i'd be curious to see how this compares to Sorento EX AWD...this CX-5 GT is almost $2k more expensive (MSRP).
We drove both before buying our CX-5 GT several months ago. It really all depends on where your priorities are.
Sorento "drives bigger", is larger overall, and is bigger inside with more cargo space...plus offers the usual Kia high content for the price. But the Sorento's size really puts it in a different category, not as a compact crossover like the CX-5, but rather, more comparable to mid-sized SUV's/crossovers such as the Highlander, Pilot, Santa Fe, etc. And as for the quality and enjoyment of the driving experience...not even in the same ballpark. The Sorento has decent acceleration but very average braking response, and steering response felt rather dead to me, especially on-centre. Handling was OK, but nothing to write home about, IMHO. By comparison, the CX-5 shines much brighter in all of those categories, and provides a fun and engaging drive every time I get behind the wheel, regardless of the conditions. And having now put almost 11K on ours, I can assure you that the 2.5L engine really wakes up after it's broken in. We previously had a Tiguan 2.0L turbo, so that was our frame of reference...the N/A CX-5 does just fine by comparison, and gives superior fuel economy... we now average about 8.4L/100 kms in a typical 60/40 mix of highway and in-town driving.
As has been mentioned, the CX-5 GT does suffer by comparison with its competition in a few respects. Some features I wish the GT had for the price are memory seats (it does in the U.S.), rear seats on tracks (to allow space trade-off in the rear between passengers and/or cargo), and a power rear tailgate. A panoramic sunroof would be nice too (like we had in the Tiguan.) Regardless, we are very happy with our choice...and we looked at several truly comparable compact cross-overs before buying -- Escape, Forester, CRV, RAV4, and Rogue, to be exact...along with the Santa Fe and Sorento, just for curiosity's sake.