2017 Kia Sorento

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Rating7.7

Ranked #4 in 

Midsize SUV
Write Review
$25,600 - $45,900
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on June 10, 2024

ProsConsWhat's New

Premium interiors

Base trim only gets basic safety features

The infotainment system now supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto feature.

Variety of engines to pick from

Lacks spacious interior

Additionally, two new optional packages are available, which goes by the names of Advanced Touring and Advanced Technology Package.

Available in 5 distinct trims

The 2.0L engine is only available in the EX trim

Isolated very well from the outside noise

Specs & Features

$25,600

price

185 hp @ 6000 rpm

horsepower

178 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

torque

6-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

2.4L 4cyl FWD 6A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2017 Kia Sorento is priced at $25,600 for the basic L trim and goes up to $45,900 for the limited trim. It is offered in 3 engine options a 2.0L turbo, 2.4L inline-4, and a 3.3L V6 engine. Regardless of their engine capacity they all come mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Based on the customer's choice they can choose between getting and an FWD drivetrain or an AWD one.

The Sorento is known for its feature-packed interiors and comfortable cabin room. it also offers an average gas mileage that is better than the offering from the 2017 Ford Explorer and 2017 Chevrolet Traverse. In terms of safety, the 2017 Kia Sorento scores a 5-star rating from NHTSA and delivers the best. However, in terms of pricing the Kia Sorento is the costliest in its class, starting at $25,600.

Buying Advice

Since the 2017 Kia Sorento offers 5 trims and 13 configurations, the choice of selecting one among them completely depends upon the customer’s requirements. However, if it comes to selecting the best value for money trim, the LX trim bags our favour. The difference between the price of the LX trim and EX trim is almost $4500, whereas the LX’s FWD is only $1300 more expensive than the L trim.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

The 2017 Kia Sorento is offered in 5 trims and is priced between a range of $25,600 to $45,900. Furthermore, Sorento offers three engine configurations, a 2.0L turbo engine, 2.4L 4-cylinder engine, and a 3.3L 6-cylinder. However, it has competitors that deliver more in terms of power and torque.

In terms of acceleration, the Kia Sorento ranks first as it goes from 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds and runs a quarter mile and 14.9 seconds. It also comes with opulent interiors with one of the best features in its segment. The exteriors of the 2017 model year have been re-designed to make it look more stylish and give it a better stance.

Features
8.0/10

"The 2017 Kia Sorento is one of our top-ranked used midsize SUVs." - Cars.USnews

Priced between a range of $25,600 for the basic L trim and up to $45,900 for the Limited trim, the 2017 Kia Sorento offers five trims. The Trims are L, LX, SX, EX, and Limited. All five trims offer a drivetrain choice of AWD or FWD, except for the L trim that is offered only with an FWD configuration.

The features offered in each trim improves as you climb the trim ladder and pay a higher price that closes in at $45,900 for the Limited trim, it comes with all top-end specs, features, and configurations. The Mid-range trims come with decent features such as a sound-reducing windshield and cabin, rapid-charging USB ports, and more. some features that the high-end trims get are fog lights, leather and wood-trimmed steering wheel, heated seats at the second row, and more.

Trim L LX EX SX Limited
MSRP (FWD) $25,600 $26,900 $31,700 $38,800 $44,100
MSRP (AWD) NA $28,700 $33,500 $40,600 $45,900
Key Features 17-inch alloy wheels, Sound-reducing windshield, 18-inch wheels, 19-inch wheels, Chrome-clad 19-inch wheels,
  Stain-resistant fabric upholstery, Roof rails, Sound-reducing front side glass, LED running lights and taillights, LED fog lights,
  A tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, Rearview camera, Keyless ignition and entry, Special exterior trim, Upgraded leather upholstery,
  40/20/40 split-second-row seats (fold, slide, and recline), The 4.3-inch touchscreen interface and two rapid-charge USB ports. Leather upholstery, A 10-way power driver seat (plus four-way power lumbar), Leather-and-wood-trimmed steering wheel and heated second-row outboard seats.
  Bluetooth connectivity,   Steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles (2.0T engine only) and second-row manual side sunshades Driver memory settings,  
  CD player, satellite radio, and USB and auxiliary audio inputs.   Blind-spot monitor, a 110-volt household-style plug, an adjustable-height hands-free power liftgate, 8-inch touchscreen interface  
      Power-folding mirrors and the upgraded instrument cluster.    
      Panoramic sunroof, LED interior lighting, and the safety components of the LX's Advanced Technology package.    

