Compare the2026 Chrysler PacificaVS 2026 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

For enhanced safety, the front and middle seat shoulder belts of the Chrysler Pacifica are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer height-adjustable middle seat belts.

The Chrysler Pacifica has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The Pacifica offers optional Emergency Vehicle Alert System, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from other vehicles.

The Chrysler Pacifica’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Pacifica and the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid 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, plastic fuel tanks, 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Pacifica’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid runs out after 100,000 miles.

There are over 3 times as many Chrysler dealers as there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Pacifica’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Pacifica second among minivans in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Pacifica’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 26 more horsepower (287 vs. 261) than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the Pacifica Hybrid running on electricity gets better mileage than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid running on electricity (87 city/77 hwy vs. 77 city/71 hwy MPGe).

The Pacifica Hybrid can travel with zero emissions on electricity, only, on a full charge for 32 miles. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid has to start its internal combustion engine after only 30 miles.

Regenerative brakes improve the Pacifica Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Both the Pacifica and Sorento Plug-In Hybrid have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The Pacifica (except Pacifica Hybrid) has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Pacifica Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 4.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (16.5 vs. 12.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Pacifica’s standard fuel tank has 6.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (19 vs. 12.4 gallons).

The Pacifica has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Chrysler Pacifica, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

The Pacifica Hybrid has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the Pacifica’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid:

For better traction, the Pacifica’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (245/50R20 vs. 235/55R19).

The Pacifica’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s 55 series tires.

For better load carrying, ride, handling and brake cooling the Pacifica offers optional 20-inch wheels. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the Pacifica can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

The Pacifica’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Pacifica’s wheelbase is 10.8 inches longer than on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (121.6 inches vs. 110.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Pacifica is 3.4 inches wider in the front and 3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

The front grille of the Pacifica uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Pacifica uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Pacifica offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid can only carry up to 7.

The Pacifica has 59.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (165.1 vs. 105.3).

The Pacifica has 3.4 inches more front hip room, 4.7 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 9.7 inches more rear hip room, 4.9 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.9 inches more third row headroom, 6.9 inches more third row legroom, 7 inches more third row hip room and 8.2 inches more third row shoulder room than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Pacifica’s middle and third row seats recline. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s third row seats don’t recline.

The front step up height for the Pacifica is 2.7 inches lower than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (16.3” vs. 19”). The Pacifica’s rear step up height is .8 inches lower than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s (18.2” vs. 19”).

The Pacifica’s cargo area provides more volume than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Pacifica easier. The Pacifica’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 24.3 inches, while the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s liftover is 31.7 inches.

The Pacifica’s cargo area is larger than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s in almost every dimension:

The Pacifica has standard Stow ’n Go second and third row seats (except Hybrid for the second row), which fold flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid only has a third row seat which folds into the floor. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s second row seat doesn’t fold into the floor and eats up cargo room.

The Pacifica’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s (3600 vs. 2000 pounds).

Optional Trailer Sway Control on the Pacifica (except Hybrid/Select) uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Pacifica’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Pacifica’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

The Pacifica’s standard Keyless-Enter-N-Go allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the van, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Smart Key standard on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The Pacifica’s standard sliding doors can be opened with less than three inches side clearance. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s standard rear swing-out doors are bulky and make loading in tight spots difficult.

The Pacifica’s power side sliding doors make it much easier to load and unload kids and cargo. One touch opens the door, before you even get to the van. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a power rear door.

The Pacifica’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Pacifica’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Pacifica has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid X-Line SX Prestige.

The Pacifica is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Chrysler Pacifica, based on reliability, safety and performance.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Pacifica as the 2017 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid has never been chosen.

The Chrysler Pacifica outsold the Kia Sorento by 18% during 2024.