Used 2019 Kia Sorento L SUV Review

Finding the right-size SUV for your family can be difficult. You want something with space and enough seats, but not something so large you can't fit it in the garage. Consider the 2019 Kia Sorento, which seeks to satisfy both needs.

Sized between the brand's smaller Sportage and larger Telluride, the Sorento comes standard with a third row and seating for seven. Its medium size means navigating tight roads isn't too difficult, but it also limits space in the back. That third row is suited best for transporting the little ones.

The Sorento is available with all-wheel drive and in a wide array of trim levels that range from budget-conscious to luxury-adjacent. You'll save some money by opting for the base four-cylinder engine, but be warned: Its pokey acceleration will leave you wishing for the available V6. That engine now comes with an eight-speed automatic that should improve responsiveness and fuel economy.

With so many potential variations, there's a configuration of the Sorento for most families. Figure in standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support and one of the longest warranties you'll find among competitors, and you have a strong SUV for the money.

Notably, we picked the 2019 Kia Sorento as one of Edmunds' Best 3-Row SUVs for 2020, as well as one of Edmunds' Best Midsize SUVs for 2020.

The 2019 Kia Sorento is a seven-seat SUV that is available in seven trim levels: L, LX, S, EX, EX Sport, SX and SX Limited. The L and the LX are reasonably well-equipped, while the S and the EX add more convenience features. The SX trims top the range with more luxury-oriented features.

The L and the LX come standard with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (185 horsepower, 178 lb-ft of torque) and a six-speed automatic. A 3.3-liter V6 (290 hp, 252 lb-ft) with an eight-speed automatic is optional on the LX and standard on the S, EX, EX Sport, SX and SX Limited. All but the L can be equipped with all-wheel drive.

Standard feature highlights for the base L include 17-inch alloy wheels, a rearview camera, cloth upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, automatic headlights, Bluetooth, a 7-inch touchscreen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration, a USB port, and a six-speaker sound system with satellite radio and a CD player.

The LX adds a noise-reducing windshield, roof rails, front seatback pockets, two additional USB ports, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. When equipped with the V6, the LX gains automatic dual-zone climate control and a power-adjustable driver's seat.

The LX's optional Convenience package pads on rear parking sensors, the power-adjustable driver's seat and dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and an upgraded version of the 7-inch infotainment interface that also has navigation.

Going with the Sorento S gets you the V6 and the contents of the Convenience package. It also comes with black-painted wheels and exterior trim.

Compared to the LX, the EX gets the contents of the Convenience package as standard and further adds 18-inch wheels, foglights, leather upholstery, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, rear air-conditioning controls, an upgraded driver information display, keyless ignition and proximity entry, rear parking sensors, a power liftgate, and noise-reducing front door windows.

This trim also comes standard with a suite of advanced driver safety and assistance features that include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, traffic adaptive cruise control and driver attention warning.

For the EX Sport, Kia fits 19-inch wheels but takes away a few minor features such as the power-adjustable front passenger seat.

The EX's Touring package includes a panoramic sunroof, LED interior lighting, a heated steering wheel, forward parking distance sensors, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a 110-volt household-style outlet, an 8-inch infotainment display with navigation, and retractable sunshades for the rear doors.

The SX comes standard with all of the above plus 19-inch wheels, LED running lights, red brake calipers, driver-seat memory settings and a wireless phone charger. The SX also offers its own Touring package that includes LED headlights, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, automatic wipers, automatic high-beam headlights, a surround-view parking camera system, and power-folding side mirrors.

The SX Limited starts where the SX Touring package leaves off, adding to it chrome-clad wheels, LED foglights, black brake calipers, higher-grade leather upholstery, and heated outboard second-row seats.

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Kia Sorento SX Limited (3.3L V6 | 8-speed automatic | AWD).