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- Car Seat Flexibility: Every seat in the second and third row has lower anchors + tether anchors, which is rare.
- Premium Interior at a Great Price: Clean design, great materials, and a layout that feels closer to luxury than budget.
- Spacious Second Row + Easy Third Row Access: The second row has impressive legroom and comfort, plus one-touch slide access to the third row.
The Exterior
The Sorento’s redesign gives it a bold, athletic look that feels fresh and modern. I especially love the honeycomb grille and the heavy use of high-gloss black accents instead of chrome—it gives the car a sporty, cohesive vibe.
LED headlights come standard (huge win), improving both visibility and overall styling. It definitely carries some Kia family DNA from the Telluride, but still feels like its own vehicle.
The back end? Not my personal favorite—it leans a little aggressive with sharp angles—but bonus points for the hidden rear wiper, which keeps things looking clean and streamlined.
First Row
Interior: Budget-Friendly Price, Luxury Feel
This is where the Sorento really surprised me.
The interior feels way more premium than its price point. Between the contrast stitching, unique air vent design, and thoughtful finishes, it honestly gives off luxury vibes.
Standout features:
- Wireless Apple CarPlay
- Wireless charging
- Heated seats
- Quiet Mode (GENIUS for moms—audio only plays in the front seats)
- “Sounds of Nature” ambient audio
A couple drawbacks:
- The 8-inch screen feels a bit small
- Door storage is shallow
- Headrests are bulky and not adjustable in tilt
But overall? Super impressed.
Second Row
Second Row: Comfort + Space Win
The second row is a win.
- Plenty of legroom (even with a tall driver)
- Sliding seats for flexible space
- Well-placed cupholders (not on the floor)
- Multiple USB ports (a must for families)
What’s missing?
- No sunshades
- No heated second-row seats
Still, for everyday family use, this row is comfortable, practical, and well-designed.
Third Row
Third Row: Usable… with Limitations
The third row is where you’ll notice the Sorento’s smaller size.
Pros:
- Legit legroom (better than expected!)
- Easy access with one-touch slide
- Two actual seats (not a cramped middle seat situation 🙌)
Cons:
- Elevated floor = knees-up seating position
- Limited headroom for adults
- No ceiling vents (big miss for kids in back)
Best use case?
Occasional passengers or older kids—not everyday third-row duty.
Trunk
Cargo Space: The Trade-Off
Here’s the reality: you can’t have it all in a smaller SUV.
- Third row up → very limited cargo space
- Third row down → great storage (fits a double stroller easily!)
If you regularly need:
- 3 rows and big cargo space → this may feel tight
- 2 rows + occasional third row → perfect fit
Safety
Safety: Strong, with a Caveat
The Sorento comes loaded with advanced safety tech (which Kia does incredibly well).
Ratings:
- IIHS: Top Safety Pick
- NHTSA: 4 stars overall
While there’s a slight discrepancy, it still lands as a safe and solid choice for families.
Car Seat Setup: Major Flexibility
This is where the Sorento really shines.
With captain’s chairs, you get:
- 6-passenger seating
- Lower anchors + tether anchors in every seat (second AND third row)
That means:
- Easy installs
- Tons of flexibility
- Real options for growing families
In testing:
- Rear-facing behind a tall driver? Plenty of space
- Forward-facing + third-row access? Totally doable
For a “smaller” three-row SUV, this is seriously impressive.
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