2020 Kia Sorento MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2020 Kia Sorento is rated 20 to 25 mpg combined across 4 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic.

EPA fuel economy

2020 Kia Sorento · 4 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

25MPG combined

22 city 29 highway

$2,500 a year to fuel

Fuel economy score5/10

2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic

Best version costs $1,500 more in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.00 a gallon (regular gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Nov 12, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $2,500 to $3,100 a year. Ratings for the best versions are unchanged from 2019.

Fewer complaints than a typical Sorento year

The 2020 drew 29 owner complaints in its first three years, against 116 for a typical Sorento year. It is not picked as a best year: its first three years fell in the pandemic, when people drove less.

Years to avoid: 2011; best years: 2018 and 2019. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.

Every Sorento year ranked The 2020 Sorento's recalls and problems

Every 2020 Sorento version

EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices.

Version	Combined	City / Hwy	Fuel / year
2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic Best EPA listing: Sorento FWD	25 mpg	22 / 29	$2,500
2.4L 4-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Sorento AWD	23 mpg	21 / 26	$2,700
3.3L 6-cyl · FWD · 8-speed automatic EPA listing: Sorento FWD	22 mpg	19 / 26	$2,850
3.3L 6-cyl · AWD · 8-speed automatic EPA listing: Sorento AWD	20 mpg	18 / 24	$3,100

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.00 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.

Version	Per year	Per month	5 years
2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic	$2,400	$200	$12,000
2.4L 4-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic	$2,609	$217	$13,043
3.3L 6-cyl · FWD · 8-speed automatic	$2,727	$227	$13,636
3.3L 6-cyl · AWD · 8-speed automatic	$3,000	$250	$15,000

At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.

Kia Sorento MPG by model year

The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 22 to 26 mpg (every year from 2011 to 2026); 26 since 2021. Hybrid: 36 to 37 mpg (2021 to 2026); highest in 2021.

Best gas version
Best hybrid version

2020: gas 25 mpg · hybrid not offered

Show as a table

Kia Sorento best combined mpg by model year
Model year	Best gas version	Best hybrid version
2011	24	–
2012	24	–
2013	24	–
2014	22	–
2015	23	–
2016	24	–
2017	24	–
2018	24	–
2019	25	–
2020	25	–
2021	26	37
2022	26	37
2023	26	37
2024	26	37
2025	26	36
2026	26	37

Every Sorento year's ratings in one table

How the 2020 Sorento compares

2020 midsize SUVs covered on this site, ranked by their best combined rating. Fuel cost is for each model's cheapest version to run, at EPA's prices.

2020 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Toyota Highlander Best: hybrid	36 mpg	24 mpg	$1,750
Lexus RX Best: hybrid	30 mpg	23 mpg	$2,600
Ford Explorer Best: hybrid	28 mpg	24 mpg	$2,200
Hyundai Santa Fe Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,500
Kia Sorento This page Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,500
Ford Edge Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,600
Chevrolet Blazer Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,600
Mazda CX-9 Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,600
GMC Acadia Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,600
Kia Telluride Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,700
Honda Pilot Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,700
Nissan Pathfinder Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,700
Subaru Ascent Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,700
Nissan Murano Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,700
Hyundai Palisade Best: gas	22 mpg	22 mpg	$2,850
Honda Passport Best: gas	22 mpg	22 mpg	$2,850
Volkswagen Atlas Best: gas	22 mpg	22 mpg	$2,850
Jeep Grand Cherokee Best: gas	21 mpg	21 mpg	$2,950
Chevrolet Traverse Best: gas	21 mpg	21 mpg	$2,950
Dodge Durango Best: gas	21 mpg	21 mpg	$2,950
Buick Enclave Best: gas	21 mpg	21 mpg	$2,950

Kia Sorento vs Hyundai Santa FeMPG, fuel cost, recalls and crash tests side by side

2020 Sorento recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 140 owner complaints for the 2020 Sorento.

Owners most often describe excessive oil consumption (23 complaints, 16%), then engine failure (22). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 5 stars.

See the 2020 Sorento recalls and problems

Questions

Does AWD lower the 2020 Kia Sorento's gas mileage?

Yes. On versions that differ only in drive, AWD lowers the combined rating by 2 mpg: the 2.4L 4-cyl gets 25 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 23 with AWD.

Does the 2020 Kia Sorento need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2020 Kia Sorento version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2020 Sorento's MPG compare with the 2019?

For 2020, the best gas version is rated 25 mpg, the same as the year before.

Sources and method

US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Nov 4, 2026.
EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.00, midgrade $4.61, premium $5.01, diesel $6.13 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Nov 12, 2026 and complaint file dated Nov 11, 2026.

Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.