2019 Kia Sorento

The 3.3L GDI V6 is standard on six of the Sorento's eight 2019 trims (S, EX, EX Sport, SX, SX Limited, and optional on LX) and is scored as the representative configuration; the 2.4L I4 is the value-trim alternative.

Peak torque for the 3.3L V6, the volume powertrain, paired with a new-for-2019 8-speed automatic transmission.

Third-party instrumented testing of the V6 AWD Sorento; published figures for the 2019 model vary by trim and tester (roughly 7.2-8.8 sec across sources), reflecting a mid-pack but unhurried sprint for a mid-size 3-row SUV.

Reviewers found the V6 adequately smooth and quiet with enough power for confident merging and passing, a step up from the base 4-cylinder which was criticized as strained under load; no turbo lag or hybrid-transition roughness to contend with since the lineup is naturally aspirated gas only.

2019 introduced a new 8-speed automatic for V6 models (replacing the prior 6-speed), which reviewers noted shifted more smoothly and decisively than the outgoing unit, with only occasional hesitation under kickdown.

Maximum conventional towing rating across any 2019 Sorento configuration, achieved on V6 AWD trims when properly equipped with a tow package.

AWD is a $1,800 option on every trim except the base L, using a torque-on-demand system with a locking center differential rather than a more sophisticated terrain-mode setup — broad availability but basic operation.

Unibody crossover with modest 7.3 in ground clearance, no low-range transfer case, locking rear differential, or dedicated off-road trim/hardware — pavement-oriented with minimal off-road provision.

2019 offers only two naturally aspirated gas engines (2.4L I4 and 3.3L V6) with no turbo, hybrid, PHEV, or EV variant — the electrified Sorento lineup did not arrive until the following (2021) generation.

EPA-certified combined rating for the 3.3L V6 AWD, the volume V6 configuration scored across this category; the base 2.4L FWD does noticeably better at 25 MPG combined.

EPA city rating for the 3.3L V6 AWD configuration.

EPA highway rating for the 3.3L V6 AWD configuration.

EPA does not publish a range figure directly; estimated from the manufacturer-specified 18.8-gallon fuel tank (common to all 2019 Sorento trims) multiplied by the EPA combined rating for the V6 AWD configuration.

EPA's standard 15,000 mi/yr estimate at assumed fuel pricing for the 3.3L V6 AWD configuration.

Runs on regular unleaded (87 octane) across both engine options with no premium recommendation or requirement, keeping fuel cost straightforward for owners.

The 2019 Kia Sorento earned NHTSA's maximum 5-star overall crash-test rating.

All six IIHS crashworthiness tests (small overlap front driver/passenger, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, head restraints & seats) scored Good, and the Sorento earned Top Safety Pick+ when equipped with optional front crash prevention and LED headlights — but the volume LX/S trims run halogen headlights rated Poor, which keeps the base configuration just short of the award.

Kia's full driver-assist suite (forward collision warning, AEB, adaptive cruise, lane keep assist, driver attention warning, surround-view monitor) is new for 2019 but standard only on EX and above; the base L trim lacks even blind-spot monitoring, and volume LX/S trims get BSM/RCTA but not the rest.

IIHS rated the Sorento's optional front crash prevention system Superior for vehicle-to-vehicle avoidance (avoided collisions at both 12 and 25 mph) and Advanced for daytime pedestrian detection.

Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are standard on every 2019 Sorento trim except the base L, but the system is alert-only with no active steering or braking intervention.

Lane keep assist is a brand-new feature for the 2019 model year, standard on EX and above; as a first-generation implementation it is functional but unremarkable rather than praised for smoothness by reviewers.

Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability is standard on EX and above, but there is no combined highway-assist/lane-centering feature bundled with it in 2019 — Kia's Highway Driving Assist branding postdates this generation.

No hands-free highway driving system was offered on any 2019 Sorento trim; the ADAS suite tops out at adaptive cruise plus lane keep assist, both requiring hands on the wheel.

IIHS rated the LED projector headlights on SX Touring/SXL trims Good, but the halogen headlights fitted to L, LX, LX V6, EX V6 and base SX — covering the volume of the lineup — were rated Poor.

Slim front windshield pillars give good forward sightlines, but thicker rear roof pillars create blind zones that reviewers say make the driver reliant on blind-spot monitoring and the reversing camera — average visibility with some blind zones.

