Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2026 Sorento.
The 2026 Kia Sorento returns an EPA estimate of 20/27/23 mpg paired with an eight‑speed automatic (AM‑S8) transmission. Early reliability data show just four owner complaints, with the leading issue category listed as Engine & Engine Cooling, and two recalls have been issued for this model year. Across the Sorento’s 2003‑2026 history, complaint volumes have ranged from a peak of 1,516 in 2011 to a low of three in 2010. With only four reports, the 2026 edition sits near the historic low end, suggesting a comparatively clean start, though the engine‑focused complaints and recalls indicate areas to watch as more miles accumulate.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (AM-S8) |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 20 / 27 / 23 mpg |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Regular Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the Sorento of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | X-Line SX Prestige 2.5L Turbo I-4 | 6.70 sec | 15.10 sec | 281 hp | AWD |
| 2024 | X-Pro SX Prestige 2.5L Turbo I-4 | 6.90 sec | 15.30 sec | 281 hp | AWD |
| 2023 | PHEV SX Prestige 1.6L Turbo I-4 + Elec | 7.40 sec | 15.50 sec | 261 hp | AWD |
| 2022 | SX 2.5L Turbo I-4 | 6.00 sec | 14.60 sec | 281 hp | AWD |
| 2022 | Hybrid EX 1.6L Turbo I-4 + Elec | 7.30 sec | 15.50 sec | 227 hp | FWD |
| 2022 | Eco Plug-In Hybrid SX Prestige 1.6L Turbo I-4 + Elec 11.8-kWh | 7.40 sec | 15.60 sec | 261 hp | AWD |
| 2022 | Eco Plug-In Hybrid SX Prestige 1.6L Turbo I-4 + Elec 11.8-kWh | 7.60 sec | 15.80 sec | 261 hp | AWD |
| 2021 | SX Prestige X-Line 2.5L Turbo I-4 | 6.30 sec | 14.80 sec | 281 hp | AWD |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2026 Kia Sorento shows very low volume in federal records, reporting only 4 complaints, 2 recalls, 0 investigations, and 8 TSBs. This represents a significant decrease compared to the 2025 model, which had 67 complaints and 3 recalls, and the 2024 model with 36 complaints and 2 recalls. Historically, the Sorento saw a massive surge in issues between 2011 and 2017, but the current trajectory from 2020 through 2026 indicates a strong downward trend in complaints and TSBs. The few 2026 complaints are spread across the engine, forward collision avoidance, and back over prevention systems, though the data does not specify the root causes. Because it sits at the lowest point of the historical complaint arc, this is a good year to buy.
All 4 complaints on record, top 4 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Telluride and 2026 Sorento vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with an incorrect spare tire which, when installed, can impair the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and the… Remedy: Dealers will replace the spare wheel and tire assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at…
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid… Remedy: The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 26, 2026…
Showing 5 of 8 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| OTA_ELE413_NOTES_R2 | 2026-06-17 | Electrical System | RELEASE NOTES: OVER-THE-AIR: SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR DATA CONNECTIVITY (ELE413 Revision 2)… |
| TSB_ELE422 | 2026-05-27 | Electrical System | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM… |
| OTA_ELE413_NOTES_R1 | 2026-04-24 | Electrical System | RELEASE NOTES: OVER-THE-AIR: SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR DATA CONNECTIVITY (ELE413 Revision 1)… |
| TSB_ELE417 | 2026-04-14 | Electrical System | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SOFTWARE UPDATE PROCEDURE - This bulletin… |
| TSB_ELE413 | 2026-03-20 | Electrical System | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: DCU COMMUNICATION LOGIC IMPROVEMENT - This bulletin provides… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined mpg.