3-Row vs 2-Row SUV Comparison · 2026 Kia Sorento
Kia Sorento vsHonda Passport
A genuine third row. Nearly double the warranty. Thousands less to start.
These two aren’t quite the same shape of SUV, and we’ll say so plainly: the redesigned 2026 Honda Passport is a rugged two-row, five-seat SUV, while the Kia Sorento is a three-row family hauler seating up to seven. If you need the extra row, that alone settles it. If you’re cross-shopping both body styles, the Sorento also leads on warranty, plug-in hybrid choice, and starting price at Dean McCrary Kia in Mobile, AL — while the Passport counters with standard AWD, a bigger screen, and more towing.
10yr/100kKia powertrain warranty
281 hp2.5T Turbo — plus Hybrid & PHEV
$32,390Starting MSRP*
7Seats standard — 3 rows
4,500 lbMax towing, properly equipped
TSP+2025 IIHS Top Safety Pick+
The Quick Verdict
Four Reasons the Sorento Wins — If You Need 3 Rows
These are different-shaped SUVs first, and different brands second. If a third row matters, the Sorento wins by definition. Beyond that, it also leads on coverage, electrified choice, and price.
Seating Leader
3rows, up to 7
Passport is 2-row, 5-seat only
The redesigned Passport doesn’t offer a third row at all. If you need one, this comparison is already decided.
Warranty Leader
2×the coverage
10yr/100k vs Passport’s 5yr/60k
Kia’s powertrain warranty runs nearly double Honda’s — 10 years or 100,000 miles of coverage versus 5 years or 60,000 miles.
Electrified Choice
Hybrid& PHEV
Passport is gas V6 only
The Sorento lineup adds a conventional Hybrid and a Sorento PHEV plug-in. The all-new Passport offers neither.
Value Leader
~$12klower start
$32,390 vs ~$44,750 Passport RTL
The Sorento starts far lower — the Passport’s standard AWD and V6 add real cost from its base RTL trim.
Shop the Winner
See Every Sorento Trim — & This Month’s Offers
Need the third row? Pick a Sorento trim to see what it adds — and this month’s live offers on it, straight from our inventory.
Pricing & Configuration
A Third Row & A Lower Price
The Sorento seats more people, plugs in if you want it to, and starts thousands lower. The Passport counters with a bigger screen, more towing, and rugged, AWD-standard hardware.
Configuration
Kia Sorento2026
Honda Passport2026
Starting MSRP*
$32,390Lower Start
~$44,750 (RTL)
Seating / Rows
Up to 7, 3 rowsOnly 3-Row Option
5 seats, 2 rows only
Powertrains
Gas, Hybrid & PHEVElectrified Options
Gas V6 only
Standard Touchscreen
8″
12.3″ standard, every trim
Off-Road Trim
X-Pro SX Prestige (8.2″ clearance, BFG A/T, torque-vectoring AWD)
TrailSport / TrailSport Elite (8.3″ clearance, A/T tires)
Drivetrain
FWD standard, AWD available
AWD standard, every trim
Engines & Efficiency
Four Powertrains vs One V6.
The Passport’s standard V6 makes strong peak horsepower and pulls a bit more. The Sorento counters with more torque, a hybrid, and a plug-in the all-gas Passport lineup can’t offer.
Kia Sorento
4 Powertrain Options
- 2.5L GDI — 191 hp / 181 lb-ft
- 2.5T Turbo — 281 hp / 311 lb-ft
- 8-speed automatic
- Standard FWD, available AWD (standard on X-Line / X-Pro)
- Sorento Hybrid & Sorento PHEV also available
Honda Passport
1 Powertrain Option
- 3.5L V6 — 285 hp / 262 lb-ft
- 10-speed automatic
- Standard AWD (i-VTM4), every trim — no FWD offered
- No hybrid or plug-in powertrain available
Powertrain Spec
Kia Sorento
Honda Passport
Top Horsepower
281 hp (2.5T Turbo)
285 hp (V6)Passport leads
Top Torque
311 lb-ft+49 lb-ft
262 lb-ft
Hybrid Available
Yes — Sorento HybridExclusive
Not offered
Plug-In Hybrid Available
Yes — Sorento PHEVExclusive
Not offered
Max Towing
4,500 lb (2.5T, tow pkg)
5,000 lbPassport leads
Room, Efficiency & Peace of Mind
The Differences You Live With Daily
This is the honest heart of the matchup: a genuine 3-row family SUV against a rugged 2-row 5-seater. Choose your body style first, then compare the rest.
