DecodedCars2006 Kia Sorento
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2006 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV 4WD /LX, 4dr SUV 4WD EX/EX Luxury
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 16 combined · 15 city / 20 hwy
- Length
- 179.9 in
- Curb weight
- 4,345–4,387 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 0 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- No recalls so far
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 16 MPG combined, 13% below the 2006 SUV - average of 18.3 MPG.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 33 similar 2006 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2006 Kia Sorento is a SUV - offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 180 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 107-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,345 lb (4dr SUV 4WD /LX).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 16 MPG combined (15 city / 20 highway), 13% worse than the 2006 SUV - average of 18.3 MPG, for an estimated $4,200 a year in fuel.
It has 0 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 81 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2006
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2005 Sorento — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2005; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2005 Sorento →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV 4WD /LX | 179.9 in | 73.2 in | 71.3 in | 107.1 in | 61.8 / 62.2 in | 4,345 lb | 56/44 |
| 4dr SUV 4WD EX/EX Luxury | 179.9 in | 73.2 in | 74 in | 107.1 in | 61.8 / 62.2 in | 4,387 lb | 56/44 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sorento 2WD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 16 | -13% | $4,200 | 555 |
| Sorento 2WD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 19 / 16 | -13% | $4,200 | 555 |
| Sorento 4WD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 18 / 16 | -6% | $4,200 | 555 |
| Sorento 4WD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 18 / 15 | -12% | $4,450 | 592 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2006 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2006 Kia Sorento under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2006 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 Kia Sorento (this car) | 16 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2006 Toyota Land Cruiser | 13 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2006 Toyota RAV4 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 10 |
| 2006 Honda CR-V | 23 MPG | Not rated | 11 |
| 2006 Toyota 4Runner | 18 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2006 Hyundai Tucson | 22 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2006 Subaru Forester | 22 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Recalls (0)
No vehicle recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2006 Kia Sorento.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗Not every 2006 Kia Sorento is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2006 Kia Sorento buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. No recalls on file, but check anyway.
- Engine — 33 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 20 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Steering — 17 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 115,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2006 Kia Sorento. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Sorento years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Sorento | 37 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Sorento | 37 | 189 in | Not rated | 2 | 9 |
| 2025 Sorento | 36 | 189 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 136 |
| 2024 Sorento | 37 | 189 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 51 |
| 2023 Sorento | 37 | 189 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 165 |
| 2022 Sorento | 37 | 189 in | ★★★★★ | 9 | 228 |
| 2021 Sorento | 37 | 189 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 276 |
| 2020 Sorento | 25 | 189 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 140 |
| 2019 Sorento | 25 | 189 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 434 |
| 2018 Sorento | 24 | 187.8 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 255 |
| 2017 Sorento | 24 | 187.8 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 808 |
| 2016 Sorento | 24 | 187.8 in | ★★★★★ | 8 | 1,261 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Kia. How we calculate this →