Kia Sorento engines

The Kia Sorento is a Korean mid-size crossover SUV manufactured by the Kia Motors Corporation. Produced since 2002. The car is named after the Italian resort town.

Kia Sorento, 1st generation (BL), 2002–2009

First generation Kia Sorento, 2002–2009 The first generation Kia Sorento, created on the platform of the Hyundai Terracan model, began to be produced in 2002 in South Korea. It was a frame SUV with two options for all-wheel drive transmission: with a transfer case that rigidly connects the front axle, or with the Torque On Demand system with automatic connection of the front wheels using an electronically controlled clutch. In both cases, the off-road ability was complemented by a reduction gear. And in the American market there was also a purely rear-wheel drive version.

Kia Sorento, 2nd generation (XM), 2009–2014

First generation Kia Sorento, 2009–2014 Sorento lost its frame, turning from a full-fledged SUV into an urban crossover. In addition, the ground clearance has been reduced. Such design changes have improved handling and reduced weight. The price for dignity was the loss of off-road capabilities. They tried to compensate for this with a body of increased rigidity. In its production, high-strength steel was used. Salon has changed qualitatively. Finishing materials, design and ergonomics have improved.

Kia Sorento, 3rd generation, 2014–2020

First generation Kia Sorento, 2014–2020 The premiere show of the 3rd generation Kia Sorento took place in 2014. The presentation took place in the homeland of the car in South Korea. A little later, he appeared at the Paris Motor Show. The dimensions of the Kia Sorento 3 have increased compared to its predecessor. The mid-size crossover has become more spacious, refreshed in appearance and received new powertrains.

Kia Sorento, 4th generation, 2020

First generation Kia Sorento, 2020 In 2020, the Korean automaker showed the new Kia Sorento online. The basis for the fourth model was the very fresh N3 platform. It is distinguished by a transverse engine and a reinforced body, the power elements of which are made of high-strength alloy steel.

The Kia Sorento was offered with 18 engines since 2002 (4 diesel, 14 petrol). Displacement ranges from 1.6 to 3.8 liters, power output from 116 to 350 hp. 15 use a timing chain and 3 a timing belt. 7 are turbocharged. The longest rated lifespan belongs to the Hyundai-Kia G4JS (about 500,000 km).

Kia Sorento engines by generation

EngineYearsVolumePowerFuelTimingOilLifespan
Kia Sorento 1 (BL) 2002–2009
Hyundai-Kia D4CB2002–20092.5 L R4116–177 hpdiesel, turbochain8.2 L~350,000 km
Hyundai-Kia G4JS2002–20062.4 L R4140–150 hppetrolbelt4.5 L~500,000 km
Hyundai-Kia G6CU2002–20063.5 L V6195–220 hppetrolbelt5.5 L~350,000 km
Hyundai-Kia G6DA2006–20093.8 L V6240–284 hppetrolchain6 L~300,000 km
Hyundai-Kia G6DB2006–20093.3 L V6233–259 hppetrolchain6 L~300,000 km
Kia Sorento 2 (XM) 2009–2017
Hyundai-Kia D4HB2009–20142.2 L R4150–200 hpdiesel, turbochain7.4–7.8 L~450,000 km
Hyundai-Kia G4KE2009–20172.4 L R4170–180 hppetrolchain5.2 L~300,000 km
Hyundai-Kia G6DC2009–20143.5 L V6250–290 hppetrolchain5.7 L~350,000 km
Hyundai-Kia D4HA2011–20142.0 L R4136–184 hpdiesel, turbochain8.8 L~400,000 km
Hyundai-Kia G4KJ2012–20142.4 L R4180–201 hppetrolchain5.8 L~300,000 km
Kia Sorento 3 (UM) 2014–2020
Hyundai-Kia G4KH2014–20202.0 L R4240–280 hppetrol, turbochain6.1 L~200,000 km
Hyundai-Kia G6DH2014–20203.3 L V6282–300 hppetrolchain6.5 L~300,000 km
Hyundai-Kia G6DF2014–20203.3 L V6270 hppetrolchain6.5 L~350,000 km
Kia Sorento 4 (MQ4) 2020–present
Hyundai-Kia D4HE2020–present2.2 L R4202 hpdiesel, turbobelt5.6 L~350,000 km
Hyundai-Kia G4KP2020–present2.5 L R4280–294 hppetrol, turbochain6.2 L~200,000 km
Hyundai-Kia G4KM2020–present2.5 L R4180 hppetrolchain5.9 L~250,000 km
Hyundai-Kia G6DU2020–present3.5 L V6250–272 hppetrolchain6.1 L~300,000 km
Hyundai-Kia G4FT2020–present1.6 L R4180–350 hppetrol, turbochain4.8 L~250,000 km

Kia Sorento engine FAQ

What engines were used in the Kia Sorento?

