2020 Mazda CX-9 Signature vs Kia Sorento SX V6 | TestDrive Showdown

[@tomtalker2000]

Many may think the Kia looks "dated". But honestly i think it's quite an attractive vehicle. The only change i would have made was too the rear tail lights. Different more modern shape to go along with those led brake lights etc...Otherwise that V6 is so very nice in a segment where your getting either under powered 4cyl engines. Or turbo 4's where something may go wrong down the line. Just that aspect alone makes the Kia Sorento a segment leader.

[@PRNTestDrive]

The Kia is definitely ageing well even against the new generation.

[@justinfontaine9069]

Mazda hands down unless you really use the 3rd row. It is a far more premium vehicle all the way around and reliability has been stellar on the Mazda. There are high mileage examples of the CX-9 out there now as it has been around for 5 years and no real issues..

[@PRNTestDrive]

It's really hard not to like the Mazda.

[@10tenman10]

I have driven in the CX9 front seat; very comfortable.

[@PRNTestDrive]

It's hard to go wrong with it!

[@ztekz]

From the front and side profile, 2/3rd of the way the Kia looks like a minivan (Sedona)...the CX9 still looks like an SUV! Coming from a previous premium CUV as an owner, I considered the CX9 Signature (ended up buying one 3yrs ago)...never considered a Hyundai/Kia. Depends on who and what type of buyer will consider both brands...as a value buyer likely will consider the Hyundai/Kia but as a premium buyer likely will consider the Mazda.

[@PRNTestDrive]

Both vehicles definitely serve their purposes in the marketplace. I do see the Sedona design in the Sorento, luckily the next generation Sorento has a more aggressive look, similar to that of the new Seltos. Should make it look a lot more SUV-like.

[@kingkrimson8771]

Anyone who sees their vehicle as more than just a transportation appliance will no doubt choose the Mazda.

[@Bombaygarageqatar]

Over all kia is the one

[@PRNTestDrive]

It's really hard to beat the Kia at this price-point. Things only get better with that next generation!

[@MOTILAC]

Great review!

[@PRNTestDrive]

Glad you liked it, thanks!

[@tanveerabbas1814]

i am looking for a used, perhaps 2018 model but the cx 9 is too expensive. I think I might have to settle with the Sorento even though I like the Mazda more...just wish it was a bit cheaper...thanks for the video, nice and detailed review.

[@PRNTestDrive]

There's nothing wrong with taking the Sorento, I've driven every model year of it since 2014 and always liked it. Kia offers a lot of tech and features for the price, though Mazda has a more premium interior setup.

[@daveincanada785]

Another great review! I love the looks of the CX9 but the overall value of the KIA makes it a no brainer.

[@PRNTestDrive]

Glad to hear that you liked it, thanks! The next-generation Sorento looks really good, I'm curious to see what Mazda will do though.

[@michaels7984]

@@PRNTestDrive mazda is developing a new rwd platform and inline 6 turbo engine for the next generation of their vehicles, Toyota is funding it in part and will use it in some of their vehicles as well. Should be awesome, more power and even better handling.

[@tntmyth]

Awesome review. Just the kind of information I want to hear/learn in a review or comparison video. Eg. details about the Nappa leather vs regular leather on the Kia, the Harman Kardon is slightly better than the Bose. Decibels at different speeds. Seat comfort. Passenger space vs cargo space. I prefer regular size sunroofs. The big pano roofs have lots of reports of leaking on many different cars. Plus the big retracting sun shields let light and heat into the cabin. Not the best for hot places like Florida and Texas. Maybe not so bad for cold snowy areas. Subscribed.

[@PRNTestDrive]

Glad to hear that! We try to ensure we go over all the important data real buyers want to know when we do these Showdown episodes.

[@kingkrimson8771]

Not only leaking pano sunroofs, but some have the nasty habit of exploding (including Kia's/Hyundai's).

[@Bombaygarageqatar]

Kia 2021 have new generation wait for it

[@PRNTestDrive]

I've watched a couple videos on it, the 2021 Sorento looks incredibly good. A mix of Telluride and Seltos styling with a more rugged muscular design to it. I think it'll sell very well for Kia!

[@wp65th50]

No more V6 sad as a Yankee

[@Bombaygarageqatar]

@@wp65th50 our region come with 3.5

[@mazdaman0075]

Hi Nile, great comparison review. With regards to the decibel test, were both vehicles on winter tires ?

[@PRNTestDrive]

Yes, they were! I opted not to include the specs for them since we're pretty much done with winter testing, even the next two episodes of TestDrive Spotlight don't include them, however the Mazda was on Pirelli Scorpion Winters, and the Kia on Yokohama IceGuards. Very possible they helped with the Mazda, though we had Pirelli Scorpions on the Durango SRT last week and it was hard to tell if they made a difference noise wise.

[@jamesd4923]

The noise test should have been done with the panoramic roof at least closed halfway that is obviously the difference in noise level.

[@PRNTestDrive]

To be fair the noise test itself isn't scientific to begin with. It might have made a 1db difference.

[@paulm6481]

Mazda is great looking, but personally I equate premium with at least a six cylinder engine. Desperately needs that. Sorento is dead man walking till next generation, but if you like your food from McDonald’s, Kia is a good option (good six cylinder, big, cheap).

[@PRNTestDrive]

The rumour for the next-gen Sorento seems to point towards a turbo 4 being the top-end engine choice, it seems like manufacturers are starting to go in this direction unfortunately.