Room for More
7seats, 3 rows
Passport tops out at 5 seats
If carpool, grandparents, or a third kid's friend need a seat, the Sorento has it covered. The Passport is a dedicated two-row SUV — not a knock, just a different mission.
Peace of Mind
100kmile warranty
vs Passport’s 60k-mile powertrain
Ten years or 100,000 miles of Kia powertrain coverage — years of extra protection over the Passport’s 60,000-mile limit.
Cargo, Honestly
44 cu ftPassport, row 2 back
A genuine Passport strength
With no third row to fold, the Passport packs a deep, usable cargo hold behind its second row — a real advantage if you never need seats six and seven.
Technology & Safety
Both Earn Top Marks. Passport’s Screen Leads.
Both earn IIHS Top Safety Pick+. The Passport’s standard 12.3-inch touchscreen beats the Sorento’s 8-inch display on every trim — a genuine, worth-conceding Honda win.
Kia Sorento
8″ touchscreen standard with wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
Full driver-assist suite standard from base LX
Terrain Mode (Snow, Mud, Sand) standard on every AWD trim
Available BOSE audio, panoramic roof & full-display digital mirror
10-year / 100,000-mile powertrain warranty
2025 IIHS Top Safety Pick+
Honda Passport
12.3″ touchscreen standard on every trim, with Google built-in
Honda Sensing driver-assist suite standard, every trim
No hands-free highway driving system — Sensing 360+ not offered on Passport
Standard AWD (i-VTM4 with Trail Torque Logic), every trim
No hybrid or plug-in powertrain — V6 gas only
5-year / 60,000-mile powertrain warranty
2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+
Independent Recognition
Two Well-Reviewed SUVs
Different body styles, both respected by the people who test SUVs for a living.
U.S. News & World Report
Best 3-Row Midsize SUV for the Money
The Sorento’s 2026 award, with the Sorento Hybrid separately named Best Midsize Hybrid SUV for the Money.
Kelley Blue Book
Best Midsize SUVs List
KBB’s editors rank the Sorento among the highest-rated midsize SUVs on sale for 2026.
Kia Warranty
5-Year / 60,000-Mile Basic Coverage
Every new Sorento is backed by Kia’s 5-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty — part of the factory coverage that helps earn Kia its reputation for value.
IIHS
Top Safety Pick+ — Both
Both the Sorento and the redesigned Passport earn IIHS Top Safety Pick+. On crash protection, these two very different SUVs are genuine equals.
Need 3 Rows? Drive the Sorento First.
See every Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, and Sorento PHEV in stock, get a real number on your current vehicle, and feel the difference yourself — all in one stop in Mobile.
Sorento vs Passport — Common Questions
Is the Kia Sorento better than the Honda Passport?⌄
They’re built for slightly different jobs, so it depends what you need. If you need a third row, the Sorento has one and the redesigned two-row, five-seat Passport doesn’t. The Sorento also leads on warranty (10yr/100k powertrain vs Honda’s 5yr/60k), offers Hybrid and PHEV options the Passport’s V6-only lineup doesn’t have, and starts about $12,000 lower. The Passport counters with a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen, a bit more towing capacity, and genuinely rugged TrailSport hardware. See live Sorento inventory.
Does the Honda Passport have a third row?⌄
No. The completely redesigned 2026 Passport is a dedicated two-row SUV seating five, trading the previous generation’s cargo-focused two-row layout for a more rugged, adventure-styled design. If three-row seating for six or seven is a requirement, the Kia Sorento is the fit — that’s a genuine segment difference, not just a spec on a page.
