The 2014 Kia Sorento only lasts around 120,000 miles with serious engine failures and electrical issues. At $14,116 to $15,541, it’s cheaper than average, yet not worth it when there could be engine failures that cost thousands.
Is the 2014 Kia Sorento a Good Used SUV?
- Overall Rating 5/10 – 2014 is a bad year for the Kia Sorento with widespread engine failures making it deserve a low overall rating, even with some nice features. Owner reviews complain about oil consumption, electrical issues, and broken parts.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – Interior materials are nicer than other SUVs in the same price range, seats are comfortable, and cargo space is great for a midsize SUV.
- Reliability 5/10 – The 2014 Sorento has a lot of engine problems. We recommend buyers avoid models from 2011–2016. We recommend models from 2017–2020, which are all more reliable.
- Performance 6/10 – The standard 4-cylinder engine is weaker than other midsize SUVs, while the optional V6 is quicker than average.
- Safety 8/10 – The Sorento is very safe, earning a perfect 5-star rating in all government crash tests. Standard safety technology includes a rearview camera as well as parking sensors. There’s an optional blind spot monitoring system.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – Fuel economy is average at up to 22 MPG giving 382 miles of range out of the 17.4 gallon tank. Gas costs are $16 lower than average, at $220 per month.
- Value 6/10 – The Sorento is less expensive than other midsize SUVs, although widespread engine problems wind up costing a lot as it ages.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Kia Sorento?
- Consumer Reports says the Sorento handles well in city traffic, but has low owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the Sorento 4.1/5 praising the quiet cabin, but doesn’t like the weak 4-cylinder engine.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Sorento a 4.2/5 enjoying the available technology, but owners don’t like the cramped third row.
What Common Problems Does the 2014 Kia Sorento Have?
Common problems found on the 2014 Kia Sorento include engine failures, peeling paint, and broken door locks. Overall, these problems are more severe than other used SUVs from 2014, and repair costs are higher than average as well.
Engine failures are an extremely widespread problem reported by Sorento owners at around 70,000 miles. There are known engine problems which cause them to fail as they age. Changing out the engine costs around $7,000 if it fails. There is a recall for an engine bearing, so if your engine fails because of that bearing the replacement may be free.
Peeling paint is another issue mentioned by owners in the first 75,000 miles. Paint, particularly on the roof and hood, starts to peel as the Sorento gets older. Repainting the affected areas fixes the problem, but costs around $1,200 per panel.
Broken door lock systems also show up on a lot of Sorento models at around 50,000 miles. The door lock controller and actuators both fail over time. Replacing the door lock controller costs around $1,200, while each actuator is around $120.
There are 5 recalls which are more severe than other SUVs from 2014. The most serious recall covers the engine bearings which can cause the motor to fail. Kia will replace engines on affected models for free. Other serious recalls include the right axle failing, and a fuel line which can leak, causing a fire.
How Long Will the 2014 Kia Sorento Last?
A well-maintained 2014 Kia Sorento will last around 120,000 miles, which is nearly 200,000 miles less than the top-rated Toyota Highlander. Regular annual maintenance costs are more expensive than average, according to data from Repair Pal, at $521 per year.
Since nearly all used 2014 Sorento models will have around 100,000 miles buyers should be prepared to replace the oil pump for $1,700, the radiator costing $1,100, and the power steering pump, which costs $560.
Yes it is reliable. It is the only car my family has and it is been very dependable. We use it to drive to work, pick up the kids and for all our errands.
The only problem it had it that it is a little shaken when driven past 60 miles and hour. I often feel the shaking daily.
No problems this far.It's very reliable. A great car to drive I love it so much. It's awesome and have been since I purchased it.
Steering wheel electronic controls recently stopped working. Other than that it has been a really reliable and fun vehicle to drive.
I am the 2nd owner of this vehicle as it came off a 2 year lease. In the 3 years that I have owned it I have had to replace the battery. The original battery lasted 4 years. I have had batteries in other cars last longer than that. It now has 33000 miles on it and it needs front brakes. I will be having that done soon. I think brakes should last longer than this. It has had 2 mfg. recalls and Kia has serviced my vehicle each time for free and without any hassle and corrected the minor issues involved.
Fairly reliable. It does tend to need repairs more often than a Toyota or Nissan. Things break on it a lot more often.
It has been a reliable vehicle. So far we have not had any issues with the vehicle. It has gotten us back and forth to Ohio which is an 9 hour drive for us.
In terms of safety, yes, the 2014 Kia Sorento is reliable. It handles nicely in snow, and is a vehicle I would be ok with my son driving when he learns how to drive. The vehicle I bought may have had an undocumented accident. The driver side back door sticks and one of the light bulbs inside the headlight fell out shortly after purchasing. So far issues I've encountered include: the steering wheel buttons do not work properly anymore(the volume up and down send/hang up phone calls and the send and end call buttons do not work), the backup camera no longer works, the headlight and brake lights need changes frequently (about every 6 months), and the starter recently needed repaired.
