- Newest year: 2009
- Gas
- Standard SUVs
- Same as 2008
2003-2009 Kia Sorento MPG & Fuel Cost
7 model years · 15–18 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 5 of 10 standard SUV configurations, MY2009. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2003-2009 Kia Sorento at a glance
The 2003-2009 Kia Sorento covers 7 model years in the EPA database (26 configurations in all), rated 15–18 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2009, costs about $3,630 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Sorento 3.3L 6-cyl RWD (18 MPG), at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2004, 2005 and 2007; 2006, 2008 and 2009 repeat the values of the year before. The best combined rating in the generation, 18 MPG, was reached in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
2003-2009 Kia Sorento by model year
| Model year | Powertrains | Combined | $/yr | EPA ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Gas | 17–18 MPG | $3,630–$3,840 | Same EPA ratings as 2008 |
| 2008 | Gas | 17–18 MPG | $3,630–$3,840 | Same EPA ratings as 2007 |
| 2007 | Gas | 17–18 MPG | $3,630–$3,840 | Ratings changed |
| 2006 | Gas | 15–16 MPG | $4,080–$4,360 | Same EPA ratings as 2005 |
| 2005 | Gas | 15–16 MPG | $4,080–$4,360 | Ratings changed |
| 2004 | Gas | 15–16 MPG | $4,080–$4,360 | Ratings changed |
| 2003 | Gas | 15 MPG | $4,360 | First year |
What the 2009 Sorento 3.3L 6-cyl RWD costs to drive
Per month
$303
$3,630 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$6.05
Per 100 miles
$24.20
Five years
$18,150
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the standard SUV median
$210less a year
Class median $3,840 a year, MY2009
Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2009 Kia Sorento MPG
EPA lists the same ratings for the 2009 Kia Sorento as for the 2008 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2008 section above.See 2008
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sorento 3.3L 6-cyl RWD (Most efficient) | 3.3L 6-cyl | RWD | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,630 |
| Sorento 3.8L 6-cyl RWD | 3.8L 6-cyl | RWD | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,840 |
| Sorento 3.3L 6-cyl 4WD | 3.3L 6-cyl | 4WD | 15 | 22 | 17 | $3,840 |
| Sorento 3.8L 6-cyl 4WD | 3.8L 6-cyl | 4WD | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,840 |
2008 Kia Sorento MPG
Same EPA ratings as 2007
EPA lists the same ratings for the 2008 Kia Sorento as for the 2007 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2007 section above.See 2007
2007 Kia Sorento MPG
17–18 MPG · $3,630–$3,840/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2006: The most efficient configuration moves from 16 to 18 MPG, up 2. Its annual cost goes from $4,080 to $3,630, $450 less.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sorento 3.3L 6-cyl RWD (Most efficient) | 3.3L 6-cyl | RWD | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,630 |
| Sorento 3.8L 6-cyl RWD | 3.8L 6-cyl | RWD | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,840 |
| Sorento 3.8L 6-cyl 4WD | 3.8L 6-cyl | 4WD | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,840 |
| Sorento 3.3L 6-cyl 4WD | 3.3L 6-cyl | 4WD | 15 | 22 | 17 | $3,840 |
2006 Kia Sorento MPG
Same EPA ratings as 2005
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
EPA lists the same ratings for the 2006 Kia Sorento as for the 2005 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2005 section above.See 2005
2005 Kia Sorento MPG
15–16 MPG · $4,080–$4,360/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2004: The most efficient configuration stays at 16 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $4,080.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sorento 3.5L 6-cyl RWD Automatic 5-spd (Most efficient) | 3.5L 6-cyl | RWD | 14 | 20 | 16 | $4,080 |
| Sorento 3.5L 6-cyl RWD Manual 5-spd | 3.5L 6-cyl | RWD | 15 | 19 | 16 | $4,080 |
| Sorento 3.5L 6-cyl 4WD Manual 5-spd | 3.5L 6-cyl | 4WD | 14 | 18 | 16 | $4,080 |
| Sorento 3.5L 6-cyl 4WD Automatic 5-spd | 3.5L 6-cyl | 4WD | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,360 |
2004 Kia Sorento MPG
15–16 MPG · $4,080–$4,360/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2003: The most efficient configuration moves from 15 to 16 MPG, up 1. Its annual cost goes from $4,360 to $4,080, $280 less.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sorento 3.5L 6-cyl RWD Automatic 4-spd (Most efficient) | 3.5L 6-cyl | RWD | 14 | 18 | 16 | $4,080 |
| Sorento 3.5L 6-cyl RWD Manual 5-spd | 3.5L 6-cyl | RWD | 14 | 18 | 16 | $4,080 |
| Sorento 3.5L 6-cyl 4WD Automatic 4-spd | 3.5L 6-cyl | 4WD | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,360 |
| Sorento 3.5L 6-cyl 4WD Manual 5-spd | 3.5L 6-cyl | 4WD | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,360 |
2003 Kia Sorento MPG
15 MPG · $4,360/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sorento 3.5L 6-cyl RWD (Most efficient) | 3.5L 6-cyl | RWD | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,360 |
| Sorento 3.5L 6-cyl 4WD | 3.5L 6-cyl | 4WD | 13 | 17 | 15 | $4,360 |
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the Sorento 3.3L 6-cyl RWD: $4,940 in California and $3,170 in Texas, a $1,770 difference.
- California $4,940
- Washington $4,570
- New York $3,630
- Florida $3,430
- Texas $3,170
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2009 standard SUV models.
Generations
- 2003-2009 (BL)
- 2011-2015 (XM)
- 2016-2020 (UM)
- 2021-2027* (MQ4)
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2003-2009 Kia Sorento get?
EPA rates the 2003-2009 Kia Sorento at 15–18 MPG combined across 26 configurations and 7 model years. The most efficient version, the 2009 Sorento 3.3L 6-cyl RWD, is rated 18 MPG (16 city, 22 highway).
Which years had the best MPG in the 2003-2009 Kia Sorento?
The Sorento 3.3L 6-cyl RWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 18 MPG, in 2007, 2008 and 2009. The lowest top rating, 15 MPG, was in 2003.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2003-2009 Kia Sorento?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2004, 2005 and 2007. In 2006, 2008 and 2009 the values repeat the year before.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2009 Kia Sorento per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the Sorento 3.3L 6-cyl RWD costs about $3,630 a year. Across all 4 configurations the cost runs $3,630–$3,840 a year. That is a $210 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2009 Kia Sorento 100 miles?
About $24.20 per 100 miles for the Sorento 3.3L 6-cyl RWD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $24.20 and $25.60 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2009 Kia Sorento more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The Sorento 3.3L 6-cyl RWD is rated 16 city and 22 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 6 MPG.
How does the 2009 Kia Sorento compare with other standard SUV configurations?
The Sorento 3.3L 6-cyl RWD costs about $3,630 a year to fuel, $210 less than the class median of $3,840, and less than 5 of 10 standard SUV configurations. The comparison covers all 341 rated standard SUV configurations for MY2009, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2009 Kia Sorento different from the 2008 model?
No. EPA lists the same ratings for 2008 and 2009: 4 configurations rated 17–18 MPG combined. See the 2008 Kia Sorento for that year.