Red 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid SUV - This is the Midsize SUV with the best gas mileage

The Majority of 2023 Kia Sorento Buyers Are Interested in 1 Trim

Are buyers getting the most bang for their buck by picking the same 2023 Kia Sorento trim, or are they making a mistake?

by Christine Crandall

Published on August 29, 2023 5:07 pm

2 min read

Shoppers can choose from 8 Kia Sorento trims

White 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid SUV on a gravel trail in the woods

2023 Kia Sorento | Kia

The 2023 Kia Sorento trims start with basic options and top out with luxury features that make this midsize SUV comparable to the luxurious Telluride without the higher price. Here are the starting MSRPs and notable features of the various Sorento trims:

LX: $30,090, five exterior color options, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, 191 hp, front-wheel drive, 2,000-pound towing capacity, 17-inch wheels

S: $32,590, six exterior color options, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, 191 hp, FWD, 2,000-pound towing capacity, wireless phone charging, 18-inch wheels

X-Line S AWD: $34,590, seven exterior color options, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, 191 hp, all-wheel drive, 2,000-pound towing capacity, wireless charging, 18-inch wheels

EX: $35,990, seven exterior color options, turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, 281 hp, FWD, 3,500-pound towing capacity, wireless charging, LED fog lights, smart power tailgate, 18-inch wheels

X-Line EX AWD: $39,690, seven exterior color options, turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, 281 hp, AWD, 3,500-pound towing capacity, wireless charging, LED fog lights, smart power tailgate, 20-inch wheels

SX: $38,890, seven exterior color options, turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, 281 hp, FWD, 3,500-pound towing capacity, wireless charging, LED fog lights, smart power tailgate, panoramic sunroof, power sunshade, rain-sensing windshield wipers, 20-inch wheels

SX Prestige AWD: $43,490, seven exterior color options, turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, 281 hp, AWD, 3,500-pound towing capacity, wireless charging, LED fog lights, smart power tailgate, panoramic sunroof, power sunshade, rain-sensing windshield wipers, memory driver’s seat, ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, 20-inch wheels

X-Line SX Prestige AWD: $43,690, seven exterior color options, turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, 281 hp, AWD, 3,500-pound towing capacity, wireless charging, LED fog lights, smart power tailgate, panoramic sunroof, power sunshade, rain-sensing windshield wipers, 20-inch wheels.

Why is the mid-level SX the most popular trim?

Kia Sorento shoppers can save $13,600 by choosing the base-model LX instead of the range-topping X-Line SX Prestige AWD trim. But that’s not what most consumers are doing. They’re saving $4,800 by picking the SX trim. Some experts think the savings are not worth the trade-off.

The mid-level Kia Sorento SX trim offers the options and technology features that most Kia buyers want without the luxuries some shoppers might find extravagant, such as the rain-sensing windshield wipers on the SX Prestige AWD. Every dollar counts for Kia Sorento buyers, and the mid-range SX allows them modern-day conveniences while still saving almost $5,000 on luxuries they don’t perceive as necessary.

Is the SX the best 2023 Kia Sorento trim?

Some experts think buyers should go cheaper than the 2023 Kia Sorento SX. That’s because the lower-level trims provide more luxuries than ever.

For example, Edmunds recommends the S trim because it includes amenities such as heated front seats at an affordable price. Meanwhile, Car and Driver reviewers recommend the EX Hybrid for its turbocharged 1.6-liter hybrid powertrain and plentiful amenities.

Kia Sorento shoppers might be purchasing more than they need when it comes to getting the most value for their dollar. However, consumers seem willing to spend more to get features like panoramic sunroofs, which are at the high mid-range trims but not quite at the level or price of the SX Prestige trims.