2022 Kia Sorento Review

Kia Sorento X-Line SX Prestige 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

+119

The all-new Kia Sorento is such a complete departure from the previous generation that you'd think it was built by a different company. With its mix of quality, practicality and available performance, the Sorento is an enticing option if you're looking for a small SUV with above-average versatility. Only the elevated price tag on the top-of-the-line model could be a deterrent.

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by Edmunds Test Team

2022 Kia Sorento Review

byCameron Rogers^{Manager, News
Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at Edmunds include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).}

Pros

Impressive number of standard and optional features
Lots of second- and third-row legroom for the class
Sharp-looking and easy-to-use infotainment system

Cons

Not as compact (or wallet-friendly) as the last-generation model

What's new

X-Line appearance package now available on S and EX trim levels
Minor additions to standard features on certain trim levels
Part of the fourth Sorento generation introduced for 2021

Overview

The 2022 Kia Sorento is a small SUV that is one of the few in its class to offer three rows of seating. In that sense it's an intriguing pick if you want something that's more versatile than Kia's Sportage small SUV but not as big or as expensive as the three-row midsize Telluride.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2022 Kia Sorento LX 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$167/mo

$201/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

Kia fully redesigned the Sorento for 2021, and the model's new styling is certainly inspired by its Telluride sibling. The Sorento offers four powertrain choices, including a hybrid and a new-for-2022 plug-in hybrid. Also this year, many trims gain additional equipment, such as the 10.25-inch touchscreen that now comes on all levels except the base model. Buyers looking for an affordable yet expressive SUV can now spec the spiffy X-Line appearance package further down the trim ladder. (It was previously only optional for the range-topping SX Prestige model.)

Overall, we give the 2022 Sorento high marks for its appealing mix of comfort, utility and value. Check out our Expert Rating below to read our test team's full report.

What's it like to live with?

The Kia Sorento is the versatile, smaller sibling to our Edmunds Top Rated SUV, the Kia Telluride. How much does its lack of size and premium finish hurt it when used as a daily driver? We wanted to find out, so we added one to our long-term test fleet. Our Sorento is a 2021 model, but a lot of the advantages and drawbacks will hold true for the 2022 model as well. Check out our experiences with our 2021 Kia Sorento X-Line AWD here.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Great

8.2

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

8.0/10

How does the Sorento drive? The Sorento with the optional turbocharged engine is downright quick for a small SUV. And it wasn't just the sprint to 60 mph in a mere 6.7 seconds that impressed us but also the way the power continues to build at higher speeds. For comparison, this Sorento is nearly 3 seconds faster than the similarly sized Volkswagen Tiguan and a tick faster than even the V6-powered Honda Passport. Highway merging as well as passing is not a problem in the Sorento. Just as impressive is the new eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which is capable of near seamless shifts in slow-moving traffic or full-throttle merging.

Slowing the Sorento can be done with confidence thanks to the nicely balanced and intuitive brake pedal. Stopping from 60 mph, the Sorento showed only a little nosedive and braked in just 121 feet, which is better than average for the class. Handling is similarly confidence-inspiring, but we wish for a little more accuracy in the steering.

Comfort

8.0/10

How comfortable is the Sorento? All three rows of seats provide better-than-expected comfort for a small SUV. The front seats on our top-of-the-line test vehicle offered heating, ventilation and a good range of adjustment. 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. The third-row seats are small and low to the floor but still offer enough support for adults. The dual-zone climate control is efficient and easy to use even if the touch-sensitive buttons aren't as responsive as traditional buttons.

Ride comfort isn't quite as impressive, and a steady stream of jitters heads into the cabin at lower speeds. The large 20-inch wheels of the Sorento we tested may have been the culprit, and their low-profile tires caused elevated road noise at freeway speeds. On the highway, the Sorento's ride is well controlled, imparting confidence and a sense of stability.

Interior

8.5/10

How’s the interior? Contrary to its small SUV classification, the Sorento offers ample space for adults in all three rows. You'll even find more legroom in the second row than in dedicated two-row SUVs such as the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. Taller adults will have plenty of space. Even the third row is hospitable for adults, though it's a bit of a squeeze to get back there. Getting into the Sorento is otherwise an easy affair.

