2025 Kia Sorento vs. 2025 Mazda CX-90 Comparison

More and more buyers want vehicles that carry and hold more and more. Of course, they also want them to look good. Naturally, many people immediately gravitate to an SUV when they decide they need plenty of space. With the 2025 Kia Sorento and 2025 Mazda CX-90, you get vehicles that can perform multiple tasks and look good doing them.

Let’s see how these 3-row midsize SUVs match up.

2025 Kia Sorento

While more room is helpful, not everyone needs the biggest 3-row SUV available. For buyers who need a third row occasionally, the Sorento answers the call.

If you have two kids and want to let them each bring a friend to an event, the Sorento is your vehicle. It does not have excessive space, but it does not have an excessive price tag, either. However, it does have all the good things expected of top vehicles in the segment, including a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen display on all trim levels.

While the base model comes powered by a 191-horsepower 4-cylinder engine, you can get another 90 hp for a bit more money. Adding the turbocharger pushes the output to 281 hp, but the average EPA-estimated combined fuel economy drops just one little mpg from 26 mpg to 25 mpg. It’s available with all-wheel drive (AWD) as well. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants of the Sorento are on the roster but not part of this comparison. Prices start at $33,365, including destination charges.

Kia Sorento Highlights

Safety suite: The standard Kia Drive Wise safety tech suite on every Sorento includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, driver attention warning, and more.

Great space: It’s a pretty spacious place — at least until the third row is used — but the higher trim levels also offer quilted leather seats, open-pore wood, and bright satin finishes for a reasonable amount of cash.

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.

Read our Kia Sorento Expert Review or see 2025 Kia Sorento models for sale near you.

2025 Mazda CX-90

2024 model shown

The Mazda CX-90 may be the brand’s grandest, most luxurious vehicle ever — plus it boasts room for up to eight passengers — one more than the Sorento’s max. This new flagship SUV also comes as a plug-in hybrid, although it’s not part of this comparison.

While the exterior styling is impressive, the CX-90 really shines inside. The infotainment system is anchored by either a 10.25-inch or 12.3-inch screen, depending on trim, and is configured and controlled mainly by a knob on the center console. 

The CX-90 is offered in six trim levels. Pricing starts at $39,300, including destination charges.

Mazda CX-90 Highlights

Turbo 6-cylinder engine: Mazda has imparted the CX-90 with a 3.3-liter turbocharged inline 6-cylinder engine that puts out 280 hp, but if you move up to the top-of-the-line version, the ponies jump up to 340 when using premium unleaded fuel.

Spaciousness: The new model features an open, minimalist, contemporary cabin. The design team left an appropriate number of buttons and dials to keep you from losing your mind.

Simple tech: The infotainment system features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wireless on upper trims) as well as Mazda Connect, which includes voice control for the infotainment system, Pandora integration, and automatic emergency notifications. We must point out that the Sorento gives you standard wireless smartphone mirroring on all trims, not just the top levels.

Read our Mazda CX-90 Expert Review or see 2025 Mazda CX-90 models for sale near you.

Similarities

The Kia Sorento and Mazda CX-90 offer three rows of seats, attractive exterior styling, and plenty of safety and convenience technologies.

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 MAZDA CX-90 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

	2025 Kia Sorento	2025 Mazda CX-90
Popular Powertrains
Engine	2.5-liter 4-cylinder	3.3-liter turbo 6-cylinder
Horsepower	191 hp @ 6,100 rpm	280 hp @ 5,000 rpm
Torque	195 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm	332 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm
Transmission	8-speed automatic	8-speed automatic
Fuel Economy	24 city/29 highway/26 combined mpg	24 city/28 highway/25 combined mpg
Also Available	2.5-liter turbo; Hybrid; PHEV	340-hp turbocharged 6-cylinder; PHEV
Specs
Basic Warranty	5 years/60,000 miles	3 years/36,000 miles
Powertrain Warranty	10 years/100,000 miles	5 years/60,000 miles
NHTSA Overall Safety	5 stars	5 stars
Max Seating Capacity	7	8
Wheelbase	110.8 inches	122.8 inches
Overall Length	189.0 inches	201.6 inches
Width	74.8 inches	77.6 inches
Height	66.7 inches	68.2 inches
Turning Diameter	37.9 feet	38.1 feet
Headroom, Front	40.3 inches	39.7 inches
Headroom, 2nd Row	39.1 inches	39.3 inches
Headroom, 3rd Row	36.8 inches	36.9 inches
Legroom, Front	41.4 inches	41.7 inches
Legroom, 2nd Row	41.7 inches	39.4 inches
Legroom, 3rd Row	29.6 inches	30.4 inches
Shoulder Room, Front	59.1 inches	59.2 inches
Shoulder Room, 2nd Row	58.1 inches	58.1 inches
Shoulder Room, 3rd Row	53.0 inches	53.3 inches
Cargo Volume	12.6 cubic feet	14.9 cubic feet

Conclusion

The Kia Sorento and Mazda CX-90 are both 3-row SUVs, but the CX-90 is larger and more spacious inside. The Mazda is nearly a luxury vehicle with all of the interior appointments. The downside? It’s about $6,000 more expensive. If you need 3-row seating regularly and want a 6-cylinder engine, it may be worth the price. If not, then the Kia Sorento may be the play, especially if you want the assurance of Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.