Kia Extending Current Sorento’s Life Because It’s Just Too Popular

The current Kia Sorento, coded MQ4, has made its global debut early in 2020, reaching the US in September of the same year. Its facelift arrived in 2023, so it’s supposed to have a full-generation revamp in 2026 following Kia’s typical product cycle. However, reports from South Korea point to an extension to the Sorento’s life, delaying the next model for the best possible reason: it’s just too popular.

The report came from Woopa TV, which you can watch at the bottom of this page. It’s in Korean, but toggling the closed captions and setting it to English should do the trick. According to the video, Kia is in no rush to replace the current Sorento since it still sells well – not only in Korea but also in key markets globally. The publication also cited that the SUV is aging well because of key technologies added to it, including a hybrid powertrain.

A Consistent Hot-Seller

While the Kia Carnival is the automaker’s current unsung sales hero, the Sorento has consistently ranked as one of Kia’s top-selling models since its launch. The momentum is still pretty much the same this year, with the Korean marque reporting 50,919 units delivered during the first six months of 2025, ranking third just behind two other popular SUVs, the Telluride and Sportage.

With the new timeline, the next Sorento will reportedly arrive in late 2027 in South Korea, with Europe and the US getting it later in 2028. The strategy should give Kia a way to capitalize on the Sorento’s popularity while also developing the model to be the best it can ever be. That said, if you’re eyeing the Sorento now, you’d be confident that it won’t age instantly.

What To Expect From The Next Sorento

Given the renown of the current model, there are things that are expected from the next-generation revamp. The next Sorento, reportedly coded MQ5, will have a design inspired by the Kia EV9, which means it will have vertical LEDs and new Starmap taillights. Dimensions-wise, it will also be bigger than before, which should increase its already capacious cabin space.

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Inside, the next Sorento will also reportedly get the latest Pleos Software, which will debut in the next-generation Hyundai Tucson and Elantra. Dual 12.3-inch panoramic displays, which are seen on other Kia and Hyundai models, are also expected, while other niceties like ventilated second-row seats and premium materials are also in the cards. As the future of Kia models still hinges on combustion power, the extent of Sorento’s electrification will still be a hybrid setup, possibly one that comes with a plug.