“A lot of car for the money. Pleasant to drive and gets good gas mileage. You certainly won't feel like you settled for less car even though you spent less money.”
2018 Kia Sorento: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2018 Kia Sorento was mostly a carryover, and its main lineup-wide change was improved headlamp performance. Kia also revised the front headrests for comfort and adjusted equipment on the L, LX, and EX trims.
About the 2018 Kia Sorento
3rd generation (2016-2020), pre-refresh third model year.
Kia positioned the 2018 Sorento as a flexible family SUV that sits between a typical two-row midsize crossover and a larger three-row family hauler. Its core appeal is versatility: available five- or seven-passenger layouts, available V6 power and AWD, a quiet cabin, and an upscale feel for the class. Compared with rivals, it aimed to feel more polished and better equipped without becoming oversized or hard to live with every day.
The L is the straightforward five-seat version, while the LX covers a wider range of five- and seven-seat configurations. The EX adds a more upscale cabin with leather, heated front seats, a 7-inch touchscreen, and a hands-free liftgate. V6-powered SX and SX Limited models sit at the top, with features such as a panoramic sunroof, navigation, premium audio, and more advanced driver-assistance equipment.
What changed, by category
Styling
Headlamp performance improved across the lineup, though the Sorento received no major exterior redesign. The L also gained automatic on/off headlights.
Safety
Automatic emergency braking became standard on V6 EX models. On the EX more broadly, blind-spot sensors shifted from standard to optional.
Tech
The EX gained standard convenience equipment including a hands-free power liftgate, power-folding mirrors, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and expanded one-touch window operation. Push-button start on the EX shifted from standard to optional.
Structural
Kia revised the front headrest design for better comfort. Four-cylinder LX models with AWD also gained a standard third-row seat.
2018 Kia Sorento specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, GDI, 2.4 Liter | V6, GDI, 3.3 Liter / 4-Cyl, Turbo, GDI, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, GDI, 2.4 Liter / V6, GDI, 3.3 Liter | V6, GDI, 3.3 Liter | V6, GDI, 3.3 Liter |
| Transmission | Auto, 6-Spd OD Sptmatc | Auto, 6-Spd OD Sptmatc | Auto, 6-Spd OD Sptmatc | Auto, 6-Spd OD Sptmatc | Auto, 6-Spd OD Sptmatc |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD / AWD | FWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 21 mpg | 18–19 mpg | 18–21 mpg | 18 mpg | 18 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 28 mpg | 25 mpg | 25–28 mpg | 25 mpg | 25 mpg |
| Horsepower | 185 hp | 240–290 hp | 185–290 hp | 290 hp | 290 hp |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft | 252–260 lb-ft | 178–252 lb-ft | 252 lb-ft | 252 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 2000 lb | 3500 lb | 2000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 38.8 cu-ft | 38.8 cu-ft | 38.8 cu-ft | 11.3 cu-ft | 11.3 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 31.7 in | 31.7 in | 31.7 in | ||
| Seats | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | |||||
| Alarm System | |||||
| Automatic Leveling Headlights | |||||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||||
| Park Assist | |||||
| Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers | |||||
| Rear View Camera | |||||
| 360 Camera | |||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||
| Fog Lights | |||||
| HID Headlights | |||||
| Heated Windshield | |||||
| LED Tail Lights | |||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | |||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | |||||
| Power Close Liftgate/Trunk | |||||
| Power Folding Exterior Mirrors | |||||
| Rear Spoiler | |||||
| Roof Rails | |||||
| Bluetooth | |||||
| LCD Instrument Cluster | |||||
| Navigation System | |||||
| Premium Audio | |||||
| Satellite Radio | |||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | |||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | |||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | |||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | |||||
| Rear Air Conditioning | |||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||
| Heated Rear Seats | |||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | |||||
| Leather Seats | |||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | |||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | |||||
| Power Driver Seat | |||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | |||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||||
| Rear Window Shades | |||||
| Remote Start | |||||
| Third Row Seat | |||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | |||||
Frequently asked questions
Was the 2018 Kia Sorento redesigned?
No. The 2018 Sorento was a mostly unchanged third-generation model, not a redesign or major refresh. Its broad updates were improved headlamp performance and more comfortable front headrests, with additional equipment changes limited to certain trims.
What changed on the 2018 Kia Sorento EX?
The 2018 EX gained several standard convenience features, including a hands-free power liftgate, power-folding mirrors, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and expanded one-touch window operation. V6 EX models also gained standard automatic emergency braking, while blind-spot sensors and push-button start shifted from standard to optional on the EX.
Did the 2018 Kia Sorento get a new engine or transmission?
No. The 2018 Sorento carried over its engine lineup and six-speed automatic transmission, so this was not a powertrain-update year.
Which 2018 Kia Sorento versions have a third row?
Third-row seating depends on the configuration. Four-cylinder LX models with AWD gained a standard third row for 2018, while V6 EX models and the V6-powered SX and SX Limited provide seven-passenger layouts; the base L remains a five-seat model.
Is the 2018 Kia Sorento meaningfully different from the 2017 model?
Only slightly. The 2018 model has better-performing headlamps, revised front headrests, and several trim-specific equipment changes, but its engines, transmission, body, and overall design carry over from 2017.
2018 Kia Sorento Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2018 Kia Sorento.
4.3
2018 Kia Sorento
(324 reviews)
“I felt it might be a step down after driving a BMW but feel I haven't really given up anything & am saving money on gas & improved mileage. Also happy that it's reliable.”
“Do not base your decision on the brand name alone. Kia is a high-quality vehicle with excellent details inside and out.”