Is the hybrid Kia Sorento dependable? The estimated dependability rating for the 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid is 77 out of 100. A predicted reliability score from J.D. Power of 91 to 100 is regarded as the best, 81 to 90 as great, 70 to 80 as medium, and 0-69 as fair and below average.
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Does the Kia Sorento have many issues?
Customers have experienced a number of issues with the Kia Sorento since it has been advertised and sold by Kia. These models share costly issues with one another. The following model years should be avoided: 2004, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2016.
Common difficulties include those with the engine, the electrical system, the airbags, the seat belts, the lights, and the body or paint.
Engine failure is the most serious problem that these Kia Sorento models have. When most consumers have traveled an average of 62,000 miles, something happens. They could end up costing you more money in repairs, so we advise avoiding them.
Which Year Models of Kia Sorento Are Safe to Buy Used?
Production of the Kia Sorento has been going on for approximately 20 years. Not all of the models that are released, like many other cars in its market class, are flawless right out of the factory. Some people have flaws. Despite this, you have a selection of others. This is particularly true if you want to stay away from those already listed.
The following list of reliable Kia Sorento model years includes:
- Kia Sorento 2003
- Kia Sorento from 2005
- 2007 Sorento Kia
- Kia Sorento 2008
- Kia Sorento from 2009
- Kia Sorento 2010
- Kia Sorento 2015
- Kia Sorento 2017
- Kia Sorento from 2018
- Kia Sorento for 2019
- Kia Sorento 2020
- Kia Sorento 2021
The years 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 are among the safest Kia Sorento model years to purchase. Compared to the earlier mentioned model years, these have minimal complaints.
The worst issues with many of them were engine issues, a broken air conditioner compressor, electrical issues, light issues, and AC/heater issues. Most of them are also inexpensive to fix minor problems. However, they are among the minority of car owners.
The worst car troubles in early generations include crankshaft problems, frequent lighting system failures, and broken parts. It’s important to remember that these issues only occur in cars with more than 90,000 miles on the odometer.
A few owners are also affected by the problems. They are less likely to happen in a Sorento with little mileage and good maintenance. The models from 2007 to 2010 and 2015 to 2021 are the least problematic. The year 2016 is an outlier; it is less dependable than the other years in the following years.
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Which Kia Sorento Years to Avoid
The Kia Sorento model years indicated above should fit your family and daily driving demands without a fuss. You need a dependable automobile in addition to one with excellent handling, a luxurious interior, and lots of attractive amenities. Here, we go into greater detail regarding the model years that weren’t chosen.
Steer clear of the following Kia Sorento model years:
- Kia Sorento from 2004
- Kia Sorento from 2006
- Kia Sorento from 2011
- Kia Sorento 2012
- Kia Sorento 2013
- Kia Sorento 2014
- Kia Sorento 2016
These model years frequently experience issues with their engines, electrical systems, lighting, seat belts and airbags, and body and paint. These affect everyone, and numerous users have noted concerns that are essentially the same.
You should steer clear of the 2011 Kia Sorento the most. It tops the list for having the most owner complaints. It is most likely to experience brakes issues, drivetrain issues, airbag and seat belt issues, and engine issues.
An engine failure at 77,000 miles cost the most money of all issues reported for the 2011 model year. Fixing this issue will cost $4,600. Other serious issues include an airbag problem that cost $2,000 to fix at 92,000 miles and a door issue that cost $400 to fix at 94,000 miles.
You might not be particularly knowledgeable about your car’s brakes unless you’re a mechanic or a super-committed auto enthusiast. How much time do they usually last? How frequently should brakes be replaced? We have solutions.
The 2016 Kia Sorento is another vehicle you should completely avoid. In comparison to other models with lower mileage, it has more issues and costs more to repair. The most common issues are with the engine, then the steering, body/paint, and lights.
The engine has experienced the worst reported failure at 62,000 kilometers. Repairing this cost $6,100. Other owners reported having to pay up to $600 to fix wiring that rodents had gnawed. At 22,000 miles, one user’s car stalled while accelerating.