We Recommend

Of the 5 trims and 13 configurations available, we would recommend you to go in for the LX trim. Comes priced at $26,900 and offers performance specs and comfort features, enough to meet the needs of one seeking them.

Fuel Economy
6.0/10

"The base Sorento’s 185-horsepower four-cylinder engine has an EPA rating of 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, which are good numbers for the class." - Cars.USnews

In the aspect of fuel efficiency, the 2017 Kia Sorento delivers an average gas mileage. It runs 18 miles in the city per gallon, 25 miles to a gallon on the highway, and a combined reading of 20 miles per gallon.

Model

2017 Kia Sorento

2017 Toyota Highlander

2017 Ford Explorer

2017 Chevrolet Traverse

MPG (city)

18

20

17

15

MPG (highway)

25

26

24

22

MPG (combined)

20

22

20

18

Fuel Tank Capacity (Gallons) 18.8 19.2 18.6 22

As compared to its competition we have the Toyota highlander with the highest gas mileage in class. It delivers 20 miles to a gallon in the city, 26 miles to a gallon for highway cruises, and a combined reading of 22 miles to a gallon.

Interior
8.0/10

 "The front-row and 2nd-row seats are comfortable, but the third row is reserved for the smallest of adults and children."- KBB

Seating and Comfort of the 2017 Kia Sorento

The 2017 Kia Sorento can accommodate 7 individuals just as its competitor the 2017 Ford explorer does. The cabin space offered is average for its segment, but Kia does deliver in terms of interior features offered. The other two competitors can accommodate 8 individuals each.

Model  

2017 Kia Sorento

2017 Toyota Highlander

2017 Ford Explorer

2017 Chevrolet Traverse

Passenger capacity

7

8

7

8

Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)

39.5/59.1/44.1

39.5/59.3/44.2

41.4/61.5/42.9

40.4/61.5/41.3

Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)

39.3/58/39.4

39.9/59.6/38.4

40.6/61.0/39.5

39.4/61.0/36.8

Third (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)

36.3/52.8/31.7

35.9/55.0/27.7

37.8/50.8/32.0

37.8/57.6/33.20

The competitors offer a more spacious passenger cabin. The 2017 Ford Explorer offers the best in class, the headroom of which measures 41.4 cubic feet for the front row, 61.5 cubic feet for its front shoulder space, and 42.9 as its front foot room.

Infotainment System of the 2017 Kia Sorento

A voice-command enabled 4.3-inch touch screen display is the access point to the infotainment system in the 2017 Kia Sorento. Sorento also gets a 6-speaker stereo sound system with Bluetooth and Sirius XM Satellite radio as standard. The high-end trims also offer Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as a standard feature along with an 8-inch infotainment system screen.

Interior Features of the 2017 Kia Sorento

Looking inside the 2017 Kia Sorento, it has various features to offer that are listed as follows:

  • Steering mounted cruise control buttons
  • Drive mode selector control
  • Fuel efficiency indicator
  • One-touch power windows
  • Centre console with armrest
  • Front and rear door bottle holders
  • Dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors
  • 2nd-row adjustable headrests
  • Height adjustable front-seat anchors

Cargo Capacity of the 2017 Kia Sorento

The 2017 Kia Sorento offers a standard cargo room of 11.3 cubic feet. This is probably the least in class. With the third row of seats folded down, you get 38.0 cubic feet of space. At a maximum, the 2017 Kia Sorento can offer you a cargo space of 73.0 cubic feet, but it can only seat 2 people when it offers this space.

Model  

2017 Kia Sorento

2017 Toyota Highlander

2017 Ford Explorer

2017 Chevrolet Traverse

Cargo Volume to seats 1 (ft.3)

73.0

83.7

80.7

116.3

Cargo Volume to seats 2 (ft.3)

38.0

42.3

43.8

 70.3

Cargo Volume to seats 3 (ft.3)

11.3

13.8

21.0

24.4

When compared with its competition, the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse offers the maximum cargo room of 116.3 cubic feet. Its standard offering is 24.4 cubic feet. The 2017 Toyota Highlander offers a maximum capacity of 83.7 cubic feet and ranks second for the same. The 2017 Ford Explorer and the 2017 Kia Sorento rank subsequently in that order.

