2026 Sorento EX

Ninety horsepower changes the conversation

Below the EX, the Sorento is transportation. From the EX up, it's quick — 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft from the turbocharged 2.5, delivered through a dual-clutch gearbox that fires off highway passes without drama. Loaded up with a week of beach gear and three kids, the difference isn't a luxury; it's the gap between planning your merge onto the Parkway and just making it. The trade: EPA estimates dip to 20 city / 29 highway (20/27 with AWD), and the dual-clutch has a distinct light-throttle feel in parking lots that's worth two minutes of your test drive. Towing capability rises to 3,500 pounds, which covers most single-axle boat trailers headed to the Metedeconk or Barnegat Bay ramps.

The new Premium Package math

For 2026, Kia lets EX buyers reach into SX territory piecemeal. The Premium Package adds the panoramic roof, BOSE sound, and second-row captain's chairs — three of the biggest reasons people climb trims — without the full jump to the SX's $42,290 sticker. Note the seating consequence: captain's chairs drop capacity from seven to six. If your crew regularly runs three-across in the middle row, skip the package and keep the bench; that configuration is getting rarer above this price point.

Who lands here

The EX is the trim salespeople end up recommending once a family lists what they actually want: real power, AWD for $1,500, and the option sheet à la carte. The store's review pages read like case studies. One buyer: "Saw my Kia Sorento online that I wanted, contacted DeFeo met with Sammy Chow (salesman), from moment I met Sammy to driving off the lot absolutely supreme process." Another: "As soon as we pulled up, Vito M. was friendly and welcoming. He showed us exactly what we were looking for, took us for a test drive and helped us through the leasing process."

Frequently asked questions

How much is the 2026 Sorento EX?

$38,490 MSRP front-drive, $39,990 with AWD, plus $1,495 destination and New Jersey's 6.625% sales tax. Month-to-month incentives can move the real number — see current offers and the pricing & leasing guide.

What engine does the EX have?

The turbocharged 2.5-liter four: 281 hp, 311 lb-ft, eight-speed dual-clutch automatic. Every trim from EX through X-Pro uses this powertrain; only the LX and S carry the 191-hp base engine.

What's in the EX Premium Package?

New for 2026: the panoramic sunroof, BOSE premium audio, and second-row captain's chairs. Choosing it turns the EX into a six-seater, so bench loyalists should order without it.

How much can the EX tow?

3,500 pounds when properly equipped — a meaningful jump from the base engine's 2,000. If the trailer scale says more, the X-Pro SX Prestige is the 4,500-pound answer.

EX or X-Line EX?

Same equipment philosophy, different hardware: the X-Line EX ($42,790) makes AWD standard and adds raised styling and 20-inch wheels. An EX AWD at $39,990 undercuts it by $2,800 if the rugged look isn't worth the walk to you.

The bottom line

If the Sorento lineup were one car, it would be this one: turbo power, sane price, and the new package that lets you cherry-pick the luxury bits. Look for EX builds in stock at DiFeo Kia in Lakewood, and drive the dual-clutch before you decide — most people love it, and you should find out in a parking lot rather than a review.