carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 7 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $37,915–$49,119 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2023 Kia Sorento S at 7.9/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this suv. Its strongest dimension is Value at 8.7/10, while Technology at 7.4/10 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. We score reliability at 7.4/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The 8.5/10 safety score puts it near the top of the class on this dimension; the official trim-level results at nhtsa.gov are worth a final check.
Performance is a genuine highlight at 8.3/10. The Kia Sorento S delivers engaging driving dynamics — responsive handling, meaningful power delivery, and a drivetrain that rewards spirited driving without sacrificing daily usability. Tech rates a reasonable 7.4/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $37,915–$49,119, 25 MPG, seating 7, the Kia Sorento S sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. Value is where it presses its advantage — 8.7/10, meaning the feature set and quality outrun the asking price. At 3 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Our take: The 2023 Kia Sorento S 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 2023 Kia Sorento S ranks #293 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 88% of the segment. Its 7.9/10 overall score is 0.5 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $37,915 starting price sits close to the segment's median of $36,079.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $50k →
Smart-money pick: the 2020 Kia Sorento S scores 7.7/10 — within striking distance of the 2023's 7.9 — and starts roughly $3,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8.1/10 | $40,260 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 8.0/10 | $39,088 | Read review → |
| 2023 (this review) | 7.9/10 | $37,915 | |
| 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 | 7.6/10 | $28,533 | Read review → |
We rate the 2023 Kia Sorento S's reliability 7.4/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class.
It scores 7.9/10 overall, ranking #293 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 88% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2023 Kia Sorento S starts at $37,915 and ranges up to $49,119 across trims (MSRP when new). At 25 MPG, expect roughly $2,100/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Other suvs at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Kia models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
