Archived model-year dossier

2017 Kia Sorento

The 2017 Kia Sorento is a light update in the second year of its generation, adding Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and automated emergency braking on top trims, with used prices from $9,300 at Kelley Blue Book. NHTSA lists four recalls, including a 3.3-liter crankshaft, and 804 complaints, 386 about the engine. EPA rates it 19 to 24 mpg combined.

Configurations7
Model/option labels3
Combined efficiency19–24 MPG/MPGe
Electric rangeNot listed
Decision answers3

What changed on the 2017 Kia Sorento

MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says that after the complete redesign of 2016 the 2017 updates are minimal, adding Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to the UVO infotainment system, new driver-assistance technology and two new option packages. Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) lists automated emergency braking and Kia's latest UVO system as standard on the SXL and available on all trims except the base L, with an 8.0-inch navigation touchscreen and Infinity audio on the SX and SXL. Carvana (opens in a new tab) calls it the second model year of the generation, with body, structure, engines and transmissions carried over.

Kelley Blue Book (opens in a new tab) puts used 2017 Sorentos at $9,300 for the L to $13,550 for the Limited-SXL at a dealership, and rates fuel economy at 17/23 to 21/28 mpg city and highway. EPA rates the 2017 Sorento at 19 to 24 mpg combined and $2,600 to $3,300 a year in fuel, with front- or all-wheel drive.

Recalls and problems owners report

NHTSA lists four recall campaigns for the 2017 Sorento. 17V586000 covers 2017 Sorentos with 3.3-liter engines whose crankshaft may have been improperly heat treated and may fail, and dealers inspect the crankshaft and replace the engine sub assembly as necessary. 18V907000 covers a high-pressure fuel pipe that may have been damaged or misaligned during an earlier engine replacement, and 16V862000 and 22V703000 cover tow hitch wiring, the later one warning that moisture on the circuit board may cause an electrical short and a fire.

Owners have filed 804 complaints with NHTSA: engine with 386, exterior lighting with 125, unknown or other with 104, steering with 97, electrical system with 95 and fuel and propulsion system with 39. VinSpectorAI (opens in a new tab) reports the same top three, and Consumer Reports (opens in a new tab) notes engine oil consumption problems but no recall.

2017 Sorento against the Santa Fe, Pilot and Highlander

EPA rates the 2017 Sorento at 19 to 24 mpg combined and $2,600 to $3,300 a year in fuel. The Hyundai Santa Fe lists the same 19 to 24 and $2,600 to $3,300, the Honda Pilot 21 to 23 at $2,700 to $2,950, and the Toyota Highlander 22 to 29 at $2,150 to $2,850. The Sorento ties the Santa Fe and trails the Highlander.

Trim-by-trim specifications

The 2017 Kia Sorento: 5 trims compared.

Kelley Blue Book specifications, one row per trim.

2017 Kia Sorento powertrain, performance and efficiency by trim
TrimEngineTransmissionDriveHorsepowerTorque (lb-ft)EPA city / hwy / combSeatsBasic warranty
EX2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo, GDI)Auto, 6-Spd OD SptmatcAWD24026019 / 25 / 22 mpg75 yr / 60,000 mi
L2.4-liter 4-cylinder (GDI)Auto, 6-Spd OD SptmatcFWD18517821 / 28 / 24 mpg55 yr / 60,000 mi
LX2.4-liter 4-cylinder (GDI)Auto, 6-Spd OD SptmatcFWD18517821 / 28 / 24 mpg75 yr / 60,000 mi
SX3.3-liter V6 (GDI)Auto, 6-Spd OD SptmatcAWD29025217 / 23 / 19 mpg75 yr / 60,000 mi
Limited-SXL3.3-liter V6 (GDI)Auto, 6-Spd OD SptmatcAWD29025217 / 23 / 19 mpg75 yr / 60,000 mi
2017 Kia Sorento dimensions, weights and capacities by trim
TrimCurb weightLengthHeightWheelbaseGround clearanceTurning circleFuel tankFront headroomFront legroomTowingTires
EX4,303 lb187.4 in66.5 in109.4 in7.3 in37.3 ft18.8 gal39.5 in44.1 in3,500 lbP235/60R18
L3,832 lb187.4 in66.3 in109.4 in7.3 in37.2 ft18.8 gal39.5 in44.1 in2,000 lbP235/65R17
LX3,832 lb187.4 in66.5 in109.4 in7.3 in37.2 ft18.8 gal39.5 in44.1 in2,000 lbP235/65R17
SX4,343 lb187.4 in66.5 in109.4 in7.3 in37.3 ft18.8 gal39.5 in44.1 in5,000 lbP235/55R19
Limited-SXL4,343 lb187.4 in66.5 in109.4 in7.3 in37.3 ft18.8 gal39.5 in44.1 in5,000 lbP235/55R19

Equipment by trim

Which 2017 Kia Sorento trim has what.

Std is standard, Opt is optional, a dash means Kelley Blue Book lists it as not available.

