2023 Kia Sorento review
Kia Sorento highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- Powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engine
- Refined cabin
- Many standard comfort and safety features
Cons
- No wireless smartphone connectivity with optional 10.25-inch touchscreen
- Meager towing capability
- Not much cargo room with the third row occupied
Mileage (EPA estimate)
22 city, 25 highway, 24 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
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The Kia Sorento is refined, roomy, and downright quick with its optional turbocharged engine
The 2023 Kia Sorento is on the small side for a three-row midsize SUV, making it attractive for those who need additional passenger space but without the bulk of something like the Kia Telluride. For 2023, the Sorento now features standard blind-spot warning, safe exit assist, and rear cross-traffic warning, complementing the Sorento’s already long roster of standard features, including wireless smartphone connectivity, keyless entry, six USB ports, and a user-friendly eight-inch touchscreen.
Engine choices range from the standard 191-horsepower four-cylinder to a 281-hp turbocharged four-cylinder, with front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive available. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains are also offered, though they’re reviewed separately.
Adults will find reasonable headroom and legroom in the second and third row, although reaching the rear-most seats requires some gymnastics. The cabin’s fit and finish is first-rate, and the trim pieces and overall layout have a near-luxury look to them. Cargo space is a little scarce when every seat is occupied, though when the third row is folded there’s a handy 38.5 cubic feet of cargo volume.
All Kia Sorento years
What is new for the 2023 Kia Sorento?
- Sorento trims have been upgraded with Rear Sunshade and Leather Seats as standard equipment this year.
- Blu-ray Video System features are now available as options on select trims.
- The SX Prestige trim now comes with Memory Seat(s), A/C Seat(s), 4WD/AWD, and BOSE Sound System as standard equipment.
- The X-Line SX Prestige trim now comes with Parking Sensors, Auxiliary Audio Input, and Bluetooth Technology as standard equipment.
- The LX trim now comes with Blind Spot Monitor as standard equipment.
- The X-Line S trim now comes with Rear Defroster, Parking Sensors, Auxiliary Audio Input, and Bluetooth Technology as standard equipment.
- The X-Line EX trim now comes with Automated Cruise Control and Power Seat(s) as standard equipment.
2023 Kia Sorento trims
LX:
- 191-hp, 181-lb-ft of torque 2.5L
- Cruise Control
- Overhead Airbags
- Cloth Seats
- Fold-Away Third Row
- Traction Control
- Lane Departure Warning
- Power Mirrors
- Blind Spot Monitor
S:
- Includes all features available on the LX
- Smart Key
- Parking Sensors
- Front Seat Heaters
- Power Seats
- Leatherette Seats
- Navigation System
- Satellite Radio Ready
- View our Kia Sorento S inventory
EX:
- Includes all features available on the S
- 281-hp, 311-lb-ft of torque 2.5L
- Automated Cruise Control
- Quad Seats
- Power Hatch/Deck Lid
- Turbo Charged Engine
- View our Kia Sorento EX inventory
SX:
- Includes all features available on the EX
- Panoramic Sunroof
- 20 Inch Plus Wheels
- View our Kia Sorento SX inventory
SX Prestige:
- Includes all features available on the SX
- Rear Seat Heaters
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Rear Sunshade
- Memory Seats
- A/C Seats
- Leather Seats
- BOSE Sound System
- View our Kia Sorento SX Prestige inventory
X-Line S:
- Includes all features available on the SX Prestige
- No significant upgrades found on the X-Line S
- View our Kia Sorento X-Line S inventory
X-Line EX:
- Includes all features available on the X-Line S
- No significant upgrades found on the X-Line EX
- View our Kia Sorento X-Line EX inventory
X-Line SX Prestige:
- Includes all features available on the X-Line EX
- No significant upgrades found on the X-Line SX Prestige
- View our Kia Sorento X-Line SX Prestige inventory
5 reasons to buy the 2023 Kia Sorento
What We Like
Turbocharged four-cylinder: The 281-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder transforms the character of the Sorento. Yes, the base four-cylinder is perfectly capable, but the turbo-four adds way more pep, making this a sensible SUV that’s also fun to drive.
Standard features: Kia doesn’t skimp on standard features. The base Sorento has wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, six USB ports, room for seven, and one of the most intuitive infotainment systems you’ll find in any SUV.
Elegant cabin design: The layout and materials used throughout the Sorento’s cabin look like they could belong to an SUV costing thousands more. There are also plenty of convenient storage nooks and cupholders for all three rows.
What Needs Improvement
Cargo space, or more seating: Having a third row of seats is convenient, but not if you plan to tote both lots of people and cargo. With every seat occupied, the Sorento has only about 12 cubic feet of trunk space. If you need that much passenger space AND cargo room, you might want to move up to the bigger Kia Telluride.
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Ratings & reliability
RepairPal gave the Kia Sorento an overall reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Kia Sorento 12th out of 29 among Compact SUVs.
View RepairPal's full rating of the Kia SorentoKia Sorento features and specs
LX 2WD 4D Sport Utility
Standard Features
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Bluetooth Technology
- Cloth Seats
- Cruise Control
- Fold-Away Third Row
- Lane Departure Warning
- Overhead Airbags
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear View Camera
- Side Airbags
- Third Row Seat
- Traction Control
- Full Roof Rack
- Rear Entertainment System
- Running Boards
- Tow Hitch
Drive Wheels
Front Wheel Drive (2WD)
Engine size
2.5L
Horsepower
191
Torque (ft-lbs)
181
Engine type
Gas
Fuel capacity
17.7
Wheelbase
110.8"
Overall length
189"
Width
74.8"
Height
66.7"
Leg room
F 41.4"/M 41.7"/R 29.6"
Head room
F 40.3"/M 39.1"/R 36.8"
Front tires
P235/65HR17
Rear tires
P235/65HR17
Seating capacity
7
Max towing capacity
200/2000 lbs.
Transmission
Automatic
2023 Kia Sorento FAQ
The 2023 Kia Sorento is available in multiple trims, each with its own estimated fuel economy, here are the EPA estimates for each trim:
- LX: 24 MPG City and 29 MPG Highway
- S: 24 MPG City and 29 MPG Highway
- EX: 22 MPG City and 29 MPG Highway
- SX: 22 MPG City and 29 MPG Highway
- X-Line S: 23 MPG City and 25 MPG Highway
- X-Line EX: 22 MPG City and 27 MPG Highway
- X-Line SX Prestige: 22 MPG City and 27 MPG Highway
- SX Prestige: 22 MPG City and 27 MPG Highway
The Kia Sorento received a rating of 4 out of 5 stars from RepairPal, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks the Kia Sorento as 11 out of 29 among Compact SUV
The 2023 Kia Sorento has received an average 3.0 out of 5 stars from our customers. If you're in the market for a 2023 Kia Sorento, check out reviews from customers just like you. 2023 Kia Sorento Reviews.
The 2023 Kia Sorento has a maximum towing capacity of between 2000 and 3500 pounds, when properly equipped. Various factors may impact towing capacity, including weight of passengers, cargo, and options/accessories.
Here is what's new for the 2023 Kia Sorento:
- Rear Sunshade
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Parking Sensors
- Power Seat(s)
- Memory Seat(s)
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We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to indicate that a particular vehicle is currently available or recommended for you.
Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
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