Rank
What's New for 2025?
The Sorento Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid belatedly get the same exterior and interior overhaul that the standard Sorento got last year, so all three Sorentos are now on the same page. Otherwise, the Sorento is unchanged this year.
2025 Sorento Selector
FAST FACTS
"Kia's got so many SUVs that it's hard to categorize all of them, and the Sorento might be the hardest of all. Dimensionally, it's right in between the compact and midsize segments, but since it comes standard with a third row that's decidedly compact (don't put adults back there if they're your friends), this segment is where it belongs. We suspect the Sorento will be a just-right size for many families, as it avoids the bulk of the midsize Telluride while providing the handy-if-you-need it functionality of that modest third row. Just keep in mind that the desirable turbocharged engine — our pick — boosts the price considerably. We also recommend the Sorento Hybrid, which checks in under $40k to start, but the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid is too expensive for what you get."—Ranked #2 out of 3 Compact 3-Row SUVs
MotorDonkey's proprietary vehicle data identifies every significant version of each model so that you can compare and decide. Ordered by price from low to high, here are the versions of the 2025 Kia Sorento that you need to be aware of, along with our expert analysis and recommendations.
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We're not big fans of the Kia/Hyundai corporate 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, as it's not very fuel-efficient and doesn't produce good acceleration, either. The price is nice on the base Sorento, but we strongly recommend stepping up to either the 2.5T variant ("T" is for turbo!) or one of the hybrid options.
The last thing the standard four-cylinder engine needs is another couple hundred pounds that push it beyond two tons overall, but that's what you get by adding AWD. This is the slowest Sorento and in our view the least desirable one.
The turbo motor — standard from the EX trim on up — is exactly what the Sorento needs to awake from the slumber induced by the base engine. The Sorento Turbo feels downright fast when you put your foot in it.
The Sorento Hybrid is an interesting option alongside the regular Sorento with the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine. The latter is the fastest Sorento, but the Sorento Hybrid is hardly slow, and its fuel economy is massively better. They cost about the same, too.
Adding AWD to the Sorento Hybrid is a relatively easy choice because you've got so many MPGs to play with. Sure, you lose a few, but when you're starting in the high 30s, who cares?
Although AWD adds some weight, the 2.5T engine can handle it and then some. The truth is that the Sportage Turbo will give some luxury crossovers a run for their money in terms of straight-line acceleration. We had way more fun than expected in the driver seat of this specific Sportage configuration.
We like the smaller two-row Sportage Plug-In Hybrid, which has the same powertrain as this three-row Sorento PHEV but is thousands cheaper to start. It's not just the Sorento PHEV's price that turns us off; it's also its added weight, which makes it a slower than both the Sportage PHEV and the conventional Sorento Hybrid. What's more, the Sorento PHEV has a slower onboard charger than the Sportage PHEV. In sum, if you really need that third row of seating, consider the Sorento Hybrid — and if you don't, the Sportage PHEV is a much better buy.
What are the different versions of the 2025 Sorento, and how much do they cost? Select a version below or just hit the button to see our full 2025 Sorento specs and model data.
| Version | Price | Fuel | MPG | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Kia Sorento 2.5 Front-Wheel Drive | $31,990 | Gas | 26 | 191 hp | 195 lb-ft |
| 2025 Kia Sorento 2.5 All-Wheel Drive | $36,590 | Gas | 25 | 191 hp | 195 lb-ft |
| 2025 Kia Sorento 2.5T Front-Wheel Drive | $38,090 | Gas | 23 | 281 hp | 311 lb-ft |
| 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid (1.6T Front-Wheel Drive) | $38,690 | Hybrid | 36 | 227 hp | 258 lb-ft |
| 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid (1.6T All-Wheel Drive) | $40,490 | Hybrid | 34 | 227 hp | 258 lb-ft |
| 2025 Kia Sorento 2.5T All-Wheel Drive | $41,790 | Gas | 23 | 281 hp | 311 lb-ft |
| 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (1.6T All-Wheel Drive) | $47,990 | Plug-In Hybrid | 33 | 261 hp | 258 lb-ft |
Publisher and Donkey-in-Chief
Josh has been reviewing cars professionally since joining Edmunds.com fresh out of grad school in 2008. Prior to founding MotorDonkey, he spent 15 years shaping Edmunds' expert automotive content in various capacities, starting as an associate editor and ultimately serving as a senior editor before wrapping up with a five-year term as the company's first-ever director of content strategy. Josh is a card-carrying member of the Motor Press Guild and a lifelong car nut who has driven, compared and critiqued thousands of cars in his career. Helping people find their perfect car never gets old—seriously!
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