Kia has matured into one of the most prominent brands on the road. This stems from years of refining the once-inexpensive brand into a reliable and even, at times, luxurious automaker. Kia is here. However, the 2023 Kia Sorento recently received a bit of a wake-up call when Consumer Reports flunked the midsize SUV for a serious reason: reliability.
Is the Kia Sorento reliable?
According to Consumer Reports, the 2023 Kia Sorento is not expected to last. It got the lowest possible predicted reliability rating. This is a dagger for CR ratings. This reliability score led Consumer Reports to not recommend the 2023 Kia Sorento.
This low score is the result of a recall of the 2023 Sorentos PHEV with the tow package installed. In some cases, dirt and debris can build up on the Trailer Hitch Harness Module PCB and cause an electrical short, which can lead to a fire.
Compared to other vehicles in its class, the 2023 Kia Sorento landed next to last, only beating the Nissan Pathfinder.
What problems does the Kia Sorento have?
The 2023 model isn’t the first Sorento to experience spotty reliability. In fact, Consumer Reports shows from 2013; this model struggled to be reliable. The reliability history shows problems with the transmission, engine, electric suspension, power equipment and more.
Other than reliability, is the 2023 Kia Sorento a good car?
The Kia’s standard 191-hp four-cylinder engine is said to be loud and slow. The EX AWD version, though, has a 281-hp turbocharged four-cylinder, which essentially replaces the previous V6, has a grunt that CR testers liked. The Ex also has a proper eight-speed dual-clutch transmission that offers smooth and quick shifts.
The Hybrid model also has some impressive moments, getting 28 mpg overall, which, in a three-row SUV, is no joke. If you keep your foot off of it, the plug-in hybrid version gets 32 miles of pure electric power.
CR says the ride can get a bit stiff and “nervous.” On the surface, the previous model was much more civilized in dealing with the bumps and bumps in the road, but the hybrid is a little smoother. The handling is responsive and handles corners well. However, Cr calls the directing “lightweight” and “pretty boring.”
Is the 2023 Kia Sorento a good option for you?
2023 starts at $29,000 and goes up to almost $50,000. Considering CR’s less-than-stellar review, the price and reliability issues make the Kia Sorento a hard choice to fathom.