Think again if you believed that maintaining a full-size SUV would break the financially. While the entry-level Kia Sorento KX-1 is the most expensive option here, drivers also pay the same amount to operate a Vauxhall Insignia 1.8 SRi.
But the Kia is a serious off-roader even though it has minimal operating expenses. While the electronic center differential lock can keep a 50:50 torque split in difficult driving circumstances, the smart four-wheel-drive system may instantly transfer power to the axle with the highest traction. Additionally, hill descent control relieves stress when negotiating treacherous downhill portions.
With an assertive front end, striking details, and robust lower body mouldings, the Sorento also has a professional appearance. However, the interior is everything but spartan. With a stylish dashboard, good materials, and sturdy construction, it has a surprisingly upscale vibe. Even the faux wood trim is attractive.
The versatility of the car is another plus. Its seven seats make it the perfect option for large families, and when the third row of seats is folded flat, there is a generous 531 liters of luggage space available. The car’s performance on the road is equally amazing.
The Kia exudes confidence because to its secure, predictable handling, light controls, and high-set driving position. The 2.2-liter diesel engine offers substantial thrust and guarantees 40 mpg or more.
The 177g/km CO2 production is the sole kink in the plan. But even this may be disregarded when you take into account the fantastic seven-year warranty. There aren’t many cars that can make navigating tough terrain so easy.
In This Article...
The Kia Sorento has four wheels.
Your choice of powertrain and standard will determine the price you pay for your Kia Sorento. With three equipment bands, 2, 3, and 4, Kia keeps the trim-level side of things rather straightforward. There are three additional engine options available under the hood: the standard 2.2-liter CRDi diesel with an eight-speed DCT dual-clutch automatic gearbox, a full hybrid with a 1.6-liter T-GDi petrol engine and a six-speed auto gearbox, or a plug-in hybrid with the same petrol engine and gearbox but a larger 13.8-kWh battery that allows for up to 35 miles of electric-only driving. Four-wheel drive is standard on all versions.
The entry-level 2 vehicles come with an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, digital gauges, and 17-inch alloy wheels as standard equipment. Although the front seats are made of cloth rather than leather, they are heated, just like the steering wheel. Additional safety features include a reversing camera, smart cruise control with Stop and Go, LED headlights, and many others.
The Sorento 3 variants include ambient interior lighting, keyless entry and start, powered tailgates, 19-inch alloys, and the more stunning 10.25-inch touchscreen in addition to leather trim. The top-tier 4 vehicles come equipped with premium Nappa leather trim, a panoramic sunroof, a head-up display, a Bose 12-speaker audio, ventilated front seats, and a 360-degree Around View Monitor to aid with parking and off-roading. With the Sorento, you receive a lot of equipment for your money, as is typical of Kias, at every level.
Which issues does the Kia Sorento have?
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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What is a Sorento’s ground clearance?
The Sorento offers a variety of wheel finishes and three distinct tire sizes:
The front-wheel drive Sorento offers a ground clearance of 6.9 inches, allowing you to easily navigate obstacles in your path when on road trips, regardless of which tire size and wheels you like.
Looking to liven up your summer vacations with peaceful camping excursions and mountain hikes? Then, you should consider upgrading to all-wheel drive (AWD), which distributes power to each wheel as necessary to handle uneven roads.
The ground clearance rises to 8.2 inches with the addition of AWD, and the approach and departure angles are changed to 16.8 degrees and 22.1 degrees, respectively. You can easily navigate over bumps and small rocks on the road thanks to all these metrics.
How effective is the Kia all-wheel drive?
The Kia Sportage’s 6.4-inch ground clearance restricts how much bumpier of a ride you’ll have compared to rival cars with higher clearances, and its all-wheel-drive system helps it operate well in snowy conditions.
This car does have certain limits, though. Its 6-inch height limits its grip and stability control capabilities, which can make it tricky to maneuver through more difficult terrain like gravel roads or steep hills coated in ice/snow.
With features like ABS/ESP systems (Antilock Braking System/Electronic Stability Program) and Driver Assist Technology, which warns drivers if they attempt to change lanes without using turn signals, the Kia Sportage is an affordable car that offers excellent traction control in winter weather conditions like rain or sleet. It also ensures safety when moving at speeds greater than 20 mph.
The Kia Sportage’s all-wheel-drive (AWD) model is better suited to navigating icy terrain than its front-wheel-drive equivalents. All-wheel drives increase traction on surfaces slippery with snow or ice by distributing power evenly across all four wheels and even to individual tires when necessary.
