Is the 2019 Kia Sorento a Good Jeep Grand Cherokee Alternative?

However, Jeep and all the other FCA brands have horrible reliability ratings. We've lost track of how many recalls the Grand Cherokee has been subjected to as well. While the Kia Sorento doesn't have the same iconic badge, it received a pretty good refresh this year.

What's more, J.D. Power says Korean manufacturers are among the best when it comes to making buyers happy. So, the Sorento could be your next family truck, but only if it wins this comparative review.

You can get it with a 185 horsepower four-cylinder, but the engine you want is the 3.3-liter V6. It's not turbocharged like in the Stinger (unfortunately), but it will still deliver 290-hp and 252 lb-ft of torque through an 8-speed automatic.

Kia has equipped the SUV with new powertrain tech including torque vectoring AWD and a system that detects the way you drive and shifts accordingly. It might sound pointless, but we watched a moose test where the Sorento performed admirably well for a tall car.

The Sorento feels more like a car with responsive steering and a better gearbox than the Jeep. The Kia also has a large panoramic sunroof and better-designed interior with few flaws. However, the Cherokee model has a big digital dash.

Powertrain-wise, this tester is equipped with a 3.6-liter making 295-hp and has the same number of gears. However, it's also famous for its V8 units which you can't get from the Korean brand.

It fills you with confidence that it can tackle any sort of rough terrain. However, it's also not as smooth during an average commute. Price-wise, these two are evenly matched at around $48,000.