One company’s on the rise, one’s trying desperately to make a comeback. And a pair of their current SUV offerings are illustrative of both points. 

Let’s start with the upside: the Kia Sorento. Supposedly all-new for 2011, it features a new unibody structure that’s longer, lower and wider than before, as well as sporting what the company describes as “European-inspired styling.” You can get it with seven-passenger seating, too.

While it might have been a government-bailed out basket case only a year or so ago, if the new Jeep Grand Cherokee is any indication of Chrysler’s direction there may be hope for the company after all.

Talk about retro!