🔥 Write a review and Earn Upto $50 on PayPal

2020 Kia Sorento

header-image
Rating7.0

Ranked #9 in 

Midsize SUV
Write Review
$26,990 - $41,890
Starting Price 

Year

Amratya Nigam's image
Amratya Nigam 

Automotive Journalist,

Updated on June 10, 2024

ProsConsWhat's New

Competitive pricing structure

Third-row space is not good

Reshuffled trim lineup

Well insulated cabin

Underpowered engine

Updated front and rear fascia

Segment-leading warranty

EX now a separate trim

Specs & Features

$26,990

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

Festering on the ideology of a compact exterior yet spacious interior, the 2020 Kia Sorento is here to give you the best value for your money. With revamped front and rear ends including both headlights and taillights, and also a reshuffled trim lineup, the 2020 Sorento starts from an MSRP of $26,990. It moreover comes with 5 different trim levels.

Coming to the powertrain front, the base trims of the Sorento come with a 185 hp 2.4L NA engine. Then there is also the option of a more potent 3.3L V6 unit that pushes out 290 hp. The 2020 Sorento is large on the inside and still easy to live within city limits - something that its rivals lack. Nevertheless, it has lost its stature as a boxy SUV and doesn't have much road presence now. But that's okay, as, with just a small compromise, the Sorento shines in other departments as well.

Buying Advice

Unless budget is a major issue, we would recommend buyers to choose the LX V6 trim. This trim costs $31,290 in FWD configuration but brings a decent list of safety features along. And costs lesser than most mid-spec three-row crossovers.

Read More +

Comparative Analysis against Competition

The 2020 Kia Sorento bridges the gap between the smaller Sportage and the humungous Telluride in terms of pricing. On a keen observation, you'll realize that it borrows a lot of styling cues from the two as well. Featuring two different powerhouses under the hood and over 5 trim levels, the Sorento is spread over a wide span of the price range. The Sorento has been christened with some segment-defining features that set it apart from the segment. Its top-notch build quality further adds more essence to its character. Let's move ahead and find out if the Kia Sorento still has what it needs to overpower the likes of some bigger rivals such as the Volkswagen Atlas, Honda Pilot, and Subaru Ascent.

Features
8.0/10

The 2020 Kia Sorento is available in over five trim configurations, namely L, LX, S, EX, and SX. There are two engine options – L and LX trims have the 2.4L inline-four engine and 6-speed automatic transmission while the rest of the trims get a 3.3L V6 engine and 8-speed transmission. The pricing for the base L trim starts at $26,990. The LX trim brings in safety features like Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning and Blind Spot Monitoring to the mix. The top-spec SX V6 commands a price tag of $41,890 and puts the Sorento in the league of luxury crossovers.

Trims L LX S EX SX
MSRP (FWD) $26,990 $28,090 $33,190 $35,490 $40,090
MSRP (AWD) - $29,890 $34,990 $37,290 $41,890
Key Features 7" touch screen Includes or deletes features from L plus: Includes or deletes features from LX plus: Includes or deletes features from S plus: Includes or deletes features from EX plus:
  40/20/40 2nd-row sliding seat w/remote cargo release Acoustic sound-reducing glass (windshield) 8-way power-adjustable driver seat Acoustic sound-reducing glass (windshield, front side windows) Panoramic sunroof w/power sunshade
  Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Blind Spot Collision Warning w/Lane Change Assist Rear parking sensors Projection fog lights Wireless phone charger
  Projection headlights w/LED positioning lights Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning 19-inch alloys 8-way power-adjustable passenger seat with Heated front seats 19" tires w/alloy wheels
  Cloth seat trim Dual-zone automatic climate control Keyless ignition and Hands-free entry Smart Cruise Control w/Stop & GO Harman Kardon premium audio surround-sound system w/12 speakers

We Recommend

Unless budget is a major issue, we would recommend buyers to choose the LX trim. This trim costs $28,090 in FWD configuration but brings a decent list of safety features. And it also costs lesser than most mid-spec three-row crossovers. Nevertheless, we would suggest you opt for the Sorento LX AWD variant for $29,890.

