2023 Kia Sorento

Combined system output of the 1.6L turbo-four plus 44-kW motor, carried over unchanged into 2023, the last pre-facelift year of the fourth generation.

Combined torque of the hybrid system, unchanged for 2023.

Aggregated figures for the carry-over 1.6T hybrid cluster between 7.2 and 7.6 s; 7.4 s is the central estimate for the volume trim.

The turbo-hybrid is punchy and generally smooth, with mostly seamless gas/electric handoffs, though reviewers note a slight delay off the line.

A conventional 6-speed automatic instead of a CVT gives decisive, natural-feeling shifts versus rubber-band rival hybrids, with occasional low-speed hesitation while blending power sources.

The Hybrid's tow rating stays at 2,000 lbs across the fourth-generation years, far below the 3,500 lbs of the turbo-gas Sorento.

AWD is optional on the Hybrid S and EX trims, but FWD is standard and there is no low range or dedicated terrain hardware on the hybrid.

Unibody crossover with about 6.9 in of ground clearance and no skid plates, lockers or off-road trim on the hybrid; the X-Line/X-Pro trims are gas-only.

Four distinct powertrains for 2023: 2.5L gas, 2.5T gas, the 1.6T hybrid scored here, and the 1.6T plug-in hybrid.

EPA combined rating for the volume FWD Hybrid; the 2023 AWD Hybrid is rated 34 MPG, down from 35 for 2022.

EPA city rating for the volume FWD Hybrid.

EPA highway rating for the volume FWD Hybrid.

Full-tank range computed from the 17.7-gal tank and EPA combined MPG.

EPA estimated annual fuel cost at 15,000 mi/yr for the volume FWD Hybrid.

Runs on regular unleaded with no premium requirement.

NHTSA rates the 2023 Sorento HEV 4 stars overall in both FWD and AWD form, one star below the 5-star result it earned for 2024. Frontal crash and rollover are both 4 stars; side crash is 5.

Every crashworthiness result is Good: small overlap on both the driver and passenger side, the original moderate overlap test, roof strength, and head restraints. The 2023 Top Safety Pick only applies to vehicles with the SX-trim LED projector headlights, though, so the volume Hybrid EX, with its Poor-rated headlights, does not qualify. The updated moderate overlap test, which checks rear-passenger protection, has no Good result on record.

The volume Hybrid EX comes standard with forward collision-avoidance with pedestrian detection and junction turning, Lane Keeping and Lane Following Assist, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, Safe Exit Assist, and Smart Cruise Control with stop-and-go plus Highway Driving Assist. The camera aids (surround view and blind-spot view monitor) and parking collision avoidance are held back for the SX-Prestige.

IIHS rates vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention Superior on both the standard and the optional system. Daytime pedestrian detection is Superior with the FCA-JT system fitted on EX and above, but only Advanced with the base system. There is no nighttime pedestrian rating, and the 2023 car predates the tougher vehicle-to-vehicle 2.0 test the 2024 passed.

Blind-spot collision avoidance and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, both with active braking, are standard, along with Safe Exit Assist and rear automatic braking. The Blind-Spot View Monitor camera is limited to the SX-Prestige.

Lane Keeping Assist and Lane Following Assist centering are standard, and Highway Driving Assist on the EX adds highway centering. Reviewers find it smooth and unobtrusive on well-marked roads, with some wander on faded lines and tight curves.

Full-speed-range Smart Cruise Control with stop-and-go and first-generation Highway Driving Assist are standard on the volume EX, and reviewers call them smooth and well integrated. The system lacks the machine-learning cruise added for 2024 and the HDA2 automatic lane change.

No trim offers hands-free highway driving. Highway Driving Assist is a hands-on system that warns and then switches off when the driver lets go of the wheel.

IIHS rates the LED projector headlights on the SX, SX-Prestige and Hybrid SX-Prestige Good, but the lamps on the other trims, including the volume Hybrid EX, Poor. Standard high-beam assist does not make up the gap.

The upright, boxy greenhouse and large side windows give good natural sightlines. The thick rear pillars leave a blind zone over the shoulder, and the surround-view and blind-spot cameras are SX-Prestige only, not on the volume EX.

LATCH is available in both the second and third rows with easy-to-find top tethers. IIHS still rates ease of use only Acceptable because the lower anchors sit deep in the seat bight, and the rear door openings are modest.

Both 2023 hybrid trims seat six; the 7-seat bench is gas LX/S only.

Generous front headroom for the class.

Front legroom is below the mid-size norm.

Roomy second-row headroom.

Second-row legroom is excellent for a compact-footprint three-row SUV; Kia lists the hybrid 1 in shorter than the gas model.

The third row (29.6 in legroom, 36.8 in headroom) is kids-only; CR says it is too cramped for adults, making it effectively a four-adult vehicle.