The Sorento carries over many of Kia's user-friendly attributes, and buyers new to the brand will have no problem getting a handle on the interior. Visibility is also quite good thanks to ample-size windows and good sight lines throughout the cabin. The optional surround-view camera system offers high-definition images and proves helpful in tight situations.

Technology

8.5/10

How’s the tech? Our top-of-the-line test vehicle came decked out with a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, an upgraded Bose audio system and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. The graphics are crisp and creative, but we found some on-screen buttons a bit on the small side. The Bose audio system was slightly less impressive, and we never really found a sweet spot over a wide range of music. The merely average voice command system is the least impressive tech in the Sorento. It lacks natural language recognition and flexibility.

With multiple USB ports as well as a wireless charger, passengers won't lack power for their devices. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility is standard, though wireless connectivity is not offered with the larger screen. The Sorento's advanced driver aids are impressive not only in scope but in application. We encountered no false alarms, and with the exception of an overly cautious rear cross-traffic warning system, we had no complaints.

Storage

8.0/10

How’s the storage? With the third-row seats up, there's only 12.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity, which equates to a row of about five grocery bags. Its closest competitor, the Volkswagen Tiguan, offers only 12 cubes, and the larger Subaru Ascent offers up to 17.8 cubes. With the third row dropped, the Sorento offers between 38.5 and 45 cubic feet, depending on how far forward you slide the second-row seats. That's more than the roomy Toyota RAV4 (up to 37.6 cubic feet) and the larger Honda Passport (41.2 cubes). With all the seats down, the Sorento holds 75.5 cubic feet, which is on par with the Honda CR-V.

Interior storage is another Sorento strong suit. Though it lacks the cleverness of Honda's CR-V and Passport, there's ample, well-thought-out storage options in all three rows. Towing capacity for this new generation of Sorento is a fairly standard 3,500 pounds (the last-generation capacity stood at 5,000 pounds). Sorentos without the turbocharged engine can tow up to 2,000 pounds.

Fuel Economy

8.0/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the all-wheel-drive Sorento with the turbocharged engine returns 24 mpg combined (22 city/27 highway), and we got a 25.2 mpg average over our 115-mile mixed-driving evaluation loop. As an added bonus, the turbocharged Sorento doesn't need premium gasoline. The Sorento is not as frugal as the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, but it exceeded the mpg numbers we got for the similarly powerful Honda Passport and Subaru Ascent on our eval route.

Value

8.5/10

Is the Sorento a good value? As we've come to expect from Kia, the Sorento is well equipped and well built. Even with bits of hard plastic scattered about the cabin, the Sorento features thoughtful detailing and premium touches throughout. Even in a SX Prestige X-Line optioned up to $44,290, the Sorento still manages to look and feel like a good value for the money, though that price tag puts it closer to larger, more capable SUVs.

Kia warranties are class-leading, and the Sorento comes with five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranties. Roadside assistance is more standard at five years/60,000 miles.

Wildcard

8.0/10

When equipped with the optional 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, the Kia Sorento is just about as much fun in a straight line as a small SUV can be. Not only is the impressive power addictive but so is the smoothness with which the Sorento goes about gathering speed. As for the rest of the Sorento experience, if you can imagine a baby version of the popular Telluride, you're not very far off.

The previous Sorento was always a bit of a compromise and left us thinking it was being asked to do too much. The new Sorento is a revelation as an impressive and versatile small SUV.

Which Sorento does Edmunds recommend?

We think the sweet spot in the 2022 Kia Sorento lineup is right in the middle. The S trim packs a lot of features, especially with this year's addition of the larger touchscreen and navigation system. It's definitely the way to go for value. But if you want more power, the EX is a modestly priced upgrade that adds the turbocharged engine plus a lot more goodies.