Which has more power, the Sorento or the Passport?⌄
The Passport’s standard 3.5L V6 makes 285 hp and 262 lb-ft — more peak horsepower than the Sorento’s base 191-hp 2.5L, and slightly more than the Sorento’s own 281-hp 2.5T Turbo. The Sorento’s turbo wins on torque, 311 lb-ft to the Passport’s 262. The Passport also holds a small towing edge — 5,000 lb to the Sorento’s 4,500 lb.
Is the Kia Sorento cheaper than the Honda Passport?⌄
Yes, substantially. The Sorento LX starts at $32,390 MSRP vs roughly $44,750 for a 2026 Passport RTL (both before destination) — about a $12,000 gap. Every 2026 Passport also comes standard with AWD, which adds cost versus the Sorento’s FWD-standard base trims.
What is the warranty difference between Kia and Honda?⌄
Kia’s is significantly longer: 10 years / 100,000 miles powertrain and 5 years / 60,000 miles limited, vs Honda’s 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain and 3 years / 36,000 miles limited.
What does the Honda Passport do better?⌄
The Passport has real strengths: a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen on every trim (vs the Sorento’s 8-inch), a 5,000-lb tow rating, standard AWD with genuine TrailSport off-road hardware, and Honda’s reliability reputation. If you don’t need a third row and want rugged, tech-forward two-row capability, the Passport is worth a look. For price, warranty, seating flexibility, and electrified options, the Sorento leads.
Where can I compare the Sorento and Passport near Mobile, AL?⌄
Dean McCrary Kia at 1733 E I-65 Service Rd S in Mobile stocks the full Sorento lineup — gas, Hybrid, and PHEV — convenient to Daphne, Spanish Fort, Saraland, Fairhope, and the Gulf Coast. Come drive one and see the difference in person.
Sorento vs Passport · Gulf Coast
Shopping a 3-Row SUV Near Mobile?
Dean McCrary Kia serves Gulf Coast families from Mobile to the Eastern Shore with the area’s deepest Sorento selection. If you’re cross-shopping the Honda Passport, here’s why to start here.
- Live inventory of every Sorento trim — LX through X-Pro SX Prestige, plus Hybrid & PHEV
- A fair number on your trade — value your current vehicle in minutes
- Upfront pricing and Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty on every new Sorento
- Kia-certified service, factory maintenance, and genuine parts
Dean McCrary Kia
Address1733 E I-65 Service Rd S, Mobile, AL 36606
Sales(251) 471-3326
Sales HoursMon–Sat 8:30 AM–6:00 PM
Sources & Verification
Comparison reflects the 2026 Kia Sorento against the completely redesigned 2026 Honda Passport. Specifications and pricing compiled from manufacturer materials (kia.com, hondanews.com, automobiles.honda.com), Kelley Blue Book, and Edmunds, and are current as of publication. MSRP shown is base, excluding destination, taxes, title, and dealer fees; higher trims add cost. Horsepower, torque, towing, and payload are independent attributes and may not be achieved simultaneously. The Sorento is a three-row SUV seating up to seven; the redesigned Passport is a two-row SUV seating five — a genuine segment difference readers should weigh alongside the spec comparisons above. IIHS ratings are for comparison only and are subject to change as new model-year results are published.
Honda, Passport, TrailSport, and Honda Sensing are trademarks of Honda Motor Co. Kia and Sorento references are used for descriptive comparison. This comparison reflects the dealer’s perspective and is intended for informational purposes only. Pricing and offers subject to change — contact Dean McCrary Kia for current pricing.
Kia Sorento vs Honda Passport Comparison — Dean McCrary Kia, Mobile AL
The 2026 Kia Sorento is a three-row SUV seating up to seven, while the completely redesigned 2026 Honda Passport is a two-row, five-seat SUV — a genuine segment difference. Where they overlap, the Sorento leads on warranty (10-year/100,000-mile powertrain vs 5-year/60,000-mile), electrified choice (Hybrid and PHEV vs Passport's gas-only V6), and starting price (about $32,390 vs $44,750). The Passport counters with a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen, standard AWD, and a 5,000-lb tow rating. Both earn IIHS Top Safety Pick+. Dean McCrary Kia in Mobile, Alabama stocks the full Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, and Sorento PHEV lineup, serving Daphne, Spanish Fort, Saraland, and Fairhope.