2025 Kia Sorento vs. 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Comparison

For those in the market for a smallish SUV with 3-row seating, the options are limited. Fortunately, the vehicles that fit the bill are pretty good: the 2025 Kia Sorento and the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan.

Each SUV favors the classic, boxy exterior, but a few differences exist. The Kia Sorento comes with a third row and room for seven passengers. It can even be outfitted to handle some light to moderate off-roading. All-new for 2025, VW Tiguan comes standard as a 5-passenger SUV and can no longer be optioned with a third row. It can still be had with all-wheel drive (AWD), it’s more at home on the tarmac, with the all-wheel drive helping it power through harsh weather and road conditions.

Let’s check out these two options.

2025 Kia Sorento

The 2025 Kia Sorento is on the large end of the compact SUV range. It’s big enough for a third row, which is a rarity in this segment. Mind you, it’s not a massive space, and it’s ideally suited to haul smaller people on shorter trips.

A base 191-horsepower 4-cylinder powers it, but you can upgrade to a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with a turbocharger. The switch pushes the output to 281 hp; however, the average combined fuel economy drops from 26 to 23 mpg. All-wheel drive is also available.

A hybrid and plug-in hybrid are on the roster but not part of this comparison.

Kia Sorento Highlights

Class leader: Kia’s warranty coverage is as good as it gets. The Sorento is backed by a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

X-Line: The X-Line models in the Kia Sorento lineup add a rugged appearance package with an extra inch of ground clearance, high-utility roof rails, and unique wheels and bumpers. They all come standard with torque-vectoring all-wheel drive for added capability.

Drive Wise: This suite of safety technology includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and driver attention warning. It is standard on all Kia Sorento models.

Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Sorento models near you.

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan

The Tiguan received a complete makeover for 2025. The exterior updates have given it a slightly less boxy look, but it retains its simple, clean look that typifies VW’s lineup. It also gets a power boost, with its 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder putting out 201 horsepower, up from 184 hp last year. It’s also more than 100 pounds lighter so that should show up in the acceleration and the handling.

The Tiguan still offers plenty of interior room, but what it doesn’t offer is seating for seven passengers. The third row got cut for the third-generation Tiguan, but the upside is more cargo space is available now. Premium décor is available with the option for American walnut wood trim, double-stitched center console, and Savona leather upholstery.

Volkswagen Tiguan Highlights

Comfort and room: This vehicle has plenty of space. More importantly, it’s a comfortable ride. This VW offers a secure, almost cozy feel as it trundles along.

Tech forward: VW’s Car-Net technology allows Tiguan owners to connect their smartphones to their vehicles. It performs a variety of functions, including remote lock/unlock, automatic crash notification, stolen vehicle location, and how much fuel is in the tank.

4Motion: Front-wheel drive is standard, but the Tiguan can be upgraded with VW’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. It offers different driving modes, such as Normal, Sport, and Eco. However, 4Motion adds Snow and Offroad modes, making it ready to handle various situations.

Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Tiguan models near you.

Similarities

The Kia Sorento and VW Tiguan offer ample cabin space, a slew of technology, and strong-performing powertrains.

Pricing

The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Kia Sorento vehicles and New 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.

Specifications

Conclusion

Despite the higher price, the Kia Sorento is the choice here with an available third row, which the Tiguan no longer offers. Overall, the modern and spacious Kia Sorento offers more capability and technology for a reasonable price.