Common Kia Sorento Problems
One of the greatest warranties for cars is offered by Kia. But that doesn’t mean you should be any less critical, especially when it comes to reliability concerns. The most typical Kia Sorento issues, spanning all model years, are listed below:
- Engine issues – The Sorento’s engine frequently fails, which is a common dependability problem. The engine failure, which was primarily reported in 2011, 2016, and 2017 models, was caused by a leaky head gasket, which mixed engine oil and coolant. These liquids when combined can seriously harm engines.
- Frustrated owners reported that the Sorento’s doors won’t open when reached from the outside, which is more unpleasant than dangerous. Additionally, defective door handles made users of the child-lock feature even more irate. Owners of 2011 Sorentos make up the majority of the complaints.
- Burning out of headlight bulbs: Numerous customers noted that the headlight bulbs on Sorento models from 2002 to 2009 were particularly prone to premature failure. Additionally, several stories claimed that additional headlamp component parts were also melted. There should have been a recall for this dependability problem, but there wasn’t one. Owners were required to purchase replacement bulbs for between $100 and $600.
Kia Sorento Problem Counts by Year
Young and experienced drivers equally are impacted by winter driving. To help you get from A to B as securely as possible, we’ve put together a list of the best automobiles for snow.
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Is the Kia Sorento a trustworthy vehicle?
With a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5, the Kia Sorento is ranked 12th out of 26 compact SUVs. It has cheaper ownership costs than the national average due to the $533 average yearly repair cost. The Sorento is one of the more dependable cars on the road since repairs are less severe and less frequent than with the ordinary automobile.
Cost
Compared to an average of $521 for compact SUVs and $652 for all vehicle types, the total yearly cost of repairs and maintenance for a Kia Sorento is $533.
the typical annual sum for unplanned maintenance and repairs for all model years of a car. A vehicle’s greater average cost alone does not imply that it is less dependable. For instance, your car’s parts and labor may be pricey, especially if it’s a European luxury model, but if there are few serious problems and frequent service visits on average each year, that’s a sign of a dependable vehicle.
The typical annual frequency at which a vehicle is taken in for unplanned maintenance and repairs. This metric is produced by monitoring millions of distinctive automobiles over a number of years to ascertain the typical yearly visits for each make and model. Controls were included to prevent small, routine shop visits, such those for oil changes.
The severity element of dependability calculates the likelihood that a repair will cause a significant problem. The cost of a repair is assessed to be excessively expensive given the unscheduled nature of the repair if it is three times the average annual repair cost for all models. Due to their more expensive labor and component expenses, premium and luxury brands have a higher barrier.
Frequency
Compared to the average of 0.3 times for compact SUVs and 0.4 times for all vehicle models, Kia Sorento owners bring their cars in for unplanned repairs 0.3 times a year on average.
What is the fuel economy of the hybrid Kia Sorento?
The Sorento Hybrid has a sufficient 227 horsepower total system output thanks to its turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, 44-kilowatt electric motor, and 1.5-kilowatt-hour battery. The six-speed automatic transmission’s short shift times and substantial torque make for fuss-free power delivery at higher speeds.
As with many hybrids on the market, the hybrid occasionally emits strange, ethereal whirring noises, but Kia has done an excellent job of eliminating two other apparent hybrid quirks: regenerative braking and the change from electric to gasoline power.
Unlike some hybrids’ stiff, unresponsive pedals, the Sorento’s brakes feature a pretty natural pedal feel and linear operation. There is no EV mode to force electric-only operation, however the electric motor frequently engages to improve power and to operate the vehicle entirely on electric power. The only indication that there has been a flawless transition to electric-only power is a green EV indicator light.
Sorento Hybrid MPG
For a vehicle of this size, the Sorento hybrid’s EPA fuel economy rating of 39/35/37 mpg city/highway/combined is impressive. They are marginally better than the Highlander Hybrid’s FWD 36/35/36 mpg EPA rating; for more information on these two vehicles, see this comparison of Highlander and Sorento Hybrid characteristics. With all-wheel drive, which the Sorento Hybrid lacks, the Highlander Hybrid is rated marginally worse than the Sorento Hybrid (35 mpg combined).
