Why a Used Kia Sorento Is the Perfect Fit for Budget-Minded Families

Ever since the SUV entered its boom period in the early 2000s, families have benefited from its upswing in popularity. Among the brands that continually manufacture SUVs perfect for family-oriented drivers, Kia remains a leader in design, safety, and practicality. Among the different SUVs under the Kia name, the Sorento continues to be a popular choice for parents of growing families. The Sorento combined the seating and cargo room that many enjoy about the SUV class, an economical powertrain that provides performance and sustainable fuel economy, and a host of standard safety features that offer peace of mind. If you’re looking for a highly capable and family-friendly SUV but shopping on a budget, consider a used Kia Sorento for sale.

Saving Money at the Pump

Much has changed about family-oriented transportation in the past few decades, especially regarding economic performance. Drivers with families to transport look for vehicles that can provide plenty of seating and a fairly conservative powertrain with fuel consumption. The Sorento has a host of options that are ideal for the thrifty family driver. In 2021, the Sorento came with two available gas-powered engines and introduced a hybrid version. A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant came the following year.

The two gas engines offered on the Kia Sorento, from as far back as the 2021 model, consisted of a non-turbo and turbocharged 2.5L four-cylinder engine that produces 191 hp and 281 hp, respectively. Choosing between the two engines depended on what was more important—economy or performance. The EPA estimates for both vehicles were favorable, with the non-turbocharged version of the Sorento achieving 24 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway for more recent models. The turbocharged engine matched the highway MPG and offered 22 MPG in the city.

The same preference for performance and economy applied to the hybrid and PHEV versions of recent Sorento models. Both vehicles were equipped with a 1.6L four-cylinder engine, with the hybrid having a single electric motor to produce 227 hp and the PHEV having a slightly larger offering to raise it to 261 hp. The enhanced performance of the PHEV Sorento didn’t hinder its fuel economy, as the EPA estimated that drivers would save up to $3,000 over a five-year period in fuel costs thanks to 32 miles of electric-only driving and a combined 34 MPG. The hybrid version of the Sorento proved to be the best in range and EPA-estimated rankings, with 39 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway for a combined total of 37 MPG and an estimated range of 655 miles on a full tank. Families who are cost-conscious regarding their vehicles will be impressed with the economic advantages of a used Kia Sorento. When it comes to saving money at the pump, every penny counts.

An Interior With Comfort for All

Arguably, the one thing families tend to look at when choosing an SUV is how much seating it offers and how much cargo it can accommodate. Seating and storage have been hallmarks of the SUV since its inception, and the Kia Sorento has plenty to offer. The Sorento can be found in both six- and seven-seat setups, with base trims having a second-row bench and two seats in the back to accommodate seven passengers or captain’s chairs to accommodate six. Depending on the size of your family, you can find a used version of the Sorento that ensures everyone has a comfortable place to sit.

Besides the seating arrangements, families consider storage capacity when choosing the SUV that suits them best. Luckily, the Sorento provides plenty of cargo rooms for trips to the grocery store and across-town moves. When all three rows of seating in the Sorento are occupied, the SUV can facilitate over 12 cu.ft. of storage, which is on par with the trunk size of a four-door sedan (15 cu.ft.). For situations that require more room, the third row can be folded to accommodate 45 cu.ft. of room, or the second row can be removed to unlock 75 cu.ft. for situations when cargo and storage take precedence over seating.

Of course, there’s much more to an interior besides seating and storage that families look for in an SUV. An intuitive and user-friendly infotainment screen is imperative for short travels around town and the celebrated rite of passage known as the family road trip. Base trims from 2021 to 2023 of the Kia Sorento come with an eight-inch infotainment screen that offers wireless connectivity with Apple and Android products and streaming via Bluetooth with voice activation. That base screen size jumps to 12.3 inches in models from 2024 and beyond.

Multiple USB ports across all three rows allow passengers to bring various devices for the ride. Upper trims, which might be more favorable among families who love adventure, get the bonus of voice-activated GPS navigation. Traveling up the trim levels of the Sorento opens up more possibilities regarding a more comfortable and tech-enhanced ride, such as wireless charging for mobile devices, an upgraded 10.3-inch infotainment screen for aforementioned models from 2021 to 2023, heated and ventilated front seats, and a high-end Bose stereo system.

The modern family seeks a comfortable place for everyone to sit and plenty of storage options when the situation demands it. You can always count on Kia to be in your corner when it comes to having the best tech features to keep drivers informed and passengers entertained.

A Comprehensive Set of Safety Features

Many families prioritize safety when purchasing a vehicle. Besides designing a fleet on the cutting edge of technology, Kia also has an outstanding reputation for providing vehicles with plenty of safety and driving assistance features. Recent model years are packed from top to bottom with these items, allowing families to take to the road with peace of mind on their travels.

All trims of the Sorento come with an extensive amount of features. Because one of the fundamental aspects of being a safe driver is reaction time, all trims come with Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, meant to inform you when a collision might be imminent, and Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist, granting you additional oversight. Other standard items that grace all trims include Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, Lane Keep Assist, and more. The upper trims of the Sorento include more advanced safety features such as Navigation-Based Smart Cruise Control, Parking Distance Warning, and Forward Collision Avoidance Assist with Junction Assist.

The modern family that prioritizes safety will certainly be impressed with the number of items included in the Kia Sorento. In an age when some brands are obscuring safety and driving assistance technology to select trends, Kia maintains that peace of mind should never come with a price tag.

A Pre-Owned Sorento Will Add Tons of Value to Your Family’s Travels

When it comes to the items that the modern family on a budget needs for the road ahead, a pre-owned Kia Sorento is the clear choice. The Sorento has multiple engine options, all providing exceptional fuel economy to help families go farther for less. In an age where a comfortable seat is just as important as access to apps and technology, the Sorento has an interior that accommodates both. With many safety features to provide protection and oversight, the modern family has everything they need in one competent SUV.