Kia Sorento review
If you're after a big, practical seven-seat SUV that doesn't break the bank, the Kia Sorento has probably already popped up on your radar. It's a genuine family workhorse that focuses on comfort and space over flashy gimmicks.
Author: Charlie Harvey
28th Jan 2026 – 9 mins read
The Kia Sorento has been around for a while now, earning a solid reputation as a dependable family hauler. It used to be a bit rough and ready, but the third-generation model (sold from around 2015) really stepped things up in terms of quality and refinement. It feels more premium than you might expect, but it hasn't forgotten its roots—it's still great value and tough enough to handle whatever family life throws at it. It’s a big car with a lot of presence, and unlike some rivals where the third row of seats is an expensive optional extra, the Sorento comes as a seven-seater as standard. Whether you need to ferry half a football team or just want loads of space for a holiday road trip, the Sorento is ready for the job.
Pros
- Seven seats as standard on all models
- Very comfortable and easy to live with
- Huge boot when the rear seats are folded
Cons
- The 2.2-litre diesel engine can be a bit noisy
- Steering feels a little vague
- Top-spec models can get quite pricey
Interior
Dashboard & tech
The Sorento’s interior is a massive leap forward compared to older Kias. It feels solid and well-built, with plenty of soft-touch materials that give it a surprisingly upmarket feel. The layout is simple and logical, which is exactly what you want when you're trying to concentrate on the road with a car full of kids.
Tech-wise, it covers all the bases. Entry-level models get a 7-inch touchscreen, while most others upgrade to an 8-inch version. Crucially, they come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you can hook up your phone and use your own maps and music apps without any fuss. It’s not the flashiest system in the world, but it works well and is easy to use.
Comfort
This is where the Sorento really shines. It’s clearly designed to be a comfortable cruiser rather than a sporty racer. The seats are big and supportive, perfect for long motorway journeys. The ride is soft and cushioned, soaking up bumps in the road nicely so your passengers don't get jostled around. It’s a relaxing car to drive, which takes the stress out of the daily school run or the annual family holiday.
Quality
Kia has worked hard to shed its budget image, and the Sorento is proof of that effort. The cabin feels robust and durable—essential for a family car—but also has a touch of class, especially in higher trims where you get leather seats. While you might find a few harder plastics if you look closely low down, the main touchpoints feel high-quality.
Practicality & boot space
Interior space
Space is the Sorento's superpower. It’s a genuine seven-seater, and while the rearmost two seats are best suited for children, you can squeeze adults back there for shorter trips without too many complaints. The middle row is huge, with plenty of legroom and width for three adults to sit comfortably side-by-side.
Access to the back is easy thanks to wide-opening doors, and the middle seats slide and fold to let passengers climb into the third row. There are plenty of cupholders and storage cubbies dotted around, so everyone has somewhere to put their drink and snacks.
Boot space
With all seven seats in place, the boot is understandably small at 142 litres—enough for a few bags of shopping but not much else. However, fold that third row down (which is how most people use it most of the time), and you get a massive 605 litres of space. That’s huge. Drop the middle row as well, and you’ve got a van-rivalling 1,662 litres. Whether it’s a trip to the tip or moving furniture, the Sorento can handle it.
Versatility
The Sorento adapts to your life easily. Need to carry seven people? Pop the seats up. Need to carry a flat-pack wardrobe? Fold them flat. It’s a flexible, practical space that works around you, not the other way around.
Driving
Driving experience
Let’s be honest, you don’t buy a huge seven-seat SUV for corner-carving thrills. The Sorento is a big, heavy car, and it feels like one. There’s a bit of body lean in corners, and the steering doesn't give you loads of feedback, but that’s absolutely fine for this type of car.
It’s safe, predictable, and easy to drive, with good visibility that helps when parking (along with the parking sensors). Its natural habitat is the motorway, where it settles down into a quiet, comfortable cruise. It also has a great reputation for towing, so if you have a caravan or a horsebox, the Sorento is a brilliant choice.
Performance
For most of its life, this generation of Sorento came with just one engine option: a 2.2-litre diesel. It produces nearly 200bhp, which gives it plenty of punch for overtaking or hauling a full load. It’s strong and capable, getting from 0-60mph in under 9 seconds. It’s available with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
While the engine is powerful, it can feel a little unrefined and noisy when you really push it hard, but it settles down nicely at cruising speeds.
Running costs
Fuel economy & CO2 emissions
Running a big, heavy seven-seater is never going to be super cheap, but the Sorento does okay. You can expect fuel economy in the mid-40s (mpg) for the diesel engine. The automatic version is slightly thirstier than the manual. CO2 emissions are reasonable for a car of this size but do mean road tax isn't the cheapest.
Value for money
The Sorento offers a lot of car for the money. It undercuts many premium rivals while offering similar levels of space and practicality. Because Kias tend to depreciate (lose value) faster than some premium brands, it makes for a fantastic used buy. You can pick up a well-equipped, modern family SUV for a fraction of its original price.
Reliability & Warranty
Kia is famous for its reliability and its industry-leading 7-year/100,000-mile warranty. This transfers to new owners, so if you buy a three-year-old Sorento, you’ve still got four years of warranty left. That provides huge peace of mind for used buyers.
Safety
Safety features
The Sorento scored a full five stars when tested by Euro NCAP, making it a safe choice for your family. However, it’s worth noting that the test was a few years ago, and safety tech moves fast.
While it has all the basics covered, advanced features like autonomous emergency braking (which can brake for you if it senses a crash) were often reserved for the top-spec models on earlier versions. Mid-range models still get useful kit like lane-keep assist and speed limit information, but check the spec of the specific car you’re looking at if the latest safety gadgets are a priority for you.
Trims & Engines
Trim levels
Kia keeps things simple with its trim levels, usually named KX-1, KX-2, KX-3, and so on.
- KX-1: The entry-level. It comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, and smartphone connectivity. A solid choice if you want value.
- KX-2: Adds niceties like heated seats, leather upholstery, and sat-nav. This is often the sweet spot for value and comfort.
- KX-3: Adds a larger 8-inch screen, electric seats, and a powered tailgate.
- GT-Line / GT-Line S: These are the sporty-looking ones introduced later in the car’s life. They get cool ‘ice-cube’ LED fog lights, red brake calipers, and extra styling bits to make them stand out.
Engines
The primary engine you’ll find is the 2.2-litre CRDi diesel. It’s a strong, reliable unit with 197bhp. It provides the torque (pulling power) needed to move a big car like this effortlessly. You just need to choose between the manual or the smoother automatic gearbox. All models come with four-wheel drive as standard, giving you extra grip on slippery roads or muddy campsites.