2022 Kia Sorento: Market-Specific Specifications and Buying Guide
This Kia Sorento profile covers documented US configurations sold or supplied during 2022. It distinguishes a formal 2022 model year from later revisions and deliberately avoids treating another region's fuel economy, range, safety equipment or trim levels as equivalent. The details below are scoped to the listed variants, not every vehicle bearing the badge worldwide.
Model-year identity and what changed
One of the most important 2022 Sorento buying decisions is concealed beneath the bodywork. Kia offered this fourth-generation SUV with four substantially different US powertrain paths: regular gasoline, turbocharged gasoline, conventional hybrid and plug-in hybrid. Treating them as interchangeable “2.5-liter Sorento” vehicles would miss major differences in shifting, fuel use, driving behavior and service inspection needs.
Verified regional powertrains and equipment
The base 2.5-liter engine makes 191 hp with a conventional eight-speed automatic; the 281-hp turbo uses an eight-speed wet dual-clutch transmission. A 1.6-liter turbo hybrid produces 227 hp combined, while the plug-in hybrid combines the same general engine family with a larger electric motor for 261 hp and a manufacturer-listed 13.8-kWh battery. Kia separately confirmed the plug-in version’s AWD and six-speed automatic.
Documented US configurations
- LX/S naturally aspirated gasoline; 2.5 L GDI inline-four; 191 hp; transmission: 8-speed automatic; drivetrain: FWD or AWD; verified configuration data: output hp: 191
- EX/SX turbo gasoline; 2.5 L turbo GDI inline-four; 281 hp; transmission: 8-speed wet dual-clutch; drivetrain: FWD or AWD per grade; verified configuration data: output hp: 281
- Hybrid HEV; 1.6 L turbo gasoline plus electric motor; 227 hp combined; transmission: 6-speed automatic; drivetrain: FWD or AWD per grade; verified configuration data: combined hp: 227
- Plug-in hybrid PHEV; 1.6 L turbo plus 66.9 kW motor; 261 hp combined; 13.8 kWh battery; transmission: 6-speed automatic; drivetrain: AWD; verified configuration data: combined hp: 261; battery kwh: 13.8
Who should consider it?
The Sorento is best evaluated as a family vehicle first. Three-row seating makes it flexible, but the third row and luggage space cannot be assumed to match those of a full-size people carrier. A buyer with reliable home charging may find the plug-in variant compelling; without charging, its extra battery hardware might be harder to justify than the ordinary hybrid.
Used-buyer checks and trade-offs
On a used example, identify the engine and gearbox from the actual build specification before choosing maintenance advice. For a PHEV verify the charging connector, cable, AC charging operation and battery-system diagnostics; for a DCT inspect shift quality during a qualified test. Never apply an EPA hybrid rating to the turbo gasoline version or infer an electric range from projected launch figures.
Alternatives and final context
Compare the Toyota Highlander Hybrid for a larger-family hybrid interpretation, the Honda CR-V for two-row simplicity and the Kia Telluride for more conventional three-row packaging. Sorento works best when its particular powertrain and seating compromise are deliberate rather than accidental.
Sources and Further Reading
- Kia America Newsroom — 2022 Kia Sorento HEV Overview and 2022 Sorento range (2021-09-22; US context)
- Kia America Newsroom — New 2022 Kia Sorento PHEV Joins Popular SUV Model Range (2021-08-18; US context)
Regional equipment and certification data must be checked against the exact VIN and market before purchasing. This editorial is not a firsthand road test, reliability survey or recall-eligibility report.