2023 Kia Sorento review

2023 Kia Sorento Review: 

The Kia Sorento, Kia's second-largest SUV, offers a compelling mix of a premium-feeling interior, greater practicality, plus strong performance and efficiency from its optional engine variants. The Sorento stands out in its offering of a third row, a rarity in compact SUVs. It comes in handy on occasions when you need just a few extra seats to take one car. If you're someone who doesn't need something as large as a Telluride, the Sorento will get many of the same jobs done, but in an easier-to-park and more fuel-efficient package.

The Sorento has an impressive range of engine options. Most drivers will find the standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder sufficient, while those seeking a sportier experience can opt for the more powerful turbo engine available on higher trims that outperforms many of its competitors. For maximum fuel efficiency, a hybrid model is available, and a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) caters to those who can charge at home and complete shorter journeys on electric power alone.

• Technology

• Comfort

• Cargo and storage

• Ease of use

• Driving

What tech does the 2023 Kia Sorento have?

Connectivity

The Sorento's infotainment system features a standard eight-inch touchscreen on the base model, with a 10.25-inch screen and an optional digital instrument cluster available on the other trims. For those who prefer Wireless Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay®, we should note that this functionality is only available with the smaller screen. In order for CarPlay and Android Auto to work on Sorentos with the larger screen, your smartphone must be wired via USB. That said, this isn't as big a deal as you might think. Wired CarPlay tends to have a quicker reaction time and ensures that your phone is always charged. Whichever screen you end up with, the infotainment system is sharp-looking and easy to use. USB ports are conveniently located in all three rows, and a wireless charger is also available. 

Infotainment

The top-of-the-line Sorento Edmunds tested came with a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, an upgraded Bose audio system, plus a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. The graphics are crisp and creative, but some testers found the on-screen buttons a bit on the small side. The Bose® audio system was slightly less impressive, and they weren't able to find a sweet spot in the settings to cover a wide range of music. The voice command system was the least impressive tech in the Sorento, as you need to give it predetermined and precise commands in order for it to work.

Driver-Assist Tech

Edmunds tested a top trim Prestige X-Line, which came with just about every driver-assist feature Kia offered. This included a 360-degree camera, a blind-spot camera that is more of a novelty than useful, parking sensors, and automatic braking for parking. Edmunds did not experience any false alarms with the assists. The adaptive cruise and highway assist was effective and wasn't overly bossy in prompting you to continuously hold the wheel. The reverse parking braking system was a bit overzealous in that it tended to be rough on the brake pedal when making adjustments.

How comfortable is the 2023 Kia Sorento? 

Front Seating

The front seats on the SX Prestige offer heating, ventilation, and a solid range of adjustment. Although they appeared to be more plush than they actually were, they still offered decent support for drivers of all sizes and held up on longer drives. 

Rear Seating

The second-row captain's chairs (a bench seat is standard on lower trim levels) were firm but more comfortable and supportive than bench seats found in other SUVs. Edmunds testers found the third-row seats to be small and low to the floor, but they still offered enough support for adults, at least for shorter trips. 

Ride Quality and Interior Noise

The ride comfort wasn't quite as impressive to Edmunds testers, as a steady stream of jitters made its way into the cabin at lower speeds. The large 20-inch wheels equipped on the Sorento Edmunds tested may have been the culprit, as their low-profile tires caused elevated road noise at freeway speeds. Once you're up to speed on the highway, however, the Sorento's ride is well controlled and imparts confidence along with a sense of stability.

Does the 2023 Kia Sorento have good storage?

Cargo 

With the rear seats up, the Sorento has 12.6 cubic feet of cargo space, which is roughly enough room for a row of grocery bags. The underfloor storage is roughly the size of two shoeboxes, alongside the jack. This is a respectable number for a compact SUV, considering the third row, but less than what bigger midsize SUVs such as the Kia Telluride offer. Folding down the third row expands the cargo capacity to between 38.5 cubic feet and 45 cubic feet, depending on the second-row seating position. This is more generous than the cargo space offered by smaller two-row SUVs like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The third row drops with a strap, and you get a significantly bigger area, but there's a gap between the captain's chairs. 

