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2025 Kia Sorento

midsize SUV / 4-door SUV

2025 Kia Sorento 4-door SUV
2024 Kia Sorento shown

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Small overlap front
Moderate overlap front: original test
Moderate overlap front: updated test
Side: updated test

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Headlights
Front crash prevention: pedestrian
Standard system

Seat belts & child restraints

Seat belt reminders
LATCH ease of use

Key

  • Good
  • Acceptable
  • Marginal
  • Poor

Small overlap front

The small overlap front evaluation consists of a driver-side and a passenger-side component. If the results of the two evaluations differ, then the combined small overlap rating is equal to the lower rating.

Driver-side

  • Rating applies to 2021-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Kia Sorento S 4-door 4wd

The Kia Sorento was redesigned for the 2021 model year. Driver-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2021 Kia Sorento conducted by Hyundai/Kia.

Overall driver-side evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTN2013
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 11
Footrest (cm) 7
Left toepan (cm) 6
Brake pedal (cm) 2
Parking brake (cm) 9
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 5
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 1
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 4
Upper dash (cm) 6
Lower instrument panel (cm) 8

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTN2013
Head
HIC-15 83
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm) 10
Maximum Nij 0.18
Chest maximum compression (mm) 24
Femur (kN)
Left 1.0
Right 0.8
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 3
Right 2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.56
Right 0.53
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.2
Right 0.7
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 35
Right 38

Passenger-side

  • Rating applies to 2021-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Kia Sorento S 4-door 4wd

The Kia Sorento was redesigned for the 2021 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2021 Kia Sorento conducted by Hyundai/Kia.

Overall passenger-side evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Test ID VTP2017
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 12
Footrest (cm) 7
Right toepan (cm) 4
Center toepan (cm) 3
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 5
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 5
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 6
Upper dash (cm) 7
Right lower dash (cm) 6

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTP2017
Head
HIC-15 79
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm) 13
Maximum Nij 0.17
Chest maximum compression (mm) 25
Femur (kN)
Left 0.1
Right 0.5
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.39
Right 0.65
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 0.8
Right 1.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 29
Right 54

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTP2017
Head
HIC-15 84
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm) 13
Maximum Nij 0.20
Chest maximum compression (mm) 24
Femur (kN)
Left 0.8
Right 0.9
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.32
Right 0.43
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.5
Right 1.0
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 38
Right 56

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2021-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Kia Sorento S 4-door 4wd

The Kia Sorento was redesigned for the 2021 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2021 Kia Sorento conducted by Hyundai/Kia.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTF2017
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 4
Left (cm) 7
Center (cm) 5
Right (cm) 7
Brake pedal (cm) 5
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 0
Right (cm) 1
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) -1
Rearward (cm) -2
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF2017
Head
HIC-15 237
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.0
Extension bending moment (Nm) 8
Maximum Nij 0.26
Chest maximum compression (mm) 31
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 1.3
Femur force - right (kN) 1.8
Knee displacement - left (mm) 2
Knee displacement - right (mm) 2
Maximum tibia index - left 0.44
Maximum tibia index - right 0.41
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 2.3
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 2.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 46
Right 42

About the original moderate overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: updated test

Rating applies to 2025 models built after July 2024

Tested vehicle: 2025 Kia Sorento S 4-door 4wd

The Kia Sorento was redesigned for the 2021 model year. Beginning with 2025 models built after July 2024, modifications were made to the rear seat belts to improve rear occupant protection in moderate overlap front crashes. (Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the driver door or adjacent B-pillar.)

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh/hip
Leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh
Rear passenger restraints and dummy kinematics

View of the vehicle after the crash showing the airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

The rear passenger dummy's head remained a safe distance from the front seatback.

Rear passenger dummy injury values indicate a low risk of injury to the chest and a moderate risk of injury to the head or neck. During the crash, the shoulder belt remained in an ideal position on the dummy’s chest.