Fuel Economy
4.0/10

The 2020 Kia Sorento, when powered with the 2.4L NA Inline-4 engine is EPA-rated at 22 MPG in the city and 29 miles to the gallon out on the highway. With the AWD setup, these numbers drop down by 1 MPG on the whole. Opt for the 3.3L V6 engine, and those MPG figures drop down to 19 MPG in the city and 26 miles to the gallon out on the highway, whereas with the AWD setup, the Sorento returns 18 and 24 MPG in the city and highway respectively.

Model

2020 Kia Sorento

2020 Volkswagen Atlas

2020 Mazda CX-9

2020 Honda Pilot

MPG (city)

19

20

22

19 

MPG (highway)

26

24

28

27 

MPG (combined)

22

22

23

22
Fuel Capacity 18.8 gallons 18.6 gallons 19.0 gallons 19.5 gallons

The 2020 Sorento also has a decent 18.8-gallon fuel tank. Considering the V6 engine’s 290 hp output, these figures aren’t bad. With the 18.8-gallon fuel tank, the 2020 Sorento is able to stretch out to 489 miles on the go, between stops.

Interior
7.0/10

Premium materials line most surfaces, especially in higher trims, creating an upscale feel that few rivals can match - Cars.USnews

Kia has equipped the 2020 Sorento crossover to take on the larger competition. The Sorento offers a passenger volume of 154.2 cu-ft. The features have been distributed well across the trim levels. The quality levels of the interior are on the premium side. Kia has used soft-touch materials across the cabin. The prominent spaces like the upper dashboard, door handles, and center console have been finished in a premium material.

The center stack is sorted and Kia has followed separate layouts for the infotainment and climate control. The cabin has ample storage space(s) for your miscellaneous items. The doors close with a strong thud, exhibiting a superior build quality. Dimensionally, the Kia Sorento is smaller than most three-row crossovers in the market. The first and second rows have decent room for the passengers and the third row is better suited for kids.

Kia Sorento offers the lowest in segment rear cargo capacity of 11.3 cu-ft. Sorento sacrifices rear cargo space for bringing in the third row. With the third row folded, it offers 38 cu-ft. of space and with all the rows folded, the cargo capacity increases to 73 cu-ft. When it comes to the infotainment system, the Kia UVO system is one of the best in the business. The icons are large and the system is user-friendly. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across all trims. The lower trims come with a 7-inch screen while the top-most trims come with an 8-inch screen with Harmon Kardon's premium sound system.

Model

2020 Kia Sorento

2020 Volkswagen Atlas

2020 Mazda CX-9

2020 Honda Pilot

Passenger capacity

7

7

7

8

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

39.5/59.1/44.1

41.3/ 61.5/ 41.5

39.3/57.9/41.0

40.1/ 62/40.9

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

39.3/58/39.4

40.4/ 60.8/ 37.6

38.5/ 58.1/39.4

40.2/62/38.4

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

36.3/-/31.7

38.3/ 54.9/ 33.7

35.4/53.1/29.7

38.9/57.6/31.9
Cargo Capacity 11.3 cu. ft 20.6 cu. ft 14.4 cu. ft 16.5 cu. ft

Kia Sorento has a decent list of interior features. Some of these features have been mentioned below:

  • Front Bucket Seats with 8-way manual driver’s seat
  • 4-Way Passenger Seat with Manual Recline and Fore with Aft Movement
  • 40-20-40 Folding Split-Bench seats
  • Power Rear Windows and Fixed 3rd Row Windows
  • Premium Cloth Upholstery
  • Remote Keyless Entry w/Integrated Key Transmitter
  • Illuminated Entry and Panic Button

Exterior
7.0/10

This year, the Sorento’s styling has been updated—but so subtly that it hardly renders the outgoing version yesterday’s news - TheCarConnection

The 2020 Kia Sorento has received minor exterior design changes. The Sorento’s mature design blends into the crossover SUV segment. The 2020 model represents the third generation, it has standard LED headlights across all the trim levels. Kia has used a considerable amount of chrome in the front fascia. The changes make the Sorento look more premium.