IIHS rated the Sorento's LATCH ease-of-use "Acceptable" (its second-highest tier) — lower anchors are easy to reach, but the top tether anchor for the middle rear seat can be mistaken for other hardware.

All 2019 Sorento trims, gas 2.4L I4 and 3.3L V6 alike, seat 7 with a three-row layout as standard — no 6- or 8-seat configuration was offered this generation.

Front headroom sits almost exactly mid-band for the SUV segment, unremarkable either way.

At 44.1 in, front legroom is near the top of the segment band — a genuine strength of the boxy third-generation Sorento cabin.

Second-row headroom of 39.3 in sits near the top of the SUV band, a benefit of the upright roofline shared across the facelifted third-generation Sorento.

Second-row legroom of 39.4 in is comfortably above the segment midpoint, aided by a second-row seat that slides for third-row access.

Third-row legroom of just 31.7 in and headroom of 36.3 in are tight even by class standards; reviewers consistently describe it as kid-only or short-trip-only seating for adults, though a slide/tumble second row eases access.

38.0 cu ft with the third row folded is toward the low end of the mid-size SUV band, a consequence of the compact overall footprint relative to bigger three-row rivals.

73.0 cu ft with both rear rows folded is a below-average figure for the segment, reflecting the Sorento's position as a slightly smaller mid-size three-row.

A deep center console, dual rapid-charge USB ports, and 40/20/40-split second row folding flat cover the basics competently, but nothing stands out as a segment innovation.

Front seats draw praise for all-day comfort and support, with heated seats standard from EX up; the tight, low-set third row is the clear weak point.

Reviewers consistently praise a plush, softly tuned suspension that absorbs road imperfections well around town while still controlling body motions on the highway.

Edmunds specifically calls out only mild wind and road noise intrusion for the class, a genuine strength versus segment norms.

Heated front seats arrive standard at EX, but ventilated front seats, heated second-row outboard seats, and a heated steering wheel are reserved for the SX Limited flagship — comfort tech present but concentrated at the top of the range.

2019 Sorento starts at the base L trim (2.4L 4-cyl, FWD only); third-row seating became standard on every trim for 2019.

LX V6 AWD is the representative high-volume configuration for the 2019 Sorento — the V6/AWD combination most family buyers chose for the standard third row and 5,000 lb tow rating.

CarEdge's 5-year maintenance-and-repair estimate for the Sorento nameplate; RepairPal's independently-derived average annual repair cost of $533 (≈$2,665 over 5 years) corroborates the same range for the 2019 model specifically.

Depreciation estimates for the Sorento cluster around 48–57% loss over 5 years depending on source and trim; splitting the difference gives roughly 47% retention, slightly below the midsize-SUV category average of ~53.7% retention.

Standard Kia basic warranty for 2019, matching the segment norm.

Kia's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty for the original owner is best-in-class and a segment standout versus the typical 5-year/60,000-mile rival coverage.

No complimentary scheduled maintenance was included for 2019, but the 5-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance plan (17,000+ provider network) and a complimentary UVO eServices Lite telematics trial add real value beyond the bare warranty — placing it in the 'basic roadside only' band rather than the top tier.

$34,085 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (47% retained, or about $16,020) leaves about $18,065 in depreciation. Add the projected $2,736 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $20,801 in total.

The 2019 model year carried an excellent predicted-reliability rating heading into its final third-generation year, and it is the same model-year cohort that later topped J.D. Power's 3-year Vehicle Dependability Study — a strong, corroborated signal for this exact car.

Kia was already the highest-ranked mass-market brand in J.D. Power's Initial Quality Study for multiple consecutive years by 2019, and the exact 2019 model-year fleet went on to give Kia the overall #1 spot (ahead of every luxury brand) in J.D. Power's 2022 Vehicle Dependability Study.

Two NHTSA recalls have been filed against the 2019 Sorento specifically: a rearview-camera water-intrusion recall (SC282, >95,000 units, display can fail) and a tow-hitch wiring-harness recall (SC249/22V703) where debris/moisture accumulation could create a fire risk on vehicles fitted with the factory tow package. Neither is a core-powertrain or airbag/steering campaign, but the harness fire risk is a genuine safety defect, so this sits at typical-but-not-clean rather than top tier; separately, TSBs address 8-speed automatic (V6 trims) shift-quality software updates.

The volume LX/EX trim's standard 2.4L four-cylinder paired with a conventional 6-speed automatic is a long-serving, well-proven Kia/Hyundai powertrain combination with no systemic failure pattern; the new-for-2019 8-speed automatic paired with the optional V6 (SX/SX Limited only) drew owner reports of hesitation and rough shifting, but that unit is not part of the scored volume-trim configuration.

