Kia Sorento vs Lexus UX
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 30 Sep 2026, price 10 Sep 2026
Kia Sorento
From $54,380
SUV
Diesel
Diesel
148kW
6 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
179L
Lexus UX
From $55,370
SUV
Hybrid
Hybrid
146kW
4.2 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
320L
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Price Breakdown
The Kia Sorento starts from $54,380 before on-road costs, while the Lexus UX opens at $55,370. That makes the Kia Sorento the more affordable entry point by $990.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $59,818 and $60,907 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Lexus UX by roughly $2,565 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Kia Sorento features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 4-inch digital dash, while the Lexus UX gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Lexus UX counters with wireless charging, heated front seats and Lexus Premium Sound audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Kia Sorento gets cloth upholstery while the Lexus UX offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 1-zone in the Kia Sorento and 2-zone in the Lexus UX.
Drivetrain
The Kia Sorento uses a Diesel producing 148kW and 440Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9 seconds.
The Lexus UX responds with a Hybrid making 146kW and 188Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.5 seconds.
The Kia Sorento has the clear power advantage at 148kW vs 146kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Lexus UX is 0.5s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Kia Sorento measures 4,815mm long on a 2,815mm wheelbase, 320mm longer than the Lexus UX at 4,495mm (2,640mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia Sorento generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 179L in the Kia Sorento and 320L in the Lexus UX, giving the Lexus UX a 141L advantage. The Kia Sorento seats 7 vs 5.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.2m to 11.6m
Based on 11.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,710/year for the Kia Sorento and $1,197/year for the Lexus UX. That is a $513 annual difference in favour of the Lexus UX.
Warranty: 7 years / 999,999km (Kia Sorento) vs 4 years / 100,000km (Lexus UX). The Kia Sorento has longer coverage. Capped-price servicing: —4yr (Lexus UX).
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Kia Sorento if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, value a longer warranty, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Lexus UX if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Lexus's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Kia Sorento takes 4 of 7 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Lexus UX will save you roughly $513 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Lexus UX has a clear edge. The Kia Sorento adds peace of mind with a longer 7-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Kia Sorento and Lexus UX?
The Kia Sorento is the cheapest at $54,380 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Lexus UX by $990.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Lexus UX uses the least fuel at 4.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Kia Sorento holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Lexus UX, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Lexus UX has the largest boot at 320L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Kia Sorento has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia Sorento has the longest warranty at 7 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Kia Sorento makes the most power at 148kW. The Lexus UX is quickest to 100km/h in 8.5s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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