The $2,000 X-Line off-road package that comes with our tester’s vehicle also includes all-wheel drive, a center-locking differential, and a one-inch ride height increase. By choosing the X-Line, you can also get 20-inch wheels with a matte finish, roof rails, and slightly modified front and rear fascias, all of which improve the exterior look. Our Sorento appears as tough as a three-row crossover can against the Everlasting Silver paint job. We chose an X-Line variant even though we wanted the improved aesthetics so we could take it on some light off-roading terrain. Soon, more on that.
We decided to add some brightness to the interior with the Rust Interior Package to contrast the dark and ominous external style of our automobile. This (horribly named) option covers the seats in lovely caramel brown, diamond-stitched upholstery for an additional $200 over the X-Line package. We discovered that the leather in the Sorento and its more expensive Genesis GV80 cousin appeared to be extremely comparable.
The Sorento ups its inside game with heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a huge panoramic sunroof at the SX Prestige grade level. A Bose music system and two 12.3-inch screens from a powerful tech suite are also included. In addition to adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assistance, and a surround-view camera monitor, the Kia also offers Highway Driving Assist.
In This Article...
What distinguishes the Sorento LX from the Sorento EX?
The new 2.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that powers the EX produces 281 horsepower and 311 lb. ft. of torque. In contrast, the LX generates 181 lb. of torque and 191 horsepower.
What distinguishes the Kia Sorento SX and EX?
The SX specification comes with better steering, bigger wheels, LED running lights, upgraded exterior trim, a larger touchscreen, navigation system, and a panoramic sunroof even though the V-6 engine is offered in both variants.
What’s wrong with the Kia Sorento?
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 almost 20 years. Like many other cars in its market segment, not all models rolled out are perfect from 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.
You want to find the best bargain on the car you want, not actually purchase it. If a comparable vehicle is offered locally for less money, the CoPilot app will let you know, so you can be sure you received the best bargain.
Which Kia Sorento Years to Avoid
The aforementioned Kia Sorento model years should easily accommodate your family’s needs and daily driving requirements. 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.
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
The simplest way to purchase a car is using the CoPilot auto shopping app. You may create a customized list of the top car listings in your area by telling us what you’re looking for, and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area.
Just seeking for more recent models? The search engine for virtually new vehicles is CoPilot Compare. only observe recentfive years or lessautos with little mileage. The greatest place to look for off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO vehicles is CoPilot Compare.
What’s best? We have more information on each vehicle than our rivals since CoPilot was developed using the same technologies that dealerships use to acquire and sell their inventories. Since CoPilot doesn’t partner with automakers, there aren’t any sponsored posts or other dubious tacticsjust the most information about the best vehicles. To learn more about CoPilot’s operation, see our About Us page.
What’s included in the xLine package?
Your BMW X3’s typical SAV character is highlighted even more with xLine. At first glance, the lavish finishing touches for the interior equipment, Bicolor light alloy wheels, and aluminum-look exterior features strengthen the overall high-quality impression.
The xLine exterior equipment package particularly stands out because to its remarkable Aluminum and satin-finish Aluminum components. They give the front and rear underbody protection, as well as design components in the right and left air inlets, a unique appearance. While the side sills, tailpipes, and BMW kidney grille are made of satin-finish aluminum, the window frames and tailpipe trim are made of aluminum. The B-pillars and C-pillars, on the other hand, are high-gloss Black. Exclusively offered with the xLine are 18″ light alloy wheels in Y-spoke type 607 and 19″ light alloy wheels in Y-spoke style 608 with mixed tyres.
The sleek modernity of the xLine equipment package fascinates drivers. Passengers are welcomed by door sill finishes bearing the letters “BMW xLine” when they open the doors. A comfy interior is promised by the Carve cloth/leather seat upholstery in Amber/black with Active Red contrast stitching. Nevada leather headrests with appliqu and “X” embossing on the backrest are also available. They come in black with grey contrast stitching, mocha with active red contrast stitching, and ivory white with sport red contrast stitching. Leather upholstery in Savanna Beige, Saddle Brown, and Oyster are also options. Exclusive high-gloss Dark Copper inside trim is stylish and sophisticated. All additional fine-wood trims and fine-brushed aluminum inside trim are also options. The xLine equipment package is completed by stainless steel finishing on the loading sill and a car key with satin-finish aluminum detailing.
