Overview & Reviews

The 2011 Kia Sorento has been fully redesigned. Major changes include a switch to carlike unibody construction, more powerful engines and a new third-row seat.

• Long warranty.
• Decent-sized third-row seat
• Plentiful standard features
• Sporty handling
• Punchy optional V6

• Five-passenger model lacks a sliding second-row seat.
• Suspension tuning is a bit too firm

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 312.00

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  Horrible Mistake - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Belen - September 17 - 10:00 am

  The worst mistake ever, we decide to give KIA a chance, and now we are full of regret. After only 5 months of having the car, the second row seat broke after pulling it down for the first time, it took 3 visits to the dealership to have it fixed, and now I was left stranded in a gas station at 10:00 pm with 3 small children by myself because the gas door would not open, I tried the "emergency" handle to open it unsuccessfully for 30 mins. By the way the "emergency" handle is a big joke, is just a very thin thread. Dont waste your money!

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  KIA Mechanical Problems - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By mcdonald340 - September 4 - 6:09 pm

  2011 KIA Sorento - Transmission Problems/Pulls to the right/Sudden Acceleration/Cruise Control problems. Transmission broke on trip out of state. 6 Weeks to repair. Broke again. Accelerated on its own. Too dangerous to drive. To initiate a recall, file complaint with www.safecar.gov then go to vehicle owners then file a complaint. Stay away from 2011 KIA Sorento.

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  Not Enough Bang For The Buck - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By nojoke1 - February 21 - 6:14 pm

  We purchased a 2011 SX AWD with 42,000 miles recently. This being my first Kia and first SUV I was excited to say the least. However, after a few weeks of driving I started noticing little things such as rattles, rough ride, touchy steering, road noise, acceleration issues (barely touch the pedal and expect a whiplash), cheap plastic interior, uncomfortably flat seat cushions, and seat warmers with one setting (scalding or off). It has already been in the shop for shift lock cam being loose and within a month is going back for the same problem. I believe the Sorento has potential as being a quality vehicle but has several issues to improve on. I find it substandard for the price!

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  Not happy at all! - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Connie - May 1 - 7:10 pm

  I purchased my Kia Sorento in March. Ive driven it 648 miles. So far, the car has at least 3 rattles that sound like the car is falling apart. I got the back up camera - a waste of time because it cuts down your view in the rear view mirror. The mirror dims at night so you cant see where cars are behind you - dangerous! It rides like a truck and the brakes make me pray every time I try to apply them -- never know if they will stop me! Fairly decent gas mileage. I traded in my Toyota Highlander for this vehicle, and as soon as I can save up enough money, Ill trade the Sorento in to get back to my Highlander. Ive driven Toyotas for 22 years -- never a rattle. Not so with Sorento!

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  Run,dont walk-AWAY from the KIA dealership! - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By babayaga - April 12 - 11:33 pm

  After much saving and even more reasearch, my wife and I finally decided to make our first purchase of a new car in over 25 years a Kia Sorento(yes 25 years,I was in sales and was lucky to always have a company car) Well, let me tell you,we purchased the loaded 2011 Ex in April of 2010(SX not even available) and the joy lasted about one month.That was when the transmission went.It has been downhil ever since and we are seriously considering retaining an attorney to pursue the Lemon Law defense. The car was in repair for almost 2 months and now we are experiencing new transmission issues along with a plethora of new annoyances. DO NOT BUY THIS GARBAGE!

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  500 Km to My First BREAK DOWN - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By jrid - March 18 - 2:16 am

  I will keep this short.......Bought the 2011 Sorento 2 weeks ago.....and still on the first tank of gas and just under 500 kms right off the dealer lot........my new car breaks down!!!! Its now been 5 days with the car still in the dealer garage.......WOW....thats really reliable (sarcasim). I am not pleased. Asked dealer for a loaner car and was refused....becuse I did not buy the extended warrenty. Excuse me! I have just paid over $32K for my car and it breaks down and the Kia dealer left me high and dry!!!! Never shall I sway from my American 3 choices,........this Canadian will only buy American from this day on......

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  Kia... designed to fail at 61,000 miles - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Skylar Sutton - March 6 - 10:59 am

  Were the second owners of this vehicle, purchased it 2 years old with about 20,000 miles on it. We had minor/insignificant issues during the 60k bumper-to-bumper warranty period (which DOES transfer to the second owner)... insignificant things like a backup camera that needed replaced and some minor vibrations on the interior that just needed tightening up. Let me tell you though, almost the MINUTE that warranty was up parts started falling off this thing like a cartoon. We just had to take it in for a $450 oil pressure sensor that caused us to lose the entire contents of our engine oil in less than an hour. Thats a MAJOR engine component and WOULD have been covered under the 100,000 mile powertrain warranty... EXCEPT it doesnt transfer to the second owners. Ive owned cars with 200,000 miles on them that never needed an oil pressure sensor replaced. That is a major engine component that should last the life of the vehicle. Im terribly disappointed in this vehicle and Kia service in general. If you absolutely have your heart set on one of these, intend to have it paid off and traded in by the end of your 60,000 mile warranty or its going to cost you thousands per year to keep it limping along.

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  Two Warnings - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By D McClure - February 18 - 12:00 am

  I bought my 2011 Sorento with 18k on it in 2013. It has been a great car for the past three years. This year it was at just over 90k. I have always done everything I am supposed to. Plus I am a slow accelerator, typically I cruise at 2000 RPM in the city and 2500 on the highway not passing 3000 during acceleration. Then last month I heard a god awful metal sheering sound and the car skidded to a halt. Had it towed to the mechanic and was told the cylinder tubes had corroded and the cylinder heads were shifting and scraping the sides and that the engine could no longer be started. Cost for a used engine with the same amount of miles is right around $4500. If I want a re-manufactured one it is even more. Warranty is not an option because it cancels at 5/60 on used purchases. What is worse to me is a I still owe $14k. I did some research and it looks like this is a common problem in 2011 and 2012 Sorentos. I had planned on buying a Kia again in the future but I think I will stick to brands I have had good experiences with. I dont know if I will repair it at some point or turn it into a $14k paper weight. I would steer clear!

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  Do not recommend - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Dana - April 21 - 4:00 pm

  Spent $30,000 for brand new Kia Sorento. Since purchasing it in March 2010, it has been back to the dealership on five different occassions for two different mechanical issues. Biggest issue is it feels like the car is "downshifting" constantly at speeds around 25 mph. Was just told yesterday that car already needs a new drive shaft. Second, the car has a constant rattle that sounds like its coming from under the car on the passenger side. Was told that would most likely be dealt with in an upcoming recall due to bad struts!! I find it totally unexceptable that this 2011 car has already had all these issues. Worst purchase of my entire life!