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2016 Kia Sorento

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 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
EX/Limited AWD, EX/Limited FWD, L/LX FWD, LX AWD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.3L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
24 combined · 21 city / 28 hwy
Length
187.8 in
Curb weight
3,704–4,101 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
8 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • Many owner complaints1,258 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 311 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 22 similar 2016 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2016 Kia Sorento is a small SUV offered with 3 engines (2.4L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.3L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 188 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 109-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,004 lb (EX/Limited AWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 24 MPG combined (21 city / 28 highway), 2% worse than the 2016 small SUV average of 24.6 MPG, for an estimated $2,800 a year in fuel.

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

It has 8 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 1258 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2016

  • New body dimensions: 3.5 in longer, wheelbase +3.1 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
  • Engine added: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo

Compared with 2015; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2015 Sorento →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
EX/Limited AWD187.8 in74.4 in67.3 in109.4 in64.2 / 64.6 in4,004 lb56/44
EX/Limited FWD187.8 in74.4 in67.3 in109.4 in64.2 / 64.6 in3,878 lb56/44
L/LX FWD187.8 in74.4 in67.3 in109.4 in64.2 / 64.6 in3,704 lb56/44
LX AWD187.8 in74.4 in67.3 in109.4 in64.2 / 64.6 in3,840 lb56/44
V6 AWD187.8 in74.4 in67.3 in109.4 in64.2 / 64.6 in4,101 lb56/44
V6 FWD187.8 in74.4 in67.3 in109.4 in64.2 / 64.6 in3,968 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 (S6)Front-Wheel Drive21 / 28 / 24-2%$2,800377
Sorento FWD2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive20 / 27 / 23-7%$2,900396
Sorento AWD2.4L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive21 / 25 / 22-4%$3,050397
Sorento FE AWD3.3L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive18 / 25 / 21-9%$3,200434
Sorento AWD2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive19 / 25 / 21-9%$3,200418
Sorento FWD3.3L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive18 / 25 / 20-19%$3,350436
Sorento AWD3.3L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive17 / 23 / 19-17%$3,550466
5/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
5/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $2,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
24.6 MPG2016 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2016 Kia Sorento.

Similar 2016 small SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2016 Kia Sorento (this car)24 MPGNot rated8
2016 Toyota RAV432 MPGNot rated3
2016 Honda CR-V29 MPGNot rated3
2016 Toyota 4Runner19 MPGNot rated8
2016 Subaru Forester27 MPGNot rated3
2016 Mazda CX-529 MPGNot rated4
2016 Toyota Highlander28 MPGNot rated2

Recalls (8)

Safety advisory: 1 recall for this model year carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Check your VIN now.
Trailer Hitches · Sep 19, 2022 Park outside

NHTSA campaign 22V703000 · 70,887 vehicles

Problem
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Risk
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever And Linkage › Column Shift · Aug 10, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V612000 · 28,065 vehicles

Problem
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016 Sedona and Sorento vehicles. The vehicles may have been manufactured with faulty automatic transmission shift lever assembly components, preventing the shift lever from locking, which can allow the vehicle to rollaway.
Risk
A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash and injury.
Fix
Dealers will inspect and replace the automatic transmission shift lever assembly components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 7, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC246.
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.
Trailer Hitches · Nov 30, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V862000 · 10,212 vehicles

Problem
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to August 25, 2016, and 2017 Sportage vehicles manufactured December 10, 2015, to August 26, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk
If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer tow hitch harness, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC142.
Seats · Oct 24, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V770000 · 1,408 vehicles

Problem
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured March 3, 2016 to March 21, 2016. The driver's seatback frame may have been produced with inadequate weld joints and, as a result, the seatback may not function as designed in the event of a rear-end collision.
Risk
In the event of a crash, the driver seatback frame could break and fail to restrain a seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the welds and replace the driver seatback frame, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 9, 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC140.
Suspension › Rear · Jun 29, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V480000 · 7,901 vehicles

Problem
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sorento vehicles. A component of the rear suspension may not be properly welded.
Risk
The improper weld may break, affecting the rear suspension alignment, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the welds at the rear suspension cross-member, replacing the rear cross-member assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 27, 2016. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service Department at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC137.
Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly · Jul 14, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V446000 · 2,587 vehicles

Problem
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured October 23, 2014, to December 10, 2014. The affected vehicles have a front passenger seat belt whose buckle latch assembly may prevent the front passenger from fastening the seat belt.
Risk
If the front passenger seat belt cannot be latched, an occupant sitting in the front passenger seat has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat belt buckle cover, free of charge. The recall began on August 18, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC123.
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal · Feb 13, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V089000 · 12,361 vehicles

Problem
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to January 29, 2015. Due to an improperly soldered component in the accelerator pedal assembly, the driver may not be able to accelerate the vehicle.
Risk
If the vehicle is unable to be accelerated, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Fix
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the accelerator assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 19, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC115.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2016 Kia Sorento is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

1,258Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
29Involved a crash
49Involved a fire
19Injuries reported
65,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Engine696
Unknown Or Other166
Power Train123
Structure › Body106
Electrical System104
Steering80
Exterior Lighting62
Vehicle Speed Control56
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
24/11: 924/12: 1625/01: 1125/02: 1125/03: 1325/04: 525/05: 425/06: 1025/07: 1525/08: 1425/09: 1025/10: 625/11: 425/12: 1026/01: 926/02: 1226/03: 426/04: 426/05: 1026/06: 826/07: 726/08: 526/09: 626/10: 624/1125/0225/0525/0825/1126/0226/0526/08max 16

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2016 Kia Sorento buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 8 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 — 696 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Power Train — 123 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  5. Structure › Body — 106 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
  6. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 65,000 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 2016 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
2015 Sorento23184.3 inNot rated3743

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