Used Kia Sorento 2020-present review

Gone are the days of snooze-fest seven-seaters. In today’s world, style, sharpness and suavity are key ingredients in even the most practical cars, hence the uptake of large SUVs like this, the Kia Sorento.

Unlike previous Sorentos, this fourth-generation model is especially eye-catching inside and out; despite that, it doesn’t compromise on its more sensible attributes. It’s a compelling package and a desirable used buy.

Engines: Under the bonnet, buyers get the choice of a hybrid (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or diesel configuration. The two hybrid options make use of 1.6-litre petrol engines while the diesel features a 2.2-litre unit.

The HEV Sorento is nippy enough, with a combined power output of 226bhp and a 0-60mph time of 8.7sec. The 261bhp (combined) PHEV is quicker though, and is capable of 0-60mph in 8.4sec. The 199bhp 2.2-litre diesel is a little slower, completing the same sprint in 9.1sec.

Trims & equipment: Trim-wise, the range kicks off with 2. By choosing an example in this trim you’ll get 17in alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and adaptive cruise control. Front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera, LED headlights and lane-keeping assist are also bundled in. Infotainment is taken care of by an 8.0in touchscreen with a DAB radio, Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone mirroring.

Step up to 3 trim for 19in wheels, ambient interior lighting, electric leather seats (with lumbar support), keyless entry, a powered tailgate and heating for the outer seats on the second row. The infotainment screen is upgraded to 10.3in (from 8.0in) with better graphics, and you also get wireless phone-charging. This is the only trim available with the diesel engine so, combined with the self-levelling suspension, it’s the way to go if you plan to tow heavy loads.

Top-of-the-range 4 trim adds window blinds for the second row, a head-up display, a panoramic sunroof and ventilated front seats. Mind you, cars in this trim will come at quite a premium.

Ride & handling: On the road, the Sorento’s reassuringly weighted steering allows you to place the car confidently on rural roads and also makes it easy to track straight and true on motorways. In town, you’ll find the wheel becomes light enough to twirl easily.

This is a tall and heavy car, so don't expect sports-car handling, but the Sorento does feel more agile than class competitors of a similar size. Indeed, it handles just as well as the closely related Hyundai Santa Fe.

We'd recommend sticking with entry-level 2 trim on the HEV if ride comfort is a priority. That's because you'll get 17in alloys – the smallest available on the Sorento – which help soften crevices and pimples around town. The high-speed ride on motorways is impressive, too.

Interior & practicality: In terms of the interior quality, there’s little to complain about. You’ll find lots of squidgy plastic, including on the insides of the rear doors – something that's not guaranteed in this class. There are also chrome and piano-black trimmings throughout, all the switches operate with precision and everything feels solidly screwed together.

The interior space is incredible, and there’s lots of space for passengers in the front and middle row. The rear-most seats don't offer quite as much head and legroom, but there’s still a good amount of space for those on the smaller side. When it comes to boot space, 10 carry-on-sized suitcases can fit below its tonneau covers in five-seat mode.

If you're interested in finding a used Kia Sorento or any of the other large SUVs mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

Used prices for this latest version start at around £26,000. That’ll get you into a low-mileage 2020 or 2021 car in 2 trim with the HEV setup. Spend £26,000 to £29,000 on 2022 or 2023 cars, and up to £32,000 to £40,000 on 2024 models. Used PHEVs start at around £30,000.

Check the value of a used Kia Sorento with What Car? Valuations

Find a used Kia Sorento for sale here

MPG

The HEV Sorento has an average fuel consumption figure of 40.9mpg, while the PHEV version gets 176.6mpg – though that figure will be difficult to replicate in real-world conditions. The 2.2-litre diesel model averages 42.2mpg.

Road tax

Owners of diesel Sorentos will have to pay £190 per year under current VED regulations. HEV and PHEV will attract a fee of £180 per year. A luxury car tax is payable from years two to six on any car that cost over £40,000 new and is currently £410 a year. To find out more about road tax costs, click here.

Insurance and servicing

Insurance groups are generally average, meaning the Sorento won’t necessarily be cheap to insure, but it shouldn’t be ridiculously expensive either. In terms of servicing, Kia offers fixed-price servicing – it’s also worth noting that the manufacturer also offers a seven-year warranty on all its cars from new, which is transferable if the car is sold on.

Reliability

According to our annual What Car? Reliability Survey, owners rate the Sorento highly for reliability, with both petrol and diesel models receiving positive feedback.

Drivers report few mechanical or electrical issues, and when faults did appear, they were typically minor, mostly being glitches in the infotainment system. Kia’s dealer service was also praised for its efficiency, with the brand’s seven-year warranty proving a reassuring advantage. While a few owners mentioned occasional delays in parts availability, these instances were rare.

Discover more about the used Kia Sorento reliability on our dedicated reliability page.

If you plan to do any towing or lots of motorway miles, the 2.2-litre diesel engine should be your go-to. In practically all other circumstances you'll be best off with the HEV variant. It’s almost as good on fuel as the diesel, but is cheaper to buy and will provide you with nippier performance. It will also be better in and around town. The PHEV is currently too expensive to buy for us to recommend it.

Speaking of which and as of writing, the Sorento’s used prices don’t tend to beat the new prices at the moment – something to keep in mind.

In terms of trims, 2 would be our favourite if 3 wasn’t as closely priced. With that in mind, go for 2 if your budget demands it – it already comes very well equipped – but if not, it’s worth going for 3 for the extra goodies.

Our favourite Kia Sorento: 1.6h T-GDi 3

The latest Hyundai Santa Fe shares many of the Sorento’s components. You can get it in diesel, HEV and PHEV form – with exactly the same engines and other parts. Plus, because the Santa Fe has been around for longer (since 2018), there are more examples on the used market, and often for much cheaper prices.

The Skoda Kodiaq is the firm’s first seven-seat car, and it’s spectacularly good in some areas. It’s good to drive, cheaper to run than most of the competition and comes with a solidly built and classy-feeling interior.

If you're interested in finding a used Sorento or any of the other large SUVs mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

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