2022 Kia Sorento Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Though any version of the 2022 Kia Sorento is sufficiently stylish, the X-Line trim level gives this midsize SUV serious presence. Rugged bumpers, matte-finish wheels and black lower body cladding, and robust roof rails add definition and purpose to an already attractive sport-ute.

Our test vehicle was in U.S. specification, where X-Line is a package and it was applied here to the top trim. In Canada, X-Line is a standalone mid-grade package, so the vehicle cannot be equipped as seen here for our market. All-wheel drive (AWD) is standard on every Sorento sold in Canada, including the hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, while a front-wheel drive (FWD) drivetrain is not offered here. Pricing ranges from an MSRP of $34,595 to $48,085 for the gas-only powertrain and starts from $36,695 on the hybrid and $44,995 on the plug-in hybrid (which qualifies it for federal and provincial incentives), not including a $1,900 destination charge.

No matter which version of the 2022 Kia Sorento you choose, you’re going to get an SUV that exudes quality. That descriptor applies to the leather upholstery and simulated wood trim on the dashboard of our test vehicle, but also extends to all Sorentos through how the door releases operate and the transmission shifter feels in your hand with each and every use.

Not only that, but the Sorento’s cabin reflects rock-solid construction. Nothing about it looks or feels flimsy, and Kia applies impressive attention to design detail even in the most affordable Kia Sorento LX+ model. Miraculously, the Sorento’s keen sense of interior style and traditional cable-operated transmission shifter do not negatively impact practical storage space.

In our opinion, if you buy a new Kia Sorento, chances are good that with every errand, commute, and road trip, you’ll feel like you got the best deal of your lifetime even if you had to pay sticker price.

The Sorento’s standard engine is an unremarkable 191-horsepower 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine that, according to Kia, takes almost 9.5 seconds to accelerate the 1,761-kilogram (3,882-pound) SUV to 60 mph (0 to 100 km/h times are not published). That sluggish performance is why we recommend any of the Sorento’s other engine options, which include a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder, a turbocharged hybrid powertrain, and a turbocharged plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Kia isn’t blind to the base engine’s lackluster power, which could be why it comes only with LX+ and LX Premium trim. Starting with the Sorento X-Line, the SUV has the far more satisfying turbo 2.5-litre, which generates 281 hp at 5,800 rpm and 311 pound-feet of torque between 1,700 rpm and 4,000 rpm. This engine is arguably more enjoyable than the V6 in the larger Kia Telluride, which cranks out a little more power at 291 hp, but pales in comparison when it comes to torque at 262 lb-ft. And torque is what you feel from behind the wheel when you accelerate.

With the turbo engine, Kia also swaps out the Sorento’s standard 8-speed automatic transmission for an eight-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission. Kia says a turbo Sorento should scoot to 60 mph in about 7.5 seconds. Given the specs, it seems like it should be quicker than that.

Nevertheless, the surge of torque and snappy transmission make the Sorento feel plenty energetic. Better yet, it drives more like a sports sedan than a sport/utility.

In addition to shoeing the SX with 20-inch alloy wheels, Kia tunes the suspension for an excellent blend of compliance and composure. The SUV soaks up rumpled roads yet supplies excellent body motion control and a decent amount of communication. On writhing ribbons of mountain blacktop, the Sorento we tested proved itself an unexpectedly willing dance partner, and despite heavy use the brakes emitted nary a shudder or rumble let alone any hint of fade.

Given how the price of gas is through the roof, how is the Sorento for fuel consumption? Natural Resources Canada says you should expect to burn 9.7 litres per 100 kilometres with the base engine in combined driving, or 9.9 L/100 km with the upgraded turbo engine. That appears to be a figment of someone’s imagination, as we averaged 11.5 L/100 km on our evaluation loop and 11.4 L/100 km during the entirety of the week-long loan.

So, you should either plan to visit gas stations more often or try not to actually use the turbocharged engine’s power. Or you could just get a Sorento Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid to solve the fuel-efficiency equation.

Our test vehicle looked and often felt legitimately luxurious inside, including the appealing Burgundy leather colour. Both front seats are heated and ventilated, the former as standard, and a heated steering wheel is also standard on all but the base LX+ grade. Driver comfort is excellent, though the hard plastic on the centre console can rub on and irritate a driver’s leg after a while.

Second-row captain’s chairs are standard starting with the Sorento EX trim and are heated in the EX+ and SX. Kia clearly designed this area for kids, including cupholders molded into the door armrests, USB charging ports, rear climate control vents, dual storage pockets on the front seatbacks, and other handy storage solutions. Additionally, the Sorento’s available panoramic sunroof extends clear over their heads. Oh, and the seats are comfortable, too.

The same cannot be said of the Sorento’s third-row seat. Our advice is that if you actually need a three rows of seats, consider getting a Kia Telluride or the company’s excellent Carnival multi-purpose vehicle (ahem, minivan) instead.

