While Kia may still be headquartered in Korea, the 2012 Kia Sorento is made right here in the United States, making it easier for Kia to put a lower price tag on this fully loaded compact SUV. With a ten-year/100,000-mile power-train warranty and a list of really great features, you’ll be getting your money’s worth when you choose the Sorento.
Key Features
Ford may have the SYNC voice-command infotainment system, but Kia has the UVO infotainment system, which offers a wide variety of very user-friendly features and expanded voice-recognition abilities.
All 2012 Kia Sorento models come with an adjustable steering wheel, cruise control, Sirius satellite radio, ports for USB/AUX cables, and hands-free Bluetooth connectivity, as well.
Changes for 2012
The big changes for 2012 were the addition of an anti-bacterial, anti-static, and anti-soil fabric for the Sorento’s upholstery, as well as the option to go with an upgraded GDI (gasoline direct-injection) 2.4-liter engine.
What We Like
With an interior that looks more like it belongs in an Infiniti or Lexus than a Kia, the 2012 Kia Sorento is reliable, affordable, very fuel-efficient, and really fun to drive, too.
What Concerns Us
You really can’t take the Sorento off-roading. While it’s built to handle all your gear and will get you to the parking lot or trailhead for most camping trips, it’s not really made to stray far from paved surfaces, and it won’t tow more than 3500 pounds.
Available Models
You can choose from three engines for the 2012 Kia Sorento SUV. The base model comes with a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine, which can be upgraded to the GDI version for more power and better fuel economy. If you want a larger engine, you can also go with a 3.5-liter V6, which has significantly more power and torque but which suffers a bit on fuel economy. The base model and GDI engines are rated at 20-21 MPG in the city and 29-30 on the highway, whereas the AWD V6 is only rated at 18 in the city and 26 on the highway.
Major Recalls
There’s only been one recall for the 2012 Kia Sorrento. Some models were recalled to solve potential chipping or cracking in the brake-shift interlock mechanism.
Common Issues
Very few owners report issues with their 2012 Kia Sorentos, but those who do have reported problems with the engine shutting off when decelerating or accelerating. Some have also reported sudden loss of power or catastrophic engine failure.
