For many drivers, the 2020 Kia Sorento hits the sweet spot. The Sorento charms with its power offerings and presents many creature comforts as well. What makes this Kia more compelling is that it’s one of the most affordable options available in the midsize SUV class. 

The 2020 Kia Sorento is a great way to stay under $30K

Kia’s Sorento shows that a family-friendly SUV doesn’t have to sacrifice refinement for affordability. According to U.S. News, the 2020 model starts at $26,990, which is about $4,300 less than the average three-row SUV. Because of this, U.S. News specifically recommends the Sorento as a reliable way to get a spacious vehicle under the $30K mark. 

As you do your research, you’ll notice that even the base Sorento is a satisfying deal. The base Sorento is pleasant to drive, and it comes with desirable tech. And if you want to splurge on this Kia, you would spend $41,890 total, which is about $5K less than top-of-the-line rivals. The Sorento’s focus on value is why U.S. News named it the winner of its 2020 Best 3-Row SUV for the Money award. 

What’s it like to drive the Sorento?

The Sorento’s base engine is a 185-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder linked to a six-speed automatic transmission. This powerplant makes the Sorento pleasant to drive and contributes to its EPA rating of 25 mpg overall. The four-cylinder supplies sufficient power for everyday driving situations, and it can tow up to 2,000 pounds. However, critics like U.S. News and Consumer Reports have noted that the base engine isn’t the most energetic. 

While the four-cylinder does well overall, CR recommends the Sorento’s available 290- hp, 3.3-liter V6 engine. The V6 with front-wheel drive tows up to 3,500 pounds. Opting for all-wheel-drive brings the rating up to 5,000. U.S. News also likes the V6 because it doesn’t take many points away from the Sorento’s fuel economy estimates. 

Cabin comforts

For the most part, the Sorento is pretty basic on the inside. It has a few hard plastic surfaces, and CR thought its door-armrests could use more padding. That said, it still offers a comfortable cabin overall. This Kia can seat up to seven people, and there’s generous space on the first two rows for adults. Unsurprisingly, the Sorento’s third-row isn’t ideal for taller passengers. 

If you’d like, you can upgrade the Sorento’s cloth seats to leather. Other amenities include heated front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. This SUV offers modern in-car electronics too. 

Sorentos come with a 7-inch touchscreen display plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The Sorento’s infotainment setup is easy to use, and you can add on other functions like navigation. Kia also made many active safety features available on this SUV, including pedestrian detection and blind-spot monitoring. 

Safety and reliability 

The 2020 Sorento’s safety and reliability ratings increase peace of mind. CR gave this SUV a four out of five for predicted reliability. Additionally, the Sorento earned a perfect crash-test safety score from the NHTSA.