Exterior
7.0/10

"Is this Sorento the best-looking SUV in its class? Maybe. We like the blunt nose, and Kia's "tiger nose" grille treatment looks exceptionally good here." - KBB

Dimension and Weight of the 2017 Kia Sorento

The 2017 Kia Sorento measures 187.4 inches in length, 74.4 inches in width, and 66.3 inches in height. After analyzing the dimensions of the rivaling SUVs, the Sorento is found to be the smallest of them all. It is clearly also the lightest SUV in class and this adds a lot of advantage to it.

Model

2017 Kia Sorento

2017 Toyota Highlander

2017 Ford Explorer

2017 Chevrolet Traverse

Curb weight (lbs.)

3968

4464

4443

4715

Length(in)

187.4

192.5

198.3

203.7

Width(in)

74.4

75.8

78.9

78.5

Height(in)

66.3

68.1

70.0

69.9

Ground clearance (in)

7.3

8.0

7.8

7.2

Wheelbase (in)

109.4

109.8

112.8

118.9

Track width (in) F/R

64.1/64.5

64.4/64.2

67.0/67.0

67.3/67.1

The ground clearance offered by the Sorento is 7.3 inches, it is only better than the Chevrolet Traverse and that too with a margin of just 0.1 inches. Traverse on the other hand has 118.9 inches as its wheelbase and this gives it wonderful drives, especially on highways.

Exterior Features of the 2017 Kia Sorento

Some exciting exterior features of the 2017 Kia Sorento are:

  • Chrome tip exhaust and door handles
  • Heated side-view mirrors with turn signal indicators
  • Liftgate rear cargo door
  • Trailer hitch
  • Rear spoiler

Safety
8.0/10

"The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named the 2017 Sorento a Top Safety Pick." - Cars.USnews

The 2017 Kia Sorento scored an impressive 5 stars in the NHTSA safety rating tests, apart from a four-star rating in the rollover aspect, Sorrento scored five stars in everything else. In the IIHS safety ratings, the 2017 Sorento delivers average performance. It scores"Acceptable" for the front passenger-side safety. "Superior" for its front crash prevention, "Good" for the other aspects.

The 2017 Kia Sorento offers several safety features, some of the basic ones are:

  • Dual front airbags, 
  • Curtain airbags in the first two rows, Side-impact door beams, 
  • Child door locks, 
  • Rollover sensors, 
  • Traction control,
  • Brake assist 
  • Hill-start assist system

Competition
7.0/10

2017 Kia Sorento vs 2017 Toyota Highlander

Up against the 2017 Toyota Highlander that comes at a price of $32,680 and features a more powerful 3.5-liter V6, the Kia Sorento falls short by 5hp. However, it is the Kia Sorento that proves to be better in terms of acceleration and brake performance. However, in the aspects of fuel efficiency, interior room, cargo space, and pricing, it is the Toyota Highlander that outperforms the Kia Sorento.

2017 Kia Sorento vs 2017 Ford Explorer

The 2017 Ford Explorer is priced at $31,160, lower than the Kia Sorento. Both the cars have similar engine outputs despite the fact that the Explorer comes with a larger engine even in terms of fuel efficiency both are identical while the Kia has an advantage in terms of the interiors, exteriors, and premium features offered.

2017 Kia Sorento vs 2017 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2017 Chevrolet Traverse is priced almost five grand less than the Kia Sorento and yet makes a capable competitor against it. While the Kia Sorento outperforms it in terms of performance braking and fuel efficiency The story goes upside down when we talk about the vehicle dimensions, interior room, and cargo space available.

Final Verdict

With sufficient power and fine acceleration performance to its name, we do find the 2017 Kia Sorento priced a little above its competitors, and we do feel it is worth it. It delivers phenomenal brak performance has average fuel efficiency and offers extremely comforting interior, pretty much nothing to complain about.

Trims

    L
    $25,600 onwards
    • 17-Inch alloy wheels
    • Height-Adjustable driver seat
    • Rearview camera
    • Satellite radio
    • Six-Speaker sound system
    LX
    $26,900 onwards
    • De-Icer windshield
    • Noise-Reducing windshield
    • Roof rails
    • Two more usb ports
    EX
    $31,700 onwards
    • Auto-Dimming rearview mirror
    • Eight-Way power-adjustable passenger seat
    • Hands-Free liftgate
    • Keyless ignition and entry
    • Noise-Reducing front side windows
    • Power-Folding mirrors
    • Second-Row retractable sunshades
    SX
    $38,800 onwards
    • 10-Speaker Infinity sound system
    • 10-Way power driver seat
    • 8-Inch touchscreen display
    • Driver-Seat memory settings
    • Led running lights
    • Navigation system
    • Panoramic sunroof
    • Upgraded exterior trim
    Limited
    $44,100 onwards
    • 19-Inch chrome-clad wheels
    • Heated second-row seats
    • Upgraded leather upholstery
    • Wood-Trim steering wheel
    SXL
    $44,100 onwards
    • Engine: 3.3L 6cyl FWD 6A
    • Horsepower: 290 hp @ 6400 rpm hp
    • Torque: 252 lb.-ft. @ 5300 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 6.5 sec
    • Top Speed: 130 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 20 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$19,960- $26,240

