2026 Sorento LX

What the entry price actually buys

Kia doesn't hollow out the LX to make the pricier trims look better by comparison. It's the full three-row structure — the same crash architecture, the same platform, the same 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty — with a second-row bench that makes the LX one of the only Sorento trims that genuinely seats seven. The 191-hp engine isn't going to win any merge onto the Parkway, but it delivers the best economy in the gas lineup, an EPA-estimated 23 city / 31 highway on regular fuel. For a household whose driving is mostly school runs off Route 72 and the occasional trip up Route 9, that math tends to close the conversation fast.

The one box it can't check

All-wheel drive isn't offered on the LX at any price point. Manahawkin winters lean more toward wet cold than deep snowpack most years, and a front-drive Sorento on a good set of tires handles that without drama — but if the household regularly heads inland for winter weather, or the peace of mind is worth paying for, the next step up is the Sorento S, where AWD is a $2,000 option that also brings the new standard Terrain Mode. That's the honest fork at the bottom of this lineup: the LX is built for buyers who already know they don't need the extra hardware.

Who ends up choosing it

First-time three-row buyers, families outgrowing a compact SUV, and a fair number of shoppers who came in to look at a used mid-size and realized a new Sorento with a full factory warranty lands in the same monthly payment. The dealership's reviews carry that story on repeat. One buyer, on the value-conscious end of the process: "These guys were more than fair and honest with me on my last visit to the dealership. My car was evaluated and I was given the information to make an informed decision... John Constantine walked us through the purchase, getting us in the car we wanted at a fair price." Another family, a decade earlier and still a customer: "I needed a car to seat 7 and found the KIA Sorento, I love my car. Had the best experience with my salesman Darrin Markoski." Darrin still works the Manahawkin Kia finance office today.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the 2026 Sorento LX cost?

MSRP is $32,390 plus the $1,495 destination charge, before New Jersey's 6.625% sales tax, title, and registration. The pricing & leasing guide runs the full out-the-door math.

Does the LX have three rows?

Yes — every 2026 Sorento is a three-row SUV, and the LX's second-row bench gives it seating for seven, which the captain's-chair trims from SX up trade away for easier third-row access.

Can I get the LX with all-wheel drive?

No. The 2026 LX is front-wheel drive only; the least expensive all-wheel-drive Sorento is the S AWD at $37,290 MSRP, covered in the S trim guide.

Is the base engine strong enough with a full load?

With seven aboard and the cargo area packed, 191 horsepower is adequate rather than eager — fine for local errands and shore driving, working harder on long highway grades. Anyone towing beyond a small utility trailer (the LX caps out at 2,000 pounds) or who wants more passing confidence should test the 281-hp turbo in the EX.

Where can I see an LX near Manahawkin?

Check live Sorento inventory at Manahawkin Kia on Route 72, or schedule a test drive online — sales hours run until 8 PM on weeknights.

The bottom line

The LX is the Sorento for buyers doing the math on paper: three rows, the full warranty, the best mileage in the gas lineup, and the lowest starting payment — with front-wheel drive as the one non-negotiable. If that trade-off doesn't bother you, nothing else on this lot needs to.