Kia Sorento

Name: 2012 Kia Sorento
Brand: Kia

EPA MPG: 22 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 22 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There are 5 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 5 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 5 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 5 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

See All Ratings & Specs

Road Test

Redesigned for 2011, the Sorento is a capable and pleasant SUV, straddling the small and midsize SUV categories. It's one of the few to offer a third-row seat in this class. The Sorento's V6 delivers smooth and quick performance with decent fuel economy. A direct-injection four-cylinder engine was added to the lineup for 2012.

2012 SUVs Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

Kia Sorento

vs. Similar Cars

Chevrolet Equinox

Ford Escape

GMC Terrain

Honda CR-V

Nissan Rogue

See All Models Reliability

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

Kia vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

View all Owner Satisfaction

Kia vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Kia vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

2012 Compact SUVs Ratings

2012 Kia Sorento

$4,750 - $6,125

EPA MPG 22 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport

$3,950 - $4,450

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Chevrolet Equinox

$4,525 - $5,250

EPA MPG 20 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Ford Escape

$4,575 - $6,100

EPA MPG 20 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Ford Escape Hybrid

$4,575 - $6,100

EPA MPG 28 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 GMC Terrain

$5,150 - $5,800

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Honda CR-V

$8,000 - $11,100

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Hyundai Tucson

$4,775 - $6,300

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Infiniti EX

$4,750 - $7,850

EPA MPG 19 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Jeep Compass

$4,400 - $5,100

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Jeep Liberty

$5,050 - $6,125

EPA MPG 17 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Jeep Patriot

$3,900 - $5,400

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Jeep Wrangler

$9,825 - $13,100

EPA MPG 18 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Kia Sportage

$4,775 - $6,500

EPA MPG 22 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander

$4,525 - $5,275

EPA MPG 22 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

$4,750 - $5,100

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Nissan Juke

$4,125 - $5,225

EPA MPG 27 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Nissan Rogue

$4,300 - $5,175

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Nissan Xterra

$6,075 - $8,550

EPA MPG 18 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Subaru Forester

$5,700 - $6,950

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara

$4,100 - $5,550

EPA MPG 21 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser

$15,500 - $17,775

EPA MPG 19 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Toyota RAV4

$8,200 - $9,775

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Volkswagen Tiguan

$4,800 - $5,850

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

See All Compact SUVs Ratings

Features & Specs

4-door SUV

2 front, 3 rear, 2 third

AWD, Front

2.4-liter 4 (191 hp)
2.4-liter 4 (175 hp)
3.5-liter V6 (276 hp)

6-speed automatic

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties

See All Ratings & Specs

Model History

2021-Present

Current Generation

Kia redesigned its Sorento SUV for 2021, with new engines and an available hybrid version. Three rows of seating are standard, in either six- or seven-passenger configurations. The base four-cylinder engine is neither quick nor quiet, but the 281-hp, turbo four-cylinder that comes on EX trims and higher gives strong acceleration and commendable fuel economy. Unfortunately, its dual-clutch automatic causes some low-speed vibrations. The 1.6-liter turbo hybrid version is pleasantly powerful, beyond an initial delay off the line. All-wheel drive can be had with either gas engine, but the hybrid is front-drive only. Handling is responsive but the ride is rather stiff. Standard active safety features include FCW and AEB with pedestrian detection, while BSW and RCTW are standard on all but the base trim. A 261-hp plug-in hybrid with 32 miles of electric range joins the Sorento lineup for 2022. The 2025 model includes ACC, LCA, LKA, and LDW as standard.

2016-2020

2016 Redesign Year

Redesigned for 2016, the Sorento is slightly larger than before but still remains right-sized, splitting the difference between small and midsized SUVs. The SUV is functional and refined. Three engines are available: the base 185-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder; a 240-hp, 2.0-liter turbo four; and the smooth and quiet 290-hp, 3.3-liter V6. All use a six-speed automatic. The cabin is quiet, and the ride is comfortable and composed. Handling is responsive and secure. Supportive seats and simple controls help make the Sorento easy to live with. Available safety gear includes adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, blind-spot detection, and rear cross-traffic alert, as well as a surround-view monitor.

2011-2015

2011 Redesign Year

The Sorento's 2011 redesign brought it into the modern era. The Kia became a car-based SUV with an optional third-row seat. It also gained responsive handling and a steady, albeit stiff ride. The interior benefited from comfortable seats, easy to use controls, Bluetooth connectivity and lots of features for the money. High-end versions came with a large sunroof. Both the base four cylinder and the optional V6 returned 20-mpg overall in our tests. The pick of the range is an EX V6, which has a nicer interior and benefits from a slick V6 offering the same fuel economy as the four-cylinder.

2014 update brought a lively and refined new V6, a new electric power steering system, revisions to the suspension and interior upgrades. The new instrument panel and control layout are easy to manage. Comprehensive infotainment and in-car communications are available too and work well.

Overall, the Sorento is a good used car choice that's just as functional as larger three-row SUVs, but without the bulk.

2003-2010

2003 Redesign Year

The original Sorento was an old-school, body-on frame SUV. Unless you need an enclosed pickup truck, skip this model. It was good for towing, but a rough and tumble nature make this version an unpleasant choice as an everyday driver. The harsh ride is brutal, with bumps and ruts slamming into the cabin. Handling is also clumsy, although ultimately secure. The Sorento was initially powered by a 3.5-liter V6, which was upgraded to a 262-hp 3.8-liter for 2007. Either way, acceleration was quite spirited. But at 17 mpg overall, expect to pay at the pump. Low-range gearing makes it competent off-road, but it only has a part-time four-wheel drive system, which requires engaging and disengaging 4WD. This can be inconvenient, as you have to stop to make the change.