2017 Kia Sorento standard and optional equipment by trim
EquipmentEXLLXSXLimited-SXL
Safety
Blind-spot alertStd–OptStdStd
Child door locksStdStdStdStdStd
Child-seat anchorsStdStdStdStdStd
Forward collision warningStd–OptStdStd
Hill-start assistStdStdStdStdStd
Rearview cameraStd–StdStdStd
Surround-view camera––––Std
Rear parking sensorsStd–OptStdStd
Electronic stability controlStdStdStdStdStd
Traction controlStdStdStdStdStd
Technology
BluetoothStdStdStdStdStd
Hands-free callingStdStdStdStdStd
Built-in internet accessStd–OptStdStd
Navigation system–––StdStd
Premium audio system–––StdStd
Real-time traffic information–––StdStd
Satellite radioStdStdStdStdStd
Apple CarPlay or Android AutoStd–OptStdStd
Steering-wheel audio controlsStdStdStdStdStd
Touchscreen––StdStdStd
Comfort
Heated front seatsStd–OptStdStd
Heated rear seats––––Std
Heated steering wheel–––OptStd
Heated mirrorsStdStdStdStdStd
Power front seats for driver and passengerStd––StdStd
Power driver's seatStd–OptStdStd
Leather seatsStd––StdStd
Leather-wrapped steering wheelStd–OptStdStd
Panoramic moonroofOpt––StdStd
Tilt steering wheelStdStdStdStdStd
Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheelStdStdStdStdStd
Cup holdersStdStdStdStdStd
Third-row seatStd–OptStd–
Folding rear seatStdStdStdStd–
Exterior and convenience
Alloy wheelsStdStdStdStd–
Fog lightsStd––StdStd
Privacy glassStdStdStdStdStd
Rear spoilerStdStdStdStdStd
Roof railsOpt–OptOptOpt
Power-folding mirrorsOpt––StdStd
Power liftgate or trunkOpt––StdStd
12-volt power outletStdStdStdStdStd
Power windowsStdStdStdStdStd
Remote keyless entryStdStdStdStdStd
Remote engine start–OptOpt––
Proximity keyless entryStd––StdStd
Push-button startStd–OptStdStd
Cruise controlStdStdStdStdStd
Integrated garage-door openerOptOptOptOptStd
Rear-window defrosterStdStdStdStdStd

Complete certification table

7 configuration records.

EPA ID / labelEngine / technologyDrive / transmissionFuelCityHwyCombinedRange
37396Sorento AWD2.4L 4-cyl SIDIConventionalAll-Wheel DriveAutomatic (S6)Regular212522N/A
37395Sorento AWD2L 4-cyl SIDIConventionalAll-Wheel DriveAutomatic (S6)Regular192522N/A
37397Sorento AWD3.3L 6-cyl SIDIConventionalAll-Wheel DriveAutomatic (S6)Regular172319N/A
37398Sorento FE AWD3.3L 6-cyl SIDIConventionalAll-Wheel DriveAutomatic (S6)Regular182521N/A
37392Sorento FWD2.4L 4-cyl SIDIConventionalFront-Wheel DriveAutomatic (S6)Regular212824N/A
37391Sorento FWD2L 4-cyl SIDIConventionalFront-Wheel DriveAutomatic (S6)Regular202723N/A
37393Sorento FWD3.3L 6-cyl SIDIConventionalFront-Wheel DriveAutomatic (S6)Regular182520N/A

Model-specific answer center

3 answers for this exact family-year.

Q01What changed on the 2017 Kia Sorento versus the 2016 Kia Sorento?
Model year

Nothing in the certification data changed, so the 2017 Kia Sorento carries the 2016 Kia Sorento's figures forward: 7 certification records labelled Sorento AWD, Sorento FE AWD, Sorento FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl SIDI, 2L 4-cyl SIDI, 3.3L 6-cyl SIDI, all-wheel drive, front-wheel drive on regular, rated 19-24 combined MPG/MPGe and an EPA annual fuel cost of $2,600 to $3,300. Federal recall campaigns on file went from 8 for the 2016 to 4 for the 2017.

Source: FuelEconomy.gov certification records for both model years
Q02What size wheels does the 2017 Kia Sorento have?
Wheels and tires

The 2017 Kia Sorento's wheel diameter is 17 inches on the L and LX, 18 inches on the EX and 19 inches on the SX and Limited-SXL. Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications.

Source: Kelley Blue Book vehicle specifications
Q03How do the 2017 Kia Sorento trims differ from one another?
Trims

The L has 185 hp against 240 and FWD instead of AWD over the EX. The LX has a rearview camera and a touchscreen as standard equipment over the L. The SX has 290 hp against 185 and AWD instead of FWD and blind-spot alert, forward collision warning, power front seats for driver and passenger and 17 more as standard equipment over the LX. The Limited-SXL has heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, an integrated garage-door opener and a surround-view camera as standard equipment over the SX.

Source: Kelley Blue Book vehicle specifications

Live NHTSA evidence

Current federal safety records for 2017 Kia Sorento.

Methodology: how a recall or complaint answer is verified

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Exact-vehicle evidence desk

Check the exact vehicle, not just the model name.

Recalls, build data and service applicability are determined at VIN level, not by model name.

FuelEconomy.gov data source (opens in a new tab) · Methodology

Other model years

Compare the Kia Sorento across model years.

See every Kia Sorento model year and research hub

Ownership desk

Problems and maintenance decisions worth checking next.