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2015 Kia Sorento

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2015 models.

Kia Sorento
Pictured: 2024 Kia Sorento X-Line SX Prestige (facelift), front 12.20.24. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Body styles
LX 4dr SUV AWD, LX 4dr SUV FWD, LX-V6 4dr SUV FWD, LX-V6/EX-V6/EX-V6luxury/Sx 4dr SUV Aw
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
23 combined · 20 city / 27 hwy
Length
184.3 in
Curb weight
3,796–4,050 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • Many owner complaints743 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 233 for similar models — most often about the engine.
  • "Park outside" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 26 similar 2015 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2015 Kia Sorento is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.4L 4-cyl and 3.3L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 184 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,814 lb (LX 4dr SUV AWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (20 city / 27 highway), 4% worse than the 2015 small SUV average of 24 MPG, for an estimated $2,900 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 743 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2015

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2014 Sorento — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2014; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2014 Sorento →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
LX 4dr SUV AWD184.3 in74.4 in67.3 in106.3 in63.4 / 63.8 in3,814 lb56/44
LX 4dr SUV FWD184.3 in74.4 in67.3 in106.3 in63.4 / 63.8 in3,796 lb56/44
LX-V6 4dr SUV FWD184.3 in74.4 in67.3 in106.3 in63.4 / 63.8 in4,035 lb56/44
LX-V6/EX-V6/EX-V6luxury/Sx 4dr SUV Aw184.3 in74.4 in67.3 in106.3 in63.4 / 63.8 in4,050 lb56/44

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Sorento FWD2.4L 4-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive20 / 27 / 23-4%$2,900390
Sorento FWD3.3L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive18 / 25 / 21-12%$3,200427
Sorento AWD2.4L 4-cylAutomatic 6-spdAll-Wheel Drive19 / 25 / 21-7%$3,200409
Sorento AWD3.3L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdAll-Wheel Drive18 / 23 / 20-12%$3,350449
5/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
5/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $2,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
24 MPG2015 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2015 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2015 Kia Sorento.

Similar 2015 small SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2015 Kia Sorento (this car)23 MPGNot rated3
2015 Toyota RAV426 MPGNot rated4
2015 Honda CR-V29 MPGNot rated3
2015 Toyota 4Runner19 MPGNot rated9
2015 Subaru Forester27 MPGNot rated3
2015 Mazda CX-529 MPGNot rated3
2015 Toyota Highlander28 MPGNot rated1

Recalls (3)

Safety advisory: 2 recalls for this model year carry a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Check your VIN now.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module · May 10, 2021 Park outside

NHTSA campaign 21V331000 · 440,370 vehicles

Problem
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles previously recalled under recall 20V-519. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
Risk
An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving.
Fix
Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will install a new multi-fuse, and inspect the HECU for leaks, replacing the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 2, 2021. This recall supersedes previous NHTSA recall number 20V-519. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC212.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module · Aug 27, 2020 Park outside

NHTSA campaign 20V519000 · 440,370 vehicles

Problem
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
Risk
If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
Fix
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HECU for leaking brake fluid and replace the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. The recall began October 20, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC197.
Engine · Dec 19, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V907000 · 71,653 vehicles

Problem
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
Risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix
Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2015 Kia Sorento is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

743Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
20Involved a crash
14Involved a fire
24Injuries reported
76,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Engine362
Unknown Or Other114
Structure › Body95
Exterior Lighting86
Electrical System56
Power Train42
Steering29
Air Bags27
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
24/10: 424/11: 524/12: 525/01: 625/02: 225/03: 825/04: 525/05: 225/06: 525/07: 725/08: 525/09: 225/10: 325/11: 126/01: 426/02: 426/03: 726/04: 226/05: 226/06: 426/07: 226/08: 126/09: 326/10: 524/1025/0125/0425/0725/1026/0226/0526/08max 8

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2015 Kia Sorento buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Safety-critical recall. At least one recall carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Do not buy until the VIN shows it was repaired.
  3. Engine — 362 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Structure › Body — 95 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
  5. Exterior Lighting — 86 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
  6. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 76,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2015 Kia Sorento. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Sorento years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Sorento37–Not rated00
2026 Sorento37189 inNot rated29
2025 Sorento36189 in★★★★★4135
2024 Sorento37189 in★★★★★251
2023 Sorento37189 in★★★★★4165
2022 Sorento37189 in★★★★★9227
2021 Sorento37189 in★★★★★5275
2020 Sorento25189 in★★★★★1140
2019 Sorento25189 in★★★★★2434
2018 Sorento24187.8 in★★★★★3255
2017 Sorento24187.8 in★★★★★4808
2016 Sorento24187.8 inNot rated81,258

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Kia. How we calculate this →