Kelley Blue Book


HomeKiaKia Sorento2009 Kia Sorento
Consumer Reviews

2009 Kia Sorento Consumer Reviews

Save this car
Write a Review
4.1
(670 reviews)
2009 Kia Sorento
5
52%
4
28%
3
7%
2
6%
1
7%
85%
Recommend this vehicle
Value
4.3
Performance
4.3
Quality
4.2
Comfort
4.4
Reliability
4.3
Styling
4.4
2009 Sorento Overview
Among the 670 owners who provided feedback on the 2009 Kia Sorento for Kelley Blue Book, consumer sentiment is mostly positive, with 85% recommending the vehicle. As a whole, consumers found the vehicle's comfort and styling to be its strongest features and quality to be its weakest. 350 out of 670 of owners (52% of them) rank the 2009 Sorento five out of five stars. Overall, consumers seem aligned in their opinions of the 2009 Kia Sorento. Is it the right vehicle for for you? Check out Kelley Blue Book's consumer reviews and see for yourself.
See Cars for SaleBuild & Price

Most Helpful Reviews

Positive Review

"An SUV Worthy of Better Credit"

My only big complaint with my Sorento so far is its ability to retain market value. I bet that I could rebadge this vehicle with one of the social status SUV badges and I could sell it for more than what I paid for it new. Otherwise, as of this writing, I haven't had one bit of mechanical problem with it. The fuel economy rating is way off from what the manf claims, but that was before the gov't made them change how they calculate it. Mine avg's 21 mpg Hwy @ 70 mph. City mpg varies too much to get an accurate avg but, if I had to guess it would be around 16-17 mpg. Changing the oil is a chore due to a skid plate covering the bottom of the engine. Once the skid plate is removed everything is easily accessable BUT, you just can't use any oil filter. You have to make sure that you get one that matches the height of the OEM filter or you further complicate the process. So far the only aftermarket filter I found that fits without a hassle is WIX. Frams are about 5/16" too tall to fit without an extra 10 minutes worth of mechanic work. The ride is smooth and the vehicle handles as expected for an SUV of it's size, which is very well. I haven't taken mine off-road but people in the Sorento forums swear that these outperform the stock Jeeps, GMC's, Chevy's and other SUV's in it's class. I'm sure they wouldn't lie, expecially since they're on the Internet making these claims. KIA could improve the interior by adding some extra 12v outlets in the rear, which may have already been done with newer editions, and improving the stereo head unit. They still offer cassette/CD combo. Get with the program and install MP3 ready equipment. Otherwise the sound of the stereo is good as-is. Bottom line, you can get a loaded-out Sorento for the same price you can get an entry level "Status Quo" SUV, plus you get a much better warranty with the KIA.


VS

Critical Review

"Unfortunate Lemon"

We are disappointed to discover a part to repair the AWD of this vehicle, has been priced at $10,000. The transfer case. I thought the service manager was kidding. She very nonchalantly said, just get a new car... Three years ago, we bought this vehicle used, for $12,0000 We have more than up kept the maintenance. Replacing and repairing all but the transmission, gas tank, and the transfer case.The manager of the dealership offered us $1000... We are using this vehicle as a 2WD. My message...Buyer Beware. Vehicles should last more than 10yrs, and parts should not be priced beyond reasonable.

2009 Sorento Reviews

In our commitment to delivering the most comprehensive assessment of the vehicle possible, KBB.com widens the scope of our reviews to include all pertinent model years.
ex. Dependable

Showing 8 of 670 reviews.


6f1d4c94
8/24/2023
Best ever
Cons

A.c. fails prematurely

This is by far one of the best vehicles and especially for the price. I have owned 2 used in 12 yrs. I would buy another but just not a 2nd gen or newere. The 1st gen is the best sorentos ever made. Only problem was thw ac but replaced it. That is the only issue in 12 yrs of owning 2 of these. Also I sealed off the sunroof. They will leak eventually with plastic parts used in them. Sunroof is not a good idea. Just fix the ac!

Value
5.0
Performance
5.0
Quality
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Reliability
5.0
Styling
5.0
Recommends this vehicle
Was this review helpful?
2
0

Teresa
7/7/2023
20 Year old girl!
Pros

She is dependable: travel, comfort, and utility

Cons

She isn't a 5-speed muscle car, hahahahahha!

I love my Sorento XE. I have 101 thousand miles on her and she is a so dependable, I have no need to purchase a new car. She has a sunroof, heated front seats, climate control, chrome door handles, and I added a heavy duty tow bar and extended tow ball to tow my friends who break down. Sturdy, dependable, and with our Florida hurricanes, a perfect vehicle in which to evacaute in.

