The 2012 Sorento offered two gasoline engines in the United States: a 2.4-liter inline-4 and a 3.5-liter V6, both paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.
Engine lineup in the U.S.
In North America, Kia provided two main petrol powertrains for the Sorento's 2012 model year. Here are the key specifications:
- 2.4-liter inline-4 engine delivering 176 horsepower and about 168 pound-feet of torque. It is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive available as an option.
- 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 276 horsepower and about 248 pound-feet of torque. It is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, with all-wheel drive available.
Both engines are designed to balance everyday practicality with adequate performance for a mid-size crossover, and both support Kia's SHIFTRONIC manual shift mode on the automatic transmission.
Global engine options
Beyond the U.S. market, the 2012 Sorento lineup included additional engines in various regions, including diesel variants and other gasoline configurations depending on local regulations and market preferences. Availability varied by country and trim.
Summary
In summary, the 2012 Kia Sorento offered two gasoline engine choices in the U.S.: a 2.4-liter inline-4 and a 3.5-liter V6, each mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with optional all-wheel drive. The four-cylinder emphasized efficiency, while the V6 provided stronger performance.