2013 Kia Sorento: Used Car Review

The 2013 Kia Sorento is Kia's largest, most capable crossover vehicle. It's also well-equipped and has a long roster of standard equipment. The Sorento is available in both 2-row, 5-passenger and 3-row, 7-passenger configurations. Cargo space is generous, with 37 cu ft. available aft of the second-row seat and 72.5 cu ft. open with the second-row seat folded flat. The maximum towing capacity is 3,500 pounds.

Both front- and 4-wheel drive are offered, with the latter sporting a lockable electronic center differential that routes drive torque effectively to all four wheels. Also aiding back-road and poor-weather driving is standard hill-start assist, which keeps the Sorento from rolling back when starting on a hill, and downhill brake control, which helps keep the vehicle pointed straight ahead when descending steep downslopes.

Standard safety gear on all Sorento models includes dual front- and side-impact airbags, overhead airbags for the first two seat rows, active front-seat head restraints, 4-wheel disc anti-lock brakes with brake assist, and stability and traction control.

For 2013, leather seating becomes standard on EX models, third-row seating is standard on the LX V6 and optional on the EX V6 and SX, and UVO infotainment is optional on the LX.

What We Like

Well-equipped for the money; 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty; flat-folding second- and third-row seats; locking center differential on 4-wheel-drive model; panoramic sunroof

What We Don't

Bumpy ride quality over rough pavement; lacks rear cross-traffic alert and blind spot monitoring systems; tow rating is just 3,500 pounds

Fuel Economy & Engine Specs

The 2013 Sorento is available with a 175-horsepower port-injected or 191-hp direct-injected 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine or a 3.5-liter V6. A 6-speed automatic transmission is standard. All Sorento engines use regular unleaded fuel.

The LX comes standard with a port-injected 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that makes 175 hp and 169 lb-ft of torque. This version of the 2.4-liter has an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rating of 20 miles per gallon in the city and 30 mpg on the highway with 2-wheel drive and 20 mpg city/26 mpg hwy with 4-wheel drive.

Optional on LX models and standard on EX models is a direct-injected 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine rated at 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. It's EPA-rated at 21 mpg city/30 mpg hwy with front-wheel drive and 20 mpg city/26 mpg hwy with 4-wheel drive.

Standard on the SX and optional on the LX and EX is a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 276 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque. On front-wheel-drive versions, the engine is EPA-rated at 20 mpg city/26 mpg hwy, while 4-wheel-drive models receive an 18 mpg city/24 mpg hwy rating.

Standard Features & Options

The 2013 Kia Sorento is available in LX, EX and SX trims.

The Sorento LX offers standard air conditioning, Bluetooth, 6-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio with SiriusXM, USB input jacks, cloth seats, cruise control, remote keyless entry, a trip computer, a tilt-telescopic steering wheel with remote audio controls, 17-inch alloy wheels, heated outside mirrors, and power windows and door locks. LX options include a power driver's seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, UVO infotainment, a backup camera, heated front seats, fog lamps and roof rails.

Sorento EX models gain leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power driver's seat, 18-in alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, fog lamps, auto headlamps, push-button starting, UVO infotainment, backup sensors, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter. EX models can also be optioned with a panoramic sunroof, voice-activated navigation with real-time traffic, a 10-speaker Infinity premium sound system, a power passenger's seat, interior mood illumination and rear-seat DVD entertainment.

The Sorento SX upgrades to voice-activated navigation, a 10-speaker Infinity surround-sound audio system, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, the HomeLink garage-door opener, stainless-steel pedals, an air-cooled driver's seat, a power front passenger seat, illuminated sill plates, chrome exhaust tips, polished 18-in alloys, LED tail lamps and more.

Pricing

The Sorento is one of Kia's best-selling vehicles, so there should be a decent supply of used examples on used-car lots. Expect to pay more for well-equipped, V6-powered EX models. Four-wheel drive is nice to have but doesn't command a huge premium because front-drive Sorentos with all-weather rubber can handle the vast majority of inclement-weather driving situations.

To get a good idea of the 2013 Sorento's price range, check out KBB.com. You can also search the Autotrader Classifieds to see what models are for sale in your area.

Recalls

As of the publication of this article, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued no safety recalls for the 2013 Sorento.

Recall repairs are required by law even if the vehicle is out of warranty. Your dealer can check to see if the repairs were performed, and if not, will fix the car at no charge to you.

Safety Ratings & Warranties

NHTSA gave the 2013 Sorento a 4-star overall rating, with five stars in side impacts and four stars in frontal impacts and rollover performance.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 2013 Sorento Good ratings for side- and moderate-overlap front impacts, as well as head-restraint and seat performance. It was also an IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2013.

Kia sold the 2013 Sorento with a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, an industry-leading 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty (for original owners only), a 5-year/100,000-mile corrosion-perforation warranty and 5 years/60,000 miles of roadside-assistance coverage.

A Kia certified pre-owned vehicle can't be more than 5 years old or have more than 60,000 miles on the odometer. Every certified pre-owned Sorento gets a 150-point inspection. Each receives a 1-year/12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and the remainder of the vehicle's original 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Also included is a Carfax vehicle-history report and roadside assistance.