Though it’s no longer Kia’s flagship SUV since the Telluride’s introduction, the Sorento remains a strong contender, offering great technology, a comfortable interior, upscale accommodations, and a long list of standard and available safety tech. It’s also offered with both gas and hybrid powertrain options, and the SUV got a handful of notable updates for 2025.
2025 Kia Sorento Pricing, Specs, and Release Date
- What’s New for the 2025 Kia Sorento
- Design
- Powertrain
- Interior
- Technology
- Safety
- Pricing and Release Date
- Further Research
What’s New for the 2025 Kia Sorento
The Sorento picked up a few improvements for 2025, depending on the trim level. The X-Line and X-Pro models get new black badging with Kia’s updated logo on the front, back gate, and wheels. They also gain a Sorento tailgate emblem. Elsewhere, Kia swapped the gray color from the outgoing model for a new Gravity Gray shade.
Design
The Sorento ditched its rounded, somewhat frumpy look years ago, and the newest models feature sharper styling with Kia’s large "tiger nose" grille and a boxier shape. The automaker offers a range of wheel choices depending on the trim, and some models get orange LED daytime running lights (DRLs).
Powertrain
Kia offers hybrid versions of the Sorento, but the standard gas model itself has two powertrain options with more than enough capability for most drivers. The base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 191 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. An available turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder delivers 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. Both come with an eight-speed automatic transmission and either front- or all-wheel drive (FWD or AWD). While not thrilling, those engine choices perform adequately in most situations, including around-town commuting and highway cruising.
Interior
Kia offers two seating configurations for the 2025 Sorento, with accommodations for six or seven, depending on the setup. Cloth upholstery is standard, but higher trims add synthetic or genuine leathers. Power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated second-row outboard seats are available. The first two rows offer good space and comfortable seating, but the third row is cramped and should be reserved for children on shorter trips.
Technology
The 2025 Sorento comes standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen that offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other standard tech includes six speakers, multiple USB ports, SiriusXM radio, and an analog gauge cluster with a 4.3-inch driver-information display. Higher trims get a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, wireless charging, navigation, a Bose stereo, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a household power outlet.
Safety
The 2025 Kia Sorento is too new to have crash-test scores, but Kia equips a long list of advanced driver-assistance systems. They include blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, driver-attention monitoring, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, pedestrian and cyclist detection, and more.
Pricing and Release Date
As of the time of this writing, the 2025 Sorento starts at $31,990 for the base LX FWD trim. Stepping up to AWD with the S trim pushes the price to $36,590. The range-topping X-Pro SX-P AWD trim makes the starting price $47,390.