its time, the Kia Sorento 2 was a real handsome man and the embodiment of a modern and stylish crossover. But time goes by. A lot of time has passed since 2012, and it was then that the last restyling was carried out.

As a result, now the Sorento is no longer in line with modern trends. Although the look remains attractive, it attracts a large number of consumers. It is a large car that looks like an SUV, although in fact it is an urban crossover that can leave the asphalt as needed.

The ratio of the car to the mid-size class is confirmed by the dimensions:

• length 4685 mm .;
• height 1710 mm .;
• width 1885 mm .;
• wheelbase 2700 mm.;
• ground clearance 185 mm.

The new X-Trail looks much fresher, more original and stylish against the background of a simple Sorento. Yes, everyone perceives the exterior in their own way, but objectively Nissan offers a more modern, youthful, daring and aggressive car.

X-Trail has also managed to retain the corporate identity of its predecessors, while at the same time providing the company with the ability to count on attracting audiences of any gender and age. The Kia Sorento remains a more masculine car and the choice for motorists 35 and older.

But the X-Trail is a compact crossover, as evidenced by the dimensions:

• length 4643 mm .;
• width 1820 mm .;
• height 1695 mm .;
• wheelbase 210 mm.;
• ground clearance 210 mm.

Now it's worth taking a look at how the Japanese and South Korean automakers managed to take advantage of the available dimensions to organize the interior space and luggage compartment.

Interior and trunk

The Japanese crossover X-Trail was made in a European style, since it is this market that the manufacturer is mainly oriented towards. The assembly is at a good level, the materials used are of sufficient quality.

The front seats are comfortable, have pronounced lateral support, a good choice in settings. Heating is available in any configuration, and the chairs can be adjusted mechanically or electrically. The rear sofa is adapted for 3 passengers. An important advantage is the absence of a transmission tunnel. The sofa can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction, thereby increasing the headroom. A 3-row seat is available as an option, but is only aimed at children.

In the 5-seater version, the trunk holds 550 liters, and with 3 rows, only 135 liters. If the gallery is lowered, there will be 445 liters. The rear or second sofa also folds down, making it possible to turn the trunk into a real hold with a capacity of 1982 liters. At the same time, the floor is almost perfectly flat. There is an electric drive on the fifth door.

As expected, the Kia Sorento looks a little more modest inside. At the same time, in terms of the quality of materials and assembly, it is not inferior to its Japanese competitor. The main advantage for the Sorento is the impressive headroom inside.

The front seats let us down, since there is practically no lateral support, the pillow is flat, but the range of settings is huge. On the second row there is a comfortable sofa where you can adjust the backrest position. There are armrests and ventilation deflectors. The third row is not as spacious as the second, but even adults can accommodate there, calmly withstanding a trip of 100-200 kilometers.

When buying a 7-seater version, 258 liters remain under the trunk. Folding the back row flush with the floor, you get 500 liters. When loaded under the ceiling, the volume is 1047 liters at all. Removing the second row, you will have 2052 liters of free space for loading.

Motors, gearboxes and their capabilities

Continuing the comparison between the Nissan X-Trail and Kia Sorento cars, be sure to take a look at the specifications of the two crossovers in question.

The third generation of the Japanese compact crossover is offered in Russia with 3 power units. 2 of them are gasoline and another diesel version.

• The base engine provides a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine with a capacity of 140 horsepower and a torque of 200 Nm. Equipped with 6-speed manual or continuously variable CVT. Choice of front or rear drive. On mechanics, the first 100 km / h reaches in 11.1 seconds. at a maximum speed of 183 km / h. Combined fuel consumption of about 8.3 liters per 100 km. With a variator, acceleration takes from 11.7 to 12.1 seconds at a maximum speed of 183 km / h.Fuel consumption from 7.1 to 7.5 liters in the combined cycle.
• The top-end gasoline engine has a 2.5-liter volume. It is naturally aspirated 4-cylinder internal combustion engine with 171 horsepower and 233 Nm of torque. Works only with a variator and only with four-wheel drive. At the same time, the dynamics are not the most impressive, since acceleration from zero to hundreds takes 10.5 seconds. at a maximum speed of 190 kilometers per hour. For every 100 km. 8.3 liters of fuel are required.
• The diesel version provides a 1.6-liter turbo engine with 130 horsepower and 320 Nm. It is completed exclusively with mechanics and all-wheel drive. From a place to a hundred breaks down in 11 seconds at a maximum speed of 183 km / h. But the consumption is 5.3 liters of diesel fuel per 100 km.

To compare the Kia Sorento and Nissan X-Trail crossovers, you need to take a look at what the South Korean automaker has to offer in Russia.

Sorento 2 generations with two power units were officially sold in Russia. But in the end there was only one left. The diesel version was excluded from this short list. But it is found in the secondary market. This is a 2.2-liter engine with 197 horsepower and 436 Nm of torque.

The only and uncontested was a 2.4-liter gasoline engine. It is a naturally aspirated internal combustion engine with 175 horsepower and 225 Nm of torque. Such a motor is equipped with a manual or automatic transmission, as well as front or plug-in all-wheel drive to choose from.

From standstill to 100 km / h Sorento can accelerate in 11.5 seconds at a top speed of 190 kilometers per hour. In the combined cycle, it is required to burn from 8.6 to 8.8 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers. The diesel engine consumed in the range from 5.9 to 6.7 liters per hundred.

Quite rarely, but in the Russian secondary market there are Kia Sorento equipped with 3.3 and 3.5 liter 6-cylinder gasoline engines. They gave out 276 and 300 horsepower, respectively.

In both cases, the crossovers do not show outstanding dynamics, but Nissan offers more economical engines. It is impossible to make claims about reliability or resource availability. The Kia Sorento even uses a time-tested gasoline power unit, which has already managed to find many weaknesses and eliminate them.