Why’s that? While adults will fit into the Sorento’s third row, they won’t be happy. The bottom cushion is as flat as Saskatchewan and with the second-row seats moved all the way back in their tracks, kneecaps are on the menu due to the restrictive legroom. Plus, the third-row head restraints are flush against the rear window with very little crush-space between occupants and the texting idiot who is about to slam into the back of the Kia.

We think it’s better to just fold that third-row seat down to expand the measly 357 litres of cargo space into up to 1,274 litres. Fold the second-row seats down, and the Sorento can swallow 2,139 litres of cargo. To make loading easier when your arms are full, the Sorento offers a “smart” power tailgate that opens when the key fob is nearby. This is great when you intend for the liftgate to open, and not great when you don’t.

The Sorento LX+, LX Premium, X-Line, and EX have an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Others get a standard 10.25-inch touchscreen display with navigation, satellite radio, Kia Connect services, and both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The base infotainment system offers Bluetooth and wireless smartphone integration while the 10.25-inch version unfortunately requires a cable plugged into a USB port to access app connectivity.

Overall, the infotainment system offers plenty of features and functions with an intuitive user interface. However, the font style, graphics, and colours might not be to everyone’s tastes. Let’s call them inventive, and perhaps take note that someone at Kia must be a big Prince fan given the amount of purple that reigns supreme on this crossover’s digital displays.

Fundamentally, the Sorento’s infotainment system is the same as what you’ll find in many Hyundai models. Hyundai is Kia’s corporate sibling, and they share this technology. However, in our experience, the voice recognition systems in Kias are not nearly as good as what Hyundai provides. It is unclear why—perhaps there are differences between Kia Connect and Hyundai Blue Link connected service packages—but the disparity exists.

Oddly, Kia reserves a 12-speaker Bose premium surround-sound system for the Kia Sorento SX. It seems to us that people who aren’t paying full freight might also like to have a decent audio system in their Sorentos. A wireless phone charger is standard starting with LX Premium trim.

Our test vehicle had the full list of available safety features, including now expected technologies as well as some surprises.

Among the more unusual safety features, the Sorento’s available rear-seat reminder system uses ultrasonic sensors to monitor the interior for movement for 24 hours after you lock and leave the SUV. If the system detects movement, the owner receives an alert on their smartphone and the vehicle’s lights with flash and horn will sound to get the attention of passersby.

The Sorento also offers Junction Assist. This uses the forward-collision warning system to identify when it is unsafe to make a turn, and can brake the SUV to prevent a collision.

Additionally, a Blind View Monitor system is exclusively available on the SX. It uses cameras on either side of the Sorento to show the driver what’s in the SUV’s blind spots by replacing one of the digital gauges with a live video feed. It works only when the driver uses the turn signal to indicate a lane change, and enhances rather than replaces the traditional blind-spot monitoring system.

Another feature that uses the adaptive cruise control, in conjunction with lane keeping assist, is the Highway Driving Assist technology. Highway Driving Assist is a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system. It requires the driver to hold the steering wheel, but it will automatically adjust speed to maintain a safe distance to traffic ahead and will keep the Sorento centred in its intended lane of travel. We used the technology on a variety of highways, and it works exceptionally well, striking us as nearly ready for a hands-free version similar to Ford Blue Cruise and General Motors Super Cruise.

If you’re unable to avoid a collision, know that the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) calls the 2022 Sorento a Top Safety Pick. The only negative rating the SUV gets is for the LED headlights; better ones are sold in the U.S., but the ones that received a Poor rating are standard on all trims in Canada.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the Sorento a four-star overall crash-test rating. In the frontal-impact collision test, the SUV supplies four-star driver and front passenger protection. Otherwise, the only other four-star rating is for rollover resistance. In all other assessments, the Sorento gets the highest five-star rating.

Most of the Kia Sorento’s competitors on the lower end of the midsize SUV spectrum are not three-row SUVs. In fact, the only other one is the GMC Acadia, where a third row is an option.

Furthermore, the Sorento offers both hybrid and PHEV powertrain options. The Kia’s only electrified competitors include the Hyundai Santa Fe, the Toyota Venza, and the newly introduced Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe.

Is getting the Kia Sorento Hybrid worth it? Absolutely. With 227 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, it won’t be as lively to drive as the Sorento with the 2.5-litre turbo, but Natural Resources Canada says it will get between 6.6 L/100 km in combined driving. Plus, though it costs $2,100 extra in base trim, in EX AWD specification the hybrid model is only $400 more than the gas-only model.

The Sorento Plug-in Hybrid comes in three trims in Canada, all of which qualify for federal and provincial incentives, and can travel 51 kilometres on electricity before operating as a hybrid and supplying 3.0 Le/100 km in combined driving.

One thing is for sure, though. No matter which version of the 2022 Kia Sorento you choose, the impeccable quality, the modern safety tech, and the stylish design do more than help this SUV to stand tall and apart from its competition. These qualities make you feel like you should have paid more for your new car, but didn’t.

Note: Images show a US model.