23 MPG combined isn’t a spectacular number, but consider what the 2017 Kia Sorento FWD 2.0L 4-cyl is: a spacious, comfortable, and affordable three-row crossover. This version is for buyers who want to save money upfront and need passenger space more than ultimate fuel efficiency. They’re willing to use more gas for a lower monthly payment and room for kids and friends, or occasional hardware store trips. This Sorento is about practical family transportation, not setting fuel economy records.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates 20 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway. The city figure reflects urban driving’s frequent stops, where the Sorento’s 2.0L turbocharged engine works harder to accelerate. The automatic (S6) transmission tries to optimize gear selection, but frequent stops affect mileage. The Sorento achieves better efficiency during highway cruising. The 27 MPG highway rating indicates the engine spins at lower RPMs, making longer trips reasonably economical. Drivers who mainly commute on highways will likely see fuel economy closer to 27 MPG, while city drivers will be closer to 20 MPG.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2017 Kia Sorento FWD 2.0L 4-cyl to be $1,900. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year, using a national average fuel price. Remember this is just an estimate. Your actual fuel costs could be higher or lower, based on your driving, local fuel prices, and the fuel you use. More aggressive driving, higher gas prices, or driving more than 15,000 miles a year will increase your fuel expenses. Gentle driving, cheaper fuel, and lower mileage may save you money compared to the EPA estimate. The $1,900 figure helps compare fuel costs with other vehicles and budget for ownership.

Real-world expectations

EPA estimates are a baseline, but real-world fuel economy varies. Sorento drivers often report slightly lower numbers, particularly in combined driving. Traffic, weather (especially cold), and even tire pressure can affect fuel efficiency. Some drivers find that using premium fuel slightly improves MPG, but the engine is designed for regular unleaded, so the cost may not be worthwhile. Drive with fuel efficiency in mind to get the best possible MPG from this Sorento. You can see SORENTO MPG across all years on our site.

How it compares

The 2017 Sorento’s fuel economy is competitive within its class. The Honda Pilot, another three-row SUV, gets around 22 MPG combined in its base FWD trim, which is similar. The Toyota Highlander with its standard V6 engine gets around 23 MPG combined in FWD non-hybrid configuration. These are direct competitors. All-wheel drive in these can hurt MPG.

The Sorento’s fuel economy isn’t as impressive as smaller, two-row crossovers like the Nissan Rogue (around 29 MPG combined) or the Mazda CX-5 (around 28 MPG combined), but those vehicles offer less passenger and cargo space. The Sorento balances passenger capacity and fuel efficiency, but isn’t a hybrid with higher pricing. It offers a spot for buyers who want both.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Accelerate gently to save gas. Avoid quick starts and stops, and maintain a smooth pace. City driving is especially important, as frequent acceleration impacts fuel consumption most.

Keep your tires properly inflated. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, making the engine work harder and reducing fuel economy. Check your tire pressure regularly and inflate them to the recommended level on the sticker inside the driver’s side doorjamb.

Remove extra weight from the vehicle. Extra cargo adds to the Sorento’s weight, which decreases MPG. Remove anything you don’t need, especially heavy items that significantly impact fuel consumption.

Plan your routes and avoid peak traffic. Stop-and-go traffic reduces fuel economy, so less congested routes can make a difference. Use navigation apps to identify delays and find alternative routes.

Consider using cruise control on highway drives. A constant speed can optimize fuel efficiency, especially on long stretches. Disengage cruise control on hills, as the system may downshift aggressively and hurt MPG.

The 2017 Kia Sorento FWD 2.0L 4-cyl is a good choice for families needing space and features for a reasonable price. You can explore all Kia fuel economy data on our website.