Kia Sorento vs. Honda Pilot

Compare repair costs, reliability, and owner reviews

Kia Sorento

$533
Average Annual
Repair Cost

Honda Pilot

$542
Average Annual
Repair Cost

Overall Reliability Rating

4
Excellent
The Kia Sorento Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 12th out of 26 for compact SUVs. The average annual repair cost is $533 which means it has lower than average ownership costs. Repairs are less severe and less frequent than the average car, so the Sorento is one of the more reliable vehicles on the road.
3
1
2
Above Average
The Honda Pilot Reliability Rating is 3.5 out of 5.0, which ranks it 13th out of 26 for midsize SUVs. The average annual repair cost is $542 which means it has lower than average ownership costs. While the frequency of repairs is higher than normal, the severity of those issues is average, so your Pilot may have a few more shop visits when compared to other models.
Cost
Average annual repairs total
$533
inexpensive
expensive
$542
inexpensive
expensive
Frequency
Average annual repair shop visits
0.29
not often
very often
0.51
not often
very often
Severity
Percentage of annual repairs that are urgent
11%
not urgent
urgent
13%
not urgent
urgent

Overall Car Ratings & Details

5 (2)
4 (37)
3 (31)
2 (23)
1 (11)
The Kia Sorento ranks highest in interior and ranks lowest in safety.
“Absoulutely wonderful. The headlights have both been replaced, but no other issues of any kind. I love it.”
“Absoulutely wonderful. The headlights have both been replaced, but no other issues of any kind. ...”
5 (8)
4 (26)
3 (7)
2 (1)
1 (1)
“GREAT Vehicle and THE best car I have ever owned. Currently have over 190k miles on a 2003 Pilot. The only complaint is that the entertainment system has devloped an annoying buzzing sound and...”
“GREAT Vehicle and THE best car I have ever owned. Currently have over 190k miles on a 2003...”

Vehicle Comparison Rundown

The Kia Sorento and the Honda Pilot are two midsize three-row SUVs. Both of these vehicles come with front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive.

The Kia Sorento’s standard engine has 185 horsepower, and its optional engine has 290 horsepower. The Honda Pilot has only a single engine for all models, which comes with 280 horsepower. The Sorento holds a slight edge, but only if you go for its optional engine.

In a comparison of cargo space, the Kia Sorento has 73 cubic feet when the second- and third-row seats are folded. The Honda Pilot pulls ahead here, with 83.8 cubic feet when you fold the two back rows down.

Both the Kia Sorento and the Honda Pilot offer a comprehensive suite of driver assistance technologies. The Pilot offers these features as a reasonably priced option on lower trims, and standard equipment on higher trims. In the Sorento, these valuable safety features are available only on higher trims, and only as part of an expensive option package. They are standard on the top trim level, though.

For more standard engine power, greater cargo space and better safety features across the board, the Honda Pilot is the clear winner over the Kia Sorento.