2009 Kia Sorento

• Overall
• Prices
• Performance
• Exterior
• Interior
• Safety
• Reliability
• Photos & Videos

Interior - What the Auto Press Says

The Kia Sorento excels in interior comfort and quality. But reviewers can't quite agree on whether there's enough cargo space.

• "Interior materials and assembly are a notch above similarly priced domestic-brand rivals." -- Consumer Guide
• "The cabin is comfortable and functional. The leather seats are good quality." -- Edmunds
• "At a quick glance, you could very well mistake the Sorento for the M-Class Mercedes-Benz. The interior fit and finish are nice, nearly luxurious, although the "wood trim" has never seen a forest." -- Waco-Tribune Herald
• "The 2009 Kia Sorento offers some great value in terms of features for the price, but many features that consumers come to expect are unavailable." -- The Car Connection

Seating

Reviewers have few complaints about the Sorento's seats, which are comfortable and soft.

• "Sorento offers comfortable and supportive seats, with ample headroom and legroom even for above-average-size adults. Step-in height is reasonable for a truck-type SUV. Wide doors open to roomy and supportive seating, though only two adults will be comfortable for long-distances." -- Consumer Guide
• "The rear seat is wide enough for three adults, but knee and toe room may be tight." -- Edmunds

Interior Features

Thanks to last year's new gauge cluster and center fascia, the Sorento's cabin is tasteful and the controls are easy to see. For 2009, a new Value Package is available for base models. It adds a sunroof, leather seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob, and 16-inch machine-finished alloy wheels. A drawback is that a navigation system is not offered with the Sorento. Check out our GPS reviews to see if any affordable portable units from TomTom, Mio or others catch your eye.

• "The standard climate system has small, hard-to-decipher dials. The optional automatic climate control system is much easier to use. Gauges and other controls are conveniently located, clearly marked, and brightly illuminated." -- Consumer Guide
• "The gray leather seemed well-made, and the glove box and sliding sunroof door felt solid and durable. The only design feature I didn't like was the bright chrome door handles and handles on the ashtray, which were a little garish for my taste." -- BusinessWeek
• "Despite its modest pricing, the 2009 Kia Sorento exhibits solid build quality with decent interior materials." -- Edmunds

Cargo

The Sorento offers 31.7 cubic feet of space with the rear seats up, and they fold with a 60/40 split. Reviewers disagree on whether there's enough space in the cargo area, with some calling it roomy and others finding it limiting.

• "Cargo room is generous. After removing the headrests and flipping the cushion, the rear seatbacks fold easily to provide a flat load floor. Separate-opening hatch window is a convenience. Interior cubbies and storage compartments abound." -- Consumer Guide
• "Stylish bobbed tail limits cargo capacity." -- Car and Driver
• "The versatile 60/40 split rear seats fold flat for about 66 cubic feet of cargo space, which is a bit less than what's offered by top crossover competitors." -- Edmunds