The rear passenger dummy's lap belt moved from the ideal position on the pelvis onto the abdomen, increasing the risk of abdominal injuries.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CEF2450
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 5
Left (cm) 8
Center (cm) 7
Right (cm) 6
Brake pedal (cm) 6
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 0
Right (cm) 1
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) 1
Rearward (cm) -1
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEF2450
Head
HIC-15 180
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm) 7
Maximum Nij 0.22
Chest maximum compression (mm) 23
Femur (kN)
Left 0.9
Right 1.4
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 3
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.32
Right 0.36
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.1
Right 3.1
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 54
Right 68

Rear passenger injury measures

Test ID CEF2450
Head
HIC-15 for head contact during forward excursion
no contact
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 2.2
Compression (kN) 0.6
Maximum Nij for head contact during forward excursion
no contact
Chest
Chest index 39
Shoulder belt tension (kN) 5.3
Thigh (kN)
Left femur compression 0.4
Right femur compression 0.2

About the moderate overlap front test

February 2024 adjustment to rating criteria

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2024 Kia Sorento S 4-door 4wd

The Kia Sorento was redesigned for the 2021 model year. Beginning with 2024 models, reinforcements were added to the B-pillar, door sill and beams. Rear seatbelt pre-tensioners and a rear side airbag were also added to improve occupant protection in side impact crashes. (Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the driver door or adjacent B-pillar.) Side 2.0 ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2024 Sorento conducted by Hyundai/Kia.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Rear passenger head protection
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTS2404
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -20.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS2404
Head
HIC-15 64
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.8
Compression (kN) -0.4
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 18
Lateral force (kN) 1.0
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 29
Average deflection (mm) 25
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 2.98
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.42
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 4.3

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS2404
Head
HIC-15 68
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.4
Compression (kN) -0.3
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 14
Lateral force (kN) 0.6
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 30
Average deflection (mm) 22
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 1.83
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.33
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 2.6

About the side crash test

Headlights

Trim level(s)

  • All trims
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves and fair on both left curves.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual right curve, fair on the sharp right and gradual left curves, and inadequate on the sharp left curve.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway, on both left curves and on the sharp right curve.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • All trims
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2024-25 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 92.6 m None
Straightaway left edge 61.5 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 74.2 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 63.0 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 56.5 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 49.7 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 168.5 m
Straightaway left edge 100.4 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 79.9 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 66.0 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 58.8 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 52.8 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: pedestrian

Rating applies to all 2024-25 models

System details

  • standard Forward Collision Avoidance Assist
Overall evaluation
Includes high-beam assist credit

Crossing child — day

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Crossing adult — night

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult — night

  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 34 mph when using its high beams and a warning was issued 1.4 seconds before impact. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 33 mph and a warning was issued 1.1 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Seat belt reminders

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

Overall evaluation
Front row
Unbelted occupant alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
DurationLong enough (90+ seconds)
Volume
Audio frequency
Second row
Startup status alert (visual)
Initiation time
Duration at least 60 seconds
Belt disengaged alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
Duration at least 30 seconds
Volume
Audio frequency
Technical measurements for this test
Background cabin sound pressure level at 24 km/h 50 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 24 km/h 63 dB
Difference between background and signal 13.3 dB
Background cabin sound pressure level at 40 km/h 53 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 40 km/h 63 dB
Difference between background and signal 9.7 dB
Dominant audio frequency 1750 Hz

About the seat belt reminder evaluation

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2021-25 models

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimSX
Seat type leatherette

This vehicle has 4 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimSX
Seat type leatherette
1 3 6 4
GGood
AAcceptable
MMarginal
PPoor
Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol
Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol
Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol
Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
No hardware available

Details by seating position

1
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
3
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
4
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
6
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 11
Clearance angle (degrees) 76
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 16
Clearance angle (degrees) 76
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 17
Clearance angle (degrees) 67
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 12
Clearance angle (degrees) 79
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 31

6

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 14
Clearance angle (degrees) 79
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 18
Clearance angle (degrees) 77
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 33

4

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 17
Clearance angle (degrees) 78
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 17
Clearance angle (degrees) 78
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation