The gas-only Sorento lineup, simplified
The mid-size three-row SUV market is crowded, and Kia is contributing with its 2026 Sorento, which offers 10 trims. Since 8 of these 10 trims are gas-only, we’ll be focusing our attention on the pure internal combustion engine lineup so you’re not lost in the maze. With the 2026 Sorento delivering no new updates, let’s dive into our targeted analysis focusing on performance, cabin tech, and safety features to guide your final selection.
Kia
Sorento LX – $32,190
Kia’s entry-level 2026 Sorento LX offers the fewest exterior colors of any trim at 4 and 1 interior color instead of 2. The LX is also the only Sorento trim with cloth seats rather than synthetic leather or genuine leather. Projector headlights, daytime running lights, and positioning lights are LED, complemented by auto headlights and auto high-beam assist, and while the plain 17-inch alloy wheels don’t stand out, design elements like satin-chrome window surrounds add some class. Heated side mirrors are also standard, but you won’t receive roof rails, LED foglights/LED taillights, or a sunroof.
This trim’s comfort compromises include a 6-way manual driver seat, a 4-way manual front passenger seat, and no heated front seats. No auto-dimming rearview mirror or dual-zone automatic climate control further undermine comfort, and 2nd-row captain’s chairs aren’t available. You’ll want to keep in mind that the LX doesn’t include rain-sensing wipers or wireless phone charging, but features like wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, and a leather-wrapped gear shift knob/steering wheel make up ground. On the performance front, the LX comes standard in front-wheel drive (FWD), with all-wheel drive (AWD) unavailable.
This trim, along with the S, has the lowest power of any Sorento at 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. Comfort, Eco, Sport, and Smart modes are standard, but you won’t receive Multi-Terrain modes like Snow, Sand, and Mud. Unlike some of its competitors’ entry-level grades, the 2026 Sorento LX includes a blind-spot collision warning, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, and lane departure warning. Still, you’ll miss out on several advanced driver-assist aids, including but not limited to blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, a 360-degree surround-view monitor, and front/rear/side park distance warning. Overall, the LX does a solid job of balancing affordability and standard features, but no heated seats and sunroof can be a dealbreaker for many.
Kia
Sorento S – $35,090
The S is the first gas-only 2026 Sorento trim with optional AWD, which comes with Terrain Mode’s Snow, Sand, and Mud modes. Its exterior offers a choice of 6 colors instead of the LX’s 4, while adding roof rails and sleeker 18-inch alloy wheels with a Gloss Black and machined finish. Comfort and convenience are elevated inside with added synthetic leather seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and heated front seats. The driver’s seat now features 10-way power adjustability with 2-way power lumbar support, and the optional panoramic sunroof gives the cabin a more airy feel. Standard wireless phone charging and front/rear park distance warning should be enough to swing those on the fence.
Kia
Sorento EX – $38,290
Graduating to the Sorento EX means mileage drops by a few miles in the city and on the highway to 20/29 city/highway mpg FWD and 20/27 city/highway mpg AWD, partially due to the larger 20-inch alloy wheels. However, you receive the more powerful turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with a dual-clutch 8-speed automatic transmission. This added power is complemented by standard navigation, highway driving assist — keeping you at a preset speed and distance from the preceding vehicle — and navigation-based smart cruise control with stop-and-go on curves. While the panoramic sunroof remains optional, you’ll gain an auto open/close liftgate and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. The enhanced Bose audio system with 12 speakers instead of 6, and the 2nd-row captain’s chairs, are remaining available features worth considering. A standard panoramic sunroof would be nice at a starting price of $38,290, but the turbocharged engine with faster shifting and higher towing, standard navigation, and elevated driver-assist tech perform heavy lifting in the EX.