Reviewers were positive about upper-trim cabin materials (soft-touch surfaces, upgraded leather choices), but noted the LX-level cabin shares switchgear and lower-grade surfaces with cheaper Kia models — competitive for a mainstream mid-size SUV rather than class-leading at the volume-trim level.

No widespread panel-gap or assembly complaints surfaced in owner or press reviews for the 2019 model year; scattered owner reports of drivetrain-related roughness (tied to the 8-speed automatic on V6 trims) rather than build-quality defects, consistent with solid but unremarkable initial-quality standing for a mainstream mid-size SUV.

Kia's roughly 800-dealer US network in 2019 gave adequate nationwide coverage, but Kia has historically trailed the industry average in J.D. Power's dealer service-satisfaction studies even as its vehicle-quality scores led the mainstream segment — a gap between product and service-experience reputation.

As a high-volume mainstream nameplate sharing a platform and many components with the Hyundai Santa Fe, parts are widely stocked and reasonably priced relative to luxury-segment rivals, though Kia's aftermarket support is less extensive than long-established mainstream leaders like Toyota or Honda.

The volume EX V6 trim carries the standard 7-inch UVO touchscreen; only the top SX and SX Limited trims step up to the 8-inch navigation unit.

The UVO interface of this generation is functional with reasonably logical menus but noticeably dated graphics and response times next to newer rivals' systems.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across every 2019 Sorento trim from L to SX Limited, but only via a wired USB connection — wireless projection was not offered on any trim this model year.

Native navigation with SiriusXM traffic is limited to the 8-inch UVO eServices system on SX/SX Limited only; voice command is basic and most owners default to phone-projected navigation instead.

The base speaker system is adequate but unremarkable; the optional/standard-on-SX 10-speaker Harman Kardon system with Clari-Fi is a genuine step up, though it doesn't reach the segment's best.

A small 7-inch TFT display within an otherwise analog gauge cluster is standard on EX and above, giving trip/media/safety readouts but stopping well short of a fully configurable digital cluster.

2019 predates Kia's OTA software-update era; UVO eServices is a cellular telematics/infotainment layer with no vehicle-wide software update capability.

The UVO eServices app supports remote lock/unlock, remote start with climate preconditioning, and vehicle locate, but functionality was inconsistently rolled out and some owners report regional or hardware-dependent limitations.

Dual rapid-charge USB ports are standard from LX up, but a Qi wireless charging pad is reserved for the SX Limited flagship rather than being broadly available.

Proximity keyless entry and push-button start arrive at EX and above, with a hands-free power liftgate also standard from EX up; base L/LX trims retain a conventional key.

A rearview camera is standard across the line and front parking sensors are added on SX, but no surround-view/360-degree camera system is confirmed as available this model year — a segment-average showing rather than a strength.

No head-up display was offered on any 2019 Sorento trim, including the SX Limited flagship.

Wide door openings and a 40/20/40 second row that slides for access help with day-to-day loading, but IIHS rated LATCH ease-of-use only 'Acceptable' rather than 'Good,' citing anchor hardware that can be confused with nearby fittings.

The 2019 Sorento earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+ with Good ratings across all six crashworthiness tests and Superior front crash prevention, but that top award requires the optional AEB/LED headlight combination, and the full ADAS suite (forward collision warning, AEB, lane keep assist, driver attention warning) is standard only from EX up, not on base L/LX family-budget trims.

Roomy front and second-row seating with a quiet, comfortable ride cover a family of four well on long trips, but the cramped third row and below-average cargo volume behind the second row limit it once every seat and the trunk are both needed.

Reviewers describe agreeable, balanced steering and handling with a comfortable, low-fatigue ride around town — an easy, unremarkable daily driver.

The volume 3.3L V6 returns only 19-21 city / 24-26 highway mpg (FWD/AWD), well behind the four-cylinder crossovers and hybrid rivals it competes with on running costs, and even the base 2.4L (22/29 mpg) is mid-pack at best.

A 37.2-37.3 ft turning diameter is mid-pack for the segment, and a standard rearview camera helps, but the lack of a confirmed surround-view system on any trim leaves visibility aids a step behind class leaders.

