“Spacious and had required seat coolers and self driving features, but MPG is a bit of a disappointment. Some spurious features like voice memo but also has interesting features like quiet mode and rear view when turnsignaling.”
2023 Kia Sorento: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2023 Kia Sorento is a light packaging update, not a redesign. Its main change is broader standard equipment, led by a stronger safety package on the gas LX.
About the 2023 Kia Sorento
4th-generation Sorento, third model year for the redesigned U.S. gas model and pre-refresh year before the 2024 gas update; electrified variants are still in the same 4th-generation shape for 2023.
The Sorento is Kia’s midsize three-row SUV for shoppers who want family space without stepping up to a larger, heavier vehicle like the Telluride. Kia positions it as a flexible do-it-all model: usable third row, a wide spread of trims, available rugged X-Line styling, and gas, hybrid, and plug-in-hybrid choices. The main draw is getting three-row usefulness, strong tech, and upscale cabin features in a footprint that is easier to park and live with every day.
The LX is the family-first three-row model, while the EX adds a 10.25-inch touchscreen, heated front seats, a power tailgate, and second-row captain’s chairs. The SX pairs turbo power with a 12.3-inch driver display and panoramic sunroof. At the top, SX-Prestige models focus on premium cabin and camera features, while the Plug-in Hybrid SX Prestige combines standard AWD with up to 32 miles of estimated electric range.
What changed, by category
Powertrain lineup
The engines and hybrid systems carry over, but their trim availability changes. The Hybrid S is dropped and a Hybrid SX-Prestige is added. The Plug-in Hybrid SX is dropped, leaving SX Prestige as the only plug-in trim. The gas SX-Prestige also moves to standard AWD.
Safety
The gas LX makes blind-spot monitoring with collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, and safe-exit assistance standard.
Tech and comfort
The S and X-Line S gain wireless phone charging. The EX and X-Line EX add an eight-way power front passenger seat and a frameless rearview mirror, while the SX gets a 12.3-inch driver display, power-folding mirrors, and rain-sensing wipers. The X-Line SX-Prestige and Plug-in Hybrid SX Prestige add a HomeLink garage-door control, a household-style power outlet, and rear door sunshades. The Plug-in Hybrid SX Prestige also makes its panoramic moonroof standard.
Styling
Roof rails become standard on the X-Line S.
2023 Kia Sorento specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, GDI, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Hybrid, Turbo, 1.6 Liter / 4-Cyl, Turbo, GDI, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, GDI, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, GDI, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, GDI, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, GDI, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Hybrid, Turbo, GDI, 1.6 Liter | 4-Cyl, Hybrid, Turbo, 1.6 Liter / 4-Cyl, Turbo, GDI, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, GDI, 2.5 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd / Automatic, 8-Spd Dual-Clutch | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd Dual-Clutch | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd Dual-Clutch | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd / Automatic, 8-Spd Dual-Clutch | Automatic, 8-Spd Dual-Clutch |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Hybrid / Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Plug-In Hybrid | Hybrid / Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 24 mpg | 22–39 mpg | 24 mpg | 22 mpg | 23 mpg | 22 mpg | 22–36 mpg | 22 mpg | |
| MPG Highway | 29 mpg | 29–35 mpg | 29 mpg | 29 mpg | 25 mpg | 27 mpg | 27–33 mpg | 27 mpg | |
| Horsepower | 191 hp | 227–281 hp | 191 hp | 281 hp | 191 hp | 281 hp | 261 hp | 227–281 hp | 281 hp |
| Torque | 181 lb-ft | 195–311 lb-ft | 181 lb-ft | 311 lb-ft | 181 lb-ft | 311 lb-ft | 195 lb-ft | 195–311 lb-ft | 311 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 2000 lb | 1654–3500 lb | 2000 lb | 3500 lb | 3500 lb | 3500 lb | 2000 lb | 1654–3500 lb | 3500 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 75.5 cu-ft | 75.5 cu-ft | 75.5 cu-ft | 75.5 cu-ft | 75.5 cu-ft | 75.5 cu-ft | 75.5 cu-ft | 75.5 cu-ft | 75.5 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 29.6 in | 29.6 in | 29.6 in | 29.6 in | 29.6 in | 29.6 in | 29.6 in | 29.6 in | 29.6 in |
| Seats | 7 | 6–7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6–7 | 7 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Electric Range | 32 | ||||||||
| MPGe Combined | 79 | ||||||||
| Adaptive Cruise Control | |||||||||
| Alarm System | |||||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||||||||
| Cruise Control | |||||||||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||||||||
| Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers | |||||||||
| Rear Parking Sensors | |||||||||
| Rear View Camera | |||||||||
| 360 Camera | |||||||||
| Traction Control | |||||||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||||||
| Fog Lights | |||||||||
| LED Daytime Running Lights | |||||||||
| LED Headlights | |||||||||
| LED Tail Lights | |||||||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | |||||||||
| Power Close Liftgate/Trunk | |||||||||
| Power Folding Exterior Mirrors | |||||||||
| Rear Spoiler | |||||||||
| Roof Rails | |||||||||
| LCD Instrument Cluster | |||||||||
| Navigation System | |||||||||
| Premium Audio | |||||||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||||||
| Subwoofer | |||||||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | |||||||||
| 115V Power Outlet | |||||||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | |||||||||
| Cooled Seats | |||||||||
| 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 | |||||||||
| Wood Interior Trim | |||||||||
Frequently asked questions
Was the 2023 Kia Sorento redesigned?
No. The 2023 Kia Sorento keeps the same fourth-generation design and basic powertrains, with updates focused on standard equipment and trim packaging.
Does the 2023 Kia Sorento LX have blind-spot monitoring?
Yes. The 2023 gas Sorento LX has standard blind-spot monitoring with collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, and safe-exit assistance.
Which Kia Sorento Hybrid trims are offered for 2023?
The 2023 Sorento Hybrid lineup consists of EX and SX-Prestige trims. The previous Hybrid S is no longer offered, and the SX-Prestige is the new flagship.
How many 2023 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid trims are there?
There is one 2023 Sorento Plug-in Hybrid trim: SX Prestige. It has standard AWD, premium cabin equipment, and up to 32 miles of estimated electric range.
What changed on the upper 2023 Sorento gas trims?
The upper gas trims gain comfort and technology rather than new engines. Notable additions include a power front passenger seat on EX, a 12.3-inch driver display on SX, and more convenience equipment on X-Line SX-Prestige.
2023 Kia Sorento Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2023 Kia Sorento.
4.2
2023 Kia Sorento
(548 reviews)
“I love how it drives and how many miles I can get. I don't like that there is one less seat in the new Sorento.”
“Cars today are very technically advanced so be prepared for a long learning curve. The Sorento has a lot of bells and whistles that take time to learn.”
Sources
- kiamedia.com — Pressreleases / 19235 / Kia Announces 2023 Sorento
- kiamedia.com — Models / Sorento Hev / 2023
- kiamedia.com — Models / Sorento Phev / 2023
- kiamedia.com — Sorento / 2022 / Whatsnew
- kiamedia.com — Sorento Hev / 2022 / Whatsnew
- kiamedia.com — Models / Sorento Phev / 2022
- kiamedia.com — Models / Sorento / 2024
- kiamedia.com — Models / Sorento Hev / 2024
- kiamedia.com — Models / Sorento Phev / 2024
- kiamedia.com — Sorento / 2023 / Features
- kiamedia.com — Sorento / 2024 / Pricing
- kiamedia.com — Sorento Hev / 2023 / Features