2022 Kia Sorento models

The 2022 Kia Sorento is a three-row small SUV available in five trim levels: LX, S, EX, SX and SX Prestige. There is also an X-Line appearance package available on S, EX and SX Prestige models. All trims come with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. There's also a Sorento Hybrid and Sorento Plug-In Hybrid, both of which are reviewed separately. Highlight features for the Sorento's trims include:

LX
Starts you off with:

2.5-liter four-cylinder (191 horsepower, 181 lb-ft)
Eight-speed automatic transmission
17-inch alloy wheels
LED headlights
Heated mirrors
Height-adjustable driver's seat
Second-row 60/40-split folding bench seat (seven-passenger seating)
Third-row 50/50-split folding seats
8-inch infotainment touchscreen
Six-speaker audio system
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility (with wireless connectivity)

The Sorento also comes with:

Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)
Lane keeping assist (steers the Sorento back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)

S
Adds a little more style and convenience with:

18-inch wheels
Remote engine start
Black exterior trim
Roof rails
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Simulated leather upholstery
Power-adjustable driver's seat
Heated front seats
Dual-zone climate control

Additional tech and driver assist features for the S include:

Keyless entry and push-button start
10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen (deletes the wireless connectivity for CarPlay and Android Auto)
Navigation system
Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)
Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)
Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)

On the options list is a bundle that pairs a panoramic sunroof with interior ambient lighting. You can also opt for the X-Line package that adds:

All-wheel drive
Restyled bumpers and silver exterior trim
Raised roof rails
Dark gray-painted wheels

EX
On top of S features, the EX adds:

2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (281 hp, 311 lb-ft)
Eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission
Hands-free liftgate
Second-row captain's chairs (reduces seating capacity to six)
Wireless phone charger
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Sorento and the car in front)
Enhanced forward collision mitigation system
Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)

The optional panoramic sunroof and ambient lighting from the S trim are also available here. The EX's X-Line package includes features from the S X-Line plus 20-inch wheels and the panoramic sunroof.

SX
The SX essentially adds the contents of the X-Line EX, but without the unique styling bits or AWD system. It also has a power-adjustable front passenger seat.

SX Prestige
Dresses up the Sorento SX with:

Power-folding mirrors
Digital instrument panel
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
Leather seating surfaces
Ventilated front seats with additional adjustments
Heated steering wheel
Upgraded 12-speaker Bose audio system
Front parking sensors
360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Sorento and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Blind-spot camera (displays live camera footage to the instrument panel of your blind spots when changing lanes)

The X-Line package is also available for the SX Prestige. It adds AWD and the X-Line's distinctive styling upgrades.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4/5Above 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

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Kia Sorento from 2008-2022.}

$448/yr

vs. $465/yr
for Average Compact SUV

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.96x/yr

vs. 1x/yr
for Average Compact SUV

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

12.2%

vs. 11.5%
for Average Compact SUV

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2022 Kia Sorento.

5 (47%)

4 (11%)

3 (8%)

2 (13%)

1 (21%)

3.5

72 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

2021 Sorento X line serious problems

JP, 05/25/2021

2021 Kia Sorento SX Prestige X-Line 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM)

I only have 2200 miles and my blind spot monitoring system went out and 3 days or so later the transmission failed...wouldn't switch to second gear without redlining. Engine light and service message came on and now it's been sitting in the Kia dealership lot for weeks because they are so backed up...stay far away from the 2021 Sorento.

Best vehicle I’ve ever owned!

Whit , 04/22/2022

2022 Kia Sorento SX Prestige 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM)

I bought my 2022 Sorento prestige a little over a month ago. Honestly one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! This suv has plenty of room, very sleek and amazing features. When driving, it’s like the car isn’t even on because of how quiet it is! I love that it has heated and cooled seats, gas mileage is great. It honestly has the quality you would expect from your high end car brands. …

My Kia Sorento S is a LEMON!!

Walterst, 07/12/2021

2021 Kia Sorento S 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A)

Long story short…..DON’T BUY A KIA!!! I bought my brand new 2021 Kia Sorento S on May 1st. Not even a week after buying it, the brakes have been non stop squealing every time I brake. I took it in to have them look at it, the tech said he found nothing wrong with it, didn’t hear anything and lubed the brakes and they sent me on my way. Didn’t even get down the road and heard the …

