The mid-size SUV segment is packed with great options, from the ever-popular Honda CR-V and Toyota Highlander to the stylish Hyundai Santa Fe. Then there are the under-the-radar choices, like the Volkswagen Atlas, quietly doing their thing.
One SUV that’s been quietly climbing the ranks is this Kia. It was solid but a little bland until the 2023 model year gave it a major visual refresh that really completed the package.
The redesign, combined with modern interior updates, finally puts the Sorento ahead of the curve. More trims, more power, and a ton of tech make it easy to find a version that fits your needs, and the value is so strong even a sub-$31,000 CR-V starts to feel threatened.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Kia and other authoritative sources, including the EPA, NHTSA, and TopSpeed.
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You can get a 2026 Kia Sorento from just $32,190
Eight trim levels help the Sorento appeal to many
The 2026 Kia Sorento starts at $32,190, which isn’t the cheapest in the segment but definitely ranks near the top.
The Honda CR-V takes the crown for affordability at $30,920, followed by the corporate cousin, the Hyundai Santa Fe, at $34,800.
After that, you’ve got the Volkswagen Atlas at $39,310 and the Toyota Highlander at $45,270. The CR-V also comes close to the Sorento in value, offering seven trim levels to choose from.
The Hyundai Santa Fe and Volkswagen Atlas keep things simple with five trims each, while the Toyota Highlander pares it down to just three.
Kia goes the opposite route, offering the most trims and packing each one with solid features. Even the base LX trim comes loaded with options you rarely see in rivals.
You can pick from different styling packages and choose between FWD or AWD. The cheapest AWD Sorento starts at $42,590, making its value proposition even stronger.
2026 Kia Sorento trims and pricing
|
LX |
$32,190 |
|---|---|
|
S |
$35,090 |
|
EX |
$38,290 |
|
SX |
$42,090 |
|
X-Line EX |
$42,590 |
|
X-Line SX AWD |
$43,890 |
|
X-Line SX Prestige AWD |
$46,590 |
|
X-Pro SX Prestige AWD |
$47,590 |
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Standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder delivers the power
Turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four optional
The base Sorento comes with a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder that pumps out 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque.
It’s a peppy little engine with a smooth, linear torque curve that peaks at 4,000 RPM, making the Sorento effortless to drive.
Paired with an eight-speed automatic, shifting is seamless and keeps the drive easy and comfortable.
Engine and transmission details
|
Engine configuration |
Inline-four naturally-aspirated / inline-four turbocharged |
|---|---|
|
Engine displacement |
2.5 liter |
|
Power |
191 hp / 281 hp |
|
Torque |
181 lb-ft / 311 lb-ft |
|
Transmission |
Eight-speed automatic / eight-speed dual clutch automatic |
|
Drivetrain |
FWD and AWD (offered as a standard or optional feature as per trim level) |
Step up the trim ladder, and Kia offers a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder that cranks out 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque.
This engine pairs with a sportier eight-speed DCT, giving the Sorento a more engaging drive.
The SUV comes standard with FWD, while top-tier X-Line models add AWD. Few rivals, like the Honda CR-V and Toyota Highlander, offer multiple engine options, but even their highest trims can’t match the Sorento’s performance punch.
The most powerful Honda CR‑V tops out at just 190 horsepower, while the Toyota Highlander reaches 265 horsepower.
Sorento’s corporate cousin isn’t far off with a 277-horsepower turbo-four, but it still can’t beat the Sorento’s turbo engine.
Even the Volkswagen Atlas, with its 2.0-liter engine producing 269 horsepower, falls short of the Sorento’s top performance.
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Interior features highlight the sorento’s incredible value
Even the entry-level sorento gets pre-cooling and heating
The Sorento’s value really shines through once you peek inside. Even the base trim packs more features than you might expect for the price.
Step up just $2,900 to the second S trim, and the feature list jumps dramatically. You get dual-zone climate control, a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat with two-way lumbar support, heated front seats, and wireless phone charging.
Even with the $2,900 price bump, the Sorento S stays cheaper than nearly all its rivals, with only the $30,920 Honda CR‑V coming close.
The priciest competitor, the $45,270 Toyota Highlander, still offers just a six-speaker audio system, a smaller eight-inch infotainment screen, and comfort features similar to the Sorento base trim.
The only rival that comes close to matching the Sorento’s loaded appeal is Hyundai’s corporate cousin, but it carries a higher price tag across the board.
Key comfort, convenience, and tech features you get on the base trim
- 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment with OTA updates
- Pre-cooling and heating through Kia Connect
- First and third rows get two USB ports each
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Six-speaker audio system
- Solar Control Glass
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Loaded with safety and assistance tech
Base trim under $33k still comes loaded
Kia really outdid itself with the standard safety and driver-assist features on the 2026 Sorento. Every trim, even the base, comes loaded with active and passive safety tech.
Features like Hill-start Assist and Downhill Brake Control are included right from the entry-level trim. You won’t find these on even the priciest Toyota Highlander.
The only rival that comes close is the Hyundai Santa Fe, which offers a similarly stacked safety suite.
The 2025 Sorento earned a perfect 5/5 overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It has two recalls and zero investigations so far.
The 2026 model year, being largely carried over, is expected to keep these top ratings. Most rivals also earn five-star scores, even if their assistive feature lists aren’t as stacked as Kia’s.
The only notable exception is the Hyundai Santa Fe, which lags slightly with an overall 4/5 safety rating.
Key safety and assistive features on the base trim
- Forward Collision Avoidance Assist with pedestrian, Cyclist, and Junction Turning Detection
- Blind-Spot Collision Warning and Parallel Exit Detection Technology
- Drive Attention Warning with Leading Vehicle Departure Alert
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist
- Smart Cruise Control with Stop And Go
- Lane Following and Keeping Assist
- Lane Departure Warning
Striking design helps the Sorento stand out on the road
Muscular, sleek and curvy—all in one
Looks are subjective, but the Kia Sorento is undeniably a good-looking mid-size SUV with well-balanced proportions. The 2021 redesign, paired with the 2024 tweaks, turned it into a real head-turner.
The Hyundai Santa Fe grabs attention with its bold, boxy styling, while the Volkswagen Atlas is chunky and commanding but keeps things simple.
The Toyota Highlander looks sharp and muscular, with sleek lines and flared fenders making it appear bigger than it really is. The Honda CR-V, on the other hand, is understated—angular, yet minimal in cuts and arches.
Kia also gives buyers more ways to style their SUV thanks to the X-Line and X-Pro packages, which dial up the rugged vibe. You get exclusive 17- or 20-inch wheels, LED fog lights, and unique bumpers and trim pieces.
The X-Pro SX Prestige AWD even rolls on all-terrain tires, so the Sorento can look the part when pavement turns to dirt.
Factor all that visual appeal into its low starting price, and it starts to feel like a steal. The 2026 Sorento really does come off as the underdog that outsmarts the pack.
