2008 Kia Sorento Base 2WD
All photo credits
- Photo: 2005 Kia Sorento CRDi XS Automatic 2.5 Front by Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: KIA SORENTO (BL) China by Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: KIA SORENTO (BL) China (3) by Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2005 Kia Sorento CRDi XS Automatic 2.5 Rear by Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2003 Kia Sorento LX, Rear Left, 06-16-2020 by SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 2008 Kia Sorento Base 2WD is a 242-hp V6 with a 5-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. It starts at $20,995 MSRP and is rated at 18 mpg combined.
It makes 242 horsepower. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway (18 mpg combined).
The Sorento measures 180.7 inches long on a 106.7-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 4,068 lb.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | SUV |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $20,995 ($31,692 *) |
| MSRP with Destination | $21,695 ($32,749 *) |
| Destination Charge | $700 |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | Lambda G6DB 3.3L DOHC V6, MPI, CVVT, naturally aspirated |
| Horsepower | 242 hp |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, 24-valve with CVVT |
| Injection Type | Multi-point fuel injection |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 5-speed automatic |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 16 MPG |
| Highway | 22 MPG |
| Combined | 18 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Regular unleaded |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Wheels Front | 16 in |
| Wheels Rear | 16 in |
| Tires Front | P245/70R16 |
| Tires Rear | P245/70R16 |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 180.7 in |
| Width | 73.3 in |
| Height | 68.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 106.7 in |
| Front Track | 62.2 in |
| Rear Track | 62.2 in |
| Ground Clearance | 8.2 in |
| Cargo Volume | 31.7 ft³ |
| Curb Weight | 4,068 lbs |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 39.7 in |
| Headroom Rear | 39.5 in |
| Legroom Front | 42.6 in |
| Legroom Rear | 36.1 in |
| Shoulder Room Front | 58.9 in |
| Shoulder Room Rear | 58.4 in |
| Hip Room Front | 55.3 in |
| Hip Room Rear | 55.3 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 2008 Kia Sorento Base 2WD with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
| Overall | Not rated |
| Frontal crash | Not rated |
| Frontal – driver | ★★★★★ |
| Frontal – passenger | ★★★★★ |
| Side crash | Not rated |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ (19.1 % risk) |
Recalls
3 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2008 Kia SORENTO. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Feb 14, 2020 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.
Consequence: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the vehicle is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the main junction box to prevent power from being directed to the HECU when the vehicle's ignition switch is turned off, free of charge. The recall began June 5, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC186.
NHTSA campaign 20V088000
Apr 1, 2013 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Consequence: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
NHTSA campaign 13V114000
Sep 7, 2011 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 SORENTO PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 15, 2006 THROUGH NOVEMBER 27, 2007. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY BE TURNED OFF WHEN AN ADULT IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IS DESIGNED TO BE TURNED OFF IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES INCLUDING WHEN CHILDREN AND SMALL ADULTS ARE SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THERE IS A CHILD RESTRAINT IN THAT SEAT OR THE SEAT IS NOT OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS), WHICH CLASSIFIES THE OCCUPANT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, MAY MISCLASSIFY AN ADULT PASSENGER AS A CHILD OR CHILD SEAT AND IMPROPERLY TURN OFF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. WHEN THE AIR BAG IS DEACTIVATED THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE CENTER INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Consequence: THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS TURNED OFF WHEN THE OCS MISCLASSIFIES AN ADULT PASSENGER. WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF, THE FRONT PASSENGER WILL NOT HAVE THE PROTECTION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAGS IN SOME FRONTAL COLLISIONS, THUS INCREASING THE RISK OF OCCUPANT INJURY.
Remedy: KIA WILL UPDATE THE PROGRAMMING IN THE SORENTO OCS CONTROL MODULE AT NO CHARGE. THE RECALL REMEDY IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE UNDER SERVICE CAMPAIGN SC076. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-333-4542.
NHTSA campaign 11V473000
217 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2008 Kia SORENTO
Owner Complaints
217 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Kia SORENTO (15 mention a crash, 9 a fire, 14 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Air Bags | 66 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 44 |
| Engine | 35 |
| Electrical System | 32 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 28 |
| Service Brakes | 27 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2008 KIA SORENTO. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.