Kia Sorento vs GWM UTE
What's the difference?

Kia Sorento

$33,990 - $82,990

2025 price

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GWM UTE

$24,999 - $39,995

2024 price

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Summary

2025 Kia Sorento

2024 GWM UTE

By Emily Agar

By Marcus Craft

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 1.6L

Diesel Turbo 4, 2.0L

Fuel Type

Unleaded Petrol/Electric

Diesel

Fuel Efficiency

1.6L/100km (combined)

9.4L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Superb comfort and features
Family focused practicality
Easy-going driving experience

Well equipped
Front and rear diff locks
Well priced for something with so much gear

Dislikes

Price vs value equation doesn't add up
Limited electric driving range
No curtain airbags in the third row

Not as refined as it should be
Jittery ride on irregular surfaces
Overly busy transmission

2025 Kia Sorento Summary

The plug-in hybrid market is slowly but surely gaining traction in Australia, and Kia has thrown its hat into the ring with the flagship Sorento GT-Line PHEV AWD.

This top-spec seven-seat large SUV pairs family friendly practicality with the promise of lower emissions and petrol savings, at least, in theory.

So, is it the right blend of convenience, space and efficiency for busy families looking to dip a toe into electrification? That’s exactly what my family and I have been finding out.

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2024 GWM UTE Summary

The Cannon XSR is GWM’s new top-shelf ute variant.

This dual-cab 4WD ute is intended as an off-road-focussed vehicle and has visual and mechanical upgrades over the rest of the Cannon stable, including part-time 4WD (not the full-time 4WD on GWM’s lower-spec Cannons), a front differential lock (in addition to the existing rear diff lock), raised air intake (aka a snorkel) and Cooper Discoverer AT3 all-terrain tyres.

It’s priced from $52,990 drive-away, so costs about $7500 more than you’d pay for the standard Cannon X on which this special edition ute is based. But it still undercuts similarly-equipped top-spec Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux utes by about $20,000.

So, with twin lockers, a snorkel, underbody protection and all-terrain tyres, is the GWM XSR worth the extra cash?

Read on.

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Deep dive comparison

2025 Kia Sorento 2024 GWM UTE

Verdict

The Kia Sorento GT-Line PHEV is a sumptuously equipped seven-seater that delivers comfort, tech and an easy-going drive. It presents well on the surface, and for the right buyer (one who can make the most of its plug-in capabilities ) it could be a smart, low-emissions option for family life.

But for all its polish, it doesn’t quite do enough to justify itself as the best Sorento in the range. The electric-only driving range isn’t especially generous, and the higher price tag , combined with its lower towing capacity, may leave some families wondering whether the diesel variant is the more practical choice.

It’s not a bad car by any means, but the flagship GT-Line PHEV feels more like a stepping stone than a standout.

Verdict

In a very competitive ute market, the GWM Cannon XSR represents plenty of bang for your buck, but it’s just not as refined as you’d hope.

It should be better at this price-point, especially when it’ll be unfavourably cross-shopped with lower-spec variants in the Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max and Toyota HiLux line-ups.

It’s a nice enough vehicle on-road, and the XSR is an effective 4WD on the dirt without ever being truly exceptional – but that’s fine for those who want to save big bucks and still drive away in a well-equipped twin-locked off-road vehicle.

Kia Sorento vs GWM UTE What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Kia Sorento vs GWM UTE
What's the difference?