Additionally, front-wheel drive (FWD) variants have higher traction in slick driving conditions thanks to the heavy engine mounted above the rear axle. The fact that AWDs are built expressly for performance in winter weather gives them an advantage.
See the Sportage in action in the following video:
Is there an off-road SUV from Kia?
Looking for a Kia Telluride? Good luck with your hunt, which is probably going to involve a mix of dealer markups, limited inventory on Kia lots, and possibly even hand-to-hand fighting with other three-row crossover customers anxious to get their hands on the most popular family vehicle in years.
More Better
That’s right, Kia has discovered a method to further enhance the Telluride’s already exceptional allure for 2023 by sharpening the exterior appearance and introducing new X-Line and X-Pro trim levels for a touch more rugged vigor. What then is different? The internals of the headlights and taillights, the front and rear bumpers, and the lower bodyside cladding are all brand-new and have more elaborate detailing for a more premium appearance. This is in an SUV that already looked much more expensive than it actually was.
Midnight Lake Blue, Dawning Red, and Jungle Wood Green are three brand-new paint hues that have been added to the palette. There are new wheel designs for each trim level. With a new dashboard with new air vents, a new steering wheel, new color schemes, and a newly optional display that runs from in front of the driver to the center of the Telluride, the three-row, eight-seat interior makes a little stride forward.
The enormous new screen unit, which is actually two 12.3-inch monitors, is similar to those in Mercedes-Benzes and, closer to home, the cutting-edge design of the new Kia EV6 electric crossover. Although the displays of the smaller Tellurides are not yet known, we wouldn’t be surprised to see a conventional gauge cluster and distinct central touchscreen similar to what the Telluride offers right now. The ’23 Telluride includes a standard WiFi hotspot regardless of display preference. Like before, buyers have the opportunity to upgrade to a larger head-up display, and a digital key that enables entry via a smartphone or Apple Watch has been added as an option.
The redesigned dashboard achieves the same result as the updated exterior: it just enhances the Telluride’s already attractive configuration. It features thinner central vents and edgier detailing. Let us remind you that this is a three-row, mainstream SUV that costs under $50,000 (well, depending on MSRP, who knows what it’ll take to convince a dealer to sell you one these days); a significant factor in why people are fighting over these vehicles is the way they appear and are constructed.
Oh, There Are Off-Road Models Now, Too
The X-Line and X-Pro, two new trim levels that join the Telluride family for 2023, each include beefier dress-up accessories to give them a sense of adventure. Only the X-Pro makes an effort to improve the Kia’s off-road capabilities, fitting Continental all-terrain tires to its 18-inch wheels that are black coated. The Telluride’s overall towing capacity is increased by 500 pounds to 5,500 pounds by the X-Pro. It also gets a 110-volt home power outlet in the cargo hold and sporty X-Pro badging and labels on the front seats. Kia also adjusts the traction control settings, installs a stronger roof rack, raises the suspension by 0.4 inches, and installs new front and rear bumpers that are allegedly better at improving the Telluride’s approach and departure angles for more clearance off-road.
Except for the tires and the towing modification, the X-Line receives the identical equipment. Additionally, the 18-inch wheels and standard tires from the Pro are replaced with 20-inch wheels and, you guessed it, X-Line badging. All-wheel drive is a standard feature on both X-trim Tellurides, even though every Telluride has the same 291-hp 3.8-liter V-6 engine and eight-speed automatic transmission. The Telluride Nightfall Edition, a blacked-out special-edition trim, is no longer offered, so if you were unduly connected to it, we have bad news: The X models basically replace it.
Along with the smart decision to capitalize on Americans’ growing craze for outdoor-oriented vehicles with the X-Line and X-Pro, Kia has increased the Telluride’s level of safety to win over more buyers. Traffic sign recognition and a left-turn warning feature have been added by Kia to the already standard set of features (forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, Highway Driving Assist 1.5 adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert). This feature can intervene if you attempt to make a left turn into the path of an oncoming vehicle. The Highway Driving Assist 2 system, a more advanced version of the HDA 1.5 standard system that can even handle automated lane changes, is now readily available. It includes a version of that left-turn feature that reacts to cross traffic, oncoming traffic during a passing maneuver, and side-swipe events.
Expect that these upgrades will simply maintain the same level of consumer demand as it has been for the past three years since the Kia Telluride didn’t require any modifications to keep selling out. Pricing details and a release date are forthcoming, but in the current auto market, neither nugget is likely to mean much because the price could be several thousand dollars higher than what Kia is asking, and availability could depend on your family’s ability to physically outmuscle another family at the dealership.