Value
5.0
Performance
5.0
Quality
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Reliability
5.0
Styling
3.0
Recommends this vehicle
Was this review helpful?
1
0

Litfit
4/25/2022
Bought at Auction
Pros

Sturdy---fearless on the highway

Cons

now, gas prices, but still affordable, though

The car was 12 years old and not running well--it was in line at the Kia auction. We looked under the rear floor mat and into the gas tank. We dropped a magnet on a string and came up with rust. It had 83 thousand miles on it and had sat in the yard after the woman's husband passed. We bought it, dropped the tank, purchased another from a wreck for 69 dollars. Total price 1450.00. That was 8 years ago. I bought a heavy duty tow hitch and have been using it ever since. Florida has those hurricanes, and I have evacuated people twice: she will climb a mountain with that 4 wheel drive. I am never getting rid of her--neighbors ask me to tow for them, constantly. I think I will leave it to my grandson; he is 5, hahahahah

Value
5.0
Performance
5.0
Quality
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Reliability
5.0
Styling
5.0
Recommends this vehicle
Was this review helpful?
0
0

Disgruntled
2/20/2022
Still driving this mistake
Pros

Still on the road

Cons

Transmission is a piece of junk.

The Sorento was purchased me in 2008. It has had many minor and major problems since then. We are on the third transmission since it was purchased. The second one never even made it home from the dealership after being replaced. The transmission has been unreliable despite being dealer serviced for years and still does give us problems occasionally. The ac compressor went out without warning at a cost of over $1400. Handling is poor. Fit and finish were never good and the rear hatch is particularly problematic. It is our first and last vehicle from Kia/Hyundai motors. We will keep an older reliable Honda to dump this car once the dealers have cars again.

Value
1.0
Performance
2.0
Quality
1.0
Comfort
2.0
Reliability
1.0
Styling
2.0
Was this review helpful?
0
2

Sorento
11/12/2021
Great vehicle!

I bought this car from a used car dealer in late 2020. I ran the streets with this car and when I say ran the streets I mean I drove to Ohio and back multiple times. I made a trip to Pennsylvania. I made a trip to New Jersey. I mean, I drove it so much! Never really had an issue. I had to care for the regular things, such as oil changes, change the headlight. I drove it to Tennessee one time and slid into a ditch but only had to replace the tire from that incident. I mean, this car has been amazing to me.

Value
5.0
Performance
3.0
Quality
4.0
Comfort
5.0
Reliability
5.0
Styling
3.0
Recommends this vehicle
Was this review helpful?
5
0

Rich
9/15/2021
We still own this car from new.
Pros

A pleasure to drive.

Cons

Wish it was a little longer.

This SUV was a best pick for value and performance when new. By 2004 standards it had a great sound system and is a pleasure to drive on long distance trips. We maintained it, but over time it took a toll from Illinois winters. Salt laden roadways depreciated the undercarriage. We were told to trade it or sell it several times, but opted to purchase our own parts and pay for their install. That turned out to be much less expensive than was quoted. The car now resides in Arizona living in the dry heat. It still performs and rides nicely on new front end parts and fairly new tires. This is a Kia Sorento EX with all options but only rear wheel drive. Everything works. We still like it.

Value
5.0
Performance
4.0
Quality
4.0
Comfort
5.0
Reliability
4.0
Styling
5.0
Recommends this vehicle
Was this review helpful?
6
0

Sr.
9/26/2020
Not up to expectations
Pros

Great 4 x 4 in all conditions

Cons

Reliability of parts in it, costly parts

Owned since new, AC went out after warranty and costly to replace, ABS module went out after warranty and costs approx. 2,500. Some minor oil leaking presuambly out of a gasket. Other than that, great 4 x 4 in all conditions, but be careful for hydroplaning. There is no other vehicle that is set up like this one, which is similar to the original sport chevy blazers.

Value
3.0
Performance
3.0
Quality
2.0
Comfort
4.0
Reliability
2.0
Styling
4.0
Was this review helpful?
15
6

Diamond
7/17/2020
Jackpot!!!!
Pros

Running like a 2020

Cons

Changing the headlights

I’m now at 272000 and my car is still quiet. I’m not selling it I’m parking it and getting another car just because it’s high in mileage. I’m never selling my Kia this. No maintenance, no breakdowns. The best car.

Value
5.0
Performance
5.0
Quality
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Reliability
5.0
Styling
5.0
Recommends this vehicle
Was this review helpful?
22
2

kbb-logo-mini

Reviews You Can Trust

Kelley Blue Book has been a respected figure in the automotive world since 1926. Our commitment to maintaining this legacy is evident in our Consumer Reviews and Ratings. To ensure our customers receive candid, genuine, and impartial car reviews, we've teamed up with Bazaarvoice, a leader in the industry that employs cutting-edge fraud protection and state-of-the-art protocols to guarantee the authenticity of each review. At Kelley Blue Book, trust is the cornerstone of our relationship with our valued customers, and it’s the guiding principle in everything we do.
Advertisement