Overview & Reviews

Fresh from last year's redesign, the Kia Sorento gains a few more upgrades for 2012. Topping the list is a new, optional four-cylinder engine with direct fuel injection for more power and better fuel economy. Also new are a ventilated driver seat, stain-resistant seat fabric and Kia's "Uvo" voice-activated control interface.

• Long warranty.
• Optional fuel-efficient four-cylinder
• Plentiful standard features
• Decent-size third-row seat, sporty handling
• Optional punchy V6

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

User Reviews:

Showing 21 through 30 of 73.00

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  Falling Out Of Love - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By jclaeys - May 22 - 7:42 pm

  Purchased 2012 used in Dec. with less than 5K on odo. Was impressed then with the value. Now at just 8K beginning to realize that this is a good vehicle, not a great one by any means. Probably first and foremost is service, its just completely lacking, and until KIA becomes a household name it will probably remain so. I am disappointed with the gas mileage, as I am easy on the pedal and am only able to avg. 20MPG combined 50/50. I have made countless calls and visits to the dealer for an engine that "shakes" at idle with the brakes apllied. I have to place car in neutral at every stop light. Problem is, as long as there is no engine light on, no one knows what to do. Stay clear of "4"

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  So Far So Good - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By johnnykia - February 22 - 3:46 am

  We traded a Honda CRV (excellent car) in for a new Kia Sorento SX AWD V6, largely because we needed more power to pull a small trailer. So far, we are pleased with the Sorento, which seems luxurious compared to the Honda. It is much quieter (less road noise) and the V6 engine has great acceleration. Still getting used to all the bells and whistles. Some of the controls are not inuitive. Many adjustments, like the mirrors, cannot be made unless the car is in Park. We do not need 3rd row seating, and would have rather had a bit more storage back there, but it was not an option on our model. Have not pulled the trailer yet. So far we get about 20 MPG for city/commuting and about 25 highway.

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  Great car, great value - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By newcarshoppe - November 13 - 2:48 pm

  Purchased my EX, GDI engine in Novermber 11 and after 3.500 miles I have been very pleased with every aspect of the car. Im averaging 23 mpg in and around town (San Antonio) and as high as 33 mpg on the highway. No complaints about the mileage. Fit and finish and styling inside and out continue to get complaments from my friends. When I purchased the car I had narrowed it down to the Toyota Venza and the Sorento. Although both cars have a very firm suspension, the Venza was choppy and the Sorento was much smoother. I think the duel flow damper shocks make the difference.

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  Fun to drive - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By dagreene57 - September 6 - 7:29 am

  Have an EX with the V6. Fun to drive, but definitely have the throttle lag mentioned in other posts. Weirdest thing was a week or two ago started to get apulsation/vibration under acceleration. Took it to the dealer and they found a snap-ring on the left-front had slipped and was allowing the front axle-shaft to move around. They put on a new one and found that the correct part was undersized. They found a correctly sized part and no more problems. The service manager said this was the 3rd one he had seen. This was at about 15K miles. Other than that, a blast to drive, handles great, good power.

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  Incredible Value ! - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By awf48 - August 18 - 1:26 pm

  I was looking for a SUV to replace my Saturn Vue--the 2012 Sorento is more than I expected I have the LX- V6--performance is great and gas mileage with 6 speed auto gives overall 27.5/28 miles per gallon combined--whos complaining not me! The Sorento has a great warranty and was also more coverage than expected. I liked the FACT that it was made in Georgia, Go USA! Drive out on the 2012 was $25,500 includes TT&L and $2000 down--No trade in.

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  Buy if you dont care about gas mileage - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By natlikescars - July 29 - 1:56 am

  We bought our Sorento the end of July 2011. The first 800 miles we got 32 to 34 highway mpg. After that it dropped to 28 and below. The dealer has checked it twice and they say nothing is wrong and Kia has said that is normal. Really?? We really like the vehicle except for the gas mpg. If the EPA sticker had said highway mileage was 27 mpg it would have been great. I challenge anyone to to get 32 mpg highway with any normal gasoline. Was the computer made to give you great mpg for the first few hundred miles, but if that continued the engine would burn up? So after about 800 miles it gives it a richer mixture? I am planning on contacting the EPA and have them reexamine the Sorento mpg.

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  2012 Sorrento is a LEMON - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By sdannett - February 25 - 7:22 am

  I find it unacceptable for my 2012 sorrento to require an entire engine replacement after only 8 months of driving. Although the repair was eventually covered under warranty, I had to fight and followup daily for updates on repairs. It ended up taking ONE MONTH for my vehicle to be ready. The breakdown occurred in another city 4 hours away from my home and they expected me to drive 8 hour round trip to pick it up. Faulty vehicle and abysmal customer service. I feel duped. Stay away from KIA.

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  A stiff suspension and a bog in acceleration hurt this suvs rating. - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By bc59 - February 21 - 10:08 am

  I took delivery of my Kia Sorento with the optional V-6 a little over a year ago. After several months I noticed a bog (flat spot) when accelerating from a stop. The Kia dealership said to put gas treatment in the tank which I did but this did not help. The problem still persists. The suspension is very stiff and even the smallest bumps in the road can be felt. I driven a Ford Edge and a Jeep Cheerokee and their suspensions were much softer. Also, one of the side steps on my suv has come loose. Apparently from the factory a screww was not tightened enough. I like the looks of the Sorento but it is not a refined vehicle. Ill probably trade it in on another vehicle soon.

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  We love this crossover! - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By kiafan - February 12 - 8:56 pm

  My husband and I leased our 2012 Sorento in July and it has been the nicest vehicle we have ever owned. We have had no problems whatsover but we have had it only 2 months! Still, it is fun to drive, comfortable, and quiet. The GPS system is easy to use and the Bluetooth works great. We were very fortunate in that we found a 4 cylinder front wheel drive model because we do not need AWD where we live, and we do not need 6 cyl. It doesnt "zip" onto the freeway but I use the manual shift for when I need a little extra power. The backup camera screen is very clear and has proven to be very helpful!

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  Happy so far! - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By sahill1380 - December 14 - 9:20 pm

  I purchased my Sorento in January and have had no issues. I get 25mpg around town and 29mpg on the highway, much better than my Sedona. Many family trips and its delivered on all the promises.