2026 Sorento LX

What the entry price actually buys

Kia doesn't strip the LX down to make the upper trims look good. You get the full three-row package — the same 2,000-lb-rated platform, the same crash structure, the same 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty — with a second-row bench that makes this one of the trims that genuinely seats seven. The 191-hp engine won't win a Parkway on-ramp contest, but it returns the best gas-Sorento economy of the lineup, an EPA-estimated 23 city / 31 highway, on regular fuel. For a family whose driving is school drop-offs on Route 88, practices, and the occasional run up Route 9, that math is the whole argument.

The one thing it can't do

All-wheel drive isn't offered on the LX at any price. Lakewood winters are usually more slush than snowpack, and a front-drive Sorento on decent tires handles that fine — but if your household heads to the Poconos in January or you just want the reassurance, the step is the Sorento S, where AWD is a $2,000 option and brings the new standard Terrain Mode with it. That's the honest fork in the road at the bottom of this lineup: the LX is for buyers who know they don't need it.

Who lands here

First-time three-row buyers, growing families replacing a compact SUV that ran out of seats, and anyone cross-shopping used mid-sizers who realizes a new Sorento with a full warranty costs about the same. The store's reviews tell that version of the story often. One shopper: "Went to Kia to look at a new Sorento, Sami was our salesman. He was fabulous.. very helpful and knowledgeable." Another longtime customer put the loyalty plainly: "I leased my Sorento from Difeo and now in an EV9. There are many closer Kia dealerships to me but I go out of my way to bring my vehicle here for any service."

Frequently asked questions

How much does the 2026 Sorento LX cost?

MSRP is $32,390 plus the $1,495 destination charge, before New Jersey's 6.625% sales tax, title, and registration. The pricing & leasing guide runs the full out-the-door math, and current offers refresh monthly.

Does the LX have three rows?

Yes — every 2026 Sorento is a three-row SUV, and the LX's second-row bench gives it seating for seven, something the captain's-chair trims from SX up trade away for aisle access.

Can I get the LX with AWD?

No. The 2026 LX is front-wheel drive only; the least expensive all-wheel-drive Sorento is the S AWD at $37,290 MSRP, covered in the S trim guide.

Is the base engine strong enough for a full load?

With seven aboard and the cargo area packed, 191 horsepower is adequate rather than eager — fine for local and shore driving, working harder on long grades. Families who tow anything beyond a small utility trailer (the LX is rated for 2,000 pounds) or want relaxed passing power should test the 281-hp turbo in the EX.

Where can I see an LX near Lakewood?

Check live Sorento inventory at DiFeo Kia on Ocean Ave, or schedule a test drive and the store can bring the paperwork to you with its at-home buying option.

The bottom line

The LX is the Sorento for spreadsheet people: three rows, the full warranty, the best mileage in the gas range, and the lowest payment — with front-wheel drive as the one non-negotiable. If that line item doesn't bother you, nothing else here will.