Sale of the Kia Sorento: All-wheel drive is available on all trim levels of the Kia Sorento. The 2019 Sorento offers standard third-row seating, while the 2018 model offers available third-row seating for people searching for a family vehicle. Both models can accommodate up to seven passengers.
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Is a Kia Sorento 2wd or 4wd?
The Sorento has a wide selection of engine options and is available with front- or all-wheel drive. A 191-hp 2.5-liter inline-four-cylinder engine is standard and a 281-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder is available too. Both pair with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and the hybrid model uses a six-speed automatic. We drove a top-of-the-line SX trim with the turbo four and appreciated its noticeable thrust, but we wish the powertrain felt more responsive off the line. The same model delivered poised handling, a nicely isolated ride, and firm brake-pedal feedback. The eco-friendly Sorento hybrid features the combination of a turbo 1.6-liter four-cylinder gas engine and a 44.0-kW electric motor that together generate 227 horsepower. The plug-in version of the hybrid features the same engine and transmission, but it makes a combined 261 horsepower and has a larger 66.9-kW electric motor and is all-wheel drive only. When equipped with the towing package, the Sorento can pull up to 3500 pounds.
Do all Kia Sorentos have 4WD?
A new front grille, bumper covers, and exterior lighting were added to the Kia Sorento for the 2018 or 2019 model years, depending on the market. These improvements were inspired by the 2019 Kia Forte and the 2018 Kia Cadenza for the 2019 model year. Projector beam headlamps with LED positioning lights were updated for the L, LX, EX, and SX trim levels. New LED headlamps with daytime running lights, LED amber turn signals and positioning lights, and LED tail lamps were added to the SXL trim.
A third row of seats is now standard on all trim levels with all engine types. Driver attention warning systems have also been introduced to all trim levels, and the 2.0-liter engine in lesser trim levels has been replaced with a 2.4-liter engine. On higher specification versions of the 2019 Kia Sorento, a 3.3-liter V6 engine is available. Except for the entry-level L trim, which is only offered with front-wheel drive, all trim levels can be had with all-wheel drive. [22]
Which Kia vehicles have four wheel drive?
What Models from Kia Have All-Wheel Drive?
- Kia Sportage: Any trim level of the new Kia Sportage is available with AWD.
- Kia Sorento: Every trim level of the new Kia Sorento is available with all-wheel drive.
- Kia Telluride: The new Kia Telluride comes with a 3.8L V6 engine, several AWD settings, and optional AWD.
How do you engage the 4 wheel drive on a Kia Sorento?
The KIA Sorento boasts a variety of powertrain options, and it is a joy to drive. You must switch your Sorento to AWD or 4WD if you want to drive off the road or in difficult terrain. We conducted study to find out how this process functions and have provided the answers below.
Depending on the system your KIA Sorento has, employing one of the following can help you maintain better control of your car when driving on a slope, muddy, wet, or slick road:
- Press the auto-mode button on your steering wheel to activate the all-wheel drive system (AWD).
- Full-time AWD automatic engagement – Your car will automatically switch to this mode.
- 4WD – Unless you have a part-time 4WD, in which case you must shift a lever or a switch to 4×4, no action is required to activate this mode.
To learn how to operate the AWD or 4WD system in your KIA Sorento, continue reading. We’ll also discuss the benefits and drawbacks of these technologies as well as practical advice for driving a car equipped with them.
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 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 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.
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On a Kia Sorento, how do you activate the AWD?
As soon as the Kia Sorento is turned on, automatic all-wheel drive (AWD) is activated.
Under typical circumstances, this mode is ideal for driving. The Sorento also offers an AWD lock mode, which is handy in some circumstances and is triggered via a button on or near your center console.
The following situations call for the employment of AWD lock mode:
- Vehicle is enmeshed in snow or mud
- driving on or off an incline
- driving through unlevel or difficult terrain
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Can the Kia Sorento be driven off-road?
First-class ergonomics were provided for the driver and passengers, including sliding, reclining, and two-way split seats in the second row. Due to a falling second-row seat, near-side access to the third row seats was pretty good. The second-row and two third-row seats folded flat with ease. One hand might be used to reconfigure the seat.
All models come equipped with a cargo compartment roller blind, climate control air conditioning, and a rear view camera.
