The all-new 2022 Kia Sorento is such a complete departure from the previous generation that you'd think it was built by a different company. With its mix of quality, practicality and available performance, the Sorento is an enticing option if you're looking for a small SUV with above-average versatility. Only the elevated price tag on the top-of-the-line model could be a deterrent.
X-Line appearance package now available on S and EX trim levels
Minor additions to standard features on certain trim levels
Part of the fourth Sorento generation introduced for 2021
What is the Sorento?
The Kia Sorento is a small SUV that is one of the few to offer three rows of seating. Fresh off a redesign for 2021, the current Sorento is more spacious and more bold on the outside with styling inspired by Kia's popular Telluride sibling. It offers four powertrain choices, including a hybrid and plug-in hybrid. (The plug-in hybrid model is slated to appear in late 2021 and will most likely be a 2022 model.) The Sorento also includes a number of standard features such as LED lighting, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen and lane departure mitigation.
The previous Sorento was ranked No. 1 in our small three-row SUV rankings, above the Volkswagen Tiguan and the Mitsubishi Outlander. While we haven't fully evaluated this fourth-generation Sorento yet, we expect it to maintain its high standing.
Edmunds says
This current-generation Sorento, redesigned last year, has become one of our favorite small SUVs. Unless you're looking for the plug-in hybrid model, we're not expecting any significant changes to the Sorento for 2022. Those who are ready to buy should consider the 2021 Kia Sorento.
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 $2.76 per gallon for regular unleaded in Kentucky.
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Kia Sorento from 2008-2022.
$448/yr
vs. $465/yr for Average Compact SUV
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).
0.96x/yr
vs. 1x/yr for Average Compact SUV
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).
12.2%
vs. 11.5% for Average Compact SUV
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
2021 Kia Sorento SX Prestige X-Line 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM)
I only have 2200 miles and my blind spot monitoring system went out and 3 days or so later the transmission failed...wouldn't switch to second gear without redlining. Engine light and service message came on and now it's been sitting in the Kia dealership lot for weeks because they are so backed up...stay far away from the 2021 Sorento.
My Kia Sorento S is a LEMON!!
1 out of 5 stars
Walterst, 07/12/2021
2021 Kia Sorento S 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A)
Long story short…..DON’T BUY A KIA!!!
I bought my brand new 2021 Kia Sorento S on May 1st. Not even a week after buying it, the brakes have been non stop squealing every time I brake. I took it in to have them look at it, the tech said he found nothing wrong with it, didn’t hear anything and lubed the brakes and they sent me on my way. Didn’t even get down the road and heard the … same squealing as soon as I left the lot. I immediately called them back and was scheduled another week out. A different tech looked at it and said that my car had 2 defective leaking front brake calipers (on a brand new car). They scheduled to have it serviced and they were both supposedly “replaced” only to drive it the next day to hear squealing once again. I called to let them know about the issue and they couldn’t even get me in for another 2 weeks just to look at it again…..I brought it in, they now say the back brakes are overheating for some reason and they don’t know why. So they said they were going to replace the brake pads and rotors. Well, this morning I go to start my car up with push to start, it acted like it didn’t want to start and hesitated….I think to myself “maybe that was just a one time thing”. Well as I drop my son off at daycare and begin my drive to work through Delaware, I notice the transmission is not wanting to shift and will not go into 3rd gear. If it does, it will jerk really hard and then rev up again. I get further down the road and it is very slow to accelerate and will not let me go past 40mph. You better believe after all the issues with the brakes I DROVE THAT CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM TO KEEP IT! I already have a case open with Kia consumer affairs and I’m in the process of requesting a buyback. As a mother and work a full time job I do not have the time to keep bringing a new car in to be serviced every week! When you buy a new car, you expect to not have these very issues! I have tried to be very patient and understanding but at this point I am just frustrated!!! Will never buy another Kia.
