Is the Sorento big enough?

Kia Sorento

This content was aggregated from local dealer and data and insights provided by the USA Today Network Automotive Insights team using Google Gemini and the Vehicles for Sale Near Detroit - Free Press Edition marketplace writing team.

Is the 2026 Kia Sorento Big Enough for You?

When you're looking for a new SUV, one of the biggest questions is often, "Is it big enough?" This is especially true for families, commuters, and anyone with an active lifestyle. The 2026 Kia Sorento sits in an interesting spot in the SUV market, offering a blend of size and practicality. Let's break down its interior space to help you decide if the Kia Sorento fits your daily needs and adventures.

Seating for Everyone: How Many Can the Sorento Carry?

The 2026 Kia Sorento is known for offering three rows of seating. This means it can typically carry up to seven people, making it a great option for larger families or those who often carpool. While the first two rows offer comfortable space for adults, the third row is generally best suited for children or for adults on shorter trips. It's an excellent feature for when you need that extra seating capacity for friends, teammates, or unexpected passengers.

Making Space: Cargo Room and Flexibility

Beyond passenger seating, the Kia Sorento truly shines in its ability to adapt to your cargo needs. When all three rows are in use, there's still room in the back for grocery bags or a few backpacks. However, the real magic happens when you fold down the third row. This creates a much larger, flat cargo area, perfect for bigger shopping trips, luggage for a weekend getaway, or even a stroller and diaper bags.

For those really big hauls, like moving furniture or carrying sports equipment such as bikes or camping gear, you can often fold down both the second and third rows. This transforms the Sorento into a surprisingly spacious hauler, giving you plenty of room for all your gear.

Sorento in the Real World: Your Daily Life and Adventures

  • Families with Car Seats: The Sorento typically offers multiple LATCH points for car seat installation in the second row, and sometimes even in the third row, making it family-friendly. There's generally enough space to comfortably fit car seats without cramping front-seat passengers.

  • Road Trips: With its comfortable seating and flexible cargo options, the Kia Sorento is well-suited for road trips. You can pack luggage for everyone, and passengers will appreciate the legroom and available features designed for comfort over long distances.

  • Groceries and Errands: Even with passengers, the Sorento's cargo area is usually ample for weekly grocery runs, school projects, or sports equipment.

  • Weekend Warriors: If your weekends involve outdoor activities, the Sorento's ability to swallow gear like coolers, tents, hiking backpacks, or even a surfboard (with the right roof rack) makes it a versatile companion.

How the Sorento Compares: Compact vs. Midsize SUVs

The 2026 Kia Sorento is considered a midsize SUV, and its size reflects that. It offers noticeably more interior space, especially in the second row and cargo area, than smaller compact SUVs like the Kia Sportage, Honda CR-V, or Toyota RAV4. If you find compact SUVs a bit too cramped for your family or gear, the Sorento provides a significant step up in roominess.

However, the Sorento is also generally more nimble and easier to park than larger, full-size SUVs like the Kia Telluride or Chevrolet Tahoe. It strikes a good balance, providing substantial space without feeling overly bulky or difficult to maneuver in city traffic or tight parking lots.

Is the Kia Sorento Big Enough for You?

Ultimately, whether the 2026 Kia Sorento is "big enough" depends on your specific needs. If you need a vehicle that can:

  • Carry more than five people regularly, even if the third row is for occasional use.

  • Offer flexible cargo space for everything from groceries to camping gear.

  • Provide more room than a compact SUV but is easier to handle than a full-size SUV.

  • Comfortably accommodate car seats and family road trips.

Then the Kia Sorento is very likely a great fit. Its blend of passenger comfort, cargo versatility, and manageable size makes it a strong contender for many modern families and individuals with active lives. Consider visiting a dealership to experience its space firsthand and see if it aligns with your lifestyle.

Written for Vehicles for Sale Near Detroit - Free Press Edition
by the USA TODAY Network Automotive Insights team, in collaboration with https://vehiclesforsaleneardetroit.com/ and Golling Kia of Madison Heights.