Kia
Sorento SX – $42,090
The SX is the first pure-gas 2026 Sorento to feature a standard panoramic sunroof, power-folding side mirrors, and LED taillights, but most of its significant additions exist in the cabin. A larger 12.3-inch curved instrument display serves as a notable standard upgrade from previous trims’ 4-inch panel, and environmental awareness increases with a 360-degree surround-view monitor. Ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and metal accents help the SX establish a more premium feel over prior grades, along with rain-sensing wipers and 12-speaker Bose audio. While some drivers won’t consider this a downside, it’s essential to know that the Sorento SX, and all proceeding Sorento trims, seat 6 instead of 7, with second-row captain’s chairs rather than a bench seat. Terrain drive modes are also unavailable.
Kia
Sorento X-Line EX AWD – $42,590
Kia’s Sorento X-Line EX and all subsequent trims are only available in AWD. Styling primarily distinguishes the X-Line EX AWD from previous trims, as the X-Line and X-Pro grades receive unique front and rear fascias with gloss-black accent trim. The X-Line’s trim-exclusive wheels are 20-inch alloys with a Gloss Black finish, and high-utility roof rails optimize exterior function. Terrain modes are standard, along with the torque-vectoring AWD system with a center-locking differential, which is optional on the S and EX, and the interior trim is a classy simulated open-pore wood. Still, one would expect the 12.3-inch curved digital instrument panel to carry over rather than a 4-inch display, and there’s no surround-view monitor, power-folding side mirrors, or rain-sensing wipers. If you like X-Line styling and want to save some money, this trim is worth considering, but it’s not a standout for the Sorento.
Kia
Sorento X-Line SX AWD – $43,890
Opting for a Sorento X-Line SX AWD means receiving the features you lost in the X-Line EX AWD. These exterior features include LED taillights and power-folding side mirrors, while the interior features a 12.3-inch digital cluster, rain-sensing wipers, ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Aluminum sport pedals and chrome inside door handles give this trim some added flair, so if you can afford to go above the X-Line EX AWD, the X-Line SX AWD wins hands down.
Kia
Sorento X-Line SX Prestige AWD – $46,590
Perforated leather seating isn’t available until you select an X-Line SX Prestige AWD or X-Pro SX Prestige AWD. This leather seating offers an Olive Brown color that’s exclusive to these two trims, and you won’t find the SynTex suede headliner on lower grades. Front row comfort is enhanced by a 14-way power driver’s seat with 4-way power lumbar and 2-way power thigh extension support, along with a 10-way power passenger seat with 2-way power lumbar adjustment. Second-row passengers get a taste of first-row comfort with heated outboard seats, and a digital rearview mirror’s widened perspective complements the surround-view monitor. On the safety front, an array of advanced standard systems arrives, including blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, automatic lane-change assist, and more comprehensive forward-collision-avoidance assist coverage. With other unlocked standard features like a digital key, it’s hard to say no to the X-Line SX Prestige.
Kia
Sorento X-Pro SX Prestige AWD – $47,590
The X-Pro SX Prestige’s unique selling point is its status as the Sorento’s most off-road-oriented Sorento. All terrain tires for the 17-inch Matte Black alloy wheels and a peak towing capacity of 4,500 lbs establish this adventure-driven attitude, but it also offers embossed front seat headrests.
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Final thoughts
Kia’s extensive selection of gas-only 2026 Sorento trims has something for everyone, but the best overall buy is the EX. Besides a starting price of under $40,000, significantly more power, and faster shifts via the 8-speed dual-clutch, the EX’s interior excels in more ways than one. Synthetic leather seating, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and optional second-row captain’s chairs provide an upper-trim feel, while tech levels up via standard navigation, an auto open-close tailgate, and highway driving assist. The EX also has non-hybrid Sorentos, the second-highest tow rating of 3,500 lbs. Be sure to test-drive the EX alongside other 2026 Sorento trims before making a purchase, and consider the Sorento’s hybrid variants for added fuel efficiency.
About the author
Cody Carlson
Contributing Writer, Autoblog