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2018 Kia Sorento

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 models.

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
Horsepower: 185–290 hp
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Seats: 7
Fuel: Regular Gasoline
MPG (best): 24 combined · 21 city / 28 hwy
Length: 187.8 in
Curb weight: 3,704–4,101 lb
NHTSA rating: ★★★★★
Recalls: 3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

AWD / 4WD available
Seats up to 73 rows of seating.
5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.

Watch out for

"Park outside" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 22 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2018 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), 4% worse than the 2018 small SUV average of 24.9 MPG, for an estimated $2,800 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 255 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2018

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2017 Sorento — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 Sorento →

Trims, performance & features

Engine185 hp2.4L 4-cyl

Engine290 hp3.3L 6-cyl

Transmission6-speed automatic

DriveAWD/4WD

Seating7 seats · 3 rows

Trims

L, LXEXSX, SXL

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingOptional

Forward collision warningOptional

Blind-spot monitoringStandard

Lane departure warningOptional

Adaptive cruise controlOptional

Parking assistStandard

Backup cameraStandard

Automatic high beamsStandard

Keyless startStandard

Built in: West Point, Georgia

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2018 Sorento configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

Body	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Track F / R	Curb weight	Weight F/R
EX/Limited AWD	187.8 in	74.4 in	67.3 in	109.4 in	64.2 / 64.6 in	4,004 lb	56/44
EX/Limited FWD	187.8 in	74.4 in	67.3 in	109.4 in	64.2 / 64.6 in	3,878 lb	56/44
L/LX FWD	187.8 in	74.4 in	67.3 in	109.4 in	64.2 / 64.6 in	3,704 lb	56/44
LX AWD	187.8 in	74.4 in	67.3 in	109.4 in	64.2 / 64.6 in	3,840 lb	56/44
V6 AWD	187.8 in	74.4 in	67.3 in	109.4 in	64.2 / 64.6 in	4,101 lb	56/44
V6 FWD	187.8 in	74.4 in	67.3 in	109.4 in	64.2 / 64.6 in	3,968 lb	56/44

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

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City / Hwy / Comb	vs. class	Fuel / yr	CO₂ g/mi
Sorento FWD	2.4L 4-cyl	Automatic (S6)	Front-Wheel Drive	21 / 28 / 24	-4%	$2,800	377
Sorento FWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic (S6)	Front-Wheel Drive	20 / 27 / 23	-8%	$2,900	397
Sorento AWD	2.4L 4-cyl	Automatic (S6)	All-Wheel Drive	21 / 25 / 22	-5%	$3,050	397
Sorento AWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic (S6)	All-Wheel Drive	19 / 25 / 22	-5%	$3,050	414
Sorento FE AWD	3.3L 6-cyl	Automatic (S6)	All-Wheel Drive	18 / 25 / 21	-9%	$3,200	434
Sorento FWD	3.3L 6-cyl	Automatic (S6)	Front-Wheel Drive	18 / 25 / 20	-20%	$3,350	436
Sorento AWD	3.3L 6-cyl	Automatic (S6)	All-Wheel Drive	17 / 23 / 19	-18%	$3,550	465

5/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)

5/10EPA greenhouse gas score

Spend $2,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car

24.9 MPG2018 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

Version	Overall	Frontal	Driver / passenger	Side	Side pole	Rollover	Rollover risk
2018 Kia Sorento SUV AWD	★★★★★	★★★★★	5★ / 5★	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	15%
2018 Kia Sorento SUV FWD	★★★★★	★★★★★	5★ / 5★	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	15.8%

StandardElectronic stability control

OptionalForward collision warning

OptionalLane departure warning

Frontal crash test — 2018 Kia Sorento SUV AWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Side crash test — 2018 Kia Sorento SUV AWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2018 small SUVs

Model	Best MPG / range	NHTSA overall	Recalls
2018 Kia Sorento (this car)	24 MPG	★★★★★	3
2018 Toyota RAV4	32 MPG	★★★★★	3
2018 Honda CR-V	30 MPG	★★★★★	5
2018 Toyota 4Runner	18 MPG	★★★★★	5
2018 Subaru Forester	28 MPG	★★★★★	3
2018 Mazda CX-5	29 MPG	★★★★★	3
2018 Toyota Highlander	29 MPG	★★★★★	4

Recalls (3)

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.

Steering › Electric Power Assist System · Sep 21, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V656000 · 97 vehicles

Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The cowl crossbar that connects to the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) steering column may be improperly welded, allowing the steering column to separate.
Risk: If the steering column separates, it can cause a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the cowl crossbar, free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC167.

Air Bags › Side/Window · Dec 8, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V784000 · 2,014 vehicles

Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The side curtain air bags on these vehicles have a component that may detach during deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag.
Risk: If the component detaches during deployment, it may enter the passenger compartment and be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall began on December 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC159.

Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2018 Kia Sorento is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

255Complaints to NHTSA since 2015

12Involved a crash

11Involved a fire

11Injuries reported

49,000 miTypical mileage at failure

Engine107

Exterior Lighting38

Unknown Or Other37

Electrical System29

Steering26

Fuel/Propulsion System13

Air Bags10

Power Train9

Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2018 Kia Sorento buyer's checklist

Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
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.
Engine — 107 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
Exterior Lighting — 38 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
Electrical System — 29 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 49,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2018 Kia Sorento. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Sorento years

Compare all years →

Year	MPG (best)	Length	Overall	Recalls	Complaints
2027 Sorento	37	–	Not rated	0	0
2026 Sorento	37	189 in	Not rated	2	9
2025 Sorento	36	189 in	★★★★★	4	136
2024 Sorento	37	189 in	★★★★★	2	51
2023 Sorento	37	189 in	★★★★★	4	165
2022 Sorento	37	189 in	★★★★★	9	228
2021 Sorento	37	189 in	★★★★★	5	276
2020 Sorento	25	189 in	★★★★★	1	140
2019 Sorento	25	189 in	★★★★★	2	434
2017 Sorento	24	187.8 in	★★★★★	4	808
2016 Sorento	24	187.8 in	★★★★★	8	1,261
2015 Sorento	23	184.3 in	★★★★★	3	743

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