Cargo space behind the second row is modest for a mid-size SUV.

Max cargo trails larger three-row rivals.

Competitive everyday storage — console bin, door pockets, wireless-charger tray, underfloor cargo tray — plus a 115V inverter on SX-P; nothing standout.

CR praises wide, supportive front seats; EX gains an 8-way power passenger seat for 2023 and 2nd-row captain's chairs are comfortable; third row is not.

The hybrid rides notably more calmly than the stiff, jumpy gas Sorento.

Quiet cabin thanks to electric launch and a turbo engine that rarely revs high.

Heated front seats and tri-zone-capable climate on EX; ventilated fronts, heated 2nd row and heated wheel reserved for SX-P.

2023 is the third model year of the fourth-generation Sorento, a carry-over before the MY2024 facelift. The gas LX is still one of the cheapest three-row mid-size SUVs. For 2023 Kia dropped the Hybrid S, so the hybrid line now starts at the EX.

This scorecard covers the hybrid. The EX FWD is its volume configuration: it is the cheapest hybrid trim for 2023 and has the best EPA rating. It costs $1,141 more than the 2022 EX FWD.

The estimates disagree widely. CarEdge's nameplate-wide figure is low, while the hybrid-specific Edmunds/KBB projections for adjacent years are much higher. This figure is a midpoint that leans toward the hybrid-specific data, and it matches the neighbouring 2024 scorecard. Kia's 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty covers most repairs inside the window.

KBB's measured 3-year figure shows the EX has kept about 62% of its value. This projection assumes it loses about 6–7 points of MSRP per year from here, which gives roughly 49% at five years. That fits between the 2022 (52%) and 2024 (46%) Sorento Hybrid scorecards and the nameplate-wide iSeeCars figure of about 52%.

Kia's 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty covers the whole 2023 lineup, including the hybrid, and beats the mainstream 3-year/36,000-mile norm.

This is the segment benchmark, and it also covers the hybrid's high-voltage battery. The full 10-year term applies only to the original owner.

Kia includes 5-year/60,000-mile 24-hour roadside assistance and a Kia Connect trial. It has no nationwide complimentary scheduled-maintenance program, unlike Toyota's ToyotaCare or Hyundai's 3-year/36k plan, so it sits in the 'basic roadside only' band.

$37,885 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (49% retained, or about $18,564) leaves about $19,321 in depreciation. Add the projected $5,500 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $24,821 in total.

Consumer Reports rates the 2023 Sorento Hybrid about average for its model year, and J.D. Power gives the 2023 Sorento a 'Great' 81/100 for quality and reliability. The two sources broadly agree, which puts it in the middle-upper part of the average band. It is also a carry-over year before the 2024 facelift, so it has none of that facelift's early-build risk.

Kia sits solidly in the middle of the pack or a little above it, but it is not a top-5 brand. It runs modestly better than the industry average in recent J.D. Power VDS results and around the middle of the mainstream brands in Consumer Reports' brand rankings.

One campaign in the feed covers the 2023 Sorento Hybrid by name: 23V610, broken rearview-camera mounting clips, a large but low-severity recall. The generation's fire-risk campaigns are on other configurations: the 25V649 HVAC blower harness recall covers the 2021-2023 gas Sorento, and the 22V703 tow-hitch harness recall stops at the 2022 Hybrid. Recall activity for this configuration is typical, with nothing systemic, though the generation as a whole has a fire-recall history.

The hybrid pairs Hyundai-Kia's 1.6 T-GDi engine and an electric motor with a 6-speed torque-converter automatic. It avoids the wet DCT that caused trouble on the 2.5T gas cars, and it has run in volume across the Sorento, Santa Fe, Tucson and Sportage hybrids since 2021 with no hybrid-specific powertrain recall. It still lacks a Toyota-level high-mileage record, and owners report scattered transmission and 12V battery complaints.

The 2023 car keeps the pre-facelift MQ4 cabin: a 10.25-inch touchscreen, a wide dashboard with metallic trim, and SynTex upholstery on the volume hybrid trims. Reviewers found it upscale for a mainstream mid-size SUV, with hard plastics mostly in low-touch areas. It sits a little below the facelifted 2024 cabin.

Sorentos built in West Point, Georgia show no pattern of panel-gap or rattle complaints, and Kia's initial quality is strong. The 2023 car is a mature third year of the generation. Owner-reported trouble spots are infotainment, cameras and sensors, and electrical items rather than body or trim, and the camera-clip recall is itself an assembly-hardware issue.

Kia has roughly 750-800 US dealers, so service is available almost everywhere. Service satisfaction is the weak point: Kia recently placed last among mass-market brands in J.D. Power's Customer Service Index. Coverage is adequate and the service reputation is mixed.

