Why the Kia Sorento LX Is the Best Sorento
The Kia Sorento fills a market niche that nobody else is really going after. It’s bigger than most midsize SUVs, but it’s smaller than a full-size, yet still seats seven. It’s kind of like the SUV for the minivan disinclined. But in the myriad of trims available for the 2022 Sorento, the base LX trim offers an appealing value.
What are the Kia Sorento trim levels?
The Sorento was redesigned in 2021 and comes in 11 trim levels and three different versions. You can order it as a gasoline-powered version with a 2.5-liter, 191-horsepower four-cylinder, or a hybrid for $36,590. The plug-in hybrid version is the same basic Sorento, but it’s $20,000 more than the base LX trim Sorento. All-wheel drive is an $1,800 option on most trims.
The LX is the value package
The base LX trim, though, which starts at $29,590 is the value leader in the Sorento trims. The LX comes standard with a nice interior, Kia’s new safety features like the Advanced Driving Assistance Systems standard, LED headlights, and more. Though the higher trims have leather, and larger screens, the interior of the LX is still a nice place to be with high-quality materials throughout, a six-way driver’s seat, and an eight-inch touchscreen. Outside, the LX has matte black skid plates and 17-inch wheels, and it comes in six different colors.
The Sorento LX has several options that may be unexpected in the base trim, like an overhead console, 60/40 split seats, bottle holders, steering wheel mounted audio controls, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also has a six-speaker stereo and several USB ports and an iPod audio input jack.
Does the Kia Sorento have seven seats?
The Sorento LX seats seven. But, that third row is better suited to kids than adults. That third row shrinks the cargo area in the very back, but it still has 75.5 cubic feet of space in the cabin for stuff, which is more than a 2022 Toyota Rav4. Because it’s not quite as large as a full-sized seven-seat SUV, you can’t expect it to have the room of a, say, a Chevy Tahoe. But, all three rows do have adequate legroom and headroom.
Do Kia Sorentos hold their value?
According to CarEdge.com, which tracks vehicle values, the Kia Sorento doesn’t hold its value over three years. But there’s one big reason for that. It was recently redesigned and the older models look, well, old, and they don’t hold their value. A one-year old version, which still looks new, retains 92% of its value, which is better than average. At J.D. Power, its resale rating is great, which boosts its overall rating to tie for fourth place with the larger Hyundai Palisade.
Is the Kia Sorento LX reliable?
The Kia Sorento has an above average reliability rating from RepairPal.com. It ranks 12th of 26 in its class. At J.D. Power it also gets an above average quality and reliability rating. As a bonus, owners reported to J.D. Power that it has a great driving experience.
