SUMMARY
The 202 Kia Sorento is a mid-sized SUV that provides drivers with a great driving experience with its wide variety of features and excellent performance. It has three rows of seating, but we do have to admit that the rear seats are quite cramped for anyone. Cargo capacity is a bit tight with the 3rd row deployed, so it’s a better idea to save it for when you really need those extra seats. Its powertrain options all involve a 2.5-Liter 4-Cylinder engine which can be turbocharged depending on the trim level you go for. Overall, it’s a solid choice for families who want the utility of a mid-sized SUV that’s a bit smaller than its competitors.
LATEST
The newest addition to the Kia Sorento for this year would be the introduction of a plug-in hybrid model which will not be discussed in this review. The 2022 Kia Sorento release date was set at the third quarter of 2021, alongside the release of the PHEV model as well.
ESTIMATED PRICE
The 2022 Kia Sorento price point varies with every single trim level available to buyers, with the X-Line SX Prestige being the most expensive. Take note that all models in the X-Line series only come in all-wheel drive. Below is a table summarizing the base MSRPs of the different trim levels of the 2022 Kia Sorento:
| Trim (Drivetrain) | MSRP* |
| 2022 Kia Sorento LX | $29,590* |
| 2022 Kia Sorento S | $32,390* |
| 2022 Kia Sorento X-Line S AWD | $34,390* |
| 2022 Kia Sorento EX | $35,490* |
| 2022 Kia Sorento X-Line EX AWD | $39,190* |
| 2022 Kia Sorento SX | $38,290* |
| 2022 Kia Sorento SX Prestige | $41,190* |
| 2022 Kia Sorento X-Line SX Prestige AWD | $43,190* |
Kia does offer a 2022 Kia Sorento lease program through their official site along with other financing options. Make sure to check it out and see what deals are available for your local area.
MACHINE PERFORMANCE
The 2022 Kia Sorento specs sheet shows that all models make use of a 2.5-Liter 4-Cylinder engine. Starting from the EX trim level, this is upgraded to a turbocharged version of the 4-Cylinder engine. The LX, S, and X-Line S AWD trim levels make use of the base 2.5-Liter 4-Cylinder. It is capable of 191 horsepower and a torque level of 181 pounds-feet at 4000 rpm. The EX, X-Line EX AWD, SX, SX Prestige, and X-Line SX Prestige AWD all make use of the Turbocharged version of this setup. It’s capable of 281 horsepower and has an engine torque level of 311 pounds-feet at 1,700 – 4,000 rpm. The models that have the non-turbocharged powertrains make use of an 8-speed automatic transmission. All other models that are turbocharged have an 8-speed Dual-Clutch Transmission which offers much more responsive shifts for additional power. Only the two highest trim levels have steering wheel paddle shifters available.
FUEL EFFICIENT & ACTUAL MPG
The EPA has already released fuel efficiency estimates for the various trim levels of the 2022 Kia Sorento. Of course, the front-wheel drive will be the more efficient option when compared to the all-wheel drive models. The Kia Sorento has a fuel tank capacity of 17.7 gallons. For this 2022 Kia Sorento review, we won’t be looking into the MPG estimates of the hybrid trim levels. Below is a summary of the MPG estimates for all models of the 2022 Kia Sorento:
| Trim Mileage Estimates | City/mpg | Highway/mpg | Combined/mpg |
| 2022 Kia Sorento LX | 24 | 29 | 26 |
| 2022 Kia Sorento LX AWD | 23 | 25 | 24 |
| 2022 Kia Sorento S | 24 | 29 | 26 |
| 2022 Kia Sorento X-Line S AWD | 23 | 25 | 24 |
| 2022 Kia Sorento EX | 22 | 29 | 25 |
| 2022 Kia Sorento X-Line EX AWD | 21 | 28 | 24 |
| 2022 Kia Sorento SX | 22 | 29 | 25 |
| 2022 Kia Sorento SX AWD | 21 | 28 | 24 |
| 2022 Kia Sorento SX Prestige | 22 | 29 | 25 |
| 2022 Kia Sorento X-Line SX Prestige AWD | 21 | 28 | 24 |
INTERIOR, SOLACE & BAGGAGE
The 2022 Kia Sorento interior space hosts seating for a maximum of seven passengers with third-row seating options. Passenger volume sits at around 105.3 cubic feet of space, with the first and second rows having ample space for passengers of all sizes. However, we do note that the third row is a bit cramped and may not be a comfortable fit for taller adults. The cargo volume of the Kia Sorento is around 12.6 cubic feet with all rows of seating deployed. With the 3rd row folded up, cargo space is increased to 45.0 cubic feet. There’s a total of 75.5 cubic feet of cargo space if you decide to fold up the 2nd row too for those times when it’s just you and another person picking up cargo.
TECHNOLOGY
The Kia Sorento’s infotainment system starts off with an 8.0-inch touchscreen that’s available on the base LX trim level. This can be further upgraded to a 10.25-inch touchscreen from which passengers can navigate through the various infotainment features available in the cabin. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity comes standard to all models, as well as Bluetooth for hands-free phone operation. Above the LX base trim, the Sorento features voice recognition features and multi-device audio streaming. The audio system found on the Sorento is a 6-speaker sound setup with AM/FM/HD Radio functionality. The SX Prestige and the X-Line SX Prestige have the option of upgrading this further to a 12-Speaker sound system sourced from BOSE.
SAFETY
Rated 4-stars for overall safety by the NHTSA, the 2022 Kia Sorento has a sizeable safety suite which comes with various driver-assistive technologies to boot. Some examples include a Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind Spot Avoidance and Monitor systems, Lane Keeping and Following Assist, and even a Driver Attention Warning. The higher-tier trim levels come with parking assistive features and a surround view monitor as standard.
WARRANTY
The warranty plans offered by Kia are some of the longest lasting in the market today. Their limited warrant plan covers for 5 years or the first 60,000 miles driven, whichever comes first. The Powertrain Warranty lasts for a total of 10 years or the first 100,000 miles driven. However, Kia does not offer any program or plan for complimentary scheduled maintenance.