Sorento carves out a niche category, Kia has strategically placed the Sorento between two-row and three-row crossovers. The smaller dimensions bring help to make the Sorento more maneuverable than its competition. When it comes to dimensions, the Sorento doesn’t score well in comparison to the other three crossovers like Volkswagen Atlas and Honda Pilot.

Model

2020 Kia Sorento

2020 Volkswagen Atlas

2020 Mazda CX-9

2020 Honda Pilot

Curb weight (lbs.)

3968

4242

4225

4036

Length(in)

189.0

198.3

199.4

196.5

Width(in)

74.4

78.3

77.5

78.6

Height(in)

66.5

70.0

69.0

70.6

Ground clearance (in)

7.3

8.0

8.8

7.3

Wheelbase (in)

109.4

117.3

115.3

111

Track width (in) F/R

64.3/64.7

67.8/67.2

65.3/65.2

66.3/66.3

Some of the exterior features on offer are-

  • LED DRLs
  • Dusk sensing LED headlamps
  • Dual-pane panoramic sunroof
  • Hands-free entry
  • Aluminum rear scuff-plate
  • Puddle Lights
  • LED tail lamps
  • Sidestep bars

Safety
6.0/10

Kia equips its offerings with the latest in terms of active and passive safety features, and the perks of the same are enjoyed by the 2020 Sorento as well. Having said that, the base trims of the 2020 Sorento might miss out on some of the advanced safety tech. Coming to the crash test scores, NHTSA awards the Sorento with a complete 5 on 5-star rating, while the IIHS honors it with the "Top Safety Pick" award.

Some of the standard safety features included in the 2020 Sorento are-

  • Electronic Stability Control and Roll Stability Control
  • ABS And Driveline Traction Control
  • Tire Specific Low Tire Pressure Warning
  • Lane-keeping assist
  • Blind-spot monitoring system
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Frontal-collision warning

Competition
8.0/10

2020 Kia Sorento vs 2020 Volkswagen Atlas

Volkswagen has entered the three-row crossover market with a good product. The Atlas is immensely spacious inside with a third row that’s easily amongst the most spacious in the segment. On top of that, the cabin is impressively quiet even at high speeds and rides of supple suspension. The 2020 VW Atlas isn’t impressive when it comes to the powertrain department. The V6 does not pack enough punch and is not particularly efficient either. Also, the base 2.0L TSI engine is unavailable with AWD.

2020 Kia Sorento vs 2020 Mazda CX-9

The Mazda offers a well-built class-leading interior, plush ride, and a well-engineered inline-four engine that puts the CX-9’s among the better driving crossovers in the market. Like the Sorento, the CX-9 lacks a bit when we talk about third-row space. The Mazda CX-9 is one of those crossovers that will have you grinning ear to ear every time you get behind the wheel.

Final Verdict

The 2020 Kia Sorento benefits from highly competitive pricing. Even mid-spec models undercut the competition by thousands of dollars. If you need to seat 7 adult passengers on a regular basis, then the Sorento isn’t equipped to handle the task. It doesn’t score high on utility due to a third-row seating that is suitable for kids. The Sorento is a dedicated commuting vehicle and it doesn’t score high on driving dynamics. Sorento should be on top of your list if you are looking for a pleasant driving vehicle with high reliability and a relatively inexpensive price tag than the competition. To make things even better, the Sorento comes with a segment-leading powertrain warranty of 10 years/100,000 miles.

