Kia unveiled the all-new 2021 Sorento back in September, debuting a fresh fourth generation for the midsize crossover that looks to rival a variety of GM products – including the 2021 GMC Acadia. Now, we’re placing the 2021 GMC Acadia alongside the 2021 Kia Sorento to see how they compare in terms of exterior dimensions, interior dimensions, and cargo room.
Outside, the 2021 GMC Acadia is significantly larger than the 2021 Kia Sorento, especially in terms of overall length, with the Acadia boasting an extra 4.4 inches over the Sorento.
What’s more, the Acadia is 1.7 inches longer in terms of the wheelbase and 0.6 inches wider in terms of overall width. That said, both models are equal in terms of overall height, while the Sorento is wider with regard to front and rear tracks.
| Dimension | GMC Acadia | Kia Sorento | +/- GMC Acadia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase (in.) | 112.5 | 110.8 | +1.7 |
| Overall Length (in.) | 193.4 | 189.0 | +4.4 |
| Overall Width (in.) | 75.4 | 74.8 | +0.6 |
| Overall Height (in.) | 66.7 | 66.7 | 0 |
| Front Track (in.) | 64.5 | 65.0 | -0.5 |
| Rear Track (in.) | 64.5 | 65.4 | -0.9 |
| Dimension | GMC Acadia | Kia Sorento | +/- GMC Acadia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2858 | 2815 | +43 |
| Overall Length (mm) | 4912 | 4800 | +112 |
| Overall Width (mm) | 1915 | 1900 | +15 |
| Overall Height (mm) | 1694 | 1695 | -1 |
| Front Track (mm) | 1638 | 1651 | -13 |
| Rear Track (mm) | 1638 | 1661 | -23 |
Inside, it’s a mixed bag between these two crossovers, with the Acadia boasting more room in some measurements, and the Sorento boasting more room in others.
The most prominent difference is in second-row legroom, where the Acadia is down two inches. The Acadia is also down in terms of second-row hip room (1.8 inches), first-row headroom (0.3 inches), and first-row legroom (0.4 inches).
That said, the Acadia still offers more third-row shoulder room (1.3 inches), more second-row shoulder room (0.6 inches), and more second-row headroom (0.5 inches), among several other small gains in other areas.
| Dimension | GMC Acadia | Kia Sorento | +/- GMC Acadia |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Row Headroom (in.) | 40.0 | 40.3 | -0.3 |
| First Row Legroom (in.) | 41.0 | 41.4 | -0.4 |
| First Row Shoulder Room (in.) | 59.4 | 59.1 | +0.3 |
| First Row Hip Room (in.) | 55.7 | 55.6 | +0.1 |
| Second Row Headroom (in.) | 39.6 | 39.1 | +0.5 |
| Second Row Legroom (in.) | 39.7 | 41.7 | -2 |
| Second Row Shoulder Room (in.) | 58.7 | 58.1 | +0.6 |
| Second Row Hip Room (in.) | 53.3 | 55.1 | -1.8 |
| Third Row Headroom (in.) | 37.2 | 36.8 | +0.4 |
| Third Row Legroom (in.) | 29.7 | 29.6 | +0.1 |
| Third Row Shoulder Room (in.) | 54.3 | 53.0 | +1.3 |
| Third Row Hip Room (in.) | 42.9 | 42.5 | +0.4 |
| Dimension | GMC Acadia | Kia Sorento | +/- GMC Acadia |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Row Headroom (mm) | 1016 | 1024 | -8 |
| First Row Legroom (mm) | 1041 | 1052 | -11 |
| First Row Shoulder Room (mm) | 1509 | 1500 | +9 |
| First Row Hip Room (mm) | 1415 | 1411 | +4 |
| Second Row Headroom (mm) | 1006 | 994 | +12 |
| Second Row Legroom (mm) | 1008 | 1060 | -52 |
| Second Row Shoulder Room (mm) | 1491 | 1475 | +16 |
| Second Row Hip Room (mm) | 1354 | 1399 | -45 |
| Third Row Headroom (mm) | 945 | 935 | +10 |
| Third Row Legroom (mm) | 754 | 752 | +2 |
| Third Row Shoulder Room (mm) | 1379 | 1345 | +34 |
| Third Row Hip Room (mm) | 1090 | 1080 | +10 |
Finally, we have cargo room, where we find both vehicles offer somewhat similar figures. Space behind the third row is roughly equivalent, with just 0.2 cubic feet between the two models, while the Acadia gets an offers an extra 3.5 cubic feet behind the first row, and the Sorento offers 3.3 cubic feet behind the second row.
| Dimension | GMC Acadia | Kia Sorento | +/- GMC Acadia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cargo Volume Behind First Row (cu. ft.) | 79.0 | 75.5 | +3.5 |
| Cargo Volume Behind Second Row (cu. ft.) | 41.7 | 45.0 | -3.3 |
| Cargo Volume Behind Third Row (cu. ft.) | 12.8 | 12.6 | +0.2 |
| Dimension | GMC Acadia | Kia Sorento | +/- GMC Acadia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cargo Volume Behind First Row (liters) | 2237 | 2139 | +98 |
| Cargo Volume Behind Second Row (liters) | 1181 | 1274 | -93 |
| Cargo Volume Behind Third Row (liters) | 362 | 357 | +5 |
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View Comments
so kia has surpassed chevrolet and are now a competitor to gmc? who is next? buick?
My 2021 Acadia is the best vehicle I have ever owned, and I've owned quite a few from different manufacturers. My previous favorite vehicle (2014 RAV4) is now a distant second (but I'm sure the favorite of my daughter now).
Love ours too.
My daughter and son in law test the Kia Ns many others. In fact a friend of theirs work at Kia and they decided on the Acadia and they love it.
My son in law drives his moms Acura and sisters Nissan and still picked the Acadia. No issues with foreign manufacturers.
I suspect as usual people spilling crap here, NEVER drove any of these vehicles.
Despite the bland reviews for the GMC Acadia from various blogs, I absolutely LOVE my 2020 GMC Acadia!
LOVE my 2008 ACADIA SLT ... YES it's THAT GOOD!!! I'm sure 2021 has improved but imagine, I LOVE MY 2008
I currently have a 2018 Acadia (lease) and my dealer has spent the past two weeks looking for a 2021 as my lease is up. The 18 has been a great and trouble free vehicle and looking iam forward to picking up my 21 on Monday...
Have a 2017 Acadia and love it. Brother had a 2014 Sorento that detonated at 120k miles.
I have a acadia 2020 at 4 i love it comfort vehicule lot a cargo space nice ride and it the first time that i got all does gadget lane change back up camera collision alert and lot good space for tall person to sit in the second seat.
GMC reduced the cargo capacity of the Acadia by half from 2016 to 2017. For this reason, we didn't buy a new one when it was time.