2026 Kia Sorento

2026 Kia Sorento in Asheville, NC

For growing families who need three rows of seating but do not want to pilot a massive, hard-to-park full-size SUV, the 2026 Kia Sorento strikes the perfect balance. Available at Paramount Kia of Asheville, this midsize crossover brings a highly versatile cabin, sharp technology, and plenty of rugged capability. Whether you are carpooling to local schools or packing up for a weekend getaway into the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Sorento is designed to handle it all with style.

The Exterior: Bold and Chiseled Style

The 2026 Sorento boasts a commanding road presence inspired by Kia's larger flagship utility vehicles. Up front, a prominent, boxy radiator grille is flanked by vertically stacked LED projector headlights and sharp signature accent lighting. For drivers who want to emphasize the SUV's adventurous side, the X-Line and X-Pro trims add distinct blackout exterior cues, gloss-black lower front and rear bumpers, high-utility roof rails, and an elevated 8.2 inches of ground clearance. While lower trims ride on elegant 17-inch or 18-inch wheels, higher trims step up to striking 20-inch gloss-black alloys. The off-road-oriented X-Pro goes a step further, wrapping 17-inch matte-black wheels in heavy-duty all-terrain tires.

The Interior: Three-Row Versatility and Luxury

The cabin is all about flexibility, allowing you to easily configure the layout to match your passenger and cargo needs. Depending on the trim level, the Sorento accommodates six or seven passengers across three rows:

Seating Configuration: Lower trims feature a second-row split bench for maximum seating capacity. Upgrading to higher trims introduces second-row captain's chairs, which slide and fold with a single touch, giving passengers a more luxurious feel and making access to the third row completely effortless.

Cargo Space: Keep the rear seats flat to unlock an expansive cargo area, or fold both rear rows down to create a massive 75.5 cubic feet of flat cargo space—perfect for hauling gear, furniture, or home improvement supplies.

Performance: Efficient Cruising and Turbocharged Capability

The Sorento offers two distinct powertrain options, ensuring Western North Carolina drivers can find the exact performance level they need:

The Reliable Daily Driver: The LX and S trims come standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, paired with a smooth 8-speed automatic transmission. This setup focuses heavily on efficiency, earning up to 31 MPG on the highway.

The Powerful Turbocharged Upgrade: Moving up to the EX and higher trims unlocks a potent 2.5-liter turbocharged engine that cranks out 281 horsepower and a robust 311 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a quick-shifting 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, it delivers excellent passing power on steep mountain inclines and increases maximum towing capacity up to 4,500 pounds on X-Pro models.

All-Weather Grip: Available torque-vectoring All-Wheel Drive provides exceptional confidence on slick roads, and models equipped with AWD feature a dedicated Terrain Mode to optimize traction in snow, mud, or sand.

Technology: A Seamless Digital Experience

The interior layout serves as a high-tech command center. A standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display sits proudly on the dashboard, supporting over-the-air updates to keep your vehicle's system fresh. Upgrading to higher trims introduces a gorgeous panoramic setup that pairs the touchscreen with a matching 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster under a single piece of curved glass. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the board, allowing you to easily run navigation and media apps. Passengers in all three rows will appreciate the abundance of USB-C charging ports, and a premium 12-speaker Bose audio system is available to surround the cabin with concert-quality sound.

Safety: Advanced Peace of Mind

Every 2026 Sorento is equipped with a comprehensive suite of active safety tech designed to look out for you and your passengers. The standard safety package includes Auto Emergency Braking with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist. Lane Keeping Assist and Lane Following Assist work together to keep you safely centered in your lane on long interstate drives. Premium trims offer even more sophisticated assistance, including a 360-degree Surround View Monitor for effortless parking and a Digital Rearview Mirror that gives you a clear view behind the vehicle even when the cargo area is packed to the roof.