Kia Sorento SUV, starting at 32,000 $

The Kia Sorento SUV impresses with 281 HP and an attractive starting price of 32,000 $ . Here are all the details at a glance.

from $32,000
Sorento

Kia Sorento

  • Engine Type : Gasoline
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : Front Wheel, All Wheel
  • Power HP : 191 - 281 HP

Family Style, Curbside Confidence

The Kia Sorento cuts a crisp figure, with a squared-off nose, sharp lighting, and proportions that read more premium than the price suggests. At 189 inches long and 74.8 inches wide, it’s tidy enough for city garages yet substantial enough to look like a proper three-row. X-Line and X-Pro trims turn up the attitude with chunkier cladding and more purposeful tires without going full off-road cosplay. It’s the kind of SUV that blends into a school-run line while still earning a second glance at the curb.

Cabin Calm, Buttons Where They Count

Inside, the Sorento leans upscale with clean lines, soft-touch materials in the right places, and a user-friendly control layout. A wide display panel houses an available 12.3-inch touchscreen and digital cluster, while Kia’s clever dual-function climate panel keeps everyday adjustments easy. Storage is abundant, with deep bins, big cupholders, and a neat wireless charging pad on upper trims. The vibe is quietly classy, more practical than flashy, and built to handle family life without fuss.

Space & Everyday Practicality

Seating for six or seven is on offer, depending on whether you choose second-row captain’s chairs or a bench. The third row is kid-friendly for longer trips and adult-capable for short hops, and the folding mechanisms are simple enough to manage with one hand. Cargo space measures tight with all three rows up (about 12.6 cu ft), but expands to roughly 45 cu ft behind row two and around 75 cu ft max—plenty for a Costco raid or camping gear. Wide-opening doors and generous LATCH access make car-seat duty less of a wrestling match.

Road Manners, Not Road Rage

The Sorento favors comfort, with a settled ride that shrugs off broken pavement and steering that’s light but accurate. Body motions are kept tidy enough to inspire confidence, though this isn’t a corner-carver and doesn’t pretend to be. AWD models add grip in wet weather and a Snow mode for slippery mornings. X-Pro versions bring chunkier tires for light trails, trading a bit of quietness and crispness for extra confidence on rough paths.

Powertrains: Pick Your Pace

Two gasoline setups define the range: a 2.5-liter four with 191 hp and 181 lb-ft, and a 2.5-liter turbo with 281 hp and 311 lb-ft, both paired to an eight-speed automatic. The base engine is fine for commuting and school runs, but feels stretched with seven aboard and a hill ahead. The turbo transforms the Sorento, hustling to 60 mph in roughly the mid-6-second range with easy freeway merging and relaxed passing. Towing checks in at up to 3,500 pounds with the turbo (2,000 pounds for the base), which covers small campers and weekend toys.

Efficiency & Range

Expect up to about 23 mpg city and 31 mpg highway from front-drive models with the 191-hp engine, while turbo and AWD versions land closer to 20/27–28 mpg. With a 17.7-gallon tank, real-world highway range can brush 500 miles in the thriftier setups, which means fewer stops on long family hauls. Around town, the turbo’s extra muscle may tempt heavier feet, nudging consumption upward. AWD adds security in bad weather, with a small but noticeable fuel economy penalty.

Screens, Smarts, and Safety Nets

Kia loads the Sorento with driver aids like adaptive cruise control with lane-centering, blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic alert, and an available surround-view camera. Highway Driving Assist can ease fatigue on long interstates by keeping speed and lane position in check. The infotainment runs on a slick, quick interface with an available 12.3-inch screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, over-the-air updates, and digital key capability. Add the optional Bose audio, and road trips get a soundtrack upgrade to match the comfort.

Trims & Value Play

The lineup spans from LX FWD and S FWD with the 191-hp engine to EX FWD and SX FWD with the 281-hp turbo, plus S AWD, X-Line EX AWD, X-Line SX AWD, X-Line SX Prestige AWD, and the X-Pro SX Prestige AWD. Front-wheel drive keeps prices down, while AWD and the X-Line/X-Pro add adventurous styling and extra capability. Equipment climbs quickly—heated and ventilated seats, panoramic displays, and premium audio are all on the menu. Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty sweetens the deal for long-term peace of mind.

Who Is It For?

The Sorento suits families who want three rows without the bulk of a full-size SUV, and drivers who value comfort and tech over theatrics. It’s a smart fit for suburban routines, road trips, and the occasional gravel-road getaway. The base engine covers the basics, but the turbo is the pick for frequent highway runs, hilly terrain, or towing. If a Telluride feels too big and a compact SUV too small, this neatly sized, well-rounded option hits the middle ground just right.

Costs and Consumption

Price
32,000 - 47,400 $
FuelEconomy City
20 - 23 mpg
FuelEconomy Hwy
27 - 31 MPG
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
17.7 gal

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
SUV
Seats
6 - 7
Doors
-
Curb weight
3,814 - 4,213 lbs
Trunk Volume
-
Length
189 in.
Width
74.8 in.
Height
66 - 70 in.

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Gasoline
Transmission
Automatic
Drive Type
Front Wheel, All Wheel
Power HP
191 - 281 HP
Torque
181 - 311 lb-ft
Number of Cylinders
-
Engine Displacement
2.5 L
Gears
-

General

Model Year
2,025
Brand
Kia
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