more about this model There's ambition behind the 2017 Kia Sorento. Redesigned for the 2016 model year, it makes its way into this new year with some significant refinements. That includes improved smartphone integration, a few choice safety tweaks and some trim variations. Previous generation Sorentos may have been compact crossovers at a keen price, but this latest Sorento has ascended up into mid-size mainstream where the competition is stiff and the options list must be comparable.
One advantage the Sorento brings into the fray is that it can be tailored to any customer. There are three different engines available: a base non-turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder, a turbocharged 2.0-liter four and a thumping 3.3-liter V6. Those powerplants all come mated to a six-speed automatic transmission churning either the front wheels or all four of them.
Particularly when equipped with the V6, the Sorento is a refined and sophisticated everyday driving companion. And it's versatile too, with a choice of two or three rows of seating. Save the rearmost seat for the toddlers, however.
With its multiple personalities, the Sorento can be considered an alternative to virtually any crossover, from basic compacts to three-row behemoths fitted out like the Sultan of Brunei's personal 747. Well, minus the gold-plated lavatories and on-board dining room(s).
Fuel consumption naturally varies according to powertrain choice. The best fuel economy numbers come with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive that specs out at 24 mpg combined (21 city/28 highway). The lowest ratings are generated by the Sorentos with the big 3.3-liter V6 under their hoods and all-wheel drive. Those come in at a thirsty 19 mpg combined (17 city/23 highway). The turbocharged four-cylinder models have numbers closer the naturally aspirated four then the six.
With its wide range of talents, even wider range of options, and overall versatility, the Sorento attracts, no surprise, a wide range of buyers. It's one of Kia's best-selling vehicles and the largest crossover the company makes. It's also the first vehicle Kia produced (and continues to produce) at its assembly plant in West Point, Georgia.
Cutting through the blizzard of Sorento possibilities takes some solid research, and seeking out some good advice is always a good idea. And you've already taken a good first step by starting your buying journey here at Edmunds.com.
Is the 2017 Kia Sorento a good car?
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2017 Kia Sorento and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2017 Sorento featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
All of our reviews are written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
How do people like the 2017 Kia Sorento?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2017 Kia Sorento and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2017 Sorento 4.7 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2017 Sorento.
Review
We compared several mid sized SUV's by test driving and pricing them out with similar features/packages and the Kia was the best value that we found. We were also very impressed with the ride and the safety features (autonomous braking, lane monitoring, blind spot monitoring and a great back up camera). The basics of the vehicle are great as well - a smooth and surprisingly quiet ride and solid acceleration with the 3.3 V6.
See all consumer reviews and retings for the 2017 Kia Sorento
How can Edmunds help?
Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color
Is the 2017 Kia Sorento safe?
The 2017 Kia Sorento earned a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and "GOOD" ratings from the IIHS in the following caregories: Side Impact Test, Roof Strength Test, Rear Crash Protection/Head Restraint, IIHS Small Overlap Front Test Results, Moderate Overlap Front Test Results, and a JD POWER overall quality rating of 5.0 out of 5. Among Edmunds' many tools and resources for finding your perfect car are detailed safety ratings and analysis from NHTSA, IIHS, and JD Power, including overall ratings, frontal barrier crash ratings, side impact tests and crash ratings, rollover test results, roof strength tests, rear crash protection and head restraint ratings, side barrier ratings, combined side barrier and pole ratings, and more.
What options are available on the 2017 Kia Sorento?
Available Kia Sorento 2017 Submodel Types: SUV
Available Trims: LX, EX, SX, SX Limited, Limited, L, SXL, Base
Exterior Colors: Titanium Silver, Ebony Black, Snow White Pearl, Dark Cherry, Remington Red, Bright Silver, Platinum Graphite, Blaze Blue, Satin Metal, Sangria, Sparkling Silver, Wave Blue, Pacific Blue, White Sand Beige, Polished Walnut, Spicy Red, Tuscan Olive, Black, White, Alpine Gray, Clear White, Metal Bronze, Sand Beige, Alpine Gray/Pewter Gray Cladding, Baltic Blue, Clear Silver/Pewter Gray Cladding, Clear White/Pewter Gray Cladding, Diamond Silver Metallic, Ice Blue, Ice Blue Metallic, Indigo Blue/Pewter Gray Cladding, Midnight Blue, Silver, White/Pewter Gray Cladding, Aqua Blue Metallic/Pewter Gray Cladding, Clear Silver Metallic/Pewter Gray Cladding, Diamond Silver Metallic/Pewter Gray Cladding, Indigo Blue, Indigo Blue Metallic/Pewter Gray Cladding, Ivy Green/Stone Beige Cladding, Java Brown, Radiant Red Metallic, Ruby Red Metallic, Sand Beige/Stone Beige Cladding, Silver/Pewter Gray Cladding, Spark Blue
Interior Colors: Black cloth, Satin Black cloth, Black leather, Stone Beige cloth, Beige cloth, Beige leather, Gray cloth, Gray leather, Black Metallic premium leather, Satin Black leather, Black premium leather, Stone Beige leather, Satin Black premium leather, Light Gray premium leather, Gray, Black leatherette/cloth, Beige, Ivory premium leather, Gray premium leather, Beige leatherette/cloth
Popular Features: Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Rear Bench Seats, Stability Control, Tire Pressure Warning, Trip Computer, Alarm, Aux Audio Inputs, Bluetooth, USB Inputs, Back-up camera, AWD/4WD, Parking sensors, Heated seats, Third-row seating, Power Driver Seat, Auto Climate Control, Multi-Zone Climate Control, Leather Seats, 3500lb Towing Capacity, Blind Spot Monitoring, Power Liftgate/Trunk, Sunroof/Moonroof, 5000lb Towing Capacity, Electronic Folding Mirrors, Apple Carplay/Android Auto, Navigation, Keyless Entry/Start, Cooled Seats, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Pre-collision safety system, Upgraded Headlights, Remote Start, Upgraded Stereo, 360-degree camera, Post-collision safety system, Towing Hitch, Rear Entertainment System
Engine/Mechanics: 4, 6 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC, MANUAL
Fuel Types: regular unleaded
Drivetrains: all wheel drive, front wheel drive, four wheel drive, rear wheel drive
Edmunds attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, to which selected members of the press were invited, to facilitate this report.
