Does The Kia Sorento Have A Third Row? | Seats Worth Knowing

The Kia Sorento includes a third row, seating six or seven passengers by trim and second-row setup.

Yes, the Kia Sorento is one of the smaller midsize SUVs sold with three rows. That’s the draw: it gives you more seats than a compact SUV without the bigger footprint of a full-size family hauler.

The third row is best for kids, shorter adults, carpool runs, and short trips around town. If you need adults in the back row every day, the larger Kia Telluride will feel roomier. But if your main need is a flexible extra row for school pickup, relatives, or a friend tagging along, the Sorento makes a lot of sense.

How The Kia Sorento Third Row Is Set Up

The Sorento has three rows across gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid versions, but the seat count changes by trim. Some trims use a second-row bench, giving the SUV seven seats. Others use second-row captain’s chairs, dropping capacity to six seats while making third-row access easier.

That split matters when you shop. A seven-seat Sorento gives you one more belt position, which can help if you carry three kids across the second row. A six-seat Sorento feels more open in the middle and makes it easier to step or slide into the third row.

Kia lists the 2026 gas Sorento with 7-passenger seating on LX and S trims, then 6-passenger seating on EX, SX, and SX Prestige trims in its official 2026 Sorento specifications. For the hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, the rear dimensions stay close, but second-row equipment can vary by package and trim.

Who Fits In The Back Row?

The third row is useful, but it’s not a lounge. Kia lists 29.6 inches of rear leg room and 36.8 inches of rear head room. That tells you the back row is made for smaller riders or short adult trips, not three-hour rides with tall passengers.

For kids, it works well when the second row is moved and angled with care. For adults, it’s better as a backup seat. The Sorento’s size is part of the trade: it’s easier to park than a bigger three-row SUV, but the back row is tighter.

Taking A Kia Sorento With Third Row Seating Into Daily Life

On a weekday, the Sorento’s third row earns its keep when plans change. One kid brings a friend home. A grandparent needs a ride. A sports bag takes over the cargo floor. The extra row gives you options without forcing you into a huge SUV.

The third row folds down when you need more cargo room. Kia lists 12.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 38.5 to 45.0 cubic feet behind the second row, and 75.5 cubic feet behind the first row. Those figures make the Sorento more flexible than a two-row SUV, as long as you treat the back row as extra seating rather than full-time adult space.

The official 2026 Kia Sorento page also notes available second-row captain’s chairs with third-row seating. That setup is the one many families prefer because kids can pass through the center gap instead of folding a seat every time.

• Pick a bench seat if seven seat belts matter most.
• Pick captain’s chairs if third-row access matters more.
• Fold the third row for grocery runs, strollers, luggage, or sports gear.
• Test the back row with your tallest regular passenger before buying.

Kia Sorento Third Row By Trim And Layout

The table below keeps the trim differences easy to read. Dealer stock can vary, so use the window sticker to confirm the exact seat layout on the vehicle you’re viewing.

Version Or Trim	Third-Row Setup	Best Fit
Gas LX	Third row with 7-passenger seating	Families wanting the most seat belts
Gas S	Third row with 7-passenger seating	Buyers who want value plus full seating
Gas EX	Third row with 6-passenger seating	Riders who prefer easier row access
Gas SX	Third row with 6-passenger seating	Drivers wanting more cabin features
Gas SX Prestige	Third row with 6-passenger seating	Shoppers wanting the richer trim feel
Hybrid EX	Third row with package-dependent seating	Drivers wanting lower fuel use and extra seats
Hybrid SX Prestige	Third row with captain’s-chair layout	Families wanting nicer access and hybrid driving
Plug-In Hybrid EX	Third row with package-dependent seating	Short-trip drivers who can charge at home
Plug-In Hybrid SX Prestige	Third row with 6-passenger layout	Buyers wanting plug-in miles plus three rows

What To Check Before You Buy

Photos can make a third row seem bigger than it feels. A ten-minute seat test tells you more than a spec sheet. Bring the people and gear you carry most, then set the driver’s seat first. After that, place the second row where it would sit on a normal ride and try the third row last.

Check Entry And Exit

If kids will climb into the back row every day, captain’s chairs are easier. The center gap reduces the wrestling match with backpacks, booster seats, and winter coats. A bench works fine too, but folding and sliding the second row takes more patience.

Check Child Seats The Right Way

If you use child seats, don’t guess from photos. Bring your seats to the dealer and try the exact setup. NHTSA’s car seat and booster seat guidance says seat choice depends on a child’s age and size, and proper installation matters just as much as the vehicle’s layout.

A rear-facing seat can push the front seat forward. A booster may work better in one row than another because belt height and buckle access differ. The Sorento can handle family duty, but the right layout depends on your actual seats, not just the number of rows.

Space Numbers That Matter Most

The Sorento’s cargo figures are one of its strengths. You can keep the third row ready for riders, or fold it flat for a wide cargo floor. The right setup depends on whether your usual day calls for people, bags, pets, or a mix of all three.

Measurement	Official Figure	What It Means
Rear leg room	29.6 inches	Best for kids or short adult trips
Rear head room	36.8 inches	Fine for smaller riders
Cargo behind third row	12.6 cubic feet	Good for a few bags
Cargo behind second row	38.5 to 45.0 cubic feet	Useful with third row folded
Cargo behind first row	75.5 cubic feet	Strong for a midsize SUV

When The Sorento Makes Sense

The Sorento is a smart pick when you want three rows but don’t want the size, price, or parking feel of a larger SUV. It works well for families with two kids who sometimes carry more riders, empty nesters who host grandkids, or drivers who want cargo space during the week and extra seats on weekends.

It’s less ideal if every seat will be filled daily. In that case, a bigger three-row SUV gives third-row riders more stretch-out space and leaves more cargo room behind them. The Sorento wins when flexibility matters more than maximum passenger room.

Best Way To Choose Your Layout

Start with how many seat belts you need on a normal day. If the answer is seven, look at LX or S gas trims with the bench setup. If six seats work, captain’s chairs make the cabin easier to use.

Then check cargo. With the third row raised, space behind it is modest. With that row folded, the Sorento turns into a much more useful hauler. That’s why many owners treat the third row as a bonus row rather than the default seating plan.

Final Verdict On The Third Row

The Kia Sorento does have a third row, and that row is useful when you understand its limits. It’s a flexible six- or seven-seat SUV with easy daily manners, solid cargo numbers, and a back row best suited for kids, smaller riders, and short adult trips.

For shoppers who want one vehicle to handle errands, school runs, weekend luggage, and the odd extra passenger, the Sorento hits a sweet spot. Just pick the seating layout with care, test the exact trim, and make sure the third row fits the people who’ll sit there most.