What is the Kia Sorento’s top model?
Kia SorentoSX for 2020 That is what you would anticipate from the top trim level, and the Kia Sorento SX delivers on that. The majority of 2020 Kia Sorento EX features are available on the SX, plus: Driver seat has 14-way power. 19-in.
Is the Kia LX or EX superior?
Although the Kia Optima LX has more horsepower, the EX is the more fuel-efficient model thanks to additional technology that increases efficiency, notably the quick-shifting 7-Speed DCT transmission.
How can I tell whether my Kia Sorento is an LX or an EX?
The headlights and taillights of the 2017 Sorento LX and EX are among the most obvious variances between the two trim levels. Regular bulbs are used in the LX, while LED lights are the default for the front and back of the EX.
What do the various Kia Sorento packages entail?
Below are the complete Kia Sorento price points.
- Sorento LX MSRP is $29,490.
- Sorento’s MSRP is S$32,290.
- Sorento X-Line S AWD, MSRP 34,290.
- Sorento EX MSRP is $35,390.
- X-Line EX AWD Sorento, MSRP $39,090.
- Sorento SX MSRP is $39,190.
- Sorento SX Prestige, MSRP $41,090.
- 43,090 MSRP for the Sorento X-Line SX Prestige AWD.
Which models of Kia Sorento have sunroofs?
Which trims of the 2021 Kia Sorento come with a sunroof? On any ride, let loose and enjoy the wind in your hair with the 2021 Kia Sorento. The S, EX, SX, and SX Prestige are available trims with a panoramic sunroof option as a standard choice.
What distinguishes a Kia Sorento SX from an SX Prestige?
Are there too many midsize SUV options available? Maybe. But the Kia Sorento manages to distinguish itself from the opposition. This has been the situation for some time. It is logical to assume that the Sorento will stay in the top half of the field for a while given that a brand-new generation will debut in 2021.
The SUV has a lot of internal room because to its extended wheelbase. This year, there are four distinct powertrain options for the 2021 Kia Sorento, including a normal hybrid and a plug-in hybrid. The plug-in hybrid model is anticipated to become available later. As previously, the comparatively modest starting price and extensive list of standard features make this Kia vehicle an outstanding deal for you.
When selecting a new 2021 Sorento from Kia, you have a choice of five different trim levels. All-wheel drive is an option for many of these versions. They all provide you with a reasonable amount of cutting-edge driving aids. No matter which grade you choose, this compact SUV is a desirable family car when you consider its three rows of seating.
However, nobody wants to spend too much money, which is why weighing your options is crucial. You might potentially save money by using the following instructions to decide whether trim level offers everything you require.
Compare the 2021 Kia Sorento LX vs Sorento S Trim Levels. What is the difference?
One of two grades, the LX, includes a 2.5L four-cylinder engine with 191 horsepower and 182 lb-ft of torque as standard equipment. It has stop/start technology to increase estimations of fuel efficiency. An eight-speed automatic transmission is mated to this competent powerplant. Although all-wheel drive is an option on even this base model, front-wheel drive is the default.
Some of the LX’s external embellishments set it apart from the rest of the lineup. The skid plates, rear spoiler, and front grille, for instance, are all matte black on this model alone. The window surrounds in satin chrome are exclusive to this trim level as well. The Sorento LX has a few upmarket features, such as multi-reflector LED headlights and turn signal integration in the side mirrors. The base model is mounted on alloy wheels measuring 17 inches.
The LX has seven seats inside. Looking at the seating, which has fabric detailing, makes it more obvious that this is the entry-level model. There is a manual six-way adjustment for the driver’s seat. The front passenger only has access to manual four-way adjustment. Thanks to the third row’s reclining seats, the youngsters can unwind on lengthy trips in the back.