Electronic problems
2 out of 5 stars
Jose, 07/07/2021
2021 Kia Sorento S 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A)
Got the model S 2021, it's a nice looking SUV, nice leather seats and spacious, the moonroof is great. Also good mileage.
But, and this is a big one, the SUV is new and already had check engine light issues twice, the safety system shout down on my completely yesterday, lights turn on by themselves, the seat heating turns on by itself. The thing is going bananas. Why would I have to be … struggling like that with a car I just got 3 weeks ago? it's super annoying and now I regret buying it.
2021 Kia Sorento is Nice, BUT a sour Lemon
1 out of 5 stars
John L. Kearney III, 06/25/2021
2021 Kia Sorento SX Prestige X-Line 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM)
I traded my 2019 Kia Optima Sport in for a 2021 Kia Sorento SX X-Line Prestige AWD on 1/1/2021. 2 weeks ago tomorrow will make 2 weeks that my truck is in the shop. Walked outside one morning on my way to work. Started my truck up like normal and put it in drive. It wouldn't move. Put it in reverse. It wouldn't move. After about 15 minutes, it started driving. I work out of town and … depend on my vehicle. Took it to the shop, they dropped me off at work. They wouldn't even give me a loaner because they said they were out of then. I reserved a rental. Long story short, I ended up having to purchase a second vehicle because it didn't make sense to continue to pay put of pocket for a rental. But 13 days later, they say they need to replace a pump and if that doesn't work, then they will replace my transmission. On a 2021 Nice SUV that WASN'T CHEAP!??? Make it make sense! I loved Kia and I still think they're nice vehicles, but this will be my LAST Kia I purchase. The new Sorento's are nice, but please wait a few years before you buy this vehicle. From reading other reviews as of today, this body style has too many transmission issues.
12/25/21 update----My original post was above. It has been an ongoing mess with Kia motors company and a nightmare. To summarize and make a long story short, Kia originally had my truck in the shop literally for 4.5 months. I had to purchase a second vehicle because they didn't have any loaner vehicles. The replaced three transmissions while it was in the shop. I dealership could only do what they could, but I am really disgusted with the corporate office. They are so unprofessional and un-empathetic. I had to get the Attorney General office involved. When they "finally" said I could do the buy back option, that was Sept 9th when I completed and faxed back and confirmed they got my paperwork. They told me 60 days for buy back. Well....Danielle G, the escalated case manager who was working my case didn't get it turned in til the end of the month and told me the buy back would take place by end of November. I feel like she kept blowing smoke up me because she would give me the run around---ALL the time and that's when she answered the phone for me. Danielle G wouldn't answer or return my calls. I called her one day from my office phone (different area code) and SHE ANSWERED! I was so pissed. I nicely told I called from my personal number and she wouldn't answer, but when I call from a different area code, she's answers and SHE LAUGHED! I told her how unprofessional that was and she apologized. But as far as the truck, I ended up getting it back 4.5 months later...drove it for 2 weeks and it cut off on me. Got it to the dealership and they had it for another week. They called me to pick it up. I asked them what was wrong with it? They said that it wasn't throwing any codes that they needed to fix, so they reset the check engine light. Excuse me? You reset the check engine light because you couldn't figure out why it cut off? I told them to keep the truck until the buy back was over. I'm done with Kia. Actually, the dealership were the nice people out of this, but Kia motors corporate ain't worth a penny. I feel bad for other people who spend their hard earned money on this beautiful truck and once that transmission goes out, it's a done deal. The 3rd party company called Morley emailed me this week. I'm just awaiting the surrender date to give them my part of the buy back money and so I can be done with these folks. I know this may not make sense, but---as long as you don't need Kia's services other than routine maintenance, you'll probably be okay. But let something mess up and you'll be screwed. PLEASE SAVE YOURSELF AND JUST LEAVE KIA ALONE! I brought this $50k truck January 1st 2021 and it has been in the shop for over half the time that I've had it.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2022 Kia Sorento, so we've included reviews for other years of the Sorento since its last redesign.
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