2025 Kia Sorento Review

The Sorento sits as the company’s largest conventional SUV without upgrading to the high-priced, battery-electric EV9, with a range of petrol, diesel and hybrid engine options on offer for buyers.

For 2025, the Kia Sorento enters the fray with an unchanged lineup that includes everything from a value-packed base model to a super fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid range-topper.

Just how well does the Kia Sorento hold up as a practical, seven-seater SUV and take the fight to its rivals? Let’s take a closer look at the range to find out.

Kia Sorento Competition

How Much Does the MY25 Kia Sorento Cost?

Prices for the MY25 Kia Sorento range kick off from $50,880 for the entry-level Sorento S Petrol and stretch out to $84,660 for the range-topping Sorento GT-Line PHEV.

Prices for the full MY25 Kia Sorento range can be found below.

• Sorento S Petrol FWD - $50,880

• Sorento Sport Petrol FWD - $53,500

• Sorento S Diesel AWD - $53,880

• Sorento Sport Diesel AWD - $56,500

• Sorento Sport+ Petrol FWD - $58,430

• Sorento Sport+ Diesel AWD - $61,430

• Sorento GT-Line Petrol FWD - $65,790

• Sorento GT-Line Diesel AWD - $68,790

• Sorento GT-Line HEV FWD - $70,330

• Sorento GT-Line HEV AWD - $73,330

• Sorento GT-Line PHEV AWD - $84,660

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Kia Sorento GT-Line HEV AWD Specifications

What Features & Specs Does the Kia Sorento Have?

Kia’s entry-level Sorento S range comes riding on a set of 17-inch alloys and receives LED headlights with LED daytime running lamps, adaptive cruise control, cloth upholstery with a leatherette steering wheel, keyless entry & start, a TFT instrument cluster, a rear-view camera with front & rear parking sensors, wheel-mounted paddle shifters and a full-sized spare tyre.

Stepping up to the Sorento Sport lineup adds a set of 18-inch alloys, dual-zone climate control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, a power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, third row air vents and Kia’s highway driving assist system.

The Sorento Sport+ range adds a set of 19-inch alloys, LED tail lights, leather upholstery with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, alloy scuff plates, second and third-row USB chargers, black gloss interior highlights and heated side mirrors.

Finally, Kia’s range-topping Sorento GT-Line comes riding on 20-inch alloys and picks up projector LED headlights, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, head-up display, a panoramic sunroof, quilted Nappa leather upholstery with heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a suede headliner, ambient lighting, a digital rear-view mirror, wireless smartphone charger and a surround-view monitor alongside some added safety equipment.

Kia Sorento Connectivity & Infotainment Features

Kia packages all members of the MY25 Sorento lineup with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system sitting atop the dashboard.

Kia’s infotainment system is a great piece of kit, offering a clear, bright and responsive display that is user-friendly to operate.

Base models have AM/FM and DAB+ digital radio bundled in alongside a seven-speaker sound system. 

Upgrading to the Sorento Sport range adds satellite navigation into the mix, while the Sport+ and GT-Line receive a 12-speaker sound system courtesy of BOSE.

The MY25 Sorento range also picks up a seven-year subscription to the company’s Kia Connect suite, which offers remote vehicle controls, location tracking, real-time traffic updates with connected navigation, a valet parking mode and a voice assistant.

Does the Kia Sorento Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

Potential buyers will be pleased to know that a recent update has seen all members of the Kia Sorento lineup pick up wireless smartphone connectivity for both iOS and Android users.

That means that everything from the entry-level Sorento S through to the range-topping GT-Line receives wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity via the Sorento’s 12.3-inch infotainment system.

Is the Kia Sorento Comfortable to Drive?

Kia has done a great job with the Sorento, positioning it as a comfortable and particularly user-friendly large SUV.

For such a large package, the Sorento is approachable thanks to its lightweight steering while Kia’s local suspension tuning means it can confidently tackle anything from a run around town to a long-distance trip in comfort.

Under the bonnet, Kia gives Sorento buyers a choice of four engines, including a hybrid and plug-in hybrid at the pointy end of the lineup.

The entry-level Sorento petrol range is powered by a meaty 3.5-litre V6 petrol unit that pushes out 200kW of power and 332Nm of torque to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. 

There’s also a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel unit that produces 148kW of power and 440Nm which is available with an all-wheel-drive system and a snappy eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Buyers also have the option of Kia’s Sorento HEV, which pairs a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with an electric motor producing a combined 169kW of power and 350Nm of torque with the option of both front-wheel and all-wheel drive systems.

Finally, the range-topping Sorento plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is powered by the same 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol paired with an electric motor and a larger 14kWh battery pack, powering all four wheels via a six-speed transmission.

Whichever engine you opt for, the Sorento remains a smooth and refined package to drive around town, though its large footprint means you’ll need to be careful while parking.

That said, it’s a particularly well-rounded package when you take it out of the urban jungle and put the Sorento on some rougher country roads where Kia’s local development program has really paid dividends in terms of versatility.

Is the Kia Sorento Fuel Efficient?

As you might imagine, the best fuel economy figures you can get in the Sorento range are on offer in the HEV hybrid and the plug-in hybrid flagship.

That said, Kia’s turbo-diesel unit is also pretty fuel-efficient when you consider it’s an all-wheel drive platform only, with the V6 petrol unit remaining by far the thirstiest engine option.

On a combined cycle, the Sorento V6 petrol is rated at 9.7L/100km, which drops to 6.1L per 100km in the case of the Sorento diesel range.

Buyers stepping up to the Sorento HEV Hybrid can expect to see fuel economy figures between 5.4 - 5.7L/100km for front-wheel and all-wheel drive variants, respectively.