Kia Sorento 1 (BL) (2002–2009): Hyundai-Kia D4CB, Hyundai-Kia G4JS, Hyundai-Kia G6CU, Hyundai-Kia G6DA and Hyundai-Kia G6DB; Kia Sorento 2 (XM) (2009–2017): Hyundai-Kia D4HB, Hyundai-Kia G4KE, Hyundai-Kia G6DC, Hyundai-Kia D4HA and Hyundai-Kia G4KJ; Kia Sorento 3 (UM) (2014–2020): Hyundai-Kia G4KH, Hyundai-Kia G6DH and Hyundai-Kia G6DF; Kia Sorento 4 (MQ4) (2020–present): Hyundai-Kia D4HE, Hyundai-Kia G4KP, Hyundai-Kia G4KM, Hyundai-Kia G6DU and Hyundai-Kia G4FT.

Which Kia Sorento engine is the most durable?

By rated service life the most durable Kia Sorento engines are: Hyundai-Kia G4JS — about 500,000 km; Hyundai-Kia D4HB — about 450,000 km; Hyundai-Kia D4HA — about 400,000 km. Actual lifespan depends heavily on maintenance and oil change intervals.

How much oil does the Kia Sorento engine take?

Engine oil capacity with filter: Hyundai-Kia D4CB — 8.2 L (5W-30, 5W-40); Hyundai-Kia D4HA — 8.8 L (5W-30, 5W-40); Hyundai-Kia D4HB — 7.4–7.8 L (5W-30, 5W-40); Hyundai-Kia D4HE — 5.6 L (5W-30); Hyundai-Kia G4FT — 4.8 L (5W-30); Hyundai-Kia G4JS — 4.5 L (5W-30, 5W-40); Hyundai-Kia G4KE — 5.2 L (5W-30, 5W-40); Hyundai-Kia G4KH — 6.1 L (5W-20, 5W-30); Hyundai-Kia G4KJ — 5.8 L (5W-20, 5W-30); Hyundai-Kia G4KM — 5.9 L (5W-30); Hyundai-Kia G4KP — 6.2 L (0W-30); Hyundai-Kia G6CU — 5.5 L (5W-30, 5W-40); Hyundai-Kia G6DA — 6 L (5W-30, 5W-40); Hyundai-Kia G6DB — 6 L (5W-30, 5W-40); Hyundai-Kia G6DC — 5.7 L (5W-30); Hyundai-Kia G6DF — 6.5 L (5W-30); Hyundai-Kia G6DH — 6.5 L (5W-30); Hyundai-Kia G6DU — 6.1 L (5W-30).

Does the Kia Sorento have a timing belt or chain?

Timing chain: Hyundai-Kia D4CB, Hyundai-Kia D4HA, Hyundai-Kia D4HB, Hyundai-Kia G4FT, Hyundai-Kia G4KE, Hyundai-Kia G4KH, Hyundai-Kia G4KJ, Hyundai-Kia G4KM, Hyundai-Kia G4KP, Hyundai-Kia G6DA, Hyundai-Kia G6DB, Hyundai-Kia G6DC, Hyundai-Kia G6DF, Hyundai-Kia G6DH and Hyundai-Kia G6DU; timing belt: Hyundai-Kia D4HE, Hyundai-Kia G4JS and Hyundai-Kia G6CU. Belts must be replaced on schedule: on many engines a broken belt bends the valves.

Was the Kia Sorento available with a diesel engine?

Yes: Hyundai-Kia D4CB, Hyundai-Kia D4HA, Hyundai-Kia D4HB and Hyundai-Kia D4HE.