Controllability and cross-country ability

Initially, the Nissan X-Trail has a definite advantage over the 2nd generation Kia Sorento, since the Japanese are newer and can count on more modern solutions.

At the same time, handling in both cases is approximately equally pleasant. The Sorento's larger dimensions did not prevent it from gaining control at the level of a passenger car. The dynamics are not ideal, but for city driving and driving on the highway, it is perfect for those who do not abuse the gas pedal to the floor.

But the cross-country ability of the Sorento has lost a little in comparison with its predecessor. Not the greatest ground clearance does not make it possible to actively conquer off-road. But you can go to sand or rubble without fear of getting stuck. This is a good car for family trips and travel, outings, hunting and fishing. The main thing is not to drive on frankly deaf off-road.

Nissan's X-Trail has a more solid ground clearance, although it belongs to the compact crossover class. The car is sharpened for urban use, but if necessary and the driver wants to cope with light and medium off-road conditions, such a car will be able to.

The handling is improved by the adaptive electric power steering. Plus, a properly carried out setup and a sensitive reaction to all driver's actions give a certain pleasure from driving this crossover.

If you love the feel of the car and the fun of driving, then you will probably enjoy the feeling of a Japanese SUV better. In the case of the Sorento, the car gives you a sense of calm and complete control. And on the passability, you can put an equal sign.

We cannot talk about what is better to choose for off-road conquest when it comes to urban crossovers. Nevertheless, each of the presented cars has its own advantages. Start from what exactly you expect from the car.

Safety

At one time, each of the crossovers passed crash tests and received high marks for their results. In both cases, we are talking about strong, reliable and safe crossovers.

At the same time, X-Trail received a more extensive set of modern active and passive safety systems. In addition to the already familiar ABS, BAS and ESP, there are a number of other developments and electronic assistants.

Maintenance and service costs

A fairly extensive list of mandatory expenses is associated with a car. Here you should start from a specific model and configuration.

In general terms, the transport tax on the Japanese crossover will be higher than on the South Korean one. And about 1.5 times. For compulsory car insurance, they will ask for about the same amount.

Fuel costs directly depend on which engine is installed under the hood. But the lack of alternatives for the Kia Sorento 2 does not allow it to compete with the diesel engine on the X-Trail. Therefore, there is a slight advantage on the side of the Japanese.

As a result, on average, the maintenance and service of the Kia Sorento 2 will cost 10-15% less than in the case of the Nissan X-Trail.

Options and prices

If you do not take into account the new generation of the Kia Sorento Prime model, and start purely from the version of the 2nd generation that is still relevant in Russia, then there is no wide choice of power plants. The same cannot be said about the X-Trail.

But complete sets are provided at once 4. The simplest version will cost about 1.6 million rubles. For that kind of money, the consumer gets:

• 6 airbags;
• ESC, ABS, ESS, VSM systems;
• GLONASS;
• dual-zone climate control;
• rear parking sensors;
• Cruise control;
• rear parking sensors;
• alloy wheels 17 inches;
• audio system for 6 speakers;
• heated front seats pr.

The most expensive equipment starts at 2 million rubles.

With an additional payment of about 400 thousand rubles in comparison with the basic configuration, the Kia Sorento appears:

• alloy wheels 18 inches;
• LED rear optics;
• bi-xenon head optics;
• leather interior;
• electronic adjustment of the front seats;
• ventilation of the front seats;
• dashboard brand Supervision;
• multimedia complex with a touch screen;
• automatic parking system;
• rear camera, etc.

In the case of the Nissan X-Trail in 2019, 10 equipment levels are offered at once. Therefore, there are many more options for choosing.

The standard Japanese compact crossover is equipped with:

• 6 airbags;
• 17-inch steel discs;
• dual-zone climate control;
• ABS, EBD, ESP;
• GLONASS;
• cruise control;
• power windows in a circle;
• heated front seats;
• multifunction steering wheel, etc.

For the variator and all-wheel drive in the top configuration, you will have to pay at least 2.1 million rubles. But there is:

• leather interior;
• alloy wheels 19 inches;
• fully LED optics;
• blind spot tracking system;
• row control technology;
• front and rear parking sensors;
• electric drive for the front seats;
• a roof with a panoramic view;
• multimedia complex with a touch screen;
• top-end audio system for 6 speakers, etc.

In terms of value, there is absolute parity between the two cars The price range is almost identical. And the content in both cases is exemplary in many ways. Even the basic versions offer an extensive set of functions, capabilities, systems and equipment.

Who to give preference to

In the end, the consumer has to decide what to choose between Nissan X-Trail and Kia Sorento cars. It is quite problematic to say unequivocally which of the presented is better.

X-Trail is suitable for a younger category of motorists who prefer urban dynamic driving, but occasionally want to go out into the countryside. Also, the Japanese compact crossover is suitable for a large family with small children, since other passengers on the 3rd row simply cannot fit.

Kia Sorento 2nd generation is also suitable for family, but more adults.This car will be an excellent choice for those who are looking for the perfect balance between the spaciousness of the cabin, trunk, comfort and safety. The huge interior, together with the extremely solid luggage compartment, allows you to solve many problems without the need to buy a commercial vehicle. When you can fit more than 2 thousand liters of luggage behind you, it says a lot.

The downside of the Kia Sorento is that the car is somewhat outdated. It was replaced by the Sorento Prime, but it is expensive, and not everyone is willing to pay that kind of money for this car. The second generation Sorento is perfect for drivers aged 35-40 and older. X-Trail is versatile, but at the same time very attractive to young and adventurous motorists. The Sorento is purely masculine, while the X-Trail is also a popular choice for women. The choice is yours.