The 2023 Kia Sorento is a staple in the Kia lineup, and Kia offers many options in its trim levels to make sure people can get the features they want at a price they can afford. There are some good reasons to choose a Kia Sorento at any trim level, but understanding the differences will help you to make the most out of your investment, especially with the Kia Sorento LX’s price.

Because of the impressive amount of options, it can be difficult to decide whether or not it is worth it to upgrade from the base trim. Kia makes this choice more difficult by including many features in its base model. However, the price to move up a trim level is generally affordable as well, which makes people wonder if the most affordable Kia Sorento is worth it. 

How much is the Kia Sorento LX’s price?

The 2023 Kia Sorento LX has a starting price of $30,090. This is the base trim of the Sorento collection, which includes a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine with 191 hp and 182 lb-ft of torque. It has an eight-speed automatic transmission with drive mode select, giving you the option of AWD snow mode with a center-locking differential. 

The Sorento is a midsize crossover, and it looks like a cross between a car and an SUV. The 17-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights on the base trim make it look nicer than some base trim levels, and it is available in eight different color options. 

The Kia Sorento can seat seven people, so it is a great family vehicle. It has six seat trim options, including cloth, SynTex, and leather. Like most Kia vehicles, it is full of technological features such as its 8.0-inch touchscreen and Bluetooth capability. It also has sliding and folding second-row seats and six USB charging ports. The driver assist technology is comparable with many other automakers and includes auto emergency braking, lane keeping, and rear occupant alert. 

Kia Sorento S features

Upgrading to the Kia Sorento S trim raises the starting price of the Sorento to $32,590. You get the same 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine and performance. The exterior color options remain the same. However, Kia adds 18-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, and a panoramic sunroof package ($1,300) if desired. 

The interior and technology increases might make the biggest difference for Kia buyers. The driver’s seat is now a 10-way adjustable seat with two-way lumbar support. The steering wheel and gear shifter are leather-wrapped. You also get a larger, 10.25-inch touchscreen, smart key, and wireless phone charger. 

Are the affordable Kia trims still worth it? 

Kia has eight trim levels: LX, S, X-Line S AWD, EX, X-Line EX AWD, SX, SX Prestige AWD, and X-Line SX Prestige AWD. The top-of-the-line trim offers a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, but it has 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. It has 14-way adjustable seats with a two-way power thigh extension. It has a panoramic sunroof and a power sunshade. There is a lot more to offer as you move up in Kia trim levels. 

Overall, the base trim offered in the Kia Sorento LX is worth it, but only if you are OK with having only the basics. For only $2,500 more, the S trim offers many more commonly expected features in new vehicles, and it gives you some of the luxuries that Kia is famous for including in its standard vehicles. The most popular trim level is the mid-level SX trim for this reason.

For some people, the base trim Sorento LX will not be worth it. Not having the panoramic sunroof package or roof rails may steal from the allure the Sorento crossover has. In fact, there may be some people who won’t buy a trim level that doesn’t include wireless charging, for example. For those people, the LX trim is not worth it, and they should upgrade to the Kia Sorento S.