Family SUV buyers have a lot of options right now. Most of them cost more and offer less than the Kia Sorento 2022. This generation of Sorento came in as one of the most significant redesigns in the model’s history and it delivered on almost every front. Three powertrains including a hybrid option. Available third row seating. Premium interior quality at a price that makes competitors look overpriced. Here is what makes it worth serious consideration at Ken Ganley Kia Mentor in Mentor Ohio.
The Redesign Changed Everything
The fourth generation Sorento that arrived for 2021 and carried into 2022 with meaningful updates is a genuinely different vehicle from its predecessor.
Chiseled lines, an aggressive tiger nose front fascia, standard LED headlamps, and six different alloy wheel designs give it a presence that earlier Sorentos never had. The upright stance and wide track make it look planted and confident rather than soft and anonymous. Wolf Grey arrived as a new exterior color for 2022 and it suits the design exceptionally well.
Three new X-Line trims also joined the 2022 lineup bringing rugged exterior cues, more capable AWD tuning, and additional premium features to buyers who want an SUV that looks like it could handle more than school runs and grocery trips. The X-Line S, X-Line EX, and X-Line SX Prestige give buyers a genuine off road inspired aesthetic without requiring them to sacrifice comfort or technology.
Three Powertrains for Three Types of Buyers
This is one of the Sorento’s strongest selling points and it is worth understanding before you visit the lot.
The base 2.5 liter four cylinder produces 191 horsepower and pairs with an 8 speed automatic transmission. Smooth and efficient for everyday driving. Gets a respectable 26 MPG combined. For buyers who mostly commute and run errands this engine does the job without drama.
The turbocharged 2.5 liter four cylinder steps things up significantly with 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque paired with an 8 speed wet dual clutch automatic. This engine transforms the Sorento into a genuinely capable performer that handles highway merging and passing with real confidence. Towing capacity goes up to 3,500 pounds when properly equipped which covers most family recreational needs.
The 1.6 liter turbocharged hybrid delivers up to 39 city and 35 highway MPG while still producing 261 horsepower combined with the electric motor. For buyers who want to reduce fuel costs without giving up capability the hybrid Sorento makes a compelling argument that is hard to find elsewhere in this segment at this price point.
Third Row Seating Covered
This is one of the most common questions buyers ask before visiting Ken Ganley Kia Mentor. Yes the Sorento has third row seating and the execution is better than most competitors in this size class.
Standard seating for seven passengers across three rows. The third row is split 50/50 for flexibility. Second row offers 41.7 inches of legroom which is genuinely comfortable for adults. Cargo space is 12.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 45.0 cubic feet behind the second row, and a maximum of 75.5 cubic feet with both rear rows folded flat.
For families in Mentor Ohio who need to move more than five people regularly but do not want to step up to a full size SUV the Sorento hits a practical sweet spot that the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot charge significantly more to reach.
Interior Quality That Surprises People
Most buyers expect a value brand interior. The 2022 Sorento delivers something closer to a luxury brand experience.
Bright satin finishes, available metal texture inlays or open pore wood inlays, and optional leather embossed quilt pattern upholstery give the cabin a premium feel that competes with vehicles costing thousands more. The available Bose Premium sound system with 12 high performance speakers is genuinely impressive for a vehicle in this price range.
S trims and above come standard with a 10.25 inch touchscreen with navigation and telematics for 2022. The optional 12.3 inch full digital instrument cluster puts all driving information directly in the driver’s sightline. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, available wireless charging, and a comprehensive suite of USB ports keep everyone connected on longer trips.
Safety Tech That Covers the Whole Family
Every 2022 Sorento comes standard with driver attention warning, lane keeping assist, forward collision mitigation, and blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert. Higher trims add adaptive cruise control, rear automatic braking, a 360 degree camera system, and a blind spot camera that projects live video of adjacent lanes in the instrument cluster when you activate the turn signal.
That last feature is one of the most genuinely useful safety additions available in any SUV at this price point and it is the kind of thoughtful detail that reflects how seriously Kia approached this generation of the Sorento. Combined with the 10 year or 100,000 mile powertrain warranty that transfers to used buyers it makes the 2022 Sorento one of the smartest family SUV purchases available in the Mentor Ohio market right now.
