The Kia Sorento has added more standard technology for 2026, but will soon lose its cheapest variants.
Kia added more cheaper hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants last year, meaning there are now a whopping 20 Sorento variants on offer for the 2026 model year (MY26).
However, four of those are in runout mode as Kia has discontinued the base powertrain, a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine that’s only offered with front-wheel drive.
Stock of V6 Sorentos is not expected to last until the second quarter (April to June) of 2026.
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For MY26, Kia has added its latest generation of lane centering technology called Lane Following Assist 2.
It says this “allows for more precise and less intrusive steering control by directly monitoring and adjusting the steering angle, rather than doing so indirectly via the steering actuator.”
But don’t think you can just take your hands off the steering wheel, because Kia has installed new sensors to prevent misuse.
New hands-on detection sensors on the steering wheel work with the existing torque sensor to better determine whether you actually have the steering wheel in your hand.
Finally, Kia has added ambient lighting elements to the front doors of the GT-Line variants.
The Kia Sorento is the only model available in Australia to offer a choice of petrol, diesel, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, although it won’t be able to brag about that much longer given the V6’s impending demise.
Prices
| Model | Price before on-road costs |
|---|---|
| 2026 Kia Sorento S V6 FWD | $51,380 |
| 2026 Kia Sorento Sport V6 FWD | $54,000 |
| 2026 Kia Sorento S Diesel AWD | $54,380 |
| 2026 Kia Sorento S Hybrid FWD | $56,380 |
| 2026 Kia Sorento Sport Diesel AWD | $57,000 |
| 2026 Kia Sorento Sport+ V6 FWD | $58,930 |
| 2026 Kia Sorento Sport Hybrid FWD | $59,000 |
| 2026 Kia Sorento S Hybrid AWD | $59,380 |
| 2026 Kia Sorento Sport+ Diesel AWD | $61,930 |
| 2026 Kia Sorento Sport Hybrid AWD | $62,000 |
| 2026 Kia Sorento Sport+ Hybrid FWD | $63,930 |
| 2026 Kia Sorento GT-Line V6 FWD | $66,290 |
| 2026 Kia Sorento Sport+ Hybrid AWD | $66,930 |
| 2026 Kia Sorento GT-Line Diesel AWD | $69,290 |
| 2026 Scotland S PEVE AWD | $70,880 |
| 2026 Kia Sorento GT-Line Hybrid FWD | $71,290 |
| 2026 Sport Sport Sport AWD | $73,500 |
| 2026 Kia Sorento GT-Line Hybrid AWD | $74,290 |
| 2026 Sport Sport+ AWD Sport+ | $78,430 |
| 2026 Kia Sorento GT-Line PHEV AWD | $86,790 |
Drives and efficiency
| Specifications | V6 | Diesel | Hybrid | PHEV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motor | 3.5 liter naturally aspirated V6 engine | 2.2L Turbo 4Cyl | 1.6L Turbo 4Cyl | 1.6L Turbo 4Cyl |
| Fuel type | Regular unleaded gasoline with 91 octane | Diesel | Regular unleaded gasoline with 91 octane | 95-octane premium unleaded |
| Engine performance | 200 kW + 332 Nm | 148 kW + 440 Nm | 132 kW + 265 Nm | 132 kW + 265 Nm |
| Electric motor outputs | – | – | 44 kW + 264 Nm | 67 kW + 304 Nm |
| System outputs | 169 kW + 350 Nm | 195 kW + 350 Nm | ||
| battery | – | – | 1kWh | 14 kWh |
| transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed dual-clutch automatic | 6-speed automatic | 6-speed automatic |
| Drive type | Front wheel drive | Four-wheel drive | Front or all-wheel drive | Four-wheel drive |
| Tare mass | 1898 kg | 1974 kg | 1909 kg (front wheel) 1972 kg (four-wheel drive) |
2117kg |
| Fuel consumption (claimed) | 9.8L/100km | 6.0L/100km | 5.4 l/100 km (front wheel drive) 5.7 l/100 km (four-wheel drive) |
1.6L/100km |
| Electric driving range | – | – | – | 68 km (NEDC) |
| Max. AC charging rate | – | – | – | 3.3kW |
| Fuel tank capacity | 67L | 67L | 67L | 47L |
| CO2 emissions | 222g/km | 158g/km | 122 g/km (front wheel drive) 129 g/km (all-wheel drive) |
37g/km |
| Braked towing capacity | 2000kg | 2000kg | 1650kg | 1010kg |
Kia says the Sorento PHEV can charge from 15 to 95 percent in three hours and 26 minutes using a 3.3 kW EVSE charger.
Dimensions
All Sorentos have three rows of seats.
| Dimensions | Kia Sorento |
|---|---|
| length | 4815mm |
| Width | 1900mm |
| Height | 1700mm |
| wheelbase | 2815mm |
| Loading capacity | 179L (all rows up) 608L (third row folded) 1996L (second and third row folded) |
| Ground clearance | 176mm |
The Sorento PHEV has slightly less cargo capacity: 175 liters behind the third row, 604 liters with the third row removed and 1988 liters with the second and third rows stowed. Like the hybrid, its battery is located under the second row of seats.