Sorento repair costs are below average, and the hybrid shares its powertrain with three other high-volume Hyundai-Kia hybrids, so parts supply is deep. Hybrid-specific parts cost more out of warranty, but the 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and hybrid-battery warranty covers the big failures for the original owner.

Standard 10.25-in navigation screen; the 12.3-in curved display arrived with the 2024 facelift.

User-friendly system with physical shortcut keys and knobs; praised as intuitive.

Hybrid trims pair the 10.25-in navigation unit with CarPlay/Android Auto; on this generation's 10.25-in head unit projection is wired (wireless was the 8-in base unit), a known Sorento quirk.

Native navigation and voice recognition standard on both hybrid trims; functional but most owners use phone projection.

Base 6-speaker audio on EX is adequate; Bose premium system standard on SX-P.

EX volume trim uses analog gauges with a 4.2-in TFT; the 12.3-in digital cluster is SX-P only.

Infotainment/map OTA updates only; no vehicle-level OTA before the facelift.

Kia Connect app offers remote start/climate, lock and locate, subscription after the trial; no digital key until 2024.

USB ports across three rows including 2nd-row seatback ports and a wireless charger; 115V inverter on SX-P.

Smart key with push-button start and fob remote start standard; Smart Power Tailgate only on SX-P; no phone-as-key.

Rear camera plus front and rear sensors on EX; Surround View and Blind View Monitor added to the new hybrid SX-P.

No head-up display offered on the 2023 Sorento Hybrid.

Roomy second row with accessible LATCH (IIHS A); third row kids-only and cargo tight with it up.

2023 IIHS Top Safety Pick (specific headlights) and Highway Driving Assist standard on EX, but NHTSA 4-star overall and Poor headlights on EX.

Calm ride and quiet cabin, but only 12.6 cu ft with all rows used and rear amenities (heated 2nd row) are SX-P only.

Light steering and calm ride suit traffic, though CR notes vibration when creeping in stop-and-go.

37 MPG combined (FWD) on regular fuel is excellent for a three-row SUV.

189-in length and ~38-ft turning circle are manageable; front/rear sensors on EX, surround view on SX-P.

Towing capacity is only about 2,000 lbs (1,654 unbraked) — light utility only.

Family-crossover positioning, no fleet track record for the 1.6T hybrid.

Roof rails standard and a 115V inverter on SX-P, otherwise few work provisions.

600+ mile range, quiet cabin and standard Highway Driving Assist make it a good tourer.

AWD with center locking differential available (standard SX-P), but only 6.85 in of ground clearance and a low tow rating.

Captain's chairs and 50/50 third row fold for 75.5 cu ft; roof rails standard; modest cargo behind row two.

CR finds handling responsive with good body-roll control; other reviews say the softer hybrid tuning dulls cornering.

Light and numb steering.

Adequate stops (~115 ft from 60 in reviews of this powertrain) but inconsistent regen-to-friction blending.

Punchy turbo hybrid with a real 6-speed that shifts smoothly at speed, but shudders when creeping in traffic.

Engine rarely revs high and is quieter than the gas Sorento's.

Average turning circle for a mid-size SUV.

10-way power driver's seat on EX (14-way SX-P), easy controls and good visibility.

Pleasant and efficient but appliance-like; reviewers emphasize comfort over enjoyment.

With the S trim gone, the cheapest 2023 hybrid is the well-equipped EX. It comes standard with a third row, the full Drive Wise active-safety suite, heated front seats, SynTex upholstery and wireless charging. Rivals such as the Highlander Hybrid charge more for similar content.

Standard three-row seating and 37 MPG combined (EX FWD) for under $38K is still strong value next to the Highlander Hybrid and Explorer Hybrid. Dropping the S raised the hybrid's entry price by about $2,500, which weakens its bargain appeal compared with 2022.

The regular hybrid comes in only three configurations: EX FWD, EX AWD and SX-Prestige AWD. The new SX-P adds a loaded option but removes the budget entry point. Buyers who want more choice have to look at the five-trim gas Sorento or the separate PHEV.

US sales rose slightly to 88,645 units in 2023, part of a steady climb since 2021. That makes it a solid mid-pack three-row seller, well behind the Highlander and Explorer.

In 2023 Kia had its best US sales year to date, and the Telluride and EV6 lifted the brand's image. It is still seen as a mainstream value brand rather than an aspirational one.

Hybrid inventory was still tight in early 2023, and dealer add-ons and markups on popular Kias were common. Incentives returned during the year as supply recovered, so buyers got only modest, occasional deals.

2023 is the third model year of the generation that launched for MY2021. The facelift was revealed in July 2023 for MY2024, so a 2023 buyer gets the pre-refresh styling and the older, non-curved display layout.

It was well reviewed and won a Consumer Guide Best Buy in the midsize crossover class. It was a US News finalist for Best 3-Row SUV for the Money but did not win, and it was rarely the pick in comparison tests against the Telluride or Highlander.