2021 Kia Sorento is Nice, BUT a sour Lemon

John L. Kearney III, 06/25/2021

2021 Kia Sorento SX Prestige X-Line 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM)

I traded my 2019 Kia Optima Sport in for a 2021 Kia Sorento SX X-Line Prestige AWD on 1/1/2021. 2 weeks ago tomorrow will make 2 weeks that my truck is in the shop. Walked outside one morning on my way to work. Started my truck up like normal and put it in drive. It wouldn't move. Put it in reverse. It wouldn't move. After about 15 minutes, it started driving. I work out of town and … depend on my vehicle. Took it to the shop, they dropped me off at work. They wouldn't even give me a loaner because they said they were out of then. I reserved a rental. Long story short, I ended up having to purchase a second vehicle because it didn't make sense to continue to pay put of pocket for a rental. But 13 days later, they say they need to replace a pump and if that doesn't work, then they will replace my transmission. On a 2021 Nice SUV that WASN'T CHEAP!??? Make it make sense! I loved Kia and I still think they're nice vehicles, but this will be my LAST Kia I purchase. The new Sorento's are nice, but please wait a few years before you buy this vehicle. From reading other reviews as of today, this body style has too many transmission issues. 12/25/21 update----My original post was above. It has been an ongoing mess with Kia motors company and a nightmare. To summarize and make a long story short, Kia originally had my truck in the shop literally for 4.5 months. I had to purchase a second vehicle because they didn't have any loaner vehicles. The replaced three transmissions while it was in the shop. I dealership could only do what they could, but I am really disgusted with the corporate office. They are so unprofessional and un-empathetic. I had to get the Attorney General office involved. When they "finally" said I could do the buy back option, that was Sept 9th when I completed and faxed back and confirmed they got my paperwork. They told me 60 days for buy back. Well....Danielle G, the escalated case manager who was working my case didn't get it turned in til the end of the month and told me the buy back would take place by end of November. I feel like she kept blowing smoke up me because she would give me the run around---ALL the time and that's when she answered the phone for me. Danielle G wouldn't answer or return my calls. I called her one day from my office phone (different area code) and SHE ANSWERED! I was so pissed. I nicely told I called from my personal number and she wouldn't answer, but when I call from a different area code, she's answers and SHE LAUGHED! I told her how unprofessional that was and she apologized. But as far as the truck, I ended up getting it back 4.5 months later...drove it for 2 weeks and it cut off on me. Got it to the dealership and they had it for another week. They called me to pick it up. I asked them what was wrong with it? They said that it wasn't throwing any codes that they needed to fix, so they reset the check engine light. Excuse me? You reset the check engine light because you couldn't figure out why it cut off? I told them to keep the truck until the buy back was over. I'm done with Kia. Actually, the dealership were the nice people out of this, but Kia motors corporate ain't worth a penny. I feel bad for other people who spend their hard earned money on this beautiful truck and once that transmission goes out, it's a done deal. The 3rd party company called Morley emailed me this week. I'm just awaiting the surrender date to give them my part of the buy back money and so I can be done with these folks. I know this may not make sense, but---as long as you don't need Kia's services other than routine maintenance, you'll probably be okay. But let something mess up and you'll be screwed. PLEASE SAVE YOURSELF AND JUST LEAVE KIA ALONE! I brought this $50k truck January 1st 2021 and it has been in the shop for over half the time that I've had it.

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2022 Kia Sorento, so we've included reviews for other years of the Sorento since its last redesign.

See all 72 reviews of the Kia Sorento

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2022 Kia Sorento video

The Best New & Upcoming Cars 2022-2023 | Highlights From the LA Auto Show 2021

2022 Sorento Highlights

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$29,590
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	26 MPG
Cost to Drive	$167/month
Seating	7 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	12.6 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Sorento models:

Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go: Speeds up and slows the car automatically, keeping a user-defined distance between the Sorento and the car in front.
Lane Following Assist: Keeps the Sorento in the middle of its lane at low speeds. The upgraded Highway Driving Assist does the same at higher speeds.
Blind-Spot View Monitor: Projects an image of the Sorento's blind spot to the digital instrument panel when the turn signal is flipped on.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover15.9%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2022 Kia Sorento Review

2022 Kia Sorento Video Shorts

2022 Kia Sorento Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Kia Sorento LX 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.

What's it like to live with?

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Sorento does Edmunds recommend?

2022 Kia Sorento models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

2021 Sorento X line serious problems

Best vehicle I’ve ever owned!

My Kia Sorento S is a LEMON!!

2021 Kia Sorento is Nice, BUT a sour Lemon

2022 Kia Sorento video

The Best New & Upcoming Cars 2022-2023 | Highlights From the LA Auto Show 2021

2022 Sorento Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2022 Kia Sorento LX 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}