Roof rails, solar glass with a dark tint aft of the B-pillar, retractable mesh blinds on the second-row windows, remote keyless entry (with push-button start on the Platinum model), and auto-dimming mirrors were all standard on the SLi and Platinum variants. A full-length panoramic sunroof with an electronic glass front part was another feature of the Platinum model.
The driver’s seat on SLi and Platinum models offered eight power adjustments and lumbar support.
HID Xenon headlights and LED rear combo lamps are additional features of the Platinum variant.
Both the console and the second row have 12V outlets. The console also has USB and AUX ports.
The Sorento came equipped with speed-sensitive electronic power steering, which offered three driver-selectable steering calibrations: Normal for a balance between steering effort and feedback; Comfort for navigating with little effort; and Sport for greater wheel effort and increased feedback.
The Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) system in the Sorento worked in tandem with an electro-mechanical multi-plate 4WD coupling. The system adjusted the torque distribution to each wheel by transferring torque from the front to the back and applying individual wheel brakes.
Pushing a button activated 4WD’s “Lock” mode, which distributed power equally between the front and rear wheels in slick or loose situations. The system changed to “Auto” mode when the car reached 40 km/h, then it returned to “Lock” mode when the speed fell below 40 km/h.
The vehicle has electric power steering, ESC, TCS, ABS, and EBD as active safety features.
The Sorento has six airbags, including side curtain airbags in the first and second rows, as well as airbags for the driver and front passenger.
A six-speaker audio system with Bluetooth, auxiliary, and USB ports was included on all variants. The device included an LCD touchscreen, and the Platinum model had a satellite navigation system with reasonably accurate mapping of bush roads and tracks.
For gasoline and automatic diesel models, the towing capacity was 2000 kg, while for the manual diesel, it was 2500 kg. Standard towball capacity was increased from 120 kg to 150 kg by a $980 heavy duty towbar and rear coil spring upgrade.
The Sorento came with a five-year, unlimited-mileage guarantee, free roadside assistance for a year, and three years of maintenance at a set price.
On and off road
The assessment Sorento was a Platinum model diesel/auto. With a light load, fuel economy in towns, the countryside, and on trails was 7.2L/100km, which is very good. Even when fully loaded, the usage rate of 8.5L/100km was still quite impressive.
We believed that the 64-litre petrol tank of the Sorento was insufficient for long-distance touring in Australia, despite the fact that fuel consumption was extremely good for this class of car. The option to store a few diesel jerry cans on the trailer was always available to those towing a camper or van.
With no indication of turbo lag, the diesel engine performed well both when driving alone and when towing. When possible, the automatic transmission maintained the engine running in its most economical range. The overdrive gearing on the six-speed automatic maintained cruising revs at 2000rpm at 110km/h and 1750rpm at 100km/h.
The variable-assistance power steering was quite functional, and the ride, handling, and steering were all of the highest caliber. The “Sport” steering mode delivered superb feedback of tyre grip in loose ground, where it may occasionally be easy to dial in too much lock.
Despite using the same foundation as the Santa Fe, the Sorento’s suspension seemed sharper on asphalt and a little too stiff on dirt.
The Sorento had limited off-road capability, like all softroaders, but a skilled off-road driver may take one to locations that may surprise traditionalists. Off-roading, however, necessitated taking into account the vehicle’s low ground clearance and mechanical vitals, which were only protected by a plastic underbody shield.
The 19-inch, 55-profile tyres on the Platinum were not designed for any form of off-bitumen driving, so we felt unsafe when we ventured off the paved surface. We wouldn’t have gone off-road at all if it weren’t for the Sorento’s full-sized spare wheel.
For those who want to travel through the bush in a Sorento Platinum, we advise trading the larger wheels for the 17- or 18-inch ones seen on the Si or Sli models. This should make Kia dealers glad to do.
A 225/70R17LT bush tire, for instance, has only slightly more diameter than the typical 235/65R17 passenger vehicle size but has significantly higher carcass and tread area strength. These light-truck rated bush tires can fit on 17-inch rims.
Forget any preconceived notions you may have about cars from Korea; the current Kia models are just as well constructed and mechanically sound as cars from Europe that cost more than twice as much.
A great seven-seat SUV, the Kia Sorento has outstanding performance, nice fit and finish, a smooth ride, predictable handling and braking, and a reasonable towing capacity.