How Is the Technology?
The entertainment technology is good in the 2014 Sorento with a new, larger touchscreen stereo system available, along with standard Bluetooth connectivity. Safety technology is also good with a standard rearview camera on the EX and SX models. Blind spot monitoring is also standard on the SX.
Is the 2014 Kia Sorento a Good Value?
No, the 2014 Kia Sorento is not a good value since so many repairs are expensive. Blue book prices range from $14,116 to $15,541, making it cheaper than a Honda Pilot or Jeep Grand Cherokee. When new, the price range was $24,100 to $40,100. Depreciation is worse than average, losing about 15% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Kia Sorento?
There are four models of the Kia Sorento offered for 2014 from the base LX all the way up to the well-appointed SX Limited.
LX is the entry-level model with:
- 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Power Windows & Locks
- Split Folding Rear Seats
- Bluetooth
- 6-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo With 3.5mm & USB
EX is a step up, adding:
- 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Rear Spoiler
- Keyless Entry
- Parking Sensors & Rearview Camera
- Leather Seating
- Heated Front Seats
SX is next in the lineup, which adds:
- 19-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Power Liftgate
- Panoramic Sunroof
- 8-Inch Touchscreen Display
- 10-Speaker Stereo System
SX Limited is the luxury version which has:
- Premium Leather
- Chrome Wheels
- Xenon Headlights
- Heated Wood Steering Wheel
What Engines Come In the Kia Sorento?
- The base engine is an underpowered 2.4L 4-cylinder which makes 191 horsepower while getting up to 22 MPG.
- A step up is the stronger 3.3L V6 which generates 290 horsepower and gets up to 21 MPG. Performance is better than average, taking 7.4 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Kia Sorento Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Kia Sorento?
The 2014 Kia Sorento is a comfortable SUV with seating for up to 7 passengers. The seats are supportive and interior materials are more luxurious than a lot of other midsize SUVs available in the same price range.
Passenger space is good in the first two rows, but the third row has limited legroom which is better suited to younger children.
How Much Storage Space Does the Kia Sorento Have?
Cargo space is better than average for a midsize SUV. There’s enough space for 6-7 suitcases behind the second row, and over 12 suitcases fit with the seats folded flat.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The second generation of the Kia Sorento was introduced in 2011, and replaced by the third generation in 2016.
2011: Fully redesigned second generation with new engines, styling, and features.
2012: New optional 4-cylinder engine, ventilated drivers seat, and Uvo voice-activated control.
2013: Leather is standard on EX model, power driver’s seat on LX model.
2014: Minor styling updates, more powerful V6 engine, better steering, new touchscreen.
2015: No major changes.
2016: Completely redesigned third generation launched with new engines and technology.
How Does the Kia Sorento Compare to the Competition?
The Kia Sorento is worse than other midsize SUVs since there are so many widespread mechanical problems, buyers looking for a Sorento should consider a 2017–2020 which are more reliable.
The Hyundai Santa Fe is another midsize SUV available in the same price range. Both the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento are built on the same platform, but the Hyundai Santa Fe offers a more upscale interior. We recommend avoiding both the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento for 2014 since they suffer from the same engine failures.
The Toyota Highlander is another midsize SUV which costs about $7,000 more. Reliability ratings and passenger space are both better in the Toyota Highlander, but the Kia Sorento has nicer leather options available. We recommend the Toyota Highlander since it will last much longer.
Do Owners Recommend the Kia Sorento?
Yes, we have had minimal issues and the car has almost 200,000 miles. As long as you keep up with the maintenance it will run well.
Yes it is a good vehicle with a lot of room for traveling and also good on gas. I have used it to travel far for work and the gas mileage seems to be decent.
Yes I love it. I bought it use and it is a great car to drive. I have driven across the country 4 times.
I really like the Kia Sorento. My only complaint is that all of the steering wheel electronic controls for things like radio channel/ volume, Bluetooth control and cruise control recently stopped working.
It is an excellent SUV. It is comfortable, easy to drive, has good sight lines all the way around and has ample cargo space for most items. I would consider purchasing another Kia Sorento when I am in the market for a replacement.
Things tend to break on it easily, but it’s an okay vehicle. I prefer Toyota or Nissan. Kia’s feel cheaply made and tend to need more repairs than I was used to when I drove a Toyota.
Yes it is. It has been reliable. We have 4 kids and the 3rd roe comes in handy. Although we wish it was able to have more storage
Yes. It runs very smooth and we have never had a major issue. We love all the features it has including the heated and cool seats, touch screen dash, changing lights, moonroof, and the different memory settings for the driver's’ seat