Maintenance and warranty
Kia offers a seven-year, unlimited kilometer vehicle warranty on the Sorento, and a separate seven-year, 150,000 km warranty for high-voltage batteries in hybrid and PHEV variants.
Maintenance is required every 12 months or 15,000 km for petrol and diesel variants and every 12 months or 10,000 km for hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants.
Kia offers seven years of premium price services, which are detailed below:
| service | V6 | Diesel | Hybrid FWD | Hybrid all-wheel drive | PHEV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | $370 | $371 | $353 | $353 | $353 |
| 2 years | $582 | $583 | $733 | $733 | $733 |
| 3 years | $446 | $447 | $427 | $427 | $761 |
| 4 years | $765 | $818 | $1063 | $1099 | $1165 |
| 5 years | $417 | $418 | $397 | $397 | $397 |
| 6 years | $732 | $714 | $883 | $883 | $1248 |
| 7 years | $442 | $444 | $696 | $696 | $696 |
Security
The Kia Sorento has received a five-star rating from independent safety agency ANCAP. However, this is based on testing conducted in 2020 and therefore this rating will expire on December 31, 2026.
The rating applies to all members of the Sorento range, regardless of drive type.
| category | Kia Sorento |
|---|---|
| Protection for adults | 82 percent |
| Passenger protection for children | 85 percent |
| Protection of vulnerable road users | 63 percent |
| Security assistant | 89 percent |
Standard safety equipment includes:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Pedestrian and cyclist detection
- Turn assistant at the intersection
- Blind Spot Assist
- Monitoring driver attention
- Intelligent speed limit assistant
- Lane keeping assistant
- Multi-collision braking
- Warning of rear passengers
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Safe exit warning
- Tire pressure monitoring
- Parking sensors front and rear
- Rear view camera
- Front, front side and front center airbags
- Head airbags (first and second row)
The GT-Line also adds:
- Blind spot monitor
- Parking Collision Avoidance Assist – Reverse
- Safe exit assistant
- Side parking sensors
- Surround view camera
As already mentioned, the Sorento also has Lane Keeping Assist 2 and practical detection sensors on the steering wheel.
Standard equipment
There are four trim levels in the Sorento lineup.
The S is equipped with the following equipment as standard:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Full-fledged light metal spare part
- Automatic reflector LED headlights
- LED fog lights front and rear
- Proximity access with push button start
- Windshield wipers with rain sensors
- Electrically folding exterior mirrors
- Electronic parking brake with automatic holding function
- Digital instrument cluster with 4.0-inch LCD display
- 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wireless and wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- Over-the-air updates
- Kia Connect telematics
- Remote control of the locks, air conditioning
- Remote monitoring of vehicle status
- DAB+ digital radio
- 7 speaker sound system
- Air conditioning (dual-zone automatic climate control on hybrid, PHEV) with vents in the second row
- Fabric upholstery
- 6-way manually height-adjustable driver’s seat
- Tilt and telescopic adjustment of the steering column
- Sliding, reclining and fold-flat (60:40) second-row seats
- 50/50 split/folding flat third row seats
- Electric windows with automatic up/down for the driver
The Sport adds:
- 18-inch alloy wheels (V6, diesel only)
- Rear privacy glass
- 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat with 2-way adjustable lumbar support
- Satellite navigation
- Dual zone climate control
- Third row air vents
- Electrochromic, auto-dimming rearview mirror
Sport+ adds:
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- LED rear lights
- Hands-free power tailgate
- Heated exterior mirrors
- Heated steering wheel
- Leather covered upholstery
- Heated front seats
- Bose sound system with 10 speakers
- Electric windows with automatic up/down function for the front and rear windows
- A/B pillar trim made of fabric
- High gloss black console trim
- 2 USB ports in the second row
- 2 USB ports in the third row
- Sun protection roller blinds
The GT-Line adds:
- 20-inch alloy wheels (V6, diesel only)
- Panoramic sunroof
- Projector LED headlights
- Automatic dimming function for exterior mirrors
- Remote controlled intelligent parking assistant
- Digital rearview mirror
- Head-up display
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 64-color ambient lighting
- Wireless phone charger
- LED interior lighting
- Upholstery made of quilted nappa leather
- 14-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat
- 4-way lumbar
- Pillow extension
- Memory
- 10-way electrically adjustable passenger seat with 2-way adjustable lumbar support
- Ventilated front seats
- Heated second row outboard seats
- Suede headliner, sun visors and A/B pillar trim
- Alloy pedals
Colors
Clear White is the standard exterior finish across the range. The following colors are available for an additional $700:
- Steel gray
- Silky Silver (HEV, PHEV only)
- Mineral blue
- Aurora Black
- Gravity Blue
- Snow-white pearl
- Volcanic sand brown
- Cityscape green
MORE: Explore the Kia Sorento showroom
