carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 7 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $45,511–$56,360 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2025 Kia Sorento SL at 8.1/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this suv. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.5/10, while Reliability at 6.6/10 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. Reliability is the weak spot: 6.6/10, under the class average. Review the recall record on this page and price in extra maintenance headroom. 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 at 6.8/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. The cabin tech earns 8.0/10 — infotainment, smartphone integration, and driver-assistance are all close to the best this class offers.
Priced from $45,511–$56,360, 27 MPG, seating 7, the Kia Sorento SL sits in the premium tier of the suv category. The 7.3/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. At 1 year old, it's recent enough that the core feature set holds up well against current competition.
Our take: The 2025 Kia Sorento SL is a solid, well-rounded suv that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. The main caveat is performance and reliability — worth checking if those dimensions are priorities for you. 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 2025 Kia Sorento SL ranks #84 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 97% of the segment. Its 8.1/10 overall score is 0.7 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $45,511 starting price is about 26% above 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 2022 Kia Sorento SL scores 7.9/10 — within striking distance of the 2025's 8.1 — and starts roughly $4,000 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 (this review) | 8.1/10 | $45,511 | |
| 2024 | 8.0/10 | $44,187 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.9/10 | $42,861 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.9/10 | $41,535 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.9/10 | $40,209 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.7/10 | $38,884 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.7/10 | $37,558 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.6/10 | $36,232 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.5/10 | $34,907 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.6/10 | $33,581 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.6/10 | $32,255 | Read review → |
We rate the 2025 Kia Sorento SL's reliability 6.6/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance.
It scores 8.1/10 overall, ranking #84 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 97% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2025 Kia Sorento SL starts at $45,511 and ranges up to $56,360 across trims (MSRP when new). At 27 MPG, expect roughly $1,944/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Kia models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.