Max towing of 5,000 lbs is achievable only on V6 AWD models with the tow package, dropping to 3,500 lbs V6 FWD and 2,000-2,500 lbs on the base 2.4L — usable for light trailers but well short of dedicated work-hauler capability, and there is no bed or cargo-box utility since it's a crossover.

Kia backs the Sorento with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and the naturally aspirated V6/I4 lineup has no forced-induction complexity to add risk, but the brand lacks the fleet/commercial duty reputation of Toyota or Honda rivals in this class.

As a crossover with no bed and no dedicated work trim, the Sorento offers only standard cargo tie-down hooks and a household-style cargo area — no onboard power inverter, rack/upfit ecosystem, or washable work-oriented surfaces.

A quiet cabin and comfortable front/second-row seats support long highway stints, and the V6's roughly 18.5-gal tank at 24-26 mpg highway gives a usable ~440-480 mile highway range; driver-assist tech that eases fatigue (adaptive cruise) is standard only from EX up.

AWD is a widely available option with a locking center differential for slippery surfaces, but 7.3 in of ground clearance and no low-range gearing or terrain modes cap it to light gravel/snow duty rather than genuine off-pavement adventuring.

Standard roof rails, an available tow hitch/wiring package, and 40/20/40 (2nd row) plus 50/50 (3rd row) split-folding seats give solid everyday flexibility for gear, though the below-average max cargo volume (73.0 cu ft) limits bulky-item hauling versus larger three-row rivals.

Reviewers found the Sorento fairly composed in performance handling with wallow and roll kept in check, though it trails more overtly athletic three-row rivals like the Mazda CX-9 in outright engagement.

Steering is described as balanced and predictable rather than overly light or numb, but it delivers little genuine road feedback — competent and unremarkable.

Edmunds notes braking remains agreeable alongside steering and handling, with no reports of fade or notably long stops for the class.

The new-for-2019 8-speed automatic paired with the 3.3L V6 shifts more smoothly and decisively than the outgoing 6-speed, and the naturally aspirated V6 has no turbo lag or hybrid-transition roughness to manage.

The V6 is adequately smooth and quiet under normal driving per contemporary reviews, with the base 2.4L noted as coarser and strained under load — the volume V6 configuration is the more refined of the two.

A curb-to-curb turning diameter of roughly 37.2-37.3 ft is mid-pack for the mid-size SUV segment — neither notably tight nor cumbersome.

A commanding, SUV-typical seating position with good outward visibility and straightforward control layout makes the Sorento easy to settle into, without any standout adjustability features.

The Sorento is a competent, comfortable family hauler rather than an engaging one — reviewers frame its dynamics as adequate and unremarkable rather than enjoyable in their own right.

The 2019 refresh made third-row seating standard on every trim (previously optional), and even the base L includes a rearview camera, 7-inch touchscreen, and full active-safety-lite kit rivals often reserve for higher trims — a genuine step above segment norms at the entry price.

Consumer Reports and U.S. News both singled out the Sorento's price-to-content ratio, and it won a dedicated 'best for the money' award for 2019 among midsize SUVs — a clear standout on feature-per-dollar versus the Highlander/Pilot/Traverse set it competes with.

Seven trims (L, LX, LX V6, S V6, EX V6, EX Sport V6, SX V6, SX Limited V6) spanning $26,290–$46,490, with both 4-cylinder/FWD and V6/AWD combinations, gives buyers a genuinely wide, well-spaced ladder from budget to loaded.

The Sorento was Kia's best-selling SUV nameplate in the US and a steady mid-pack performer in the crowded midsize-SUV field, but it trailed segment volume leaders like the Toyota Highlander and Jeep Grand Cherokee through 2019 — solid, not a leader or a laggard.

Kia's brand image in 2019 was solidly mainstream and improving (post-warranty-driven reputation gains) but not yet aspirational — neutral perception that neither helps nor hurts resale versus Toyota/Honda equivalents.

Kia dealers routinely offered meaningful cash incentives and low-APR financing on the Sorento to keep it moving against higher-volume rivals, without the desperation-level discounting that would signal a truly weak seller.

2019 is the final model year of the third generation (2016 gen-start) before the all-new fourth-generation Sorento arrived for MY2021 — a light mid-cycle refresh (standard third row, new 8-speed automatic with the V6) on an aging platform with a redesign already imminent.

Consumer Reports rated the 2019 Sorento favorably for ride comfort and refinement, and it won U.S. News' 2019 Best 3-Row SUV for the Money — solid, repeated recognition, though it wasn't the class-comparison winner over the Highlander/Telluride-class leaders.