2023 Kia Sorento Review

Name: 2023 Kia Sorento
Brand: Kia

Price Range: $17,995 - $36,998

Great

8.2

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

The all-new 2023 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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Certified Pre-Owned Sorento

10-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty

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Price & Payment

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Average price: $28,752

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Pros

Abundance of standard and optional features
Ample second- and third-row legroom for the class
Sharp-looking and easy-to-use infotainment system
Powerful available turbocharged engine

Cons

Base engine's lackluster acceleration

What's new

Base (LX) trim gets additional standard driver assist features
Revised standard feature availability on other trims
Part of the fourth Sorento generation introduced for 2021

2023 Kia Sorento Video Shorts

by Edmunds Test Team

Overview

Written by automotive expert Alex Nishimoto

6/13/2023

If you want a small SUV but sometimes need to transport six or more people, the 2023 Kia Sorento should be on your short list. The Sorento is one of only a handful of small SUVs on the market that offers third-row seating. Slotting between the smaller five-passenger Sportage and larger three-row Telluride, the Sorento is a right-sized option that can squeeze in up to seven passengers in a pinch.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

1,235 listings

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2023 Kia Sorento
S 4dr SUV
$22,499
great price
$2,715 below market
- 56,360 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, rental vehicle
- 7 Seats, 24 City / 29 Hwy MPG
- Enterprise Car Sales Rockville (18 mi away)
- Home delivery*
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Keyless Entry/Start
Close
Located in Rockville, MD
Transfer of vehicle from another location to your neighborhood Enterprise Car Sales may require payment of a non-refundable transfer fee to begin the ...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: No
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:
26 Combined MPG (24 City/29 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 5XYRL4LC1PG170867
Stock: 8DM9DV
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 01-14-2026
2023 Kia Sorento
X-Line EX 4dr SUV
$26,000
good price
$1,130 below market
- 64,187 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 6 Seats, 22 City / 27 Hwy MPG
- Koons White Marsh Chevrolet (60 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Sunroof/Moonroof
Close
Located in White Marsh, MD
**1-OWNER**ACCIDENT FREE CARFAX**Check out our Complete Selection at www.koonswhitemarshchevy.com! We have Financing Available, an Easy Trade-In P...
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:
24 Combined MPG (22 City/27 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 5XYRHDLF1PG183033
Stock: KWM261089A
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 02-06-2026

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Like most other Kias, the Sorento comes with an impressive complement of standard features, including wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, lane keeping assistance (it helps keep the Sorento in its lane) and multiple USB charging ports. You might think having three rows means you have to sacrifice comfort in the second, but the Sorento's middle bench is surprisingly spacious. Even the rearmost seats are reasonably comfortable for adults, though getting back there can be a challenge.

Two conventional engine options are available in the Sorento, including a base four-cylinder and an optional turbocharged four-cylinder. The latter engine provides plenty of power and turns the Sorento into one of the quickest SUVs in its class. Additionally, Kia offers hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants of the Sorento (reviewed separately). The Sorento's interior is another high point — it uses high-quality materials and can be upgraded to near-luxury levels of comfort.

Changes to the 2023 Sorento are modest, but they bolster Kia's reputation for value. The base LX trim now offers a suite of new standard driver assist features (blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning and safe exit assist, which keeps rear passengers from opening a door into traffic). Higher trims all receive new standard equipment that was optional in 2022 models. All-wheel drive is now standard on the top-of-the-line SX Prestige trim.

Overall, we like the Sorento for its blend of value and versatility. See how it compares to the competition by reading our test team's Expert Rating below.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Great

8.2

out of 10

We drove the 2023 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

8/10

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

8/10

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

8/10

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

8/10

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

8/10

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.

10-year/100,000-mile
Powertrain Limited Warranty

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2023 Kia Sorento trim level differences

The 2023 Kia Sorento is a small three-row SUV available in five trim levels: LX, S, EX, SX and SX Prestige. The Sorento comes with either 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: Compare the 2023 Kia Sorento trim levels in-depth.

Which Sorento trim does Edmunds recommend?

Our recommendation for getting the best value is the midlevel S trim. It's reasonably priced but gives you some desirable upgrades over the base LX such as a larger touchscreen and heated front seats.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$157/mo

$199/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

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Reliability

The 2023 Kia Sorento has a 5 years / 60,000 miles basic warranty and 3 recalls. 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

Frequency

0.96x/yr

vs. 1x/yr
for Average Compact SUV

Severity

12.2%

vs. 11.5%
for Average Compact SUV

Recalls

3 recalls found

Checking 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:: 25V649000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SC351
Number of vehicles affected:: 39536
Defect Description:: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Sorento vehicles. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) blower motor wiring harness may be inadequate, which can result in a fire.
Defect Consequence:: A fire increases the risk of injury.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will replace the wiring harness and blower motor resistor, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed November 24, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated December. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC351. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 9, 2025.

Recall Number:: 23V610000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SC280
Number of vehicles affected:: 144979
Defect Description:: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, and Sorento Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) vehicles. The mounting clips for the rearview camera may break, which can cause the rearview camera image not to appear properly on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Defect Consequence:: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera housing, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC280.

Recall Number:: 23V579000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SC277
Number of vehicles affected:: 50517
Defect Description:: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sorento vehicles. The air bag warning labels on the driver and front passenger sun visors may detach. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Defect Consequence:: A detached air bag warning label will not warn occupants about the risks of air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver and front passenger sun visors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 10, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC277.

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

4.2

39 reviews

5(61%)

4(23%)

3(2%)

2(4%)

1(10%)

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2023 Sorento Features & Specs

Trim:

MSRP (New) Excludes Destination Fee	$30,090
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	26 MPG
Cost to Drive	$157/month
Seating	7 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	12.6 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles

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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 in 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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2023 Kia Sorento Review

Price & Payment

Pros

Cons

What's new

2023 Kia Sorento Video Shorts

Overview

For sale near Ashburn, VA

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

2023 Kia Sorento trim level differences

Which Sorento trim does Edmunds recommend?

Cost to Drive

Reliability

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

Recalls

Warranty

Kia Sorento Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2023 Sorento Features & Specs

Safety

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