From USN, The 2023 Kia Sorento's #10 ranking is based on its score within the Midsize SUVs category. It is a finalist for our 2023 Best 3-Row SUV for the Money award. It has plenty of power, confident handling and the ground clearance to easily tackle unpaved roads. Don’t buy the Sorento because it’s a seven-passenger. Buy the Sorento because it’s a superb two-row SUV with extra seats you can use in a bind. The Sorento is one of a few midsize SUVs that’s a bit bigger than most two-row models and a bit smaller than many three-row crossovers. Its size has it competing directly with the Subaru Ascent, Toyota Highlander, GMC Acadia and Mazda CX-9.

Is the 2023 Kia Sorento a Good SUV? Yes, the 2023 Sorento is a good midsize SUV. The Sorento sports an upscale interior with a host of standard tech and safety features. It can seat up to seven occupants, and it provides a bunch of cargo space, at least when the rear seats are folded. The Sorento rides and handles nicely for an SUV of its size, and it's available with two engine options (one thrifty, the other zippy). Kia also covers the Sorento with a lengthy 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Because of its impressive combination of quality and value, its a finalist for our 2023 Best 3-Row SUV for the Money.

Should I Buy the 2023 Kia Sorento?The Sorento is worth a look if you're shopping for a three-row SUV, especially if you have a tight budget. The Sorento starts at around $30,000, making it one of the least expensive SUVs in this class. The trade-off is that the Sorento isn't quite as spacious as many alternatives, like the Hyundai Palisade, Honda Pilot, Jeep Grand Cherokee L and Kia's own Telluride. All are better options if you need to haul a full capacity of passengers and cargo at the same time.

The 2023 Kia Sorento starts at $30,090 for the base LX model. The S trim, which comes with features like synthetic leather upholstery and a 10.3-inch touch-screen infotainment system, is priced from $32,590. The EX gets a more powerful turbocharged engine and starts at $35,990. For $38,890, you can get the SX, which counts a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel among its additional features. The $43,490 SX-Prestige comes with features like genuine leather upholstery and a surround-view camera system. Topping the lineup is the rugged-looking SX-Prestige X-Line, which is priced at $43,690.

I'd recommend the S trim, which adds some useful features for only a minimal price increase. In addition to the base trim's features, S models come with amenities like navigation, synthetic leather upholstery remote start and roof rails. This trim also has appealing options like a tow hitch and a panoramic sunroof.

Standard infotainment features: an 8-inch touch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, six USB ports, HD Radio and a six-speaker stereo
Available infotainment features: a 10.3-inch touch screen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation, satellite radio, wireless device charging, a 120-volt household-style power outlet and two additional USB ports
Additional standard features: an analog gauge cluster and remote keyless entry
Other available features: a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, dual-zone automatic climate control, proximity keyless entry, push-button start, remote start, a panoramic sunroof and rear sunshades

The Sorento has 12.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind its third-row seats. That isn't much room, and it can only accommodate a pair of carry-on bags or a few groceries. On the plus side, folding down the third row opens up 38.5 cubic feet of space, and there's a sizable 75.5 cubic feet with all the rear seats folded. This is more than enough space for stowing oversized items.