Overview
There are more mid-size SUVs for sale in America than chicken nuggets in the fry basket at your local KFC, but the Kia Sorento is a good choice, even amongst arguably better competitors. The Sorento has three rows for seating up to seven passengers and a relaxing amount of space for adults in the second row. Front-wheel drive and a 191-hp four-cylinder are standard, but all-wheel drive and a more aggressive 281-hp turbocharged four-cylinder are available. An eight-speed automatic transmission handles shifting for both powertrains, but a six-speed auto is used for the 227-hp Sorento Hybrid and the 261-hp plug-in hybrid. Slightly smaller than its Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade relatives, the Sorento’s wide offering of engines gives it the fuel efficiency its larger three-row siblings lack. However, its third row isn’t as spacious and the Sorento’s 3500-pound max towing capacity lags behind other mid-size SUVs, such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Honda Pilot.
What’s New for 2024?
After a flurry of minor equipment changes last year, the Kia Sorento arrives mostly unchanged for 2024.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
We like the EX hybrid. It’s pricier than the base Sorento, but it comes standard with the turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain that’s more powerful than the base nonhybrid offering. It also has nicer amenities than the trims below it, including leatherette upholstery, heated front seats, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, remote start, and snazzier styling such as 17-inch wheels and black exterior accents.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Sorento has a wide selection of engine options and is available with front- or all-wheel drive. A 191-hp 2.5-liter inline-four-cylinder engine is standard and a 281-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder is available too. Both pair with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and the hybrid model uses a six-speed automatic. We drove a top-of-the-line SX trim with the turbo-four and appreciated its noticeable thrust, but we wish the powertrain felt more responsive off the line. The same model delivered poised handling, a nicely isolated ride, and firm brake-pedal feedback. The eco-friendly Sorento hybrid features a turbo 1.6-liter four-cylinder gas engine and an electric motor that work together to generate 227 horsepower. The all-wheel-drive Sorento plug-in hybrid features the same engine and transmission as the lesser hybrid, but in this application, the powertrain makes a combined 261 horsepower courtesy of a more powerful electric motor.
Towing and Payload Capacity
Although the Kia Sorento won’t move mountains, its marginal towing capacity could prove helpful in some situations. The maximum towing capacity for the Sorento is 3500 pounds when equipped with the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and the optional towing package. Avoid the towing package or opt for the base naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine and that figure falls to 2000 pounds. Though the Sorento can’t match the V-6-powered Kia Telluride‘s 5000-pound tow rating, it still can haul a couple of jet skis or small farm animals—depending on your lifestyle.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The EPA estimates the Sorento returns up to 24 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway when equipped with the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The more powerful turbocharged 2.5-liter four nets EPA ratings of 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. The hybrid Sorento HEV is the most fuel-efficient with estimates of 39 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. The plug-in hybrid has a combined rating of 79 MPGe. Drive the Sorento PHEV in its Hybrid mode and the plug-in model earns EPA-estimated fuel economy figures of 35 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. That said, the PHEV can travel up to a manufacturer-estimated 32 miles on electricity alone with a full charge of its battery. On our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, a Sorento EX Hybrid achieved 31 mpg—4 mpg short of its EPA estimate. The Sorento PHEV returned 25 mpg while in Hybrid mode, 8 mpg off its EPA estimate. For more information about the Sorento’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Inside, the Sorento has an attractive layout, nice materials, and solid build quality. The dashboard can be outfitted with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The rest of the design blends rhombus-shaped air vents integrated ambient lighting and intricately stitched surfaces on the door panels and seat inserts. A variety of cubby storage spots and cupholders also fill out the console. Along with a standard third row, its second-row bench can be swapped for a pair of captain’s chairs. Compared with the larger Telluride, the Sorento’s far-back seats aren’t comfortable for adults, and we only managed to fit two carry-on suitcases in the cargo area—two fewer than the Telluride.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The Sorento comes standard with an 8.0-inch touchscreen or an optional 10.3-inch touchscreen. A wireless charging pad is optional, as is a 12-speaker Bose sound system. A rear-seat entertainment system with a touchscreen mounted on the back of each front seat is also optional.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The Sorento enjoys a roster of standard and optional driver-assistance technology. For more information about the Kia’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
- Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
- Available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Kia has one of the most impressive warranty plans in the industry. However, it doesn’t offer the complimentary maintenance that its corporate counterpart, Hyundai, does.
- Limited warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
Specifications
Specifications
2021 Kia Sorento EX Hybrid
Vehicle Type: front-engine, front-motor, front-wheel-drive, 6-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $37,765/$38,210
Options: Runway Red paint, $445
POWERTRAIN
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 1.6-liter inline-4, 177 hp, 195 lb-ft + AC motor, 59 hp, 195 lb-ft (combined output: 227 hp, 258 lb-ft); 1.5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 12.8-in vented disc/12.8-in vented disc
Tires: Nexen Roadian GTX SUV
235/65R-17 104h M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 110.8 in
Length: 189.4 in
Width: 74.8 in
Height: 66.7 in
Passenger Volume: 143 ft3
Cargo Volume: 13 ft3
Curb Weight: 4095 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 7.2 sec
1/4-Mile: 15.6 sec @ 92 mph
100 mph: 19.0 sec
120 mph: 30.9 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.4 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 7.9 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 4.1 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 5.1 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 122 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 181 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.81 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 33 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 31 mpg
Highway Range: 540 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 37/39/35 mpg
2022 Kia Sorento PHEV SX Prestige
Vehicle Type: front-engine, front-motor, all-wheel-drive, 6-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $46,405/$49,960
POWERTRAIN
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 1.6-liter inline-4, 177 hp, 195 lb-ft + AC motor, 90 hp, 224 lb-ft (combined output: 261 hp, 258 lb-ft; 11.8-kWh lithium-ion battery pack; 3.8-kW onboard charger)
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 12.8-in vented disc/12.8-in vented disc
Tires: Continental CrossContact LX Sport
235/55R-19 101H M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 110.8 in
Length: 189.4 in
Width: 74.8 in
Height: 66.7 in
Passenger Volume: 142 ft3
Cargo Volume: 13 ft3
Curb Weight: 4490 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 7.6 sec
1/4-Mile: 15.8 sec @ 89 mph
100 mph: 21.5 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 7.8 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 3.9 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 5.0 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 127 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 162 ft
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 26 MPGe
75-mph Highway Driving, Hybrid mode: 25 mpg
Highway Range, Hybrid mode: 310 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 34/35/33 mpg
Combined Gasoline + Electricity: 79 MPGe
EV Range: 32 mi
