Editor’s note: This Car Seat Check was published in October 2024 about the 2024 Kia Sorento; little has changed for 2025. See what’s new for 2025 or check out a side-by-side comparison of the model years.

Key Points

• The 2025 Kia Sorento three-row SUV performed very well in our Car Seat Check thanks to accessible anchors and ample legroom.
• We tested the gas version of the mid-level X-Line trim with second-row captain’s chairs and seating for six. The Sorento also comes as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid.
• The SUV does not fit three car seats in its second row.

Take a look at how the Latch system and each car seat scored below in our Car Seat Check of the 2025 Kia Sorento.

Related: Search Car Seat Checks

Latch: Grade A

The two sets of lower anchors in the second row are exposed for easy access and connection. The top tether anchors on the seatback are also easy to find and use.

Infant Seat: Grade A

This seat was easy to install in the second row, and our 5-foot-6-inch front passenger had plenty of legroom with the seat installed behind them.

Rear-Facing Convertible: Grade A

As with the infant seat, the rear-facing convertible was easy to install, and we had no room issues.

Forward-Facing Convertible: Grade A

Connection to both the lower anchors and top tether anchor was easy, and the seat fit well. The second-row head restraints are removable to situate the convertible flush against the seatback.

Booster: Grade A

In the second row, the booster fit well after raising the head restraint to situate the booster flush on the seatback. The Sorento’s stable buckles should be easy for kids to use independently.

Third-Row Access: Grade B

A one-touch button easily slides and collapses the seat forward to access the third row. It can’t be done when car seats are installed, however. The step-in height is on the tall side, but the opening is large enough for adults. Passengers can also use the small pass-through between the second-row seats to access the third row, but it’s narrow.

Third-Row Latch: Grade A

The two sets of anchors in the third row are exposed for easy access and connection. The two top tether anchors sit halfway down the seatback, and they’re also clearly marked and exposed.

Third-Row Forward-Facing Convertible: Grade B

The convertible was easy to install in the third row via Latch, but the third row’s fixed head restraint interfered with fit; the convertible should sit flush against the seatback, and the fixed head restraint pushes it forward.

Third-Row Booster: Grade C

The third row’s fixed head restraints only flop down when the seat is folded, and they aren’t otherwise adjustable. They push the booster’s back off the seatback slightly; it should sit flush against the seatback. In addition, the third row’s floppy buckles will likely be tough for kids to use independently.

Grading Scale

A: Plenty of room for the car seat and the child; doesn’t impact driver or front-passenger legroom. Easy to find and connect to Latch and tether anchors. No fit issues involving head restraint or seat contouring. Easy access to the third row.

B: One room, fit or connection issue. Some problems accessing the third row when available.

C: Marginal room plus one fit or connection issue. Difficult to access the third row when available.

D: Insufficient room, plus multiple fit or connection issues.

F: Does not fit or is unsafe.

About Cars.com’s Car Seat Checks

Editors Jennifer Geiger and Jennifer Newman are certified child safety seat installation technicians.

For the Car Seat Check, we use a Chicco KeyFit 30 infant-safety seat, a Graco Contender 65 convertible seat and Graco TurboBooster seat. The front seats are adjusted for a 6-foot driver and a shorter passenger. The three child seats are installed in the second row. The booster seat sits behind the driver’s seat, and the infant and convertible seats are installed behind the front passenger seat.

We also install the forward-facing convertible in the second row’s middle seat with the booster and infant seat in the outboard seats to see if three car seats will fit; a child sitting in the booster seat must be able to reach the seat belt buckle. If there’s a third row, we install the booster seat and a forward-facing convertible. Learn more about how we conduct our Car Seat Checks.

Parents should also remember that they can use the Latch system or a seat belt to install a car seat, and that Latch anchors have a weight limit of 65 pounds, including the weight of the child and the weight of the seat itself.

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