By 
The current, fourth generation of Kia’s three-row crossover has been around for a little bit over a year and after the recent addition of the PHEV version, we are pretty sure that the next model year won’t bring any significant updates. Instead, the 2023 Kia Sorento is expected to be a typical carryover model. We will see the same overall layout, though there is always a chance to see things like new color options, new standard features etc.
The overall design will remain the same. We are about to see a design that has so many good things to offer, starting from peppy powertrain options, efficient hybrid models, premium-grade interior and an intuitive infotainment system. On the other hand, the things we don’t like are the small cargo area behind the third row and the higher starting price compared to the previous generation.
As there are no significant changes to come, we presume that the 2023 Kia Sorento will hit the market sometime in the last quarter of 2022.
2023 Kia Sorento Design
As we’ve just mentioned, the 2023 Kia Sorento will represent the third production year of the generation. That’s why we don’t expect any notable changes. It’s still early for a mid-cycle update, so the best we could see are minor updates like new color options. Visually, things will remain pretty much the same. That’s definitely a good thing, considering that the current version looks quite attractive.
Mechanically, the Sorento shares a lot of things with Santa Fe. So, it’s no wonder that the ride quality is pretty similar, though we have to say that Sorento feels slightly sportier than the sibling from Hyundai.
Interior
Without any doubt, this is the strongest point of Sorento. Just one look at the dashboard and you can see how much effort Kia designers put into this cabin design. Everything looks really attractive, especially with those massive screens and other tech goodies. The classic dashboard shape comes in a combination with super nice materials that are really good to build quality.
The front seats are massive and supportive, while the driving position is pretty good. The second row is as comfortable, though we can’t say the same for the third row. Simply, we are talking about a model that’s slotted between compact and mid-size crossovers. So, a tight third row seems like a natural thing. Keep in mind that these seats are still pretty useful.
The main drawback is the amount of cargo space behind the third row, which goes around 12.6 cubic feet. That’s enough for no more than a couple of grocery bags. Fortunately, things are much better once you fold down the third row. Then, you get a pretty decent 45 cubic feet of cargo space. The total volume goes up to 75.5 cubic feet.
Features
Novelties in this aspect are always possible but we are pretty sure that most things are about to remain the same. Therefore, base models should come standard with goodies like an 8-inch touch screen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, a six-speaker stereo, HD Radio, and six USB ports.
The list of options is incredibly long. You can get tech goodies like a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch touch screen, satellite radio, navigation, voice recognition, additional second-row USB ports, a rear-seat entertainment system, wireless device charging, a 12-speaker Bose premium stereo etc. Also, you can get goodies like proximity keyless entry, push-button start, remote start, dual-zone automatic climate control, a panoramic sunroof, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a universal garage door opener.
When it comes to safety, all models should come standard with goodies like a rearview camera, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lake keep assist, automatic high beams and more.
2023 Kia Sorento Engines
Under the hood, the 2023 Kia Sorento will continue with four familiar engine options on the offer. Base models will come equipped with a well-known 2.5-liter inline-four, which puts our 191 horsepower. For those who are looking for something peppier, there is a turbocharged 2.5-liter unit, which puts out around 281 horses.
Also, there are two hybrid versions of the SUV. The first one is a classic hybrid, which combines a 1.6-liter turbo-four gasoline engine with a 44-kW electric motor, for a total output of 227 horsepower. The other one is a plug-in hybrid, which is based on the same turbo-four engine but comes with a more powerful 66.9-kW electric motor. The total output goes around 261 horsepower. Also, this model offers over 30 miles of the all-electric range.
2023 Kia Sorento Release Date and Price
We expect that the 2023 Kia Sorento will hit the market sometime in the last quarter of 2022, with a starting price of around 30.500 dollars. Key competitors will be models like GMC Acadia, VW Tiguan, Mitsubishi Outlander etc.
Comments