2020 Kia Sorento Review
Price Range: $11,899 - $24,998
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Average
7.6
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The 2020 Sorento bridges the gap between compact and midsize SUVs, coming with standard, though small, third-row seats. The V6 engine is our choice in the lineup, delivering performance that's adequate but not impressive. Overall, the Sorento earns strong scores as a competent family hauler, pushing it to the top of the compact three-row SUV class.
Price & Payment
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Average price: $18,265
$
to$
Price
Pros
- Convenient size should fit many families
- Ample feature content for the money
- Stylish and quiet interior
- Extra-long warranty coverage
Cons
- Less cargo space than other three-row models
- Third-row seat is strictly for kids
- Lackluster acceleration even from the V6 engine
What's new
- Lightly refreshed bumpers and exterior lighting
- EX and SX Limited trims dropped
- Part of the third Sorento generation introduced for 2015
Overview
Odds are, if you're in the market for a family-friendly SUV, one of the biggest decisions is whether to go with two or three rows of seats. There is a small subclass between the two, with the 2020 Kia Sorento claiming the top spot. The Sorento straddles the line between compact crossover and midsize SUV and attempts to deliver the best of both worlds. In some ways it succeeds. In other ways, you may be better off picking a smaller or larger alternative.
For sale near Ashburn, VA
44 listings
- $14,855great price$2,253 below market
- 113,934 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 7 Seats, 18 City / 24 Hwy MPG
- Dulles Kia (6 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
Close
Located in Leesburg, VA
2020 Kia Sorento SX Ebony Black V6 AWDAWD.CARFAX One-Owner. Clean CARFAX.Dulles Motor Cars offers a 1 Month/ 1,000 mile Limited Powertrain Warra...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
20 Combined MPG (18 City/24 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 5XYPKDA5XLG661723
Stock: DX25079A
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 01-17-2026 - $12,944fair price$842 below market
- 96,290 miles
- 1 accident, 1 owner, personal use only
- 7 Seats, 22 City / 29 Hwy MPG
- Motorcars of Gaithersburg (20 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Third-row seating
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- USB Inputs
Close
Located in Gaithersburg, MD
Regularly maintained, Non-smoker owner, Vehicle Runs Well, Must test drive, MD Safety Inspection, Family friendly, Title in possession, New floor mats
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
25 Combined MPG (22 City/29 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 5XYPG4A30LG638323
Stock: YA638323
Certified Pre-Owned: No
The third-row seats in the Sorento are certainly handy when you need to transport more people, but space is limited back there. Small kids should be fine, but accommodating anyone larger may be problematic for more than a quick trip.
The Sorento's larger-than-compact footprint doesn't help its cause when it comes to power, performance and efficiency either. Fuel economy figures are far from impressive for the small-SUV class, and even with the available V6 engine, we consider performance merely adequate. To its credit, the Sorento gives you a lot of features for the money, and its generous warranty increases the value proposition.
But if you plan on carrying more than four passengers at a time, we suggest stepping up to the midsize SUV class. In particular, check out Kia's own Telluride, which is our favorite. Even better, there's a good price overlap between it and the Sorento.
Edmunds Expert Rating
edmunds TESTED
by the Edmunds Experts
Average
7.6
out of 10
We drove the 2020 Kia Sorento on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.
Performance
7/10
How does the Sorento drive? The Sorento hit 60 mph in 8.3 seconds, which is slower than the last test. The V6 feels soft at the low end, but it wakes up at 5,000 rpm and pulls well to redline. The brakes are easy to modulate and brought the SUV to a stop from 60 mph in 125 feet, a good result for a vehicle of this size.
As a vehicle without any real sporting intentions, the Sorento handles better than expected. Outside of Sport mode, the eight-speed transmission feels lazy at times. Downshifts take a moment too long when you're flooring the pedal, but shifts are otherwise executed smoothly. With ground clearance at a modest 7.3 inches, this is a winter-ready SUV but clearly not designed to be an off-roader.
As a vehicle without any real sporting intentions, the Sorento handles better than expected. Outside of Sport mode, the eight-speed transmission feels lazy at times. Downshifts take a moment too long when you're flooring the pedal, but shifts are otherwise executed smoothly. With ground clearance at a modest 7.3 inches, this is a winter-ready SUV but clearly not designed to be an off-roader.
Comfort
8/10
How comfortable is the Sorento? Our model came with heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. The padding is a good mix of firm and plush, and the front seats now feature an extendable lower bottom cushion. The nicely shaped second-row seats slide and recline, while the third-row bottom cushions sit low to the floor, with limited comfort. The Sorento may have one of the most refined rides of any non-luxury-brand crossover. While it won't silence every bump, it glides serenely over patchy pavement, giving it a distinctly premium feel.
The SX Limited's acoustic windshield and front window glass block out sound and help deliver luxury-grade quietness. Only mild amounts of road and wind noise penetrate the cabin.
The SX Limited's acoustic windshield and front window glass block out sound and help deliver luxury-grade quietness. Only mild amounts of road and wind noise penetrate the cabin.
