Kia Sorento Family Features

Busy parents need assistance to get jobs done fast. The 2026 Kia Sorento obliges with features like the smart power liftgate. This can open and close without the parent taking a key out of their pocket. It’s perfect when carrying a big load or when you are holding a sleeping child.

 Likewise, remote start is an essential feature in Phoenix heat. Using the key fob or utilizing the Kia Connect App, Mom or Dad can start the vehicle and cool the cabin ahead of time. 

Kia provides Safe Exit Assist to help parents prevent the rear doors opening into traffic. If it senses an approaching vehicle or cyclist alongside, it will lock the doors back to prevent a little one from stepping into a dangerous situation. Rear Occupant Alert assists parents and other caregivers by reminding them to check the back seats before departing the vehicle’s proximity.

Cabin Comforts

Whether six or seven seats, Sorentos promise comfort and wiggle room at every position. Parents will appreciate that there are four complete sets of LATCH connectors, providing secure spaces for carseats on the second and third rows. 

In Phoenix, parents are concerned about extreme summer temperatures. To help combat the heat, Sorentos offer three rows of vents and rear seat climate controls to ensure the kids can adjust the air conditioning. Dual-zone automatic climate controls and available ventilated front seats help you stay cool all summer long.

Entertainment Features

Modern life should provide connectivity for kids on the go. That’s why the Kia places up to 8 USB ports throughout the cabin. It’s also why a Wi-Fi hotspot is available. These features allow your tweens and teens to find entertainment and even do homework on the go.

 A rear-seat dual-screen entertainment system is an even better way to keep kids occupied on long trips. Likewise, a panoramic sunroof is available on X-Line and SX Prestige Sorento trims.

Safety Equipment

Parents will appreciate that the Kia Sorento earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating. The rating applies to recent models built after September 2025.  Nine airbags spread protection throughout the cabin if needed.

Of course, the best collision protection is to never get into a crash!  Thus the Sorento is packed with today’s most important driver assistance features. These include:

• Automatic Emergency Braking standard across all trims

• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Junction Turning Detection

• Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection

• Lane Keeping Assist and Lane Following Assist to reduce driver fatigue

• Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist that can brake the outer wheel to correct the vehicle’s trajectory

Family Driver

Let’s not forget the needs of the family driver. Connectivity is assured by an awesome cockpit featuring up to two 12.3-inch screens. The large touchscreen and digital instrument cluster make it easy to keep up with navigation and connectivity tools. An available wireless charger, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto make it easier to enjoy without the hassle of cords. 

Extra help for driving duties is on tap with the available Surround View Monitor. This takes the work out of parking by providing a 360-degree bird's-eye view of the vehicle’s surroundings. Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist is an active watch when you are backing out of parking spots. For long trips, available Highway Driving Assist 2 includes lane-change assist, taking you another step toward autonomous driving. 

Lastly, the Sorento driver commands ample power, ensuring confidence in busy urban environments. Options include the 191-horsepower 4-cylinder engine and the 281-horsepower turbo. For the ultimate budget-friendly driving, families can choose the Sorento Hybrid or Plug in Hybrid.

Ready For Family Gear

In order to be a good family SUV, the vehicle must be flexible. Kia has that covered with a 50/50 split-folding third row and a dual-level cargo floor.  

Parents can claim up to 38.5 cubic feet of open cargo space by folding the third row. With every rear seat folded, that number grows to 75.5 cubic feet. Roof rails offer a place for bikes and cargo boxes.

Although not every family will seek rough adventures in their vehicle, it’s nice to know that the Sorento can be geared that way.  All-wheel drive models have mud and sand terrain modes.  Some can claim up to 8.2 inches of ground clearance and a tow rating of 4,500 lbs.

Test Drive the Kia Sorento in Phoenix

When you add up the ways the Sorento assists parents, it’s only logical to put this 3 row SUV at the top of your test drive list. 

Kias offer some of the best values in the automotive industry today. It starts with more affordable price points and continues with more features for less.  Then there are the industry-leading warranties. These include:

• 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty

• 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty

• 5-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance

Now that you know more, schedule a test drive of the 2026 Kia Sorento at Peoria Kia, your Phoenix area Kia dealership.