The Nissan Murano used to be one of the nicest rides you’ll find in the mid-size crossover segment. However, given the intense competition in this segment, it’s not that easy to make a choice anymore.
The Kia Sorento is a handsome mid-size SUV with a long list of lovable traits. It is also a serious contender for the ideal 2022 mid-size crossover.
In this article, we compare these two vehicles to help you make the right choice when leasing an SUV in 2022.
What’s New
For 2022, the Nissan Murano gets a few trim upgrades. Heated seats and faux leather are now standard on the SV trim. The automaker now offers a new midnight edition package to bolster the Murano’s appearance. This new package features black exterior accents, illuminated door sill protectors, and 20-inch black wheels.
The Kia Sorento, on the other hand, returns for 2022 with powertrain upgrades. Kia will offer a new plug-in hybrid variant of the 2022 Kia Sorento on the SUV’s top-tier trims. With a total power output of 261-hp and a standard all-wheel drive, we expect the new plug-in hybrid Sorento to come as an exciting addition.
Power And Transmission
Every 2022 Nissan Murano is powered by a 3.5Liter V-6 engine mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This powertrain makes 260-hp and 240 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard, but you can always opt for all-wheel drive.
The 2022 Sorento can be equipped with either of four available powertrain options. The base engine is a 2.5Liter four-cylinder engine with 191-hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. There’s an optional 281-hp turbocharged version of the same four-cylinder, which now generates 311 lb-ft of torque. Both of these nonelectrical powertrain options pair with an eight-speed automatic transmission and can be had with either front or all-wheel drive.
Kia also offers some environmentally friendly powertrain options consisting of a 1.6Liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that combines with a 44.0kW electric motor in the hybrid model, generating a total of 227-horsepower.
There’s also a plug-in hybrid variant that uses the same engine as its hybrid sibling but adds a more powerful 66.9kW electric motor and has a total power output of 261-hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. Both electrified powertrains utilize a six-speed automatic transmission, and while the hybrid variant comes with front-wheel drive, the plug-in hybrid is available with all-wheel drive.
Handling And Performance
The Murano and Sorento are nothing like sports cars, so we expect a playful daily driver and nothing out of the ordinary.
The Nissan Murano offers a very smooth ride with impressive suspensions that do well to neutralize impacts from potholes and bumps, thereby maintaining passengers’ comfort. The throttle is responsive, and that’s just about it. Steering feedback is not satisfactory, and we could only wish the Murano was a lot more agile. In terms of performance, the 2022 Nissan Murano sprints from 0-60mph in 7.3seconds.
The Kia Sorento delivers athletic handling, impressive brake and steering feedback, and admirable agility. But even with the most powerful setup, the Sorento still feels underpowered in some situations. Coming to acceleration, the base nonelectric powertrain model runs from 0-60mph in 8.6 seconds, while models equipped with the optional turbo-four do the same in 6.7seconds. On the eco-friendly side, the hybrid variant reaches 0-60mph in 8.4 seconds, while the plug-in hybrid finishes just under 7.0seconds.
Fuel Economy
Whether you opt for the optional all-wheel-drive or stick with the standard front-wheel-drive system, the 2022 Nissan Murano still maintains an EPA rating of 20-mpg in the city, 28-mpg on the highway.
The base 2022 Sorento gets an EPA rating of 24-mpg in the city and 29-mpg on the highway. Opting for the 281-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine reduces the city rating to 22-mpg.
The plug-in hybrid model gets an EPA rating of 35/33 in the city and highway, respectively, while the hybrid Sorento is rated 39-mpg in the city and 35-mpg on the highway, making it the most fuel-efficient of all four setups. You can consider leasing the 2022 Kia Sorento for its extensive fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly powertrains offerings.
Interior
Since its debut in 2003, Nissan has never failed to give the Murano an outstanding interior. The 2022 Murano has a well-styled premium-looking cabin, outfitted with well-cushioned leather seats, attractive wood inlays, modern high-tech features, etc. The crossover’s dashboard design is handsome, with a 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display. Navigation, Apple Carplay, Android Auto, and other essential features are standard, while other features like ambient lighting heated and ventilated front seats are available in higher trims.
Inside, the 2022 Kia Sorento gets a spacious plush-looking elegantly-styled interior, with impressive build quality, a stunning dashboard, and high-end luxury and tech features. The crossover’s interior is also practical, and without the third row, the Sorento offers more cargo space than the Nissan Murano. There’s a standard 8.0-inch touchscreen display with Apple Carplay and Android Auto smartphone integration. Heated and ventilated seats, rear-seat entertainment, etc., are all optional. You can also opt for the available 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a bigger 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display.
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Contact us now at 1201 Buck Rd Suite 1, Feasterville-Trevose, PA 19053 (215) 660 0300 https://www.vipautopa.com/ for a remarkable lease experience that will leave you yearning for more.
