2027 Kia SorentoMotorTrendRight-sized three-row packageStrong hybrid efficiencyUpscale interior presentationCramped third-row seatingClunky turbo transmissionThe 2027 Kia Sorento occupies a useful middle ground: more versatile than a typical two-row SUV but easier to live with than a full-size three-row family hauler. That has long been the Sorento's mission, and the latest version should stay the course with gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid choices wrapped in sharp styling.AdvertisementAdvertisementMidsize SUV rivals include the Hyundai Santa Fe, Subaru Outback, and Toyota Crown Signia.What's NewAfter recent styling, tech, and safety updates, the 2027 Kia Sorento is expected to carry over with only minor packaging or trim changes. The midsize three-row SUV should continue to offer gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid variants, with X-Line and X-Pro trims maintaining the lineup's more rugged-looking edge.This page will be updated with more insights and photos as information becomes available.What We ThinkIf the 2027 model carries over as expected, the Sorento should remain a solid all-around choice for shoppers who want three-row flexibility without moving up to a larger SUV. Just know that its size is both its strength and its compromise.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Sorento's in-between footprint makes it easier to park and maneuver than larger three-row SUVs, but it also means the third row is best treated as occasional seating.Otherwise, the cabin is flexible and thoughtfully packaged, with easy-folding seats, useful storage, and a more stylish interior than this kind of family SUV strictly needs. Tech features should remain competitive, though we still prefer real physical controls for common functions over Kia's touch-sensitive setup.On the road, the Sorento is generally pleasant, with composed handling, a tight turning radius, and adequate to strong acceleration depending on engine. The main concern is the turbo engine's dual-clutch automatic, which can feel clunky when pulling away from a stop.Top-Ranked Competitors:Hyundai Santa FeMitsubishi OutlanderSubaru OutbackToyota Crown SigniaMotorTrend TestedThe 2027 Sorento should continue to offer a broad powertrain lineup. The base 2.5-liter I-4 makes 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque, which should be fine for basic family duty but not much more. Expect 0–60 mph to take about 8.5 seconds, putting it on the slower side of the segment.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe optional turbocharged 2.5-liter I-4 is the enthusiast pick, at least on paper. With 281 hp and 311 lb-ft, it gives the Sorento real punch; in MotorTrend testing, an AWD Sorento with this engine reached 60 mph in 6.3 seconds.The catch is its eight-speed dual-clutch automatic, which can hesitate and feel clunky at low speeds. Front-wheel drive should remain standard, with AWD available.The electrified models split the difference. The Sorento Hybrid pairs a 1.6-liter turbo-four with an electric motor for 227 hp and 258 lb-ft, and in our testing, a front-drive version reached 60 mph in an unexciting 8.4 seconds.The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid is stronger, combining the same turbo-four with a more powerful electric motor for 261 hp and 258 lb-ft, standard AWD, and a 7.4-second 0–60-mph time. It's not as quick as the turbo gas model, but it brings a smoother, more efficient kind of urgency.MPGs and RangeFuel economy should remain one of the 2027 lineup's biggest strengths. The base 2.5-liter engine should return roughly 23/28–31 mpg city/highway, with an estimated range of about 442–460 miles. The stronger 2.5-liter turbo trades some efficiency for speed, at about 20/27–29 mpg and roughly 407 miles of range.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Sorento Hybrid is the long-distance standout. Front-drive models are rated around 37/36 mpg city/highway, while AWD versions come in at 32/35 mpg. Either way, total driving range clears 600 miles on a full tank, giving the hybrid a major advantage over the gas-only models.The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid offers a different kind of efficiency. It is rated at 74 mpg-e combined and can travel up to 30 miles on electric power before the gas engine needs to help. Total estimated range is about 440 miles, but owners who can charge regularly may go far longer between gas station visits than that number suggests.Safety Ratings and FeaturesThe Sorento earned the IIHS' top honor last year, a 2026 Top Safety Pick+, and should perform similarly this year. In NHTSA testing, every variant except the untested PHEV received a five-star overall safety rating, a result the Sorento is likely to repeat.Standard driver assist equipment with every Sorento includes:AdvertisementAdvertisementFront and rear automatic emergency brakingLane keep assistAdaptive cruise controlSide cross-traffic monitoringIntersection collision avoidanceCargo Space and Interior RoomThe Sorento is one of the smallest three-row SUVs on the market, so interior space is useful but not expansive. Lower trim levels come standard with a second-row bench seat and room for seven passengers, while higher trims swap in second-row captain's chairs that reduce capacity to six but improve comfort and access to the third row.Cargo space behind the second and third rows compares favorably with the smaller Mitsubishi Outlander, giving the Sorento a practical edge despite its compact footprint.TechnologyInfotainmentA 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is included with all Sorento grades, as well as USB ports in the first two rows. Entry-level models have a 4.0-inch driver information screen, and higher-end trims unlock a 12.3-inch all-digital display.Sound SystemSound systems come in two tiers, a six-speaker base setup and an available Bose 12-speaker premium arrangement.Available UpgradesMoving past the entry-level model brings added convenience features, including a wireless charging pad and USB ports for third-row passengers. The options list also includes more premium tech, such as a digital rearview mirror, surround-view camera system, phone-as-key capability, and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot.ValueStandard FeaturesThe 2027 Sorento should continue to make a strong value play, pairing its upscale design with a cabin that feels more polished than its price suggests. Even in base form, the Sorento offers useful space for families, approachable road manners, and the kind of everyday comfort that makes it easy to live with.AdvertisementAdvertisementExpect the entry-level Sorento LX to remain generously equipped, with a large infotainment display and a broad roster of driver assistance features. That combination should keep it appealing to shoppers who want three-row flexibility, modern tech, and sharp styling without climbing far up the trim ladder.Recommended TrimThe Sorento S remains our choice as the sweet spot of the lineup, assuming Kia keeps the trim structure close to the current model.It builds on the LX with features that make a noticeable difference day to day, including seven-passenger seating, heated front seats, adaptive cruise control, and front and rear parking sensors. It also opens the door to available all-wheel drive, which is unavailable on the base LX and makes the S the more well-rounded pick.
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