2015 Kia Sorento S — Carivo review carivo.co
SUV

2015 Kia Sorento S

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $28,533–$33,343
Fuel Economy 17 MPG
Seating 7 passengers
Category SUV
Est. Annual Fuel $3,088/yr

Key Specifications — 2015 Kia Sorento S

Seating Capacity7 passengers
Body StyleSUV
Base Price$28,533–$33,343

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2015 Kia Sorento S

The 2015 Kia Sorento S is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.6/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Performance at 8.6/10, while Value at 7.2/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. 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. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 7.3/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 8.1/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Few rivals match it for performance: 8.6/10. Expect handling and power delivery that make this one of the more entertaining suvs to actually drive. At 7.5/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.

Priced from $28,533–$33,343, 17 MPG, seating 7, the Kia Sorento S sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. At 7.2/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 11 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Verdict: Nothing about the 2015 Kia Sorento S will scare a sensible buyer off. It scores consistently across the board, and it does what a good suv should — quietly and competently.

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 →

How It Ranks Among SUVs

The 2015 Kia Sorento S 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 $28,533 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 21%.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →

Which Sorento S Year Should You Buy?

Across the Sorento S model years we've scored, the 2015 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2025 8.1/10$40,260 Read review →
2024 8.0/10$39,088 Read review →
2023 7.9/10$37,915 Read review →
2022 7.9/10$36,739 Read review →
2021 7.9/10$35,569 Read review →
2020 7.7/10$34,397 Read review →
2019 7.7/10$33,224 Read review →
2018 7.6/10$32,051 Read review →
2017 7.6/10$30,879 Read review →
2016 7.6/10$29,706 Read review →
2015 (this review) 7.6/10$28,533

Pros & Cons — 2015 Kia Sorento S

✓ What it does well

  • Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
  • Engaging driving dynamics with class-leading power and handling
  • Modern, intuitive tech suite with wireless connectivity and up-to-date ADAS
  • Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well

✗ Where it falls short

  • Reliability scores are mid-pack; some owners report higher-than-expected maintenance needs
  • Fuel economy at 17 MPG is low — running costs will add up quickly

More Kia Reviews

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