Interior
8/10
How’s the interior? The cabin is thoughtfully designed for the most part, faltering mainly in third-row access — inevitable perhaps given the Sorento's tweener class size. It's large for a compact, and the third row is best for kids but could fit adults in a pinch. Access to the first and second rows is easy, but third-row access is tight.
The 8-inch touchscreen is intuitive and easy to navigate, and it responds quickly. There are fancier systems out there, but few are easier to use and master. Visibility is pretty decent, with the rear view slightly obstructed with the third row up.
The 8-inch touchscreen is intuitive and easy to navigate, and it responds quickly. There are fancier systems out there, but few are easier to use and master. Visibility is pretty decent, with the rear view slightly obstructed with the third row up.
Technology
8/10
How’s the tech? The upgraded Harman Kardon sound system works well but is nothing to write home about. The navigation system is typical Kia fare. It's easy to use but not especially advanced or more attractive than other systems on the market. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provide seamless smartphone integration.
There are plenty of charging options for anything you or your passengers bring along, and the top trim comes with nearly every modern driving aid available. The systems work pretty well. Adaptive cruise can be a little jerky, but it operates down to a complete stop, and lane keeping assist keeps you from drifting out of your lane.
There are plenty of charging options for anything you or your passengers bring along, and the top trim comes with nearly every modern driving aid available. The systems work pretty well. Adaptive cruise can be a little jerky, but it operates down to a complete stop, and lane keeping assist keeps you from drifting out of your lane.
Storage
7.5/10
How’s the storage? There's just 11.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, which is typical for compact three-row SUVs. That grows to 38 cubic feet with the third row folded. Straps and levers allow you to fold both second and third rows from the back, and the smart-unlocking power tailgate opens quickly without any hands or swinging legs.
There's a good number of cabin nooks for personal items, with a dedicated space for wireless charging. The door pockets and armrest bin are what you'd expect in this class, nothing especially clever. The 5,000-pound max towing capacity is very good for a compact SUV and on par with similarly outfitted midsizes.
There's a good number of cabin nooks for personal items, with a dedicated space for wireless charging. The door pockets and armrest bin are what you'd expect in this class, nothing especially clever. The 5,000-pound max towing capacity is very good for a compact SUV and on par with similarly outfitted midsizes.
Fuel Economy
7/10
How’s the fuel economy? The all-wheel-drive Sorento SX Limited V6 AWD is EPA-rated at 21 mpg combined (19 city/24 highway), and we achieved 21.6 mpg on our highway-heavy 115-mile driving loop. This is slightly lower than what we expected, but the Sorento performed about the same as most V6-equipped midsize SUVs.
Value
7.5/10
Is the Sorento a good value? Build quality and materials are class-competitive with abundant soft-touch surfaces. Still, there are a number of things shared with other Kia models costing half as much, which some may perceive as lower-quality. Kia's generous warranty coverage continues to lead the industry and boost scores here.
Wildcard
6.5/10
The Sorento acquits itself reasonably well considering three-row crossovers aren't really designed for speed. The saving grace for this particular category is the V6, even if it's not exactly fun. As well-rounded as the Sorento is, it doesn't conjure up emotion the way the Volkswagen Atlas, Honda Pilot or Mazda CX-9 does. It's kind of boring really. And as practical as buyers may be about an SUV purchase, there will always be an emotional factor.
2020 Kia Sorento trim level differences
The 2020 Kia Sorento is a seven-seat SUV that is available in five trim levels: L, LX, S, EX Sport and SX. 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. Compare the 2020 Kia Sorento trim levels in-depth.
Which Sorento trim does Edmunds recommend?
The base four-cylinder engine will likely struggle with the Sorento's weight, which is why we suggest stepping up to the V6. Go for the EX Sport trim that gets you the V6 plus extra niceties and advanced safety features.

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Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$141/mo for Sorento L
Sorento L
vs
$168/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
Reliability
The 2020 Kia Sorento has a 5 years / 60,000 miles basic warranty and 1 recall. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 4 out of 5, ranks it #12 out of 29 among Compact SUVs. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.
Reliability Rating by RepairPal
4 out of 5 stars4/5Above Average
#12 out of 29 among Compact SUVs
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
$448/yr
vs. $465/yr
for Average Compact SUV
for Average Compact SUV
Frequency
0.96x/yr
vs. 1x/yr
for Average Compact SUV
for Average Compact SUV
Severity
12.2%
vs. 11.5%
for Average Compact SUV
for Average Compact SUV
powered by RepairPal
Recalls
1 recall foundChecking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.
If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).
- Recall Number:
- 22V703000
- Manufacturer Recall Number:
- SC249
- Number of vehicles affected:
- 70887
- Defect Description:
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
- Defect Consequence:
- A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- Corrective Action:
- Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
Warranty
5 years / 60,000 miles Basic Warranty- Basic Warranty
- 5 years / 60,000 miles
- Drivetrain Warranty
- 10 years / 100,000 miles
- Rust Warranty
- 5 years / 100,000 miles
- Roadside assistance Warranty
- 5 years / 60,000 miles
Kia Sorento Reviews
Owner Reviews
5(65%)
4(17%)
3(3%)
2(6%)
1(9%)
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Continues to get better. Simply really good.
