Getting the most value out of your next midsize SUV
Three-row SUVs aren’t exactly a rarity these days, and the 2026 Kia Sorento and Chevrolet Traverse have proven to be a great value, all things considered. There are several differences between them that are hard to ignore, though, which may make one a better pick for your family. Do note that the Kia Sorento received a midcycle refresh for 2024, the same year that the Chevrolet Traverse received a full redesign. As a result, both SUVs head into 2026 with no significant updates.
Amos Kwon
James Riswick
1. The Sorento is more than $8,000 cheaper
If budget is your primary concern, the Kia Sorento is off to an early lead thanks to its $32,190 starting price. That significantly undercuts the Chevrolet Traverse and its $40,800 price tag. At the base level, the Sorento includes seven-passenger seating, 17-inch wheels, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter. On the Traverse’s end, you can get seating for up to eight passengers, 18-inch wheels, heated front seats, and one-touch folding second-row seats.
James Riswick
James Riswick
James Riswick
At the top of the Sorento’s range lies the X-Pro SX Prestige AWD. Priced from $47,590, the top-spec Sorento rides on trim-exclusive 17-inch wheels in matte black finish wrapped in all-terrain tires. X-Pro embossed front headrests and exterior badging completes the look. The Chevrolet Traverse RS, from $55,400, follows suit, with blackout features, athletic 22-inch wheels in black finish, and trim-exclusive RS badging.Â
Chevrolet
Zac Palmer
Chevrolet
Inside, the Traverse features a 17.7-inch touchscreen and an 11-inch digital gauge display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and a wireless smartphone charging pad come stock as well. The Sorento isn’t quite as impressive, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen display and a four-inch instrument display. Upper models get upgraded to a 12.3-inch curved instrument display. Like its American rival, all Sorento models include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. All but the base model get a standard wireless phone charger.
2. The Traverse offers significantly more cargo space
The Chevrolet Traverse features a 121-inch wheelbase that dwarfs the Kia Sorento’s 110.8 inches. That puts a damper on the Korean model’s cargo space, which offers 75.5 cu ft. behind the first row, up to 45 cu ft. behind the second, and 12.6 cu ft. in the dedicated cargo area. The Traverse offers 97.6 cu ft. of cargo space with both rear rows folded down. With the second and third rows occupied, cargo space measures in at 56.6 and 22.9 cu ft. respectively.
Only the lower Sorento trims offer seating for seven passengers, while upper models seat just six passengers. All Traverse models seat at least seven passengers, with the LT offering a second-row bench seat that increases seating to eight. Due to its substantial advantage in size, it comes as no surprise that the Traverse offers more headroom and legroom throughout all three rows.
3. The Traverse features a 328-horsepower engine and a higher towing capacity
All Chevrolet Traverse models come powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the front wheels. That combination generates 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque. With front-wheel drive, the Traverse earns 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. You can upgrade to all-wheel drive for an additional $2,000 and a loss of two miles per gallon in highway fuel economy. The Traverse can tow up to 5,000 lbs. when properly equipped.
Chevrolet
The Kia Sorento features two powertrain options. Lower trim levels come stocked with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It produces 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque and earns up to 23 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. The LX and SX models are solely available with front-wheel drive, while S and EX models can be optioned with all-wheel drive.Â
Most Sorento models feature a more enthusiastic 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. It generates 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque and is rated for 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. All-wheel drive comes standard on upper trim levels. The Sorento’s towing capabilities range from 2,000 to 4,500 lbs., depending on the model.
Final Thoughts
Kia
There are plenty of midsize SUVs to choose from, but when it comes to value, the Kia Sorento and Chevrolet Traverse are close competitors. While the former is available at a lower price, the latter brings more interior space and higher performance and towing capability. If you’re looking to maximize your value and you don’t need the Traverse’s space, a mid-tier Sorento might be your best bet. Notably, however, those models are similar in price to the base Traverse. Make sure to test drive both models before parking one in your driveway!
About the author
Joseph Pudlewski
Contributing Writer, Autoblog