Impressive technological features include an 8-inch touchscreen that comes standard on the LX. Also featured are the smartphone integration programs known as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Even better, these are the wireless models, which are gaining popularity.
Lane departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and front collision avoidance assist with pedestrian detection are all standard. When the light turns green, the leading car depart alert in the driver attention monitoring feature can prevent you from being honked at. A rear occupant alert and high beam assist are included as standard features to make sure nobody is left behind.
The second trim level to use the regular 2.5L engine is the S trim level. However, this model does receive an improvement beneath with the increase in wheel size to 18 inches. The LX trim’s whole matte black components are switched out for gloss black on the S, which also receives black window surrounds. Gloss black low profile roof rails are further included.
The S is one of the two trims that are offered as a hybrid, which is very important to note. It generates 227 horsepower using an electric motor and a 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Similar to the basic S in terms of equipment, models with this powertrain are only offered with front-wheel drive.
The S variant upgrades the interior by adding a steering wheel and shifter coated in leather. Both of the front seats have been greatly improved, and they now have heat. The S has 10-way power adjustment for the driver, but only 4-way manual adjustment for the passenger. A remote start system and dual-zone automatic climate control are also featured.
The S trim increases the number of USB charging ports for the second row from one to three. The 2021 Sorento includes satellite radio on this trim level and higher. The UVO link remote connectivity is also included; it provides access to remote functions, car information, emergency services, and more. In order to use the UVO feature, you must download the app onto a smartphone that is compatible with it. For five years, a basic feature package is provided without charge, but more expensive packages must be purchased separately.
The Sorento S receives various cutting-edge driver aids from Kia. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors are all located here. Additionally, safe exit assist is present, which prevents the back doors from opening if a vehicle is seen approaching from behind.
Moving from the LX to the S is not particularly expensive and offers a number of noteworthy improvements. The S is worthwhile for those who are prepared to spend a bit more money.
Compare the 2021 Kia Sorento S vs Sorento EX Trims. What is the difference?
The hybrid powertrain is available for the EX, just like it is for the S. The EX, in contrast to the S, comes standard with a 2.5L four-cylinder turbocharged engine. The Sorento will have 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque as a result. The EX uses an eight-speed dual-clutch option, which is a small enhancement to the transmission. The EX is offered with all-wheel drive as long as you select the gas engine over the hybrid.
The exterior makes distinguishing the S and EX difficult. A motorized liftgate is one of the useful additions to the EX. Also included are LED fog lights. The open-pore wood designs inside this trim give it a premium appearance. Six people may now sit in the vehicle thanks to the addition of a wireless device charger and the replacement of the second-row bench seat with two captain’s chairs.
The EX trim’s forward collision avoidance assistance now has a cyclist recognition capability. Along with stop and go functionality, it has intelligent cruise control. Although it costs around $3,000 more than the S, this trim level has an interior that is noticeably more upscale.
Compare the 2021 Kia Sorento EX vs Sorento SX Trim Levels. What is the difference?
The SX’s engine is a turbocharged 2.5L four-cylinder; a hybrid version is not available. This model is equipped with gloss black 20-inch alloy wheels. The first choice to provide LED taillights to match with the LED headlights is the SX.
Metal interior details on the SX distinguish it from trims that came before it. Instead of plain metal handles coated in chrome, you get genuine chrome door handles. This model’s interior LED lighting raises the bar for elegance. With the addition of eight-way power adjustment for their seat, the front passenger is finally given some thought in this situation. The SX comes with a motorized sunroof as standard, whereas prior versions had them as options.
The SX receives a few useful technological advancements, such as voice recognition. Additionally, you get excellent Bluetooth phone and hands-free streaming capabilities. The Sorento SX includes multi-device audio streaming capability, which may not appear amazing. A 10.25-inch touchscreen has also been added for the infotainment system.
The pricing differential between trim levels has remained largely stable, with the SX costing $3,000 more than the EX. Although not technically necessary, this addition can be appealing to individuals looking for a cost-effective yet opulent SUV.