The Sorento’s predicted fuel economy proved to be a little challenging to accomplish in actual driving. I averaged 34.7 mpg during a 1,309-mile road tripa bit under its overall rating. However, a couple elements were working against it. The trip included almost entirely of highway driving and the SUV was packed with five people and a week’s worth of belongings, which prevented the powertrain from recovering the lost braking energy required to recharge the battery and increase engine power. In fact, the SUV’s highway estimate was rather close to our average mileage of 34.7 mpg.
The hybrid Sorento gets far greater fuel efficiency than the standard Sorento, as you might imagine. The standard Sorento has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 191 horsepower and an upgraded 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 281 horsepower; the old V-6 is no longer offered. The standard Sorento’s EPA-estimated fuel economy with the base engine and FWD is 24/29/26 mpg, while the top-tier front-drive turbo variant is rated at 22/29/25 mpg.
The fuel efficiency will soon get much greater. Later in 2021, a plug-in hybrid Sorento with 261 horsepower, AWD, and a potential 30 miles of all-electric range will be added to the lineup.
What You Give Up
We didn’t tow anything on our journey, but you’ll need to pack lightly if you do. The Sorento Hybrid’s maximum towing capacity is only 2,000 pounds, which is less than the gas model’s maximum rating of 3,500 pounds (with the optional engine). Additionally, it is less than the 3,500-pound rating for the Highlander Hybrid.
It took a few kilometers for the Sorento Hybrid to become used to my driving style. In comparison to the standard variant, it has a stiffer ride and transmits more road noise; this is likely in part due to the hybrid-specific tires. But in many other respects, the Sorento Hybrid builds on the standard Sorento’s strengths, particularly when it comes to cabin amenities and size, with a few exceptions.
According to Kia, the Sorento Hybrid has 12.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, which is fewer than the Highlander Hybrid’s 16 cubic feet of capacity. The Sorento variants are once more competitive and once more behind the Highlander marginally in terms of back headroom. The Sorento Hybrid has an inch less rear legroom than the gas model, but neither my backseat passengers nor I noticed it.
Space-wise, the hybrid model disappoints because it only comes with second-row captain’s chairs; it doesn’t come with a three-seat bench like the gas-only model does. The SUV’s adaptability is limited by this omission.
The hybrid’s availability in only the mid-level S and EX trims, which are immediately noticeable the moment you step inside the cabin, is another limitation. The top SX-Prestige trim of the gas-only Sorento left me in awe with its upscale materials and elegant design. That is not the hybrid. The Sorento Hybrid EX I tested felt more like a budget vehicle, with a lot of plastic components and a basic style.
The huge, slick-looking, and user-friendly 10.25-inch touchscreen found on the higher-end devices is also absent from the hybrid. The Sorento Hybrid’s touchscreen is barely 8 inches wide. It’s also simple and responsive, but I like the bigger setup more.
Safety and Value
The 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid comes with a ton of standard safety features, many of which you’d anticipate and a few you would not. Typical safety features include lane maintain assist, automated lane-centering, blind spot collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and rear cross-traffic alert. Only EX versions come with adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go as standard.
Unexpected standard features for the back seats include a safe exit assistance system that uses the SUV’s rear-facing radar to identify oncoming traffic and prevent opening the rear door if a bicycle or vehicle is spotted approaching. After the doors have been locked, there is also a standard rear-seat warning system that employs ultrasonic sensors to detect movement of children or pets in the second and third rows. If movement is detected, the system blasts the horn and turns on the danger lights.
Starting at $34,765, the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid S trim costs $1,700 more than a gas-only S trim. The $37,765 EX model is $1,600 more expensive than the gas-only EX variant. Although the price premium for a hybrid vehicle may seem significant, it is less expensive than the Highlander Hybrid, which has a base LE trim price of $39,910. (all prices include destination).
The Sorento Hybrid isn’t ideal, but if you’re searching for a three-row SUV with good gas mileage, the sacrifices made in comparison to the normal model are negligible in comparison to the significant fuel-economy benefits.