- The Kia Sorento is a smaller midsize family SUV that comes standard with a third row.
- I recently drove a fully loaded Sorento in X-Line SX Prestige trim.
- I was impressed by the Sorento's peppy driving dynamics, rugged styling, and well-executed tech.
I recently tested a fully loaded Kia Sorento and was impressed by the family SUV's peppy driving, rugged looks and suite of tech features.
The smaller midsize splits the difference between compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V and larger, three-row midsize SUVs like its bigger brother, the Kia Telluride.
The 2025 Sorento starts at $31,990 and is pretty much unchanged from previous years. The most significant update is the use of black instead of silver badging on X-Line trim models.
With fees, my Georgia-made X-Line SX-Prestige test car came out to $48,285.
12 features jumped out to me that helped make the Sorento a great family SUV that's practical, fun to drive, and packed with cool tech.
Hybrid and ICE engine options
Most vehicles offer consumers one or two engine options. The Sorento has four different powertrains, including a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid.
My high-end test car was powered by a 281 horsepower turbocharged engine with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. More value-minded buyers can opt for the entry model's 191 horsepower, naturally aspirated four-cylinder.
The Sorento can also be had as a hybrid with 227 horsepower and as a plug-in hybrid with 261 horsepower and 31 miles of electric range.
My all-wheel-drive, turbocharged test car boasts EPA fuel economy figures of 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, which is pretty standard in this part of the market.
Rugged styling
The Sorento's revised front end, with its squared edges, vertical LED headlights, and rectangular grille, looks bold and rugged. It draws heavily from the brand's flagship Telluride SUV.
Fun to drive
The Sorento's punchy turbocharged engine really shines. Kia's 2.5-liter turbocharged engine and eight-speed DCT combine to make the Sorento surprisingly peppy. Power delivery felt immediate, consistent, and pretty smooth for a turbocharged four-cylinder.
The SUV's responsive steering makes it one of the better-handling midsize SUVs I've driven.
According to Kia, my 4,250-pound test car could accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 7.5 seconds with a top speed of 131 miles per hour.
Sage green leather interior
The sage green leather upholstery in my test car looked great and was a happy break from the traditional black, white, and tan interiors found in my vehicles.
The heated and ventilated power front seats are not only incredibly comfortable, but their quilted design also adds an extra dash of flair to the cabin.
Great infotainment system
Every carmaker has an infotainment system, but few do it well. I find the latest Hyundai/Kia system in the Sorento to be among those few. The system is responsive, easy to navigate, and comes packed with helpful features like built-in vehicle diagnostics and a 360-camera system.
All Sorentos also come with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.
Blind spot view monitor
The blindspot view monitor system debuted a few years ago and has been unique to high-end Hyundai and Kia models. The system, which uses side mirror-mounted cameras, activates when the turn signal is used and proved to be a helpful feature
Seatback USB sockets
Most SUVs' second-row power sockets are usually placed low down on the center console facing the rear passenger. The Sorento's USB-C sockets are on the inside of its front seatbacks. This smart design, also found on a couple of other recent Hyundai/Kia SUVs, makes the USB-C sockets easily accessible to both front and rear seat passengers.
Digital rearview mirror
Although digital rearview mirrors are not as rare as they once were, they are still fairly uncommon. The feature is especially useful in family SUVs like the Sorento, as it gives the driver an unobstructed view even when the cabin is packed with cargo and passengers.
Voice memo
I've encountered the voice memo feature on several recent Hyundai/Kia models. It's offbeat and not something I'd necessarily use, but I can certainly see it coming in handy if inspiration strikes while stuck in traffic.
Standard third row
The Sorento's standard third row isn't terribly spacious. In fact, it offers roughly the same legroom as a coach seat on a low-cost airline. However, its mere presence in a smaller, lower-priced midsize SUV and the flexibility it affords owners make it a standout feature.
Smart handsfree liftgate
There are various smart, hands-free power liftgates on the market, but Hyundai/Kia's system is one of the easiest to use. You don't have to kick or swing your leg under the rear bumper. All you have to do is stand two to three feet behind the Sorento while possessing the key fob. After three seconds, the vehicle will beep, and the rear liftgate will automatically open.
Center-locking differential
As with most crossover SUVs, the Sorento's all-wheel-drive system drives the front wheels most of the time and only sends power outback when it needs additional traction. When road conditions are really bad, the Sorento comes with a center-locking differential, activated by pushing a button on the center console, that ensures power is split evenly between the front and rear wheels.