If you’re after the best fuel economy figures in the Sorento range, with a fully-charged battery pack, Kia says the plug-in hybrid range-topper sips just 1.6L/100km on a combined cycle, though this figure will climb considerably north once the battery is depleted.

• Sorento V6 Petrol: 9.7L/100km

• Sorento Diesel: 6.1L/100km

• Sorento HEV Hybrid: 5.4 - 5.7L/100km (FWD vs AWD)

• Sorento PHEV: 1.6L/100km

Is the Kia Sorento Practical and Spacious?

Designed with families in mind, the Kia Sorento ticks all the important boxes when it comes to interior space and clever practical touches.

Climb aboard and you’ll be pleased to find a huge amount of headroom thanks to the Sorento’s tall cabin, with solid marks for forward and side visibility.

There are, however, some particularly bulky C-pillars that eat up rear visibility.

That said, all of the Sorento’s ergonomics are particularly strong, with a fully adjustable steering rack and soft finishes for all the essential touchpoints that your elbows might find.

The Sorento’s seats are cloth upholstered in base form, though the centre console and dashboard design remains much the same as more premium versions, meaning you’re still treated to a clean, modern design.

With the help of Kia’s 12.3-inch infotainment system paired with a TFT instrument cluster, even the entry-level Sorento S’ cabin looks sleek and particularly well-equipped in terms of tech.

Climbing up higher in the range adds quilted Nappa leather upholstery and special touches like a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster which bolsters the Sorento’s appeal with more premium and tech-savvy buyers.

In terms of storage, the Kia Sorento performs well.

There’s a large central console that houses a pair of cupholders, added real estate inside the large folding armrest, a tray sitting behind the gear selector, a glovebox and large bottle holders inside the door sills.

Move to the second row of the Sorento’s cabin and things are plenty spacious for adults to sit back here without much of an issue.

The Sorento’s second row can recline, as well as slide back and forth on a set of rails, while a folding armrest with cupholders and large door bins make light work of family duties.

The Sorento’s second-row seats fold forward with a touch of a button, providing relatively easy access to the third-row which is best suited to smaller kids, but ticks all the important boxes for a seven-seat SUV package.

For the parents out there, the Sorento is packaged with ISOFIX anchors in both the second and third rows of the cabin, bringing its total child seat capacity to four.

How Big is the Kia Sorento’s Boot?

The Kia Sorento rounds out its particularly family-friendly offering with a healthy amount of boot space.

With three rows of seats standing in a seven-seat format, the Kia Sorento’s boot measures 179L, accommodating a moderate run to the shops or a collection of school bags.

Fold the third row down in a five-seat layout and you’ve got 608L worth of real estate, making light work of bulkier items, with a maximum of 1,996L of cargo space on offer with both rows folded down.

Under the floor, you’ll find a full-sized spare tyre which is a great addition for buyers.

• Sorento Boot Space Minimum: 608L

• Sorento Boot Space Maximum: 1,996L

Is the Kia Sorento Safe?

Kia packages the Sorento range with a long list of active safety tech, though some features are reserved for the range-topping GT-Line.

As standard, all members of the Sorento family come packaged with autonomous emergency braking with vehicle, pedestrian and cyclist detection as well as junction assistance.

The Sorento range also picks up adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist with lane centring, rear cross-traffic alerts, driver attention alerts, a rear-view camera with front & rear parking sensors, safe exit alerts, tyre pressure monitoring and speed limit assist.

Upgrading to the Sorento GT-Line range adds a surround-view monitor with side parking sensors, a remote smart parking assist system, a blind-spot view monitor, electronic child locks and safe exit assist.

Does the Kia Sorento Have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

The Kia Sorento has been awarded top marks from ANCAP, securing a five-star safety rating in its 2020 testing with the following marks.

• Adult Occupant Protection: 92%

• Child Occupant Protection: 85%

• Vulnerable Road User Protection: 63%

• Safety Assist: 89%

What Warranty Does the Kia Sorento Come With?

Kia continues to offer one of the best warranty programs within the segment, packaging the Sorento lineup with a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty.

Buyers opting for the Sorento HEV or PHEV also pick up a seven-year/150,000-kilometre warranty for the battery and high-voltage components.

Service intervals for the Sorento V6 petrol and diesel engines stand at 12 months or 15,000-kilometres, dropping to 10,000-kilometres in the case of both the Sorento HEV Hybrid and the PHEV flagship.

Prices for seven years worth of capped-price servicing for the MY25 Sorento range can be found below.

• Sorento Petrol: $3,754

• Sorento Diesel: $3,795

• Sorento HEV Hybrid 2WD: $4,552

• Sorento HEV Hybrid AWD: $5,353

• Sorento PHEV AWD: $5,353 

Our Verdict: Is the Kia Sorento Worth it?

If you’re looking for a super practical family SUV, there’s a lot to like about the Kia Sorento range.

It’s well-mannered on the road and offers a particularly spacious cabin that makes light-work of a family of seven, proving itself as a great family SUV.

While the flagship PHEV version is undeniably pricey, the wide-sprawling Sorento range ticks all of the important boxes across a range of price points, including a base model packed with equipment and a handsome technology suite.

As a result, we think that no large SUV shortlist is complete without a close inspection of the Kia Sorento lineup.

On that note, if you’re looking to get the best deal on your next car, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying experts.

Five Kia Sorento Specs You Need to Know

1. Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty

2. Seven-year/150,000km warranty for hybrid battery

3. Five-star ANCAP safety rating (tested 2020)

4. 179 - 608 - 1996L boot space

5. Seven-seat layout with four ISOFIX anchor points