Engine details

Hyundai-Kia G4JS

Hyundai-Kia G4JS

1998–2007 · 2.4 L R4 · petrol · 140–150 hp · belt

This engine is demanding on the quality of the oil and, in particular, on its replacement intervals. Any savings here can lead…

Hyundai-Kia G6CU

Hyundai-Kia G6CU

1999–2007 · 3.5 L V6 · petrol · 195–220 hp · belt

A known weak point of this engine is the intake manifold swirl flaps. They loosen up quite quickly here and then air…

Hyundai-Kia D4CB

Hyundai-Kia D4CB

2001–present · 2.5 L R4 · diesel · 116–177 hp · chain

In 2008 and 2009, the engine was changed under warranty: a connecting rod broke due to defective bolts. In engines after 2011…

Hyundai-Kia G6DA

Hyundai-Kia G6DA

2004–2016 · 3.8 L V6 · petrol · 240–284 hp · chain

The bulk of the complaints from the owners are somehow connected with the oil burner and the reason for this is the…

Hyundai-Kia G6DB

Hyundai-Kia G6DB

2004–2011 · 3.3 L V6 · petrol · 233–259 hp · chain

The most famous problem of the motors of this line is a progressive oil burner and the main reason for this is…

Hyundai-Kia G4KE

Hyundai-Kia G4KE

2008–2019 · 2.4 L R4 · petrol · 170–180 hp · chain

The main complaints about the powertrains of the Theta line are related to scuffing in the cylinders, which appear due to crumbs…

Hyundai-Kia D4HA

Hyundai-Kia D4HA

2009–present · 2.0 L R4 · diesel · 136–184 hp · chain

The Bosch CP4 common rail fuel system with piezo injectors is quite demanding on fuel quality and the high-pressure fuel pump fails…

Hyundai-Kia D4HB

Hyundai-Kia D4HB

2009–present · 2.2 L R4 · diesel · 150–200 hp · chain

This diesel engine is equipped with a Bosch CP4 Common Rail fuel system with piezo injectors, which does not tolerate bad diesel…

Hyundai-Kia G4KJ

Hyundai-Kia G4KJ

2009–present · 2.4 L R4 · petrol · 180–201 hp · chain

The most famous problem with this engine is the wedge due to the rotation of the liners and the reason for the…

Hyundai-Kia G6DC

Hyundai-Kia G6DC

2009–present · 3.5 L V6 · petrol · 250–290 hp · chain

On specialized forums, the most complaining about the progressive consumption of lubricant.

Hyundai-Kia G4KH

Hyundai-Kia G4KH

2010–present · 2.0 L R4 · petrol · 240–280 hp · chain

These turbo engines are very demanding on the quality of the oil and the procedure for replacing it, otherwise the risk of…

Hyundai-Kia G6DH

Hyundai-Kia G6DH

2011–2020 · 3.3 L V6 · petrol · 282–300 hp · chain

The bulk of complaints on specialized forums are related to oil consumption due to the occurrence of rings.

Hyundai-Kia G6DF

Hyundai-Kia G6DF

2012–2020 · 3.3 L V6 · petrol · 270 hp · chain

The bulk of complaints on specialized forums are related to high fuel or oil consumption.

Hyundai-Kia G4KM

Hyundai-Kia G4KM

2019–present · 2.5 L R4 · petrol · 180 hp · chain

This engine has just appeared and the statistics of its malfunctions have not yet been collected.

Hyundai-Kia D4HE

Hyundai-Kia D4HE

2020–present · 2.2 L R4 · diesel · 202 hp · belt

This diesel engine appeared quite recently and there is no information about its breakdowns.

Hyundai-Kia G4FT

Hyundai-Kia G4FT

2020–present · 1.6 L R4 · petrol · 180–350 hp · chain

The main problem of hybrids is not reliability, but the lack of service stations or spare parts.

Hyundai-Kia G4KP

Hyundai-Kia G4KP

2020–present · 2.5 L R4 · petrol · 280–294 hp · chain

This turbo engine has just appeared and it is too early to talk about its reliability.

Hyundai-Kia G6DU

Hyundai-Kia G6DU

2020–present · 3.5 L V6 · petrol · 250–272 hp · chain

While on specialized forums he is praised, including for moderate fuel consumption.

Models with the same engines

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