2022 Kia Sorento: A Three-Row SUV That Punches Above Its Size

The 2022 Kia Sorento pulls off something unusual: it offers genuine three-row seating in a footprint smaller than most family SUVs its class. For buyers who need the extra seats but don't want a bulky vehicle, that's a rare and appealing combination.

It's worth a close look on the used market now. If you're considering the 2022 kia sorento around Mentor, here's what makes this midsize SUV stand out, from its powertrains to its family-friendly design.

A Redesign That Modernized Everything

The 2022 Sorento benefits from a recent ground-up redesign, since this generation was fully reworked and refined. That matters when buying used, because you're getting a modern vehicle rather than a dated one.

Now in its fourth generation, the Sorento was completely redesigned from the ground up, making it more powerful, more attractive, and more technologically advanced than before. For 2022 specifically, Kia added further updates and revisions to an already strong formula. So a used 2022 model gives you contemporary styling, tech, and engineering, not a leftover from an older era. That's a big part of why it holds up so well as a used buy.

Three Powertrains for Different Priorities

One of the Sorento's strengths is choice, since it offers three distinct powertrains to match different needs. Knowing them helps you shop the trims with purpose.

• Standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 191 horsepower, tuned for everyday efficiency
• Available 2.5-liter turbocharged four delivering 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, with available all-wheel drive
• A hybrid option for buyers prioritizing fuel economy

The base engine handles daily driving comfortably, while the turbo adds real muscle for merging, passing, and towing. Both return respectable fuel economy for a three-row SUV. Deciding how much power you want narrows your trim search quickly.

Real Three-Row Versatility

The headline feature is the seating, since the Sorento delivers a usable third row in a compact package. This is what sets it apart from many rivals.

It offers three-row seating for up to seven passengers, with 4+2 or 5+2 seating combinations and available second-row captain's chairs that drop it to a more comfortable six-seat setup. Cargo space is genuinely flexible: about 12.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 45 cubic feet behind the second, and up to 75.5 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. That means you can carry a full family or fold the seats for a big haul, all without driving something oversized. For growing families in Mentor, that flexibility is the Sorento's calling card.

The Trims, From Value to Premium

The 2022 Sorento comes in five trims, and each adds meaningful equipment. Matching one to your needs is the key decision.

The lineup runs LX, S, EX, SX, and SX Prestige. The base LX already includes three-row seating, an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and four drive modes. Moving up adds features like synthetic or genuine leather, heated and ventilated seats, a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital cluster, and a premium Bose audio system. There's also an available X-Line package that raises ride height to 8.3 inches for light off-road capability. The sweet spot for many buyers is a mid-trim with the features they'll actually use daily.

Safety Built In

Family buyers care about safety, and the Sorento delivers it as standard rather than locking it behind upgrades. That's reassuring on a vehicle meant to carry kids.

Every 2022 Sorento comes with Kia Drive Wise, which includes standard driver-assistance technology like Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Departure Warning, and Rear Occupant Alert. Higher trims add available features such as Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance, and Surround View and Blind-Spot View Monitors. Having the core safety suite standard across the lineup means even a base used LX comes well protected.

How It Compares in the Segment

When weighing the Sorento, it helps to see it against its rivals and its close cousin. This context makes its value clearer.

The Sorento competes with bigger names in the three-row family crossover space while offering a smaller, easier-to-manage footprint and Kia's strong warranty coverage. If you're also cross-shopping the closely related Hyundai brand, since the two share engineering, it's worth reading a direct comparison of whether Kia is better than Hyundai to understand how they differ on features, value, and reliability before you decide.

The 2022 Kia Sorento earns its appeal by combining things that usually don't come together: real three-row seating, a compact footprint, three powertrain choices, generous standard safety, and a modern redesign, all backed by Kia's warranty. For a family that wants the extra seats without the bulk of a large SUV, it's one of the smarter used picks in its class. Decide how much power and how many features you need, compare it against rivals, and take one for a test drive with the third row in mind. That's how you'll know the Sorento fits your family rather than just looking good on paper.