Compare the2024 Kia Sorento HybridVS 2023 Rivian R1S

Both the Sorento Hybrid and R1S have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Sorento Hybrid has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The R1S’ child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Sorento Hybrid are reminded to check the back seat when a sensor determines the back seat is occupied. The R1S doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Sorento Hybrid SX Prestige has standard Parking Collision Avoidance-Rear that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The R1S doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Sorento Hybrid and R1S have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Sorento Hybrid has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The R1S’ Rear Cross-Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Sorento Hybrid and the R1S have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Sorento Hybrid 2 years longer than Rivian covers the R1S. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the R1S ends after only 8 years.

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 Hybrid’s reliability 20 points higher than the R1S.

For better maneuverability, the Sorento Hybrid’s turning circle is 5.4 feet tighter than the R1S’ (37.9 feet vs. 43.3 feet).

The Kia Sorento Hybrid may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 2750 to 3000 pounds less than the Rivian R1S.

The Sorento Hybrid is 11.4 inches shorter than the R1S, making the Sorento Hybrid easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Sorento Hybrid is 7 inches narrower than the R1S, making the Sorento Hybrid easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The Sorento Hybrid is 10.7 inches shorter in height than the R1S, making the Sorento Hybrid much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

For excellent aerodynamics, the Sorento Hybrid has standard flush composite headlights. The R1S has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The Sorento Hybrid has .7 inches more front hip room, 4.1 inches more rear legroom, .9 inches more rear hip room and 1.9 inches more third row shoulder room than the R1S.

The Sorento Hybrid has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The R1S doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Sorento Hybrid. The R1S doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Sorento Hybrid’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The R1S’ tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Sorento Hybrid’s liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The R1S doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its tailgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The Sorento Hybrid’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The R1S doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Sorento Hybrid to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The R1S doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the Sorento Hybrid SX Prestige is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The R1S’ mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Sorento Hybrid is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The R1S doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Kia Sorento Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Rivian R1S isn't recommended.

The Kia Sorento outsold the Rivian R1S by over 104 to one during 2022.