Verified year comparison
What changed on the Kia Sorento?
Compare only the features our editors have verified. A blank cell does not prove the vehicle lacks a feature—it means the cited guide does not cover that year.
Official configuration changes
Powertrain and efficiency by researched year.
This table compares the complete EPA-tested configuration set for each researched year, independently of feature-guide coverage.
Documentation matrix
Verified feature coverage
Scroll horizontally on a phone. Select two years above to highlight them and see the documented differences.
| Feature and equipment note | 2026 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Adjust Regenerative Braking With the PaddlesVerified in the shared 2026 U.S.-market Sorento Hybrid/Plug-in Hybrid digital owner's manual for vehicles equipped with regenerative-braking paddles. | Covered by this guide | Not covered by this guide |
| Charge the Sorento PHEV With the Portable ICCB CableVerified only for the 2025 U.S.-market Sorento Plug-in Hybrid. Portable cable supply and control-box design can vary by vehicle, accessory kit and market. | Not covered by this guide | Covered by this guide |
| Choose the Sorento PHEV Charging-Connector Lock ModeVerified only for the 2025 U.S.-market Sorento Plug-in Hybrid in Kia's shared HEV/PHEV manual. The non-plug-in Hybrid has no external charging inlet. | Not covered by this guide | Covered by this guide |
| Enable Green Zone EV Drive on the Sorento HybridVerified in the shared 2025 U.S.-market Sorento HEV/PHEV digital owner's manual. Recognition depends on navigation data, driving history and installed software. | Not covered by this guide | Covered by this guide |
| Open the Sorento Liftgate Hands-FreeVerified in the shared 2025 U.S.-market Sorento HEV/PHEV digital owner's manual for vehicles equipped with Smart Liftgate and a smart key. | Not covered by this guide | Covered by this guide |
| Program a Custom Opening Height for the Sorento LiftgateVerified in Kia's 2026 U.S.-market Sorento gasoline digital owner's manual for vehicles equipped with a power liftgate. | Covered by this guide | Not covered by this guide |
| Remote-Start the Sorento With the Smart KeyVerified for the 2025 U.S.-market gasoline Sorento when equipped with the smart-key Remote Start button. | Not covered by this guide | Covered by this guide |
| Reset the Sorento Power Liftgate After 12-Volt ServiceVerified in the shared 2025 U.S.-market Sorento HEV/PHEV digital owner's manual for vehicles equipped with a power liftgate. | Not covered by this guide | Covered by this guide |
| Save a Custom Power-Liftgate Height on the SorentoVerified in the shared 2025 U.S.-market Sorento HEV/PHEV digital owner's manual. It requires the power liftgate and does not apply to a manual liftgate. | Not covered by this guide | Covered by this guide |
| Start an Immediate Charge Without Erasing the ScheduleVerified for the 2025 U.S.-market Sorento Plug-in Hybrid with scheduled charging. It does not apply to the non-plug-in Hybrid. | Not covered by this guide | Covered by this guide |
| Use Sorento Snow Mode and AWD Lock CorrectlyVerified in the shared 2025 U.S.-market Sorento HEV/PHEV manual for vehicles equipped with AWD and the described mode controls. | Not covered by this guide | Covered by this guide |
Important: this matrix compares published documentation coverage, not every factory option. The equipment/trim control filters the scope labels recorded on guides; it is not a factory build matrix. Confirm an individual vehicle in its window sticker, owner portal or dealer build record.