Car shopping is rarely easy, especially when you’re on a budget. If you are, you may be looking at a few older model, maybe even classic vehicles as well as mass market brands. One of your options may be a Kia; a Kia Sorento 2020, in particular.
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Is 2020 Kia Sorento a Good Car?
The South Korean auto brand has been widely recognized by multiple organizations. JD Power has given it the top award for long-term dependability, which measures the number of problems in a three-year old vehicle. Kia scored the highest among mass market brands.
Kia has also landed top safety awards from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for multiple models, from the Kia Telluride for its optional forward collision warning and LED lights and to the Sorento 202i for its optional LED projector headlights. Clearly, you’ve chosen your auto brand well already.
But what about the Sorento 2020? Is it a reliable Kia SUV crossover?
According to a JD Power study, the Kia Sorento 2020 is a quality award winner, scoring 82 out of 100. The rating comes from hundreds and thousands of verified car owners. Each VIN verified vehicle owner rated the mid-sized SUV on its
- Driving experience (76 out of 100);
- Resale (80 out of 100);
- Quality and reliability (86 out of 100), and
- Dealership experience (81 out of 100).
So it looks like the consumers have spoken: the Kia Sorento 2020 is a good car.
What is the Average Price of a Kia Sorento?
The average price of a 2020 Sorento is $29,134. In comparison, a 2022 Kia Sorento starts at $29,590. The prices naturally differ since some upgrades have been applied to the more recent Kia Sorento.
Sorento shoppers can expect the following specs from a 2020 model:
- Premium, quiet cabin
- Seats seven; 50/50-split third row seats
- 73 cubic feet of cargo space
- Standard 185-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
What else can you get for the average price of a Kia Sorento?
Fuel Economy
The Sorento’s 2.5 Liter 4 cylinder engine is predicted to generate as much as 24 mpg on roads compared to 29 mpg on highways. A turbocharged 1.5-liter V8 is rated at 22 mpg city and 29 highway.
Sorento Hybrids are most efficient in energy with an estimated 38mpg city and 35 highway. It has 79 mpg, compared with its urban and highway EPA estimate for 89 and 33 mpg, respectively. Kia says PHEVs travel up to 32 miles on electric only on one charge.
Performance
Sorento offers a wide range of engine options as well as front or rear drive options. Standard are 190hp 2.5 Liter turbocharged 2.5-litre engines and 281hp 4-cylinder engines with 2.4-liters available.
Both models come paired with an eight-speed manual gearbox and hybrid models feature a six-speed automatic transmission.
The SX trim is very high-end and the noticeable thrust and powertrain is more responsive off the line. It provides smooth handling, smooth isolation and firm brake pedal input.
Safety and Driver-Assist Features
Sorento features standard and optional driving assist technologies. The results of the crash tests are posted online at the IIHS.
Key security attributes are:
- Blind-spot collision warning
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Forward collision warning
- Adaptive cruise control with stop and go
- Surround view monitor
- Automatic emergency braking
The price of a Kia Sorento 2020 will change, depending on the trim levels.
The 5 Trims of a Sorento 2020
L – $26,990
The Sorento L is a two-wheel drive and features a 185.0-hp, 2.4-liter, 4 cylinder engine; 25 combined mpg; seven seats with 40-20-40 folding split-bench, and standard safety features.
LX – $28,090
For an additional $2,000, you could get the Sorento LX with auto dimming rearview mirror, leather-wrapped steering wheel for that luxury vehicle look, a shift knob and rofl rails in silver.
S – $33,190
The Sorento S comes with 290.0-hp, 3.3-liter, V6 cylinder engine (gasoline fuel), 22 combined MPG with optional blind spot monitoring through collision-avoidance assist-rear, rear parking sensors and forward collision-avoidance assist.
EX – $35,490
The Sorento EX 2020 from Kia also comes with a 290.0-hp 3.3-liter, V6 cylinder engine (gasoline fuel). Some of the interior optional elements are dual zone front automatic air conditioning and heated front bucket seats: eight-way power adjustable driver seat with two-way power lumbar support.
SX – $40,090
The Sorento SX 2020 is clearly the priciest from Kia’s midsized SUV model. For an additional $800, you’ll get LED headlamps, dynamic bending light and smart high beam, LED fog lamps.
What Can You Expect from 2022 Kia Sorento?
In contrast to Kia Sorento 2020, the 2022 version comes with eight trim levels. The Sorento LX is the entry-level with a starting price of $29,590. It features an eight speed automatic transmission, automatic emergency braking, three-row seven-passenger seating with one-touch slide and fold second row seats and an inch higher for ground clearance.
The rugged exterior looks of the most recent Kia Sorento makes it the ideal vehicle for off-road fun in comfort and style.
If your driving needs require more features, you’ll have to look at the other trim levels:
- S – $32,390
It comes with rear cross traffic alert, power driver’s seat with heated front seats, SynTex seating materials and available panoramic sunroof.
- X-Line S AWD – $34,390
Want an all wheel drive? This is the trim level to look into. It also features high utility roof rails, 18-inch alloy wheels and matte exterior trim.
- EX – $35,490
The EX is designed with second row captain’s chairs with six passenger seating, highway driver assistance features, smart cruise control curve and eight speed automatic transmission.
- X-Line EX AWD – $39,190
It’s the all wheel drive version of the EX, with 20-inch alloy wheels, x-line front and rear bumpers, panoramic sunroof with power shades and dedicated x-line grille.
- SX – $38,290
With this version of the 2022 Kia Sorento, expect power passenger seats, LED projector headlights, LED tail lights and panoramic sunroof with power shade.
- SX Prestige – $41,190
The SX Prestige not only gives you ventilated front seats; it also features heated steering wheel and heated second row seats. Among its driver assistance features are surround view monitoring, blind spot monitoring and parking sensors with distance warning for forward and reverse.
- X-Line SX Prestige AWD – $43,190
And finally, the most expensive Kia Sorento in 2022 is the all wheel drive version of the SX Prestige. It has all the bells and whistles you’ll want in terms of performance, driving experience and safety.
But like all mass market brand automobiles, not everything is going to be hunky dory. Some issues, according to Kia Sorento review articles, may be uncovered as the midsize SUV racks up more miles.
What is the Problem with Kia Sorento?
The most common problems in motor vehicles are electrical faults, airbags and seat belt problems. The most serious problem with these cars is their engine problems. Typically, most consumers accumulate about 63,000 miles.
One review for the 2020 Sorento lists the following as downsides:
- The feel of the steering wheel
- The harshness of the sport mode
- Not enough standard safety features
Another article points out the unsatisfactory cargo space and the underwhelming base engine.
Should You Buy a Kia Sorento?
Still and all, and for its price point, the Kia Sorento has a lot of good points. It’s fuel efficient with enough cargo capacity for a couple or small family on the road. From the S trim to the SX trim, you’ll be driving a midsize SUV that has scored well for its overall safety rating.
The driver attention warning, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, among others; the impressive driver safety technologies allow you to have an affordable, safe and comfortable SUV from Kia.