4 out of 5 starsDino, 11/23/2019
2020 Kia Sorento EX 4dr SUV AWD (3.3L 6cyl 8A)
I began leasing the Sorento back in 2014 out of simply wanting to find the best lease value I could in this size category of crossover. At the time it was honestly an unexpected surprise. Not just for the comparative lease deal but was an outright nice vehicle in looks, comfort, convenience, quality and performance.
Well, being so happy with the vehicle that first time we continued … with the next lease (a 2017) and again found that same very satisfactory feeling about everything.
Fast forward and just now leased the 2020. I did seriously consider and also looked elsewhere this time around. In the end it again came down to what is simply a really nice vehicle and what your getting for your buck. Do not mistake that at all to mean I am settling for the Sorento. Because truth is, its simply a very well made, attractive (in and out) vehicle with a great ride comfort and performance.
From one to the next lease Ive had (now 3) it has increased a bit with ride quality each the model years Ive had and this latest is the best yet. The V6 has always been and is still more than capable and that is being said from one (myself) who lives on the spirited side with my driving habits. Four grown adults and fully loaded with luggage and no issue at all passing and accelerating on mountainous highways. Certainly not the most powerful engine but extremely capable. The ride quality continues to improve. It was always real good in my opinion. But this latest year (2020) version is even quieter and smoother than the last two ive had. Turns real well with minimal roll and responsive steering in addition to the quietness. There is a definite high end feel to the overall comfort and ride while in a Sorento.
It may not be the best nor excel greatly at any one thing over other given vehicles but it does really well everywhere and exceeds expectations. There is nothing at all negative. Its all good, very good.
- 2020 sorento
4 out of 5 starsTony.d, 01/29/2020
2020 Kia Sorento EX 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl 8A)
this is my second kia sorento I had 2017, some reviews I have read seem that they are downgrading this vehicle a bit, kia has taken some standard equip. out of the ex trim (passenger pwr seat, cd player, rear sunshades etc) however they added a lot of safety features like lane keeper adaptive cruise 19" wheels, rear power liftgate 8-speed transmission and the ***** safety rating. my … take on this vehicle is kia slid this car back a little you don't take out the passenger power seat and rear sunshades. I can get past the removal of the cd player everyone pretty much streams there music these days, however I am not impressed with the 8-speed transmission it affects the acceleration on this suv, they should have synchronize the gear shifts a little better. I still like this vehicle, the ride is very comfortable and handling is competent as is the interior comfort and safety features also decent mpg, this vehicle gives a lot for the money. I will have to see were the next three years of driving this vehicle and all the new safety equipment and its reliability works as it should... kia should not had swapped out good standard features then add more features and sell the ones you want on the higher trim. but I would still recommend it because what works on this vehicle is its the right size it will fit many familys
UPGRADED MY 2009
5 out of 5 starsKeith, 11/05/2020
2020 Kia Sorento S 4dr SUV AWD (3.3L 6cyl 8A)
I traded in my 2009 Sorento LX on a new 2020 Sorento S because of the incentives Kia was offering. I love the options on this trim level but wish remote start was included . For that I would have to go up to the EX trim level. The first reason for buying mine was of course the warranty, which blows all the other manufacturers out of the water . Secondly, it has the same horsepower as … the Telluride and is 10K cheaper. Lastly is the roominess, being 6'4" and weighing in close to 300lbs, it fit very comfortably behind the wheel of this SUV.
i couldn't ask for more -
5 out of 5 starsmike jay, 06/06/2020
2020 Kia Sorento SX 4dr SUV AWD (3.3L 6cyl 8A)
I started researching the sorento one year ago. many reviews faulted the sorento for being fuel thirsty, heavy and under powered. I purchased it on the spot and have not regretted it. the v6 has more power than I need. the rear most seats are there if and when I need them. it has more tech than I know what to do with. it rides and handles better than the competition and it is … QUIET. I can drive all day and never get tired. what more can you ask for?
2020 Kia Sorento video
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2020 Sorento Features & Specs
L
| Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $26,990 |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | Gas |
| Combined MPG | 25 MPG |
| Cost to Drive | $141/month |
| Seating | 7 seats |
| Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 11.3 cu.ft. |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
| Warranty | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
Safety
Our experts like the Sorento models:
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist
- Warns the driver when an imminent front collision is detected. Can automatically brake if needed. Standard on the EX and above.
- Lane Departure Warning
- Alerts you when the system detects that you're drifting out of your lane. Standard on the EX and above.
- Uvo eServices
- Includes automatic 911 calling when an airbag deploys, plus speed and location alerts for secondary drivers.
NHTSA Overall Rating
5 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall5 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat5 / 5Back Seat5 / 5
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover15%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestGood
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalGood
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestGood
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
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