The Kia Sorento has gained more standard technology for 2026, but it will soon lose its most affordable variants.
Kia added more affordable hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants last year, meaning there’s now a whopping 20 Sorento variants on offer for model year 2026 (MY26).
However, four of these are in runout mode as Kia has discontinued the base powertrain, a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre petrol V6 offered only with front-wheel drive.
Stock of V6 Sorentos isn’t expected to last into the second quarter (April to June) of 2026.
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For MY26, Kia has added its latest generation of lane-centring technology, called Lane Following Assist 2.
It says this “delivers more precise and less intrusive steering control by directly monitoring and adjusting steering angle instead of doing so indirectly via the steering actuator”.
But don’t think you can just take your hands off the wheel, as Kia has added new sensors to prevent abuse.
New hands-on detection sensors on the steering wheel work in conjunction with the existing torque sensor to better determine whether you’ve actually got your hands on the steering wheel.
Finally, Kia has added ambient lighting elements on the front doors of GT-Line variants.
The Kia Sorento is the only model available in Australia to offer a choice of petrol, diesel, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, though it won’t have this bragging right for much longer given the impending demise of the V6.
Pricing
Drivetrains and Efficiency
Kia claims the Sorento PHEV can be charged from 15 to 95 per cent in three hours and 26 minute using a 3.3kW EVSE charger.
Dimensions
All Sorentos feature three rows of seating.
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The Sorento PHEV has slightly less cargo capacity, with 175 litres behind the third row, expanding to 604L with the third row dropped and 1988L with the second and third rows stowed. Its battery is located under the second-row seat, as with the hybrid.
Servicing and Warranty
Kia backs the Sorento with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty, with high-voltage batteries in hybrid and PHEV variants backed by a separate seven-year, 150,000km warranty.
Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km in petrol and diesel variants, and 12 months or 10,000km for hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants.
Kia offers seven years of capped-price servicing, detailed below:
Safety
The Kia Sorento has a five-star rating from independent safety authority ANCAP. However, this is based on testing conducted in 2020, and therefore this rating will expire on December 31, 2026.
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The rating applies to all members of the Sorento lineup, regardless of powertrain type.
Standard safety equipment includes:
Adaptive cruise controlAutonomous emergency brakingBlind-spot assistDriver attention monitoringIntelligent speed limit assistLane-keep assistMulti-collision brakingRear occupant alertRear cross-traffic assistSafe exit warningTyre pressure monitoringFront and rear parking sensorsReversing cameraFront, front-side and front-centre airbagsCurtain airbags (first and second rows)
The GT-Line also adds:
Blind-Spot View MonitorParking Collision Avoidance Assist – ReverseSafe exit assistSide parking sensorsSurround-view camera
As mentioned, the Sorento also gains Lane Following Assist 2 and hands-on detection sensors on the steering wheel.
Standard Equipment
There are four trim levels in the Sorento lineup.
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The S comes standard with the following equipment:
17-inch alloy wheelsFull-size alloy spareAutomatic reflector LED headlightsLED front and rear fog lightsProximity entry with push-button startRain-sensing wipersPower-folding exterior mirrorsElectronic parking brake with auto holdDigital instrument cluster with 4.0-inch LCD display12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment systemWireless and wired Apple CarPlay, Android AutoOver-the-air updatesKia Connect telematicsDAB+ digital radio7-speaker sound systemAir-conditioning (dual-zone climate control on hybrid, PHEV) with second-row ventsCloth upholstery6-way manually height-adjustable driver’s seatTilt and telescopic steering column adjustmentSliding, reclining and flat-folding (60:40) second-row seats50:50 split/fold flat third-row seatsPower windows with auto up/down for driver
The Sport adds:
18-inch alloy wheels (V6, diesel only)Rear privacy glass10-way power driver’s seat with 2-way lumbarSatellite navigationDual-zone climate controlThird-row air ventsElectrochromic auto-dimming rear-view mirror
The Sport+ adds:
19-inch alloy wheelsLED rear combination lightsHands-free power tailgateHeated exterior mirrorsHeated steering wheelLeather-appointed upholsteryHeated front seats10-speaker Bose sound systemPower windows with auto up/down for front and rear windowsCloth A/B-pillar trimHigh-gloss black console trimSecond-row USB outlets x 2Third-row USB outlets x 2Sunshade blinds
The GT-Line adds:
20-inch alloy wheels (V6, diesel only)Panoramic sunroofProjector LED headlightsAuto-dipping function for exterior mirrorsRemote Smart Parking AssistDigital rear-view mirrorHead-up display12.3-inch digital instrument cluster64-colour ambient lightingWireless phone chargerLED interior lightingQuilted Nappa leather upholstery14-way power driver’s seat10-way power passenger seat with 2-way lumbarVentilated front seatsHeated outboard second-row seatsSuede headliner, sunvisors and A/B-pillar trimAlloy pedals
Colours
Clear White is the standard exterior paint finish across the range, with the following colours available for an extra $700:
Steel GreySilky Silver (HEV, PHEV only)Mineral BlueAurora BlackGravity BlueSnow White PearlVolcanic Sand BrownCityscape Green
MORE: Explore the Kia Sorento showroom
