Key Points
- The Kia Sorento received an update that included more technology and revised styling for the 2024 model year.
- The Sorento has a third-row seat to allow seating for up to seven, but that seat is best for children or occasional use.
- The Sorento offers a comfortable ride, and its turbocharged engine has good power without much of a fuel-economy penalty.
Since its launch for 2021, the current-generation Kia Sorento has been an appealing three-row family SUV offering a lot of value for the money. Like its Hyundai Santa Fe cousin, the Sorento is smaller than some three-row models, such as the Toyota Highlander and Kia’s own Telluride; that can make it easier to maneuver, though at the cost of third-row room. The Sorento is also notably more affordable than some of its rivals.
Related: 2024 Kia Sorento Review: There Isn’t Only 1 Highlander
A 2024 freshening brought new technology features and other changes to help keep the Sorento competitive. The update brought styling revisions as well as standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to all trims. There was also a more rugged X-Pro Package, which adds a more aggressive look and all-terrain tires for light off-roading (or at least to look the part). Hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions were also available, which we cover separately in our Research section. The Sorento continued for 2025 with no major changes and for 2026 gets some minor equipment shuffling.
Cars.com Road Test Editor Brian Normile got to know an updated Sorento in the X-Line SX-Prestige trim, a bit of a mouthful that translates into the top SX-Prestige trim with the more rugged-looking X-Line Package. Tap the link above to read his expert review, or for a quicker look, read on to learn five things we like about the Kia Sorento and two things we do not.
What Do We Like About the Kia Sorento?
1. Go With the Turbo
The Sorento’s base engine is a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder good for 191 horsepower and 181 pounds-feet of torque that’s mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Higher trims get the same engine with a turbocharger, which adds a notable boost in muscle to 281 hp and 311 pounds-feet of torque; it’s paired with a smooth and responsive eight-speed dual-clutch automatic. The difference is transformative, making the Sorento a lot livelier and more entertaining to drive in spite of a bit of turbo lag. Both engines are available with front- or all-wheel drive.
2. Tech Upgrades
A new curved glass panel spans more than half the width of the Sorento’s dash, encompassing a newly available 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a standard 12.3-inch center touchscreen. The setup looks clean and modern, and it’s easy to master with customization options. The freshening brought the addition of standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to all trims, bringing the Sorento more in line with competitors.
3. Inside Story
Inside, our tested Sorento X-Line SX-Prestige offered a welcoming interior that’s nicely designed and built with quality materials. There’s comfortable seating for four passengers, with plenty of legroom and shoulder room in the first two rows. Upper trims are only available with second-row captain’s chairs, which limits occupant capacity to six. Visibility is generally good, although the third-row head restraints can interfere with the view out back; a rearview camera mirror helps make up for that.
4. Good Ride
The Sorento rides well overall, with generally good body control. Driving over broken pavement can make things more unsettled and jittery, but the overall driving experience is just fine for a family SUV. Its steering is light but not overly so, and it feels right for the category.
5. Fuel Economy
A Sorento with the base powerplant and AWD returns a competitive EPA-estimated 25 mpg in combined driving. Stepping up to the more potent turbo powertrain only costs 2 mpg overall, which we think is a small penalty for the added performance and drama-free merging.
Read More About the Kia Sorento on Cars.com:
- How Much Is the 2026 Kia Sorento?
- How Do Car Seats Fit in a 2025 Kia Sorento?
- Face-Lifted 2024 Kia Sorento Goes Off-Road With New X-Pro Trim
- Research the Kia Sorento
- Find Your Next Car
What Do We Dislike About the Kia Sorento?
1. Tight Third Row
The combination of an available third-row seat and tidier dimensions than the Highlander and other three-row alternatives no doubt increases the Sorento’s popularity with buyers looking for easier parking and maneuverability, but it’s best to reserve the Sorento’s third row for smaller children or occasional use only. There just isn’t sufficient legroom and headroom for adults, and access requires some climbing.
2. Brakes
Our biggest gripe about the Sorento’s driving behavior is with the brakes, which can feel grabby when you first press the pedal and require a lot of additional travel before a lot more stopping power is felt. That can make smooth stops a challenge, as the braking feel is anything but linear.
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