2023 Kia Sorento

Simply put, the Kia Sorento is one of the best large SUVs in its price bracket, though rivals such as the Toyota Kluger, Mazda CX-9, Hyundai Santa Fe and Skoda Kodiaq all offer stiff competition. 

If you’ve done your homework and decided the Sorento is the next family bus for you, you need to start whittling down the different variants. 

Given there is a $18,000 price difference between the top-spec diesel GT-Line and the entry-spec S, you can be sure moving through the range brings a growing list of features and creature comforts.

We feel for most buyers the Sport or Sport Plus variants would be the way to go. For those on a tighter budget or after a no-frills car with excellent ride, the S is also a great option.

Of course, if you want it all and then some, the GT-Line is the sure winner.

Kia Sorento S models come standard with:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• 235/65 Continental tyres
• Full-size alloy spare
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Reflector LED auto headlights
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Roof rails
• Seven cloth seats 
• 4 x USB points
• 8.0-inch touchscreen
• Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Bluetooth phone and audio
• Digital radio 
• Six-speaker audio 
• Manual air-conditioning
• Second-row air vents

The ride quality in the S is the best in the Sorento range thanks to its high-sidewall tyres, but you know you’re in a fleet special because you have to put a key in the ignition barrel.

The touchscreen is also small relative to the rest of the range.

Kia Sorento Sport models gain:

• 18-inch machine finish wheels
• Tyre-pressure monitor
• 10-way powered driver’s seat
• Passenger sun visor sliding function
• 10.25-inch touchscreen
• Satellite-navigation
• Dual-zone climate control 
• Third-row fan control, vents

Outside of fleet buyers this seems like an easy decision over the S.

The extra cost over the base model is justified by the better infotainment system and climate control alone. 

For a further $4400, Kia Sorento Sport+ models gain:

• 19-inch machine finish wheels
• 235/55 Continental tyres
• LED combination rear lights 
• Powered tailgate
• Tinted privacy glass 
• Aero-blade type wipers
• Proximity key access and exit
• Remote engine start function
• Leather-appointed seats
• Heated front seats
• Auto-dimming rear mirror
• Heated steering wheel
• Safety function for all auto up/down windows
• 4 x extra USB points 

For many people the leather seats, powered tailgate, and privacy glass for back-seat occupants will be highly desirable extras. Ditto the hands-free proximity key.

For a further $7600, Kia Sorento GT-Line models gain:

• 20-inch dark chrome alloy wheels
• 255/45 Continental tyres 
• Projector LED headlights
• Blind-spot camera in instruments
• Electronic child safety lock 
• Smart key with remote-control parking
• Kerbside auto-dipping side mirrors 
• Panoramic sunroof
• Quilted Nappa leather seats
• Ventilated front seats
• Heated outboard second-row seats
• 14-way powered driver seat with memory 
• 10-way powered front passenger seat
• Shift-by-wire rotary gear dial
• Paddle shifters
• 12.3-inch digital instruments
• Projecting head-up display 
• 64 interior lighting colours 
• Alloy pedals and door scuff plating
• LED interior reading lights  
• Second-row sun shades
• Wireless phone charger pad
• Bose 12-speaker sound system
• In-car intercom system 

While the 20-inch wheels and slim tyres won’t help the ride quality, the range-topping Sorento is best thought of as a genuine alternative to more expensive European fare in terms of its tech.

The 2022 Kia Sorento is suited to families that have at least three kids and want to seperate them by utilising the third row.

Parents with two kids who don't often need the back seats are likely better off with the Kia Sportage instead. Nonetheless, it's hard to argue that the Sorento wouldn't fit any family that values price, features, safety and practicality.

There are seven colours available for the Kia Sorento.

• Clear White,
• Silky Silver,
• Steel Grey,
• Mineral Blue,
• Aurora Black,
• Gravity Blue,
• Snow White Pearl.

The interior is available with Embossed Cloth for the base S and Sport variants while the Sport+ gets leather appointed interior and the GT Line comes with the higher grade Nappa Leather Appointed.

Petrol and diesel models have 12 month or 15,000km servicing intervals.

Over seven years, a petrol Sorento will cost $3449 to service against $3463 for a diesel Sorento. That means the average service cost works out to be just $2 in the V6’s favour.

2.2L Diesel Service Costs

• 1 Year or 15,000 km – $335.00          
• 2 Years or 30,000 km – $544.00         
• 3 Years or 45,000 km – $408.00         
• 4 Years or 60,000 km – $729.00         
• 5 Years or 75,000 km – $377.00         
• 6 Years or 90,000 km – $670.00         
• 7 Years or 105,000 km – $400.00       

3.5L Petrol Service Costs

• 1 Year or 15,000 km – $338.00
• 2 Years or 30,000 km – $533.00
• 3 Years or 45,000 km – $411.00
• 4 Years or 60,000 km – $725.00
• 5 Years or 75,000 km – $381.00         
• 6 Years or 90,000 km – $657.00
• 7 Years or 105,000 km – $404.00

The driving dynamics are really dependent on the variant you pick. The front-wheel drive petrol models drive rather differently to the all-wheel drive diesel models. Meanwhile, the plug-in hybrid is a different beast entirely. We recommend reading the reviews of each model (look for review section above).

Even so, the main differences from a dynamics perspective are the various wheel and tyre packages (the Sport+ and GT-Line are worse at ironing out sharp bumps); the diesel’s AWD with locking centre and terrain-specific throttle modes; and extra tare weight. 

All Sorento models have electrically-assisted power steering, MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension with an Australian-specific damper tune, and 325mm-rotor ventilated disc brakes front and rear.

In addition to its seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, Kia offers seven years of capped-price servicing.

The current global shortage of microchips and huge demand for new cars has seen a rather lengthy delay for customers looking for a new Kia Sorento with expectations ranging from six to 12 months depending on variant.

While some other competitors may be more readily available, those keen to stick with the seven-seater Kia would be best to reach out to their closest dealer and see if stock becomes available sooner as there is always a chance of a cancelled or unwanted order.

In 2021, Kia sold 5126 Sorentos. This number would have been noticeably higher if not for delays and car shortages due to the pandemic and microchip shortages, although the same can be said across the industry.

From the limited data available to us since the current-generation of the Kia Sorento launched in 2020, we have no reason to suspect there are any reliability concerns with purchasing the Sorento.

With its long warranty and tried and proven powertrain (petrol and diesel – hybrid remains to be seen), we would have no hesitation in recommending the Sorento.

Ultimately, the Kia Sorento range offers a variant for everyone at a multitude of price points.

Unless you really want the benefit of a plug-in hybrid with a near 70km range, we recommend the Sport Plus as the best pick for the money.