Finding a three-row SUV that offers space, features, and reliability without stretching your budget can be tough. But one model in 2025 delivers all that and more, making it a top pick for families who want maximum value without compromise.

This SUV combines a comfortable interior with flexible seating for up to seven passengers, user-friendly tech, and impressive fuel efficiency. It also comes packed with standard safety features and upscale touches typically found in more expensive competitors. Despite its accessible price, it doesn’t feel like a stripped-down base model.

For buyers who need room for the whole family but don’t want to overspend, this three-row SUV stands out as the smartest choice. It proves that practicality, comfort, and value can coexist, and that you don’t have to spend luxury money to get a well-rounded, capable vehicle. Here’s what makes it the best budget-friendly option in its class.

Related

10 Great Three-Row SUVs You Can Buy for Under $40,000

Value, comfort, and versatility for families alike—these spacious three-row SUVs for under $40,000 tick all the boxes.

The Kia Sorento is Exceptionally Affordable For a Three-Row SUV

If you’re looking for a mid-size SUV, Kia has multiple great options for you. Alongside the range-topping Telluride and the all-electric EV9 you’ll find the more budget-oriented Sorento. It may not be as outright spacious or flashy as its older siblings, but it is still packed with value.

2026 Trims and Pricing

There is a plethora of trims to choose from when it comes to the 2025 Sorento. The most affordable model starts pretty close to the $30,000 mark, which makes it one of the most affordable mid-size SUVs you can currently buy. It coming standard with a third row of seats is just the cherry on top.

While the base model will serve you well, we’d upgrade to the EX due to the fact that it comes with faux-leather upholstery, heated front seats, a larger infotainment screen, and parking sensors, and it still stays under $40,000. You can also get a hybrid version of the EX for a small upcharge, with an MSRP of $38,690. The SX Prestige is the only other hybrid trim.

There is also a plug-in hybrid version of the Sorento. We’ve excluded it from this article as it starts at $47,990 and we don’t believe this meets the brief of being ‘budget-oriented’.

Warranties and Maintenance

• Limited Warranty – Five Years or 60,000 Miles
• Powertrain Warranty – 10 Years or 100,000 Miles
• Complimentary Maintenance – N/A

If you’re on a budget, then warranties are pretty important. You don’t want to be left with massive bills a couple of years after buying a car because a major component has failed. Kia’s bumper-to-bumper coverage is above average for the segment, which is fantastic. More impressive, though, is their powertrain warranty, which is industry-leading. Unfortunately, the Korean brand doesn’t include any complimentary maintenance.

There Are Other Options

The Sorento isn’t the only budget three-row SUV that you can currently buy. There are other choices for buyers on a budget that will serve you well. The Sorento’s cousin, the Hyundai Santa Fe, is a great example, with similar dimensions and a starting MSRP of $34,300.

If you’re looking for even more affordable options, the Mitsubishi Outlander is more affordable. It has a starting MSRP of $29,645 and comes standard with a third row. It is, however, a compact SUV, meaning that it is smaller and the seats in the way back are only really usable to children.

Related

10 Three-Row Hybrids That Make Perfect Family Vehicles

These three-row hybrids offer the perfect mix of efficiency, space, and comfort, making them ideal for families on the go.

A Nicely Crafted Interior and a Standard Third Row Await In The Sorento

We quite like the design direction that Kia has been taking with many of their most modern models, including the mid-size Sorento. Things are laid out neatly and the cabin feels more upscale than its price tag would suggest. It is also exceptionally family-friendly, with tons of standard amenities and some extra seats in the back.

Interior Dimensions and Comfort

The Sorento can carry up to eight, dropping down to seven if you opt for the second-row captain’s chairs instead of the bench. Those in the front two rows will always be comfortable, with a ton of room for leg-stretching. The third row is best reserved for children if you’re going to travel for any kind of real distance, with less legroom than top three-row SUVs. Cargo capacity is limited when the third row is in use, but you can get 38.4 cubic feet of space if you stow it away.

As mentioned already, the layout of the Sorento’s cabin is incredibly attractive, featuring nice materials and solid build quality. The dashboard features a simplistic design, which we always appreciate, and there are plenty of storage cubbies throughout the interior. Heated and ventilated seats are available in the first and second rows and you can also get other upscale features like ambient interior lighting and a panoramic sunroof.

Infotainment and Technology

The most affordable Sorento models come with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and a 4.3-inch digital gauge display, both sharing a bezel. Upper trims instead have a 12.3-inch fully-digital gauge display. Regardless of which system you get, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.

The Kia Connect app allows you to control a number of the crossover’s features from your smartphone, including enabling remote start, climate control preconditioning, vehicle diagnostics, and stolen-vehicle tracking. There are USB-C ports in every row as standard and a wireless charging pad is optional. Also optional is a 12-speaker Bose sound system.

Related

10 Budget-Friendly Midsize SUVs That Are Great for First-Time Buyers

These budget-friendly midsize SUVs offer reliability, comfort, and value, making them perfect choices for first-time buyers.

An Efficient Range Of Powertrains Is Offered For The 2025 Sorento

The Sorento can be powered by a number of different powertrains. Regardless of which one you go with, it’ll be lighter on fuel than most of its rivals. Kia also offers a turbocharged engine in some models that delivers some pretty impressive performance figures if you’re looking for some excitement.

Performance Specifications

The standard powertrain in the 2025 Sorento is a naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine. It pairs with a traditional eight-speed automatic and some models can be equipped with all-wheel drive. Go with the EX trim or better and you get the much quicker turbocharged model with an eight-speed dual-clutch. If you’re looking to save some money on fuel, though, the hybrid might be the better choice.

Non-turbo models will get you from A to B without any complaint, but you might feel it is a little light on power when pulling away from stop lights or trying to get up to highway speeds. The other two powertrains on offer make the SUV much more responsive. Regardless, you’ll find that the crossover offers confident handling and a compliant ride.

If you’re more adventurous, you can also opt for the X-Pro model, which comes with the turbocharged engine, a center locking differential, and all-terrain tires. The X-Pro is also capable of towing up to 4,000 pounds, which is pretty good for this price point.

Fuel Economy

Hybrid Sorentos are impressively efficient, offering a pretty good balance between performance and fuel economy. If you’re looking to save money over the long term, this is definitely the model we’d opt for. Sorentos with the base engine are also pretty good, matching or beating most of the Kia’s core rivals. The 2.5-liter turbocharged model sacrifices its efficiency for added performance, but not by a drastic amount.