Kia’s been on a roll lately, throwing punches in nearly every segment and often landing solid hits. The 2025 Sorento is another one of those swings, but this time the target isn’t excitement or high-tech bells and whistles. It’s about refining what already works. And honestly, it’s a solid hit to the bag.
First off, let’s talk looks. The Sorento’s latest face is part of Kia’s “Opposites United” design theme. In plain English that translates to “sharp, blocky grille with thin lighting and an angular chin.” It leans a little Telluride, a little EV9, and a lot more squared-off than before. It’s not drop-dead sexy, but it is confident, and confidence goes a long way in the everyday. (Kia, feel free to hit me up for your next tagline.)
Around back, Kia ditches the wide lightbar for vertical LED tail lights that give it a tall, upright posture. I like it. It feels more SUV-ish and less like a bloated wagon on stilts, which, let’s be honest, the last couple generations flirted with.
Driving the Sorento is like wearing a good pair of walking shoes. It’s not thrilling, but it’s exactly what you need 90% of the time. The ride is comfortable without being floaty, and the steering is surprisingly responsive for a midsize family hauler. It won’t carve canyons, but it won’t embarrass you on a curvy on-ramp either. Whatever of its powertrain choices you go with.
Kia’s strength over the last few years has been building cabins that punch above their price. The Sorento continues that trend. In top trims, you’ll find quilted upholstery, dual 12.3-inch displays under one glass panel, ambient lighting, and enough piano black to make Billy Joel salivate. That said, lower trims make some noticeable material sacrifices. Touch the wrong panel and you’ll get a plasticky thud that reminds you where the money isn’t.
Third-row seating exists, which is more than can be said for some competitors, but it’s still best left for kids or flexible in-laws. The second row–especially if you opt for captain’s chairs–is where the real comfort lives. Four people are very comfortable in the Sorento. Five are pretty okay. Seven? That’s a real push.
Sound insulation is improved this year, and it shows. Road and wind noise are pleasantly muted, even at highway speeds.
Kia’s digital cockpit is intuitive once you’ve lived with it for a few days. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are finally standard across trims—hallelujah. The infotainment’s learning curve is gentle, and Kia’s voice assistant doesn’t feel like it was coded in 2013.
Safety tech is baked in as well: forward collision avoidance, lane keeping, blind spot monitoring, the usual suspects. Nothing groundbreaking, but Kia’s “Drive Wise” suite is one of the more consistent performers out there in terms of not being overly twitchy or naggy.
Kia didn’t reinvent the mechanical wheel here. The Sorento still offers a few ways to get moving: a 2.5-liter naturally-aspirated four (barely adequate), a 2.5L turbo-four (plenty of punch for most), and hybrid setups (both regular and plug-in). Frankly, the base engine is only for those who are on a strict budget. The turbo and hybrids are far better.
The turbo is the sweet spot for folks who don’t want to mess with electrons or fuel economy math. It moves the Sorento with some verve, though the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission occasionally hesitates.
The hybrid gets 37 mpg combined, and the plug-in goes about 32 miles on electrons alone. That’s enough to handle school runs or commutes without firing up the gas engine. Don’t expect Tesla quickness here, but do expect better efficiency and a calm driving demeanor out of either hybrid model. These are my favorites of the Sorento options.
There are more exciting SUVs. There are cheaper ones. There are fancier ones. But very few balance utility, comfort, tech, and style as well as the 2025 Kia Sorento. It’s the kind of vehicle that doesn’t wow you with flash—but a month into ownership, you realize it checks almost every box that matters.
If you want a midsize SUV that does exactly what it says on the label (and does it well), the Sorento deserves a spot on your list. Just maybe leave the third row to the under-four-foot crowd.
This review originally published on DriveModeShow.com.
