The entire industry knows Kia has been on fire lately with killer product after killer product hitting showroom floors. One of my favorite vehicles in the new Kia lineup is the Kia Sorento 3-row SUV positioned under the Kia Telluride size-wise.
Kia Sorento X-Line Exterior Appearance
Our review vehicle is the 2022 Kia Sorento X-Line SX-Prestige, the range-topper in the Sorento lineup. The X-Line trim gives the Sorento advanced all-wheel drive with a locking center differential and snow-mode. In addition, the X-Line trim provides the Sorento with a 1.0-inch higher ground clearance (8.3″ total), better approach/departure angles, and a roof rack. The Sorento X-Line also receives exclusive fascia treatments and unique 20-inch wheels to give the Sorento a rugged appearance.
Beauty is subjective, and the 2022 Sorento X-Line is one of the best-looking SUVs on the market at any price. I love the small details Kia has given the Sorento to make it look muscular, rugged, and upscale.
Interior Appearance
The 2022 Kia Sorento X-Line SX-Prestige interior is gorgeous and looks like it would be right at home in a much more expensive vehicle. The Rust 3D embossed leather seats offer a nice contrast to the black and open-pore wood materials found throughout the rest of the interior.
The dashboard and center stack are both digital, the former being a 12.3-inch display and the latter being a 10.25-inch display. Both displays are bright, crisp, and easy to read. In addition, Kia’s UVO telematics system is responsive, easy to use, and features Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Sirius radio integration. Wireless charging and two 120v power outlets are standard on the X-Line SX-Prestige trim.
The Sorento’s full-length sunroof gives the upscale cabin a very airy feel, helped by the elegant open-pore wood trim.
Second-row seats are on tracks allowing them to slide and flip forward to gain easy access to the third-row seats. The second-row captain chairs are incredibly comfortable for adults of all sizes, and legroom isn’t a problem. The third-row seats don’t provide as much legroom as they do in the larger Kia Telluride but still offer ample space for adults on shorter trips.
The Sorento’s safety suite includes blind spot monitoring, forward collision assist, cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist, and rear seat alerts.
Performance/Handling/Fuel Economy
Our top-trim Sorento X-Line tester comes standard with Kia’s 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, making 281-horsepower and 311lb-ft of torque. Power gets delivered to all four wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The engine is a little raspy, as expected from a larger four-cylinder, but not overly loud.
Power delivery is good, and the Sorento can get up and move with ease during highway or backroad maneuvers.
The Sorento X-Line ride is comfortable, even on the 20-inch wheels fitted with tires on the lower profile side. It’s somewhat strange that a soft-road oriented vehicle like the X-Line trim isn’t equipped with a light terrain or all-terrain tire.
The EPA rates the Sorento X-Line at 22mpg city, 27mpg highway, and 24mpg combined. We observed a mixed fuel economy of 21mpg combined over 180 miles.
Final Thoughts
The 2022 Kia Sorento is my favorite mid-sized SUV I’ve driven in the last year. I actually like the Sorento better than the blockbuster Kia Telluride if the extra third-row space isn’t a requirement. Our fully-loaded 2022 Kia Sorento X-Line SX-Prestige came priced at $45,120, including destination. If you don’t need all the bells and whistles, the Sorento LX FWD starts at $29,590 plus a $1,255 destination fee. With Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile warranty standing behind the Sorento, it’s no wonder that Sorentos are flying off dealer lots. If you’re in the market for a mid-sized, three-row SUV, the Kia Sorento is the one to buy.