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.47

Horsepower

146 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque

146 lb.-ft. @ 2800 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$23,995- $42,945

Gasoline

6.07

285 hp @ 6400 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm

4

Read Review

$30,595- $47,220

Gasoline

7.48

280 hp @ 6000 rpm

262 lb.-ft. @ 4700 rpm

8

Read Review

$29,070- $46,920

Gasoline

8.21

193 hp @ 6300 rpm

190 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

7

Read Review

$17,995- $28,390

Gasoline

7.15

160 hp @ 5500 rpm

184 lb.-ft. @ 2500 rpm

5

Read Review

$18,040- $26,985

Gasoline

6.37

158 hp @ 6400 rpm

141 lb.-ft. @ 5000 rpm

5

Read Review

$21,000- $27,600

Gasoline

6.39

138 hp @ 4900 rpm

148 lb.-ft. @ 1850 rpm

5

Read Review

$31,520- $44,315

Gasoline

7

250 hp @ 5000 rpm

310 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm

7

Read Review

$23,200- $34,200

Gasoline

7.42

181 hp @ 6000 rpm

175 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

$25,600- $45,900

Gasoline

7.66

290 hp @ 6400 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 1450 rpm

7

Read Review

2017 Kia Sorento vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    9.4 sec16.9 sec120 mph
    6.2 sec14.8 sec-
    6.7 sec15.2 sec132 mph
    6.9 sec--
    6.9 sec15.4 sec-
    7 sec15.4 sec112 mph

    2017 Kia Sorento vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      21 mpg28 mpg24 mpg18.8 gal.394.8/526.4 mi.
      52 mpg49 mpg50 mpg11.9 gal.618.8/583.1 mi.
      34 mpg30 mpg32 mpg14.8 gal.503.2/444 mi.
      29 mpg34 mpg31 mpg12.7 gal.368.3/431.8 mi.
      26 mpg33 mpg29 mpg14.5 gal.- -
      29 mpg28 mpg29 mpg17.2 gal.516/481.6 mi.

      2017 Kia Sorento vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        187.4 in.74.4 in.66.3 in.7.3 in.109.4 in.
        208.9 in.79.9 in.75.8 in.9.1 in.121.1 in.
        206 in.78.8 in.77.2 in.8.3 in.119 in.
        205.1 in.79.9 in.77 in.9.9 in.122 in.
        203.7 in.78.5 in.69.9 in.7.2 in.118.9 in.
        201.9 in.79 in.70.3 in.7.6 in.118.9 in.

        2017 Kia Sorento vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          38.8 cu.ft.146.4 cu.ft.73.5 cu.ft.
          23 cu.ft.104.4 cu.ft.63.4 cu.ft.Jeep USA
          10.3 cu.ft.128.2 cu.ft.63.3 cu.ft.
          18.9 cu.ft.-120.1 cu.ft.
          47.2 cu.ft.-89.7 cu.ft.
          26.9 cu.ft.75 cu.ft.57.3 cu.ft.

          2017 Kia Sorento vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            65.3 cu.ft.38.8 cu.ft.73.5 cu.ft.-
            60 cu.ft.12.8 cu.ft.56.5 cu.ft.-Jeep USA
            61.5 cu.ft.12.8 cu.ft.79 cu.ft.-
            120.1 cu.ft.18.9 cu.ft.120.1 cu.ft.-
            62.7 cu.ft.22.7 cu.ft.62.7 cu.ft.-Jeep USA
            70 cu.ft.-70 cu.ft.79 ft.

            2017 Kia Sorento vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              2000 lbs.1322 lbs.3704 lbs.
              9200 lbs.1640 lbs.5562 lbs.
              9200 lbs.1310 lbs.2967 lbs.
              8500 lbs.1724 lbs.5576 lbs.
              7400 lbs.1370 lbs.5730 lbs.
              6200 lbs.1180 lbs.4545 lbs.Jeep USA

              2017 Kia Sorento SUV Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              4

              Recalls

              3

              Investigations

              755

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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