2016 Kia Sorento vs 2016 Toyota Highlander
Two midsize SUVs, compared on what actually matters when you're buying used:
what breaks, when it breaks, and what it costs you.
2016 Kia
Sorento
5/10
The 3.3L V6 SXL is a genuine hidden-gem family hauler; the 2.4 GDI and 2.0T are engine-grenade lottery tickets you don't want to play.
VS
2016 Toyota
Highlander
8/10
A boring, bulletproof family hauler that will outlive your mortgage — as long as you buy the right engine.
Milo scores the 2016 Toyota Highlander higher — 8/10 against 5/10.
By the numbers
Green is the better number — higher on every score, lower on failures, complaints and recalls.
| Kia Sorento |
Toyota Highlander |
| Known failure points | 7 | 8 |
| NHTSA complaints | 1241 | 109 |
| Safety recalls | 8 | 3 |
| Service bulletins | 12 | 12 |
| Reliability | 55 | 88 |
| Cheap to own | 55 | 82 |
| Fun factor | 40 | 32 |
| Holds value | 45 | 78 |
| Enthusiast cred | 20 | 25 |
The most expensive thing that goes wrong
2016 Kia Sorento
Theta II 2.4/2.0T connecting rod bearing failure — sudden seizure, no warning lights (subject of KSDS recall)
$0–$9,00040k–100k mi
2016 Toyota Highlander
AWD rear driveshaft carrier bearing / U-joint clunk on AWD models
$600–$1,40080k–120k mi
If you buy one, buy this one
✅ 2016 Kia Sorento
2016 Sorento SXL V6 AWD, one owner, service records showing 5k oil changes, all recalls closed (especially KSDS, shift cable, and tow-hitch fire), under 100k miles, with the 5-seat configuration for better cargo. Bonus points for the panoramic roof + Nappa combo.
✅ 2016 Toyota Highlander
2016 Highlander XLE V6 AWD with the tow package (5,000 lb rating) in a boring color, one owner, dealer-serviced, 80-110k miles. That's the unicorn — enough options to not feel cheap, none of the Limited's expensive-to-fix LED headlights, and the V6/AWD combo holds value best.
Narrowed it down? Get the full report
This comparison is model-level.
Milo's report goes car-level — the one you're actually looking at:
- A line-by-line negotiation script
- The pre-purchase inspection checklist
- VIN-specific open recalls
- What it's really worth right now
- Your next 15,000 miles, forecast
- Hidden features & money-savers
Run my free report →
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Scores and findings blend documented NHTSA recalls and complaints with
patterns synthesized from owner communities. Always inspect the specific vehicle and
verify open recalls by VIN before buying.