Storage

The Sorento offers well-organized and practical small-item storage solutions. The center console has a covered bin, perfect for phones, sunglasses, and other small items. There's also a small shelf for keys or access cards, and another shelf designed to hold a phone horizontally. The deep center bin includes a smaller upper compartment for easy access to small items. Both front doors provide ample storage. In the rear, the doors feature integrated can holders near the window switches and bottle storage in the door pockets. Each third-row seat also includes molded plastic cupholders and a small bin.

How easy is the 2023 Kia Sorento to use?

Entry, Exit, and Car Seats

The step-in height is fairly standard to get into the Sorento, and the front seats are positioned to allow easy entry. The second row offers similar ease of access, though taller passengers may need to duck slightly. To access the third row with captain's chairs, use the quick-release button to slide and fold the seat. Adults were able to fit in the back with some degree of comfort, and exiting, though a bit snug, was manageable

Car seat installation is made easier by wide door openings and captain's chairs. The second row offers exposed lower anchors and easy-to-find top tether anchors. Infant and rear-facing convertible seats are simple to install with ample legroom. Forward-facing convertibles fit well, but the head restraint might need to be raised for taller children. Boosters can also fit after raising the head restraint. In the third row, LATCH anchors are exposed and clearly marked. Fixed head restraints can hinder a flush fit for taller children in forward-facing convertibles, which are designed to sit against the seatback.

Interior Layout and Visibility

Inside the Sorento, the switches and buttons are clearly labeled, and the main touchscreen icons are easy to identify and have a neon light aesthetic. The steering wheel controls are a bit heavily clustered and can take a bit to learn, but once you do, it shouldn't be an issue.

The driving gauges sit a bit lower, so you wind up looking down into the instrument panel, but the rest of the dash, screen, and controls all feel within easy reach.

The Sorento offers excellent visibility thanks to its large, unobstructed windows and minimal blind spots, especially with the rear three-quarter windows. The rear view is also clear, and the available high-definition surround-view camera system provides a very helpful and clear display on the screen.

What’s the 2023 Kia Sorento like to drive?

Driving

The available turbocharged engine in the Sorento leaves a strong impression. In Edmunds' testing, it proved remarkably quick for a small SUV, not only hitting 60 mph in a mere 6.7 seconds but also maintaining its power at higher speeds. For context, this Sorento is nearly 3 seconds faster than the similarly sized Volkswagen Tiguan and even slightly quicker than the V6-powered Honda Passport, making highway merging and passing effortless.

Braking in the Sorento is confident and well-balanced thanks to the intuitive brake pedal. From 60 mph, the Sorento stopped in just 121 feet with minimal nosedive, which is better than average for its class. However, this braking distance is slightly increased on the top trim due to its standard all-terrain tires. Handling is also confidence-inspiring, though improved steering accuracy would be a welcome enhancement.

Towing

The Kia Sorento has a towing rating of about 3,500 pounds for the 2.5-liter turbo

. This figure is down from 5,000 pounds with the previous generation Sorento. For those who really want to tow more, there's always the Kia Telluride to consider. You'll find that the Telluride's and other midsizers' tow ratings are in the 5,000-pound range.

Fuel Economy/Electric Efficiency

The Kia Sorento's fuel economy will vary anywhere from 24 mpg to 37 mpg

, depending on the powertrain you've chosen. The all-wheel-drive Sorento with the turbocharged engine, the model During Edmunds' testing, it achieved an average of 25.2 mpg in the mixed-driving evaluation route, slightly exceeding the EPA's estimate of 24 mpg combined. One notable advantage is that this turbocharged Sorento does not require premium gasoline. While not as fuel-efficient as the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, it outperformed the Honda Passport and Subaru Ascent, which have similar power outputs, on the same evaluation route.

EPA Fuel Economy Estimates