Camping season puts real demands on a three-row SUV: gear for the whole trip, seating for everyone coming along, and enough towing capacity for a small trailer if the campsite is far enough to need one. The 2026 Sorento HEV covers all three, and the question isn’t whether it can handle a camping trip, it’s which trim makes the most sense for how your family camps.
Every Sorento HEV trim shares the same 1.6-litre turbocharged hybrid powertrain, producing a combined 227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque through a 6-speed automatic transmission, with all-wheel drive standard across the lineup. Combined fuel economy is rated at 7.0 L/100km, and towing capacity reaches 750 to 907 kg (1,653 to 2,000 lb) when properly equipped, enough for a small utility or camping trailer. That shared foundation means the choice between trims comes down to comfort, technology, and how much equipment your family wants along for the ride, not the underlying powertrain or towing capability.
LX: The Trip-Ready Starting Point
LX comes with six-passenger seating, 50:50 split-folding second and third rows, and 2nd and 3rd row heating ducts for early or late-season camping trips when the mornings turn cold. A 12.3-inch multimedia interface, smart cruise control with stop and go, and dual-zone automatic climate control round out the standard equipment, all built around the same hybrid powertrain and towing capacity as the rest of the lineup.
EX: More Room for Gear and Passengers
EX adds a panoramic sunroof, leather seating, and heated second-row seats, useful for cooler mornings at the campsite before the sun comes up. Navigation, a Bose premium audio system, and a Surround View Monitor make longer drives to more remote camping spots easier to manage, while Highway Drive Assist 2 adds a layer of confidence on unfamiliar highway stretches.
SX: The Range-Topping Trim
SX sits at the top of the Sorento HEV lineup, building on everything EX offers with the same 227-horsepower hybrid powertrain and towing capacity. For families who want the most complete version of the Sorento HEV before heading out for the weekend, SX is the full equipment level Kia offers on this generation.
Comparing the 2026 Sorento HEV Trims
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Feature
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LX
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EX
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SX
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Seating
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6-passenger
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6-passenger
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6-passenger
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Sunroof
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Not included
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Panoramic
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Panoramic
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Seat material
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Cloth
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Leather
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Leather
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Highway Drive Assist 2
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Not included
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Included
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Included
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Surround View Monitor
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Not included
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Included
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Included
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Fuel Economy for the Drive There and Back
Campgrounds tend to be a longer drive than the daily commute, and the Sorento HEV’s 7.0 L/100km combined rating keeps that drive from eating into the trip budget. Highway fuel economy is rated even lower, at 6.7 L/100km, which matters most on the stretch of highway between home and the campsite. A 67-litre fuel tank adds to the range between fill-ups, useful when the nearest gas station is a detour off the route.
Cargo Room for a Full Camping Load
Behind the third row, there’s 357 litres of space for coolers and camp chairs without folding a single seat. Fold the third row down and that grows to 1,090 to 1,274 litres, and with both rear rows folded flat, the Sorento HEV opens up to 2,139 litres, enough for tents, sleeping bags, and everything else a longer trip requires.
Contact Us to Book Your Test Drive
No matter which trim ends up in the driveway, the 2026 Sorento HEV brings the same hybrid efficiency and towing capacity to every camping trip on the calendar. Contact the sales team at Bessada Kia in Pickering to book a test drive and find the trim that fits your next trip.
To learn more about the 2026 Kia Sorento HEV, visit Kia.ca
