American drivers love SUVs. The comfort, versatility, space, and power made these vehicles incredibly popular during their rise in the 1990s. But when gas prices started to rise, Americans demanded an alternative to the gas guzzling large SUV.

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Two SUVs that attempted to meet that demand were the Toyota Highlander and Kia Sorento. Both offer fuel-efficiency coupled with the SUV benefits Americans have come to enjoy. For the 2014 model year, you can expect the Toyota Highlander to compete for the attention of car shoppers, but how will it fare when compared to the Kia Sorento?

2014 Toyota Highlander challenges the Kia Sorento

The difference? Engines and drivetrain put the Sorento above the 2014 Toyota Highlander.

While the 2014 Toyota Highlander received major changes to the exterior, the engines remain largely the same. The base Highlander engine is the same as last year's model, a disappointingly weak 2.7L four-cylinder. To make matters worse, all-wheel drive will not be available with the base engine. If you are concerned with snow and rough conditions, (which almost everyone in Iowa is) you'll have to step into a more expensive 2014 Highlander.

The Kia Sorento has two engine options, both available with all-wheel drive. The base 2.4L four-cylinder gives drivers 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft, better than the base Highlander's 187 horsepower. Better power; and the car still gets superior fuel-efficiency, reaching 26 mpg hwy.

While numbers for the 2014 Toyota Highlander are still pending, the base engine in the 2013 model only reaches 25 mpg hwy, just shy of the Sorento's mark.

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