2022 Kia Sorento

　　

Kia Sorento Video Shorts

by zzdcar Test Team

　　

2022 Kia Sorento Review

byCameron RogersManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　The 2022 Kia Sorento is a small SUV that is one of the few in its class to offer three rows of seating. In that sense it's an intriguing pick if you want something that's more versatile than Kia's Sportage small SUV but not as big or as expensive as the three-row midsize Telluride.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Kia Sorento LX 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$146/mo  for Sorento LX

　　Sorento LX

　　LX 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A) - $29,590 MSRPLX 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A) - $31,390 MSRPS 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A) (Most Popular) - $32,390 MSRPX-Line S 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A) - $34,390 MSRPEX 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) - $35,490 MSRPSX 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) - $38,290 MSRPSX 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) - $40,090 MSRPX-Line EX 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) - $39,190 MSRPSX Prestige 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) - $41,190 MSRPX-Line SX Prestige 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) - $43,190 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　Kia fully redesigned the Sorento for 2021, and the model's new styling is certainly inspired by its Telluride sibling. The Sorento offers four powertrain choices, including a hybrid and a new-for-2022 plug-in hybrid. Also this year, many trims gain additional equipment, such as the 10.25-inch touchscreen that now comes on all levels except the base model. Buyers looking for an affordable yet expressive SUV can now spec the spiffy X-Line appearance package further down the trim ladder. (It was previously only optional for the range-topping SX Prestige model.)

　　Overall, we give the 2022 Sorento high marks for its appealing mix of comfort, utility and value. Check out our Expert Rating below to read our test team's full report.

　　

What's it like to live with?

The Kia Sorento is the versatile, smaller sibling to our zzdcar Top Rated SUV, the Kia Telluride. How much does its lack of size and premium finish hurt it when used as a daily driver? We wanted to find out, so we added one to our long-term test fleet. Our Sorento is a 2021 model, but a lot of the advantages and drawbacks will hold true for the 2022 model as well. Check out our experiences with our 2021 Kia Sorento X-Line AWD here.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.2

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the Sorento drive? The Sorento with the optional turbocharged engine is downright quick for a small SUV. And it wasn't just the sprint to 60 mph in a mere 6.7 seconds that impressed us but also the way the power continues to build at higher speeds. For comparison, this Sorento is nearly 3 seconds faster than the similarly sized Volkswagen Tiguan and a tick faster than even the V6-powered Honda Passport. Highway merging as well as passing is not a problem in the Sorento. Just as impressive is the new eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which is capable of near seamless shifts in slow-moving traffic or full-throttle merging.

　　Slowing the Sorento can be done with confidence thanks to the nicely balanced and intuitive brake pedal. Stopping from 60 mph, the Sorento showed only a little nosedive and braked in just 121 feet, which is better than average for the class. Handling is similarly confidence-inspiring, but we wish for a little more accuracy in the steering.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Sorento? All three rows of seats provide better-than-expected comfort for a small SUV. The front seats on our top-of-the-line test vehicle offered heating, ventilation and a good range of adjustment. The second-row captain's chairs (a bench seat is standard on lower trim levels) were firm but more comfortable and supportive than bench seats found in other SUVs. The third-row seats are small and low to the floor but still offer enough support for adults. The dual-zone climate control is efficient and easy to use even if the touch-sensitive buttons aren't as responsive as traditional buttons.

　　Ride comfort isn't quite as impressive, and a steady stream of jitters heads into the cabin at lower speeds. The large 20-inch wheels of the Sorento we tested may have been the culprit, and their low-profile tires caused elevated road noise at freeway speeds. On the highway, the Sorento's ride is well controlled, imparting confidence and a sense of stability.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below