2026 vs 2027 Kia Sorento: What Changed?

Kia has announced the 2027 Sorento and Sorento Hybrid, and if you are shopping for a three-row SUV in Victorville, you may be wondering whether the new model year is worth waiting for. For the gas Sorento, Kia calls the 2027 changes minimal. The bigger news is on the Sorento Hybrid, which adds a new X-Line trim. Here is what changed, what carries over, and how to choose between a 2026 and a 2027.

From Kia’s 2027 Sorento and Sorento Hybrid announcements and specifications. *EPA-estimated. Actual mileage will vary.

What’s new on the 2027 gas Sorento

Kia says changes to the 2027 Sorento are minimal and carry over several updates from the previous model year. The main change is color: Black Jade Green replaces Jungle Green, a shade Kia says performed well on the new Telluride.

The 2027 gas Sorento lineup includes the LX, S, EX, SX, X-Line EX, X-Line SX, X-Line SX-Prestige and X-Pro SX-Prestige. According to Kia’s 2027 specifications, the LX and S use a 2.5L four-cylinder rated at 186 hp, while the EX, SX, X-Line and X-Pro use a 2.5L turbocharged four-cylinder rated at 274 hp and 311 lb-ft.

What’s new on the 2027 Sorento Hybrid

Kia lists these updates and highlights for the 2027 Sorento Hybrid:

• New X-Line EX trim with gloss-black wheels and gloss-black exterior accents on top of EX content
• Machined wood inlays on the instrument panel and doors of all X-Line trims
• X-Line SX-Prestige includes a panoramic sunroof, Bose Premium Audio and second-row captain’s chairs
• Head-up display is now standard on all SX-Prestige trims
• Pale Gray replaces Steel Gray, and HEV emblems are added to the tailgate

The EX is also offered with AWD. Every 2027 Sorento Hybrid uses a 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid system with 232 hp and 270 lb-ft total, the same output Kia listed for the 2026 Sorento Hybrid.

What carries over from 2026

• The Sorento Hybrid’s 232 hp, 270 lb-ft powertrain
• A 37 MPG EPA-estimated combined rating on the Hybrid EX FWD, for both 2026 and 2027*
• Three rows of seating across the lineup
• 2026 updates like standard Terrain Mode on AWD models and the EX Premium Package with captain’s chairs

For a full trim-by-trim breakdown of the current lineup, see our 2026 Kia Sorento trims explained. Interested in plugging in? Our 2027 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid guide covers that model separately.

2026 or 2027: which Sorento fits you?

A 2026 Sorento makes sense if

• You want the Sorento Hybrid EX, which carries the same powertrain and FWD fuel economy rating for both years
• You like Jungle Green or Steel Gray, which Kia replaced for 2027
• You want to choose from vehicles available now instead of waiting

A 2027 Sorento makes sense if

• You want the new Hybrid X-Line EX look with gloss-black wheels
• You want a head-up display standard on an SX-Prestige
• You want Black Jade Green or Pale Gray

Comparing three-row Kias? Read our Sorento vs Telluride comparison.

What else do High Desert shoppers ask about the 2027 Sorento?

What is new on the 2027 Kia Sorento?

Kia says changes to the 2027 gas Sorento are minimal, with Black Jade Green replacing Jungle Green. The 2027 Sorento Hybrid adds a new X-Line EX trim, machined wood inlays on X-Line models, and a standard head-up display on SX-Prestige trims.

Is the 2027 Sorento Hybrid different from the 2026?

The powertrain carries over with 232 hp and 270 lb-ft. The changes are a new X-Line EX trim, updated X-Line interior trim, a standard head-up display on SX-Prestige, a new Pale Gray color and HEV tailgate emblems, according to Kia.

What MPG does the 2027 Sorento Hybrid get?

Kia lists the 2027 Sorento Hybrid EX FWD at an EPA-estimated 37 city, 36 highway and 37 combined MPG, and the X-Line AWD trims at 32 city, 35 highway and 34 combined. Actual mileage will vary.

What engines does the 2027 Sorento have?

According to Kia, the LX and S use a 2.5L four-cylinder with 186 hp, and the EX, SX, X-Line and X-Pro use a 2.5L turbocharged four-cylinder with 274 hp. The Sorento Hybrid uses a 1.6L turbo hybrid system with 232 hp total.

What trims does the 2027 Sorento Hybrid come in?

Kia offers the 2027 Sorento Hybrid as the EX in FWD or AWD, the new X-Line EX AWD, and the X-Line SX-Prestige AWD.

More from the Valley Hi Kia blog: model guides, comparisons, hybrid and EV tips and High Desert driving advice.