2026 Kia Sorento Review, Pricing, and Specs

Car and Driver

24-05-2025

Overview
While the larger Telluride steals much of Kia's mid-size three-row SUV limelight, the Kia Sorento is a handsome, well-equipped, and affordable family hauler. Variety is a major part of the Sorento's appeal, with a pair of engine options and an assortment of trims on offer. A 191-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder or a 281-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter provides either the front or all four wheels with decent thrust, and an off-road-oriented X-Pro trim is available for outdoorsy folks. While the Sorento's thrifty price and laundry list of standard features make it a tempting option next to pricier competitors like the Honda Pilot and Kia Palisade, it falls short on third-row space and cargo capacity compared to those models.
What's New for 2026?
The Sorento was given a somewhat recent mid-cycle refresh in 2024 and carries on into 2026 unchanged.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The price of the 2026 Kia Sorento is expected to start around $34,000 and go up to $49,000 depending on the trim and options.
LX
$34,000 (est)
S
$37,000 (est)
EX
$40,000 (est)
SX
$44,000 (est)
EX X-Line
$44,000 (est)
SX X-Line
$45,000 (est)
SX Prestige X-Line
$48,000 (est)
SX Prestige X-Pro
$49,000 (est) 0 $10k $20k $30k $40k $50k $60k $70k $80k
We like the EX. It's pricier than the base Sorento, but it comes with nicer amenities, including faux-leather upholstery, heated front seats, parking sensors, and a larger 12.3-inch infotainment display.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Sorento has two 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 X-Pro trim comes only with the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder and gets a center locking differential, 17-inch wheels, and all-terrain tires.
0–60-MPH Times
While we haven't tested the newest Sorento yet, we suspect the 60 mph times we've recorded on previous model year variants will still apply. We estimate that the most powerful turbocharged trims will be capable of a 6.0-second run to 60 mph and that the nonturbo Sorentos could need as long as 9.6 seconds to hit the same speed.
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Kia
More on the Sorento SUV
2024 Kia Sorento X-Pro Is Movin' On Up
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 4000 pounds in X-Pro guise. 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 hasn't released any fuel economy information for the 2026 Sorento yet, but last year's model returned up to 23 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway when equipped with the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The more powerful turbocharged 2.5-liter four received ratings of 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. Without any significant changes, the newest model should achieve similar, or identical, results. When we get a chance to take the Sorento on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, we'll update this story with real-world test results. For more information about the Sorento's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The Sorento's interior has an attractive layout, nice materials, and solid build quality. The dashboard is bookended by two upright air vents but is otherwise simplistic in its design. Ambient lighting is smartly incorporated into the cabin and stitched surfaces on the door panels and seat inserts provide an upscale appearance. A variety of cubby storage spots and cupholders contribute to the Sorento's family-friendly mission. 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 with the third row in place—two fewer than the Telluride.
View Photos
Kia
Infotainment and Connectivity
The Sorento comes with an infotainment setup that consists of two screens mounted side-by-side in a curved panoramic display. A 4.3-inch digital gauge display and a separate 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen are standard, but higher-end trims get a larger 12.3-inch reconfigurable gauge display instead. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. Other features include an optional wireless charging pad, a 12-speaker Bose stereo system, and a rear-seat entertainment system.
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 automated emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
Available adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature
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
2024 Kia Sorento
Vehicle Type: front-engine, front- or all-wheel-drive, 6–7-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
LX, $33,365; S, $35,765; S AWD, $37,765; EX, $39,365; X-Line EX AWD, $43,065; SX, $43,065; X-Line SX AWD, $44,865; X-Line SX-Prestige, $47,765; X-Pro SX-Prestige, $48,765
ENGINES
DOHC 16-valve 2.5-liter inline-4, 191 hp, 195 lb-ft; turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.5-liter inline-4, 281 hp, 311 lb-ft
TRANSMISSIONS
8-speed automatic, 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 110.8 in
Length: 189.6 in
Width: 74.8 in
Height: 66.7 in
Passenger Volume, F/M/R: 57/55/32 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind F/M/R: 76/39–45/13 ft3
Curb Weight (C/D est): 3850–4300 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 6.0–9.6 sec
100 mph: 15.4–26.0 sec
1/4-Mile: 14.6–17.5 sec
Top Speed: 124–131 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 23–26/20–23/27–31 mpg
More Features and Specs