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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
If you’re a mom looking for a practical, stylish, and budget-friendly three-row SUV, the 2023 Kia Sorento SX might just surprise you. After a full redesign in 2021, this SUV has quietly become one of the most functional and family-friendly options on the market—without the price tag of larger competitors.
First Impressions: Sleek, Sporty, and Surprisingly Premium
The 2023 Sorento brings a bold, modern design that feels like a mini Telluride—but still totally its own vehicle.
With:
- Sharp LED lighting
- A textured, honeycomb-style grille
- Updated Kia logo (that now feels very on-trend)
- Available blacked-out elements on the SX trim
…it’s a head-turner in the small three-row SUV category.
Even better? It doesn’t feel like you’re driving a big box. The Sorento has a slightly more compact footprint, making it easier to maneuver for everyday mom life—school pickup, Target runs, and tight parking lots.
First Row
Interior: Luxury Feel Without the Luxury Price
Highlights include:
- Clean, cohesive dashboard design
- User-friendly infotainment system
- Physical climate controls
- Spacious center console and storage areas
- Great cupholder setup
There are a few minor drawbacks:
- Glossy black trim = fingerprint magnet
- Light headliner (aka… toddler snack disaster waiting to happen)
But overall? This cabin feels much more premium than expected.
Technology: Kia Does It Best
Kia (and Hyundai) continue to lead the way in affordable, easy-to-use tech, and the Sorento is no exception.
You’ll get:
- Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
- Navigation
- Quiet Mode
- Backup camera + parking sensors
- Wireless charging
- Tons of USB ports (including smart placement on seatbacks!)
Everything is intuitive, responsive, and—most importantly—family-friendly.
Second Row
Second Row: Comfort + Space Win
The second row feels shockingly roomy.
You’ll find:
- Excellent legroom (even with seats adjusted forward)
- Reclining captain’s chairs
- USB ports in the seatbacks (genius placement)
- Multiple cupholders + storage options
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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