2011 Kia Sorento — Full Specifications
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Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2011 Kia Sorento is an SUV offered with 2 engines (2.4L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl). Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 29 mpg (UK) / 24 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 24–29 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Kia Sorento workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Full Specifications
| Engine (most efficient) | 2.4L 4-cyl |
|---|---|
| Engine options | 2.4L 4-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl |
| Transmission (most efficient) | Automatic 6-spd |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 29 combined / 25 urban / 34 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 24 combined / 21 city / 28 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 230 g/km |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,800 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 5 configurations for the 2011 Kia Sorento across 2 engines (2.4L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl). Combined fuel economy ranges from 20 to 24 mpg (US), or 24 to 29 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 28 | 23 (21/26) | 240 | $2,900 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 24 (21/28) | 230 | $2,800 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 22 (20/26) | 251 | $3,050 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 24 | 20 (18/24) | 276 | $3,350 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 22 (20/25) | 251 | $3,050 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2011 Kia Sorento
Running Costs: 2011 Kia Sorento
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2011 Kia Sorento at 29 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,254 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $2,800 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2011 Kia Sorento Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 8 safety recall campaigns that include the 2011 Kia Sorento (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Service brakes (2), Power train (2), Engine (1). 1 campaign carried a “do not drive” or “park outside” advisory. A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Engine — campaign 23V877000, reported 21 December 2023. Risk: A fire increases the risk of injury.
- Service brakes — campaign 23V652000, reported 25 September 2023. Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- Power train — campaign 15V626000, reported 6 October 2015. Risk: Without requiring the brake to be pressed, the vehicle may be unintentionally shifted out of Park, allowing it to roll, which may result in a crash.
- Exterior lighting — campaign 13V114000, reported 1 April 2013. Risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission…
Showing the 4 most recent of 8 campaigns.
Owners have filed 1518 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Kia Sorento. The most-reported areas are Engine (284), Structure (268), Power train (265). Complaints include 42 reported crashes, 62 reported fires, 50 reported injuries. That is well above the median of 341 complaints across the 16 Kia Sorento model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2011 Kia Sorento
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Engine (1 recall campaign · 284 owner complaints) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
- Transmission & drivetrain (2 recall campaigns · 265 owner complaints) — On the test drive, watch for hesitation, jerking or slipping between gears and ask for transmission service history.
- Body structure (268 owner complaints) — Inspect for corrosion and for subframe or body-panel damage, especially underneath.
- Electrical system (246 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Kia Sorento compare to similar SUVs? For context, SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 29 mpg figure is 2 mpg better than that average. Its 230 g/km CO₂ figure is 23 g/km lower than the 253 g/km average for SUVs on this site. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
Kia models in our database average about 34 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2011 Kia Sorento's 29 mpg is 5 mpg below that make average. Its 230 g/km CO₂ figure is 23 g/km higher than the 207 g/km Kia average.
Of the 16 Kia Sorento model years we cover, the 2011 ranks 9th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (29 mpg UK combined, against a high of 31 mpg). See every Kia Sorento year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2011 Kia Sorento
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2011 Kia Sorento have?
EPA lists 2 engines for the 2011 Kia Sorento: 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl. The most fuel-efficient configuration pairs the 2.4L 4-cyl with a automatic 6-spd.
What is the fuel economy of the 2011 Kia Sorento?
The most efficient configuration returns around 29 mpg (UK) combined, or 24 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 24 to 29 mpg.
How much does the 2011 Kia Sorento cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $2,800 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2011 Kia Sorento have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 4 stars, with 4 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2011 Kia Sorento have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 8 safety recall campaigns that include the 2011 Kia Sorento (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Service brakes (2), Power train (2), Engine (1). 1 campaign carried a “do not drive” or “park outside” advisory. A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2011 Kia Sorento?
Among the 1,518 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Engine (284 complaints), Structure (268 complaints), Power train (265 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Kia Sorento's fuel economy good for an SUV?
Yes — it returns around 29 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track.