KIA Sorento or similar | Automatic | 4×4

_{^{Last updated: June 2026 | Reviewed by the Hertz Iceland Fleet Team}}

The Kia Sorento is a full-size automatic AWD 4×4 — F-road permitted in summer, with 898 litres of boot space in its 5-seat configuration, and petrol or diesel engine depending on fleet availability. No charging cable, no EV range planning — just a capable, spacious AWD SUV. Available on an “or similar” basis. Minimum age 23. A Sorento PHEV version is also available — see it here.

Kia Sorento AWD Rental Iceland: Full-Size Automatic 4×4 Guide

The Kia Sorento AWD is one of the most practically capable full-size SUVs in the Hertz Iceland fleet — a full-size automatic 4×4 with F-road access, 898 litres of boot space in its 5-seat configuration, and a petrol or diesel engine that requires no charging infrastructure or cable planning.

For travellers who want genuine AWD highland capability, maximum luggage space, and the simplicity of a conventional combustion drivetrain over a PHEV, the gas Sorento is the natural choice. No charging logistics, no EV range anxiety, no cable to add at booking — fill up at any fuel station and go.

A Kia Sorento PHEV is available as a separate category for travellers who want plug-in hybrid efficiency alongside the same AWD and F-road access.

Is the Kia Sorento AWD Good for Driving in Iceland?

Yes — F-road access, one of the largest boots in the full-size 4×4 category, and the simplicity of a conventional combustion drivetrain make the gas Sorento one of the most practical all-round choices in the fleet.

• Real-World Space: 898 litres of boot space in the 5-seat configuration — comfortably fitting 4+ large hard-shell suitcases with all five seats in use. Significantly more than the Dacia Bigster (629L), Kia Sportage (591L), or VW Caravelle (limited with all 9 seats). One of the largest boots in the full-size AWD category.
• F-Road & AWD Capability: HTRAC AWD with terrain modes provides genuine traction on Iceland’s highland F-road tracks, gravel surfaces, and winter main roads. Permitted on all F-roads and Highland tracks in summer — always check road.is and safe.hertz.is/f-road-guide before entering.
• Petrol or Diesel: Both variants are automatic AWD. The diesel (2.2L CRDi, 180 PS, 441 Nm) delivers superior fuel economy and low-revving torque for highland ascents — ideal for long-distance Ring Road and F-road use. The petrol (2.5L T-GDi, 277 PS) delivers stronger acceleration and smoother city driving. Specific engine availability depends on fleet allocation at pickup.
• No Charging Required: Unlike the PHEV version, the gas Sorento requires no charging cable, no CCS infrastructure planning, and no overnight hotel charging logistics. Fill up at any fuel station in Iceland and proceed.
• Winter Performance: HTRAC AWD with Snow mode and winter tyres provides confident traction on Iceland’s main roads in winter conditions. F-roads are closed in winter. For winter driving guidance, visit safe.hertz.is.
• Safety: Standard suite includes Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Collision Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning, and Driver Attention Warning. For a full guide to driving safely in Iceland’s conditions, see safe.hertz.is.

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When Is the Kia Sorento Gas the Right Choice?

• Summer F-road season (June–August): F-roads open, HTRAC AWD on highland tracks, 898L boot for a family’s full highland kit. The Sorento’s combination of boot space and F-road access is the strongest practical argument for this vehicle.
• Year-Round Ring Road: Comfortable, spacious, and capable in all weather. AWD with winter tyres for winter; full F-road access for summer. Conventional fuel means no charging stop planning across the 1,332 km loop.
• Families and groups of 2–5 with maximum luggage: 898L boot with all five seats in use — more boot space than any comparable full-size AWD in the fleet.
• Travellers who want AWD simplicity: No cable, no charging logistics, no EV range calculation. The gas Sorento is the straightforward AWD choice in a category increasingly dominated by PHEVs.

⚠️ Not ideal if:

• You want PHEV efficiency and lower fuel costs — the Kia Sorento PHEV offers the same AWD and F-road access with plug-in hybrid efficiency.
• You need a guaranteed specific model — or-similar booking.
• You need more than 5 seats — the fleet configuration is 5-seat only.

Rental Requirements & Restrictions

• Minimum Age: 23 years old.
• License: Valid driving license held for a minimum of 1 year. IDP required if license is not in Roman script.
• Payment: Valid credit card in the main renter’s name required at pickup.
• Engine: Petrol or diesel depending on fleet availability — cannot be specified in advance.
• F-Road Policy: Permitted (summer only). Check road.is and safe.hertz.is/f-road-guide before entering Highland areas.
• Important: Driving on unmarked land, beaches, lava fields, or moss outside designated roads is illegal in Iceland.

Inside the Kia Sorento

The Sorento cabin is a genuinely premium environment for a full-size SUV — wide enough that five adults don’t negotiate shoulder space, with a flat rear floor and good headroom throughout. The panoramic sunroof extends over both front and rear passengers, making long Ring Road driving days noticeably more open and less claustrophobic than in a vehicle with a conventional roof.