carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 7 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $26,852–$32,755 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2017 Kia Sorento Base at 7.6/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this suv. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 8.9/10. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 8.9/10, reliability is one of this suv's best cards — few vehicles in our database score higher on this dimension. The safety score of 8.4/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance is a genuine highlight at 8.7/10. The Kia Sorento Base delivers engaging driving dynamics — responsive handling, meaningful power delivery, and a drivetrain that rewards spirited driving without sacrificing daily usability. Tech rates a reasonable 7.9/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $26,852–$32,755, 19 MPG, seating 7, the Kia Sorento Base sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. Value is where it presses its advantage — 8.0/10, meaning the feature set and quality outrun the asking price. At 9 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2017 Kia Sorento Base is a solid, well-rounded suv that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. For most buyers in this segment, it's a safe, dependable choice.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2017 Kia Sorento Base ranks #737 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 70% of the segment. Its 7.6/10 overall score is 0.2 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $26,852 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 26%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Across the Sorento Base model years we've scored, the 2017 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8.1/10 | $35,009 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 8.0/10 | $33,990 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.9/10 | $32,970 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.9/10 | $31,950 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.9/10 | $30,930 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.8/10 | $29,911 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.7/10 | $28,891 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.6/10 | $27,871 | Read review → |
| 2017 (this review) | 7.6/10 | $26,852 | |
| 2016 | 7.6/10 | $25,832 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.6/10 | $24,812 | Read review → |
Explore the full lineup of Kia models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.