The 2025 Kia Sorento remains a solid offering in the competitive midsize SUV category for its practicality, style, technology and excellent value. The Sorento is available with traditional, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, is offered in a wide range of trims to suit varying budgets and lifestyles, and comes standard with a third row.
Base Price: $47,390
As Tested: $50,395
Horsepower: 281
Mileage: 20 mpg city/27 mpg highway/23 mpg combined
The Sorento fits in the Kia line-up between the smaller Sportage and bigger Telluride. The Sorento got redesigned for the 2021 model year and has had a number of tweaks since then. The Sorento gets just minor updates for 2025.
The 2025 Sorento comes in numerous trims. The gas-powered version is offered in LX, S, EX, SX, and SX Prestige. There are also X-Line EX, X-Line SX, X-Line SX Prestige, and X-Pro SX Prestige variants. Starting prices range from $31,990 to $47,390. ($48,835).
The 2025 Sorento has room for six or seven passengers, depending on whether you get captain’s chairs in the second row.
Front-wheel drive is standard on the LX trim and all-wheel drive is not an option on this trim. AWD is available on the S, EX and SX trims, and standard on the SX Prestige as well as the X-Line EX, X-Line SX, X-Line SX Prestige, and X-Pro SX Prestige variants.
The 2025 Sorento Hybrid comes in two trims: EX and SX Prestige. Starting prices are $38,690 and $46,890, respectively. The 2025 Sorento Plug-in Hybrid comes in two trims: EX and SX Prestige. Starting prices are $47,990 and $53,090, respectively. These will be reviewed separately.
The exterior looks modern with clean lines and a slightly more rugged appearance. The X-Pro trim adds additional towing capacity (up to 4,000 pounds) and some off-road capability with lockable all-wheel drive, 17-inch wheels, BF Goodrich all-terrain tires, underbody armor, and exclusive paint options including Roadrider Brown and Jungle Green.
The standard engine on the gas-powered LX and S trims is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 191 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The upper trims come standard with a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four that produces 281 horses and 311 pound-feet, mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Either engine is fine for daily driving, but the base engine can feel underpowered when the Sorento is filled with passengers and cargo. The turbo provides quicker acceleration and more power – in fact, the Sorento feels peppy with this powerplant. However, the dual-clutch transmission can feel clunky at low speeds but works seamlessly in changing gears at faster speeds. The ride is smooth and comfortable, as you’d hope for in a family hauler. Steering is light, and the Sorento is easy to drive in busy city traffic and tight parking lots. All in all, handling is decent for a midsize SUV.
Fuel economy is excellent for the class. EPA ratings for my AWD test vehicle are 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway with a combined rating of 23. I got 24 mpg during my week with a mix of city and highway driving.
The cabin is attractive and well-appointed with a thoughtful design. Even the lower trims feel upscale with quality materials. Leg- and headroom in the first two rows are generous. The third row is tight and best suited for kids or smaller adults. Entry-level trims include a 4.0-inch gauge cluster, while premium models upgrade to a fully digital 12.3-inch driver display. All trims get a large 12.3-inch touchscreen.
Standard features include remote start, remote keyless entry, proximity keyless entry, push-button start, rearview camera, cloth upholstery, 4.3-inch digital information display, infotainment system with 12.3-inch touchscreen, six-speaker audio system, HD Radio, satellite radio, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, five USB ports, voice recognition, automatic high-beam headlights
Available features include a surround-view camera system, dual-zone automatic climate control, auto-dimming rearview mirror, rear-camera mirror, synthetic leather upholstery, real leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, 12-speaker Bose audio system, navigation, wireless device charging, Wi-Fi hot spot, rear-seat dual-screen entertainment system, two second-row USB ports, 115-volt household-style power outlet, universal garage door opener, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a panoramic sunroof.
Standard driver assistance technologies include forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, stop-and-go automatic cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, intersection assist (uses cameras and radar to detect potential collisions when turning left or right at an intersection or crossing one), pedestrian and cyclist detection, traffic-sign recognition, rear cross-traffic alert, parallel-exit assist (warns you of traffic approaching from the rear when you’re pulling out of a parallel-parking spot), driver-attention monitoring, safe exit assist (stops the vehicle doors from opening if sensors detect another vehicle approaching from behind), and rear-seat alert.
Available driver assistance technologies include Highway Driving Assist (adaptive cruise control with lane centering), blind-spot camera (displays video feed of the vehicle’s blind spot when the driver activates the turn signal), evasive-steering assist (helps steer the vehicle to avoid a crash) and front and rear parking sensors.
The infotainment looks great with its large 12.3-inch touchscreen and crisp graphics. It’s user-friendly with menus that are sensibly arranged, and the system responds promptly to inputs. Updates can be done over the air.
Cargo space is decent for a three-row crossover. There are 12.6 cubes behind the third row, 38.5 cubes with the third row folded, and 75.5 cubes with the second and third rows folded.
The good:
Multiple powertrain and trim options
Available with AWD
Excellent value for the money
Upscale cabin
Long list of standard and available features and tech
Standard third row
User-friendly infotainment system
Standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
The not-so-good:
Base engine can feel underpowered
Clunky dual-clutch transmission
Tight third row
Pricing info:
My X-Pro SX-Prestige tester starts at $47,390. Dawning Red Paint is $495. Olive Brown Leather Package is $295. All weather floor mats are $255. Carpeted floor mats are $225. Cargo cover is $200. Carpet cargo mat with seatback protection is $120. The destination fee is $1,415 bringing the grand total to $50,395.
Bottom line:
The 2025 Kia Sorento stands out in the crowded midsize SUV segment. It offers a compelling combination of multiple powertrain options, an upscale cabin with three rows of seating, and a wealth of standard features—all at a competitive price. While the Sorento isn’t the most powerful or spacious midsize SUV, its versatility and value make it an excellent choice.