[@eleanormassaro5195]

Paul M I was very impressed with the turbo four-cylinder on the Mazda CX-9 that I drove for a week. It was very quiet, much more than what I was expecting because I usually prefer six cylinder engines over four-cylinder engines also. My brother and my sister-in-law also drove it a few times and they couldn’t believe that it was a turbo four-cylinder engine

[@RigiLiquid945]

The V6 tow capacity is 5000lbs, turbo is only 3500 lbs, and don't forget to subtract cargo and passenger payload in the car! Too bad Kia dropped the V6 in 2021.

[@PRNTestDrive]

Fair enough

[@eleanormassaro5195]

Did Kia leave off the rain sensing wipers and heated rear seats on the 2020 Sorrento SX? I know when I try to build one in the states, there is no rain sensing wipers or heated seats on the 2020 model🤔. Also, I got to spend a week with a 2020 Mazda CX9 grand touring all-wheel-drive rental car while on vacation and I really enjoyed it. Especially lliked the heads up display!👍🏻

[@PRNTestDrive]

I believe Kia did remove the rain-sensing wipers, along with HomeLink for the 2019 model year when they dropped the SXL trim in favour for the entry-level Telluride trim. The second row still has heated seats for the Canadian market at least.

[@eleanormassaro5195]

PRN_TestDrive Of course, the US doesn’t get the heated rear seats but I like having rain sensing wipers so that would probably strike it off my list😕

[@DeeeBeee123]

MAZDA. you get what you pay for. The kia looks like plastic inside

[@jayscarreviews9614]

Well the Kia is cheaper, and you haven’t seen plastic looking interiors until you’ve seen ford, worsts and cheapest interiors on any vehicles today

[@PRNTestDrive]

Fair enough

[@dsinghr]

You get Mazda for that awesome plush ride that you won’t even get in Q7

[@PRNTestDrive]

Fair enough!

[@10tenman10]

My understanding is that there is no meaningful price differential between the new Sorento and Teluride (like $1,000 US). That makes the Sorento a hard buy.

[@PRNTestDrive]

Seems to be a closer gap in the US between the two. The Sorento starts at $26,990 USD, Telluride $31,890 USD, however it seems with both vehicles you need to add all the options you want, at least here in Canada the only thing you choose is trim & paint.

[@bobbyhandelong2101]

2019 sxl has the nappa leather

[@PRNTestDrive]

That is correct, however Kia (at least in Canada) opted to drop that feature a long with a few others in order to make the new Telluride the entry level at the old SXL's price point.

[@asifaslam5986]

Sorento hands down

[@PRNTestDrive]

Glad to see some more support for the Kia!

[@ronniejuayno9679]

Mazda cx9 looks sexy n fun to drive

[@PRNTestDrive]

It definitely is!

[@KiaTaatje]

Buy the Kia 2.2 Turbo 4 WD diesel !

[@PRNTestDrive]

I wish we had diesels as an option over here, essentially pickup trucks are it. We did drive the 2019 CX-5 diesel but the price was pretty high compared to gas, and our diesel prices are a bit higher at the pump also.

[@adeyzas]

Mazda car nowadays going to European car level... Even higher class than Honda and some Toyota models.

[@PRNTestDrive]

Agreed!

[@slashtrio]

Mazda looks way better. Has some style. The Kia is pretty boring.

[@PRNTestDrive]

The Sorento is getting a complete update for 2021, since this design is old now, dating back to about 2014. The next generation Sorento looks really good, but Mazda still has a dominating design language throughout their entire vehicle lineup.

[@drazenbabich]

@@PRNTestDrive Not quite. Kia 2020 is a facelift of the 2016 model. Not sure where you got the "2014" from...

[@10tenman10]

I hate panoramic moonroofs

[@PRNTestDrive]

Everyone's doing them though. FCA seems to be one of the only manufacturers who gives it as an option. The Durango SRT we just wrapped up with could have added it as an option, but wasn't selected.

[@eleanormassaro5195]

PRN_TestDrive I wasn’t aware that the Durango had a panoramic sunroof as an option. I thought it only had a regular sunroof as an option

[@marjana115]

Mazda have problems with turbo. My friend sell it after 6 months .

[@harryuy7485]

Maryana Mosiy maybe you’re friend just got a bad one, I got cx9 no issue on the turbo for the last nearly 2 years, relatives also got one with turbo, there’s also no issue...

[@yournightmare9999]

@@harryuy7485 maybe he used cheapest gasoline

[@PRNTestDrive]

Fair enough

[@jivteshbajwa1205]

Never buy a Kia i learned it the hard way I have had nothing but issues bad injectors , ac gone bad and numerous others and mine is a 2019 with 23000 kilometres stay away from Kia crap finally getting rid of the crap

[@praveenbadagi4285]

Which model do u have

[@jivteshbajwa1205]

praveen badagi Kia Sorento earlier now highlander xle

[@praveenbadagi4285]

@@jivteshbajwa1205 when u brought

[@jivteshbajwa1205]

praveen badagi august 4

[@praveenbadagi4285]

@@jivteshbajwa1205 please tell all details where do you live,have u brought first or second hand.You seem Indian. DO u have theta engine in sorento or Gdi

[@tigerbalm666]

KIA engines always sound liek squirrels running under the hood!

[@PRNTestDrive]

lol

[@chriss7989]

Kia = poor quality rebranded hyundai engines poorly built

[@PRNTestDrive]

Fair enough