Subaru Outback vs Kia Sorento
What's the difference?

Subaru Outback

$48,990 - $62,690

2026 price

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Kia Sorento

$33,990 - $82,990

2025 price

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Land Rover Discovery Sport

Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz G63

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

Mini Countryman

Mitsubishi ASX

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Summary

2026 Subaru Outback

2025 Kia Sorento

By Marcus Craft

By Emily Agar

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 2.4L

Turbo 4, 1.6L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Unleaded Petrol/Electric

Fuel Efficiency

9.7L/100km (combined)

1.6L/100km (combined)

Energy consumption

16.1 kWh/100km

Electric range

68 km

Battery capacity

14.40 kWh

Seating

Likes

Maintains Outback spirit
All-around drivability
Off-road capability

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

Dislikes

Gold edging
Needs better all-terrain tyres
More off-road goodies would add to the appeal

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

2026 Subaru Outback Summary

The Subaru Outback holds a special place in the hearts of adventurers everywhere. It’s long been regarded by its fans as a genuine mix of decent on-road manners, family-friendly practicality and sound off-road capability. Just right for light-duty off-roading.

Now, Subaru claims, it has made the Outback even better and a new off-road-focussed variant called the all-wheel-drive Wilderness now sits near the top of the line-up.

The Wilderness is equipped with a 2.4-litre turbo-petrol, four-cylinder, horizontally-opposed 'boxer' engine, 240mm of ground clearance, improved approach/departure angles and electronically controlled dampers.

But is this new Outback all it’s cracked up to be? Read on.

View full pricing & specs

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.

View full pricing & specs

Deep dive comparison

2026 Subaru Outback 2025 Kia Sorento

Verdict

If you’re a Subaru fan chances are the Wilderness will float your boat. It’s an appealing mix of on-road refinement and more than satisfactory capability on bush tracks.

The Wilderness engine-and-CVT combination helps to make this Subaru well refined and highly responsive on-road and it benefits from punchier low-rev output in off-road scenarios.

Subaru has made a habit of producing practical vehicles and this new addition to the upgraded Outback line-up doesn’t disappoint.

Does anyone need a Wilderness version of the Outback? Probably not. Will anyone want a Wilderness edition Outback? I reckon a lot of Outback fans would fall over themselves to get their hands on one of these.

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.

Subaru Outback vs Kia Sorento What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Subaru Outback vs Kia Sorento
What's the difference?