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 1 through 10 of 73.00

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  2012 Kia Sorento Looks Nice But Has Its Drawbacks. - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By bc59 - November 8 - 9:59 am

  About a month after purchasing my new 2012 Sorento Ex with the optional V6 engine I noticed a loud thud almost everytime I started up my suv. I brought the vehicle into the local Kia dealership and they did some updates to the Sorentos computer which did get rid the problem. Also, my Bluetooth doesnt work so I cannot use my samsung phone in the vehicle. Flash forward one year and now Im experiencing a noticeable lag in acceleration. I told the Kia service manager about the problem and he said to add a bottle of gas treatment. Did that and the problem still exists. Ill be trading in my Kia soon for a more reliable vehicle.

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  2012 Sorento SX AWD - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By wjozz5 - October 31 - 1:51 am

  Our current Sorento is our second SX AWD in 8 months. The first was a 2011 purchased in Nov. and exchanged under our states lemon law in June of 2011 for a 2012 SX AWD. Upon receipt of our new Sorento we noticed a few new features that were welcome improvements. The passenger side power seat, multiple temperature heated and cooled seats and seat/mirror memory are nice additions to a comfortably appointed interior. The cabin is quieter than our previous model. Overall performance and handling are unchanged from the previous year. In comparison to the Highlander and Edge, the Sorento is an exceptional performer. Fuel economy is great. We have high hopes this model will last more than 8 months.

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  Beware of around town driving - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By dmcfee - September 28 - 6:07 am

  We purchased our Kia Sorento new about 6 months ago. Around town I have never gotten over 16 mpg. My lowest has been 13.4 mpg. On the highway i get 31 mpg. I took it back to the dealer and was told I had to to run few more tanks of gas then it would get better. Four more tanks and it remained about 14 mpg. I went back and the head maintenance man said I only averaged 18 mph in the city and that is why it was so low. I told him I did not expect the 22 mpg we were told it would get but had no idea it would be 7 mpg under advertised mpg. The salesman knew all my driving was around town and acted very surprised when I told him the problem. Love the car, but the gas mileage is unacceptable.

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  Pretty good so far - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By mikepm - September 15 - 11:02 pm

  Im at just about 2000 miles and thus far, the only issue Ive had is with the Bluetooth. The MPG that some people complain about I can understand a little. I can easily achieve 29mpg on highway IF and only IF I travel at speeds of 50mph to 65. The highways around here are sometimes 75-80 and Ill only get 24mpg there. Other than that, pretty good stuff.

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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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  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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  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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  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.

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  2012 Kia Sorento - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By heydes - December 10 - 8:22 pm

  I am in love with this vehicle. We get a lot of looks and people commenting on how nice the car looks. I am very happy. I like the option of the third row. We only have two children and the car works out well for our family. The second row is a little smaller than I would prefer.