Trims

    L
    $26,990 onwards
    • 40/20/40-Split folding second-row seats
    • Android Auto
    • Apple CarPlay
    • Cloth upholstery
    • Manually adjustable front seats
    • Rearview camera
    LX
    $28,090 onwards
    • Blind-Spot monitoring
    • Dual-Zone automatic climate control
    • Forward collision mitigation
    • Heated Front Seats
    • Power-Adjustable driver's seat
    • Rear parking sensors
    S
    $33,190 onwards
    • 19-Inch wheels
    • Black exterior trim
    • Keyless entry and ignition
    • Rear climate controls
    EX
    $35,490 onwards
    • Adaptive cruise control
    • Drowsy driver monitor
    • Lane keeping assist
    • Leather upholstery
    • Power liftgate
    SX
    $40,090 onwards
    • 14-way power driver's seat
    • 8-Inch touchscreen
    • Navigation system
    • Power-Folding mirrors
    • Universal Garage Door Opener
    • Wireless charging pad

Compare to similar cars

7.0
2020 Kia Sorento

Price

$26,990- $41,890

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.05

Horsepower

290 hp @ 6400 rpm

Torque

252 lb.-ft. @ 5300 rpm

Capacity

7

Read Review

6.9
2020 Dodge Durango

$30,795- $62,995

Gasoline

6.94

293 hp @ 6400 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

7.5
2020 Ford Edge

$31,100- $43,265

Gasoline

7.53

250 hp @ 5550 rpm

275 lb.-ft. @ 3000 rpm

5

Read Review

7.2
2020 Ford Explorer

$32,765- $58,250

Gasoline

7.2

300 hp @ 5500 rpm

310 lb.-ft. @ 3500 rpm

7

Read Review

8.0
2020 GMC Acadia

$29,800- $48,300

Gasoline

8.01

193 hp @ 6300 rpm

188 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

7

Read Review

6.7
2020 Honda Pilot

$31,550- $49,720

Gasoline

6.71

280 hp @ 6000 rpm

262 lb.-ft. @ 4700 rpm

8

Read Review

7.0
2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

$32,150- $87,400

Gasoline

7.05

293 hp @ 6400 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

7.3
2020 Mazda CX-9

$33,890- $46,215

Gasoline

7.25

227 hp @ 5000 rpm

310 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm

7

Read Review

6.7
2020 Nissan Pathfinder

$31,980- $44,910

Gasoline

6.65

284 hp @ 6400 rpm

259 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm

7

Read Review

7.7
2020 Subaru Ascent

$31,995- $45,045

Gasoline

7.66

260 hp @ 5600 rpm

277 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm

8

Read Review

2020 Kia Sorento vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    		SourceCompare
    		9.6 sec17 sec120 mph
    		5.9 sec14.4 sec142 mph
    		6.1 sec14.7 sec112 mph
    		6.8 sec15.3 sec132 mph
    		6.9 sec15.4 sec-
    		6.9 sec15.5 sec130 mph
    Read More

    2020 Kia Sorento vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      		SourceCompare
      		22 mpg29 mpg25 mpg18.8 gal.413.6/545.2 mi.
      		29 mpg34 mpg31 mpg12.7 gal.368.3/431.8 mi.
      		26 mpg33 mpg29 mpg14.5 gal.377/478.5 mi.
      		26 mpg33 mpg29 mpg18.5 gal.481/610.5 mi.
      		21 mpg29 mpg24 mpg18.5 gal.388.5/536.5 mi.
      		22 mpg28 mpg24 mpg19 gal.418/532 mi.

      2020 Kia Sorento vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        		SourceCompare
        		189 in.74.4 in.66.3 in.7.3 in.109.4 in.
        		201.2 in.75.8 in.70.9 in.8.1 in.119.8 in.
        		199.4 in.77.5 in.69 in.8.8 in.115.3 in.
        		198.8 in.78.9 in.69.9 in.7.9 in.119.1 in.
        		198.5 in.77.3 in.69.5 in.7 in.114.2 in.
        		198.3 in.78.3 in.70 in.8 in.117.3 in.

        2020 Kia Sorento vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          		SourceCompare
          		11.3 cu.ft.154.2 cu.ft.73 cu.ft.
          		20.6 cu.ft.153.7 cu.ft.96.8 cu.ft.
          		47.2 cu.ft.-89.7 cu.ft.
          		21 cu.ft.-87 cu.ft.
          		17.8 cu.ft.153.5 cu.ft.86.5 cu.ft.
          		18 cu.ft.155.3 cu.ft.86.4 cu.ft.

          2020 Kia Sorento vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            		SourceCompare
            		78.2 cu.ft.11.3 cu.ft.73 cu.ft.-
            		75.7 cu.ft.32.5 cu.ft.75.7 cu.ft.-
            		70 cu.ft.39.3 cu.ft.70 cu.ft.-
            		70.6 cu.ft.10.7 cu.ft.67.6 cu.ft.-
            		15.9 cu.ft.32.1 cu.ft.67 cu.ft.-
            		4.4 cu.ft.17.8 cu.ft.42.7 cu.ft.-

            2020 Kia Sorento vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              		SourceCompare
              		2000 lbs.1525 lbs.3810 lbs.
              		6200 lbs.1180 lbs.4513 lbs.Jeep USA
              		6200 lbs.1380 lbs.4680 lbs.
              		5300 lbs.1425 lbs.4345 lbs.
              		5000 lbs.1699 lbs.4287 lbs.
              		5000 lbs.1528 lbs.4248 lbs.

              2020 Kia Sorento SUV Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              1

              Recalls

              1

              Investigations

              91

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

              Top Kia Cars

              2020 Kia K900

              Horsepower : 365 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 21 mpg

              0-60 : 5 sec

              #1

              2020 Kia Telluride

              Horsepower : 291 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 22 mpg

              0-60 : 7.1 sec

              #2

              2020 Kia Cadenza

              Horsepower : 290 hp @ 6400 rpm

              MPG Combined : 23 mpg

              0-60 : 6.7 sec

              #3

              2020 Kia Sedona

              Horsepower : 276 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 21 mpg

              0-60 : 7.7 sec

              #4

              2020 Kia Stinger

              Horsepower : 255 hp @ 6200 rpm

              MPG Combined : 25 mpg

              0-60 : 6.1 sec

              #5

              2020 Kia Optima Hybrid Sedan

              Horsepower : 192 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 42 mpg

              0-60 : 7.6 sec

              #6

              2020 Kia Optima

              Horsepower : 185 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 27 mpg

              0-60 : 8 sec

              #7

              2020 Kia Sorento

              Horsepower : 185 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 25 mpg

              0-60 : 9.6 sec

              #8

              2020 Kia Sportage

              Horsepower : 181 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 26 mpg

              0-60 : 8.3 sec

              #9

              2020 Kia Forte

              Horsepower : 147 hp @ 6200 rpm

              MPG Combined : 31 mpg

              0-60 : 7.7 sec

              #10

              2020 Kia Sorento User Reviews

              0.0

              [1 Reviews]

              1

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              2

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              3

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              4

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              5

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              POPULAR TAGS

              reliability
              traverse
              safety
              everything
              journey
              accident
              return
              TLR

              Trina Lynn Rothery

              2021 Kia Sorento

              L 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 8A)

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: July 17, 2024

              My Sorento

              Pros - ["The sleek design", "Overhead space - my hubby is tall."]

              Cons - ["Infant Seat seatbelts are tough to maneuver", "Button six on our radio - does not preset"]

              I have always loved Kia, and when my 2012 Kia was in an accident, we knew it was time to step into the newer car, we had no idea if we would stay with Kia or return to our old safety net Chevy. We drove everything from a Dodge Journey, Chevy Traverse, Buick Enclave and we still loved the reliability of our Kia. I have never had mechanical issues or been stranded because of our Kia, which is impor...

              Not Rated
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
              Design
              Not Rated
              Safety
              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
              Deal Value
              Not Rated
              Dealer Review
              Read more »

              1. Home
              2. Kia
              3. 2020 Sorento

              Other Midsize SUV

              2020 Porsche Cayenne
              2020 BMW X6
              2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
              2020 Volvo XC90 Plug-in Hybrid SUV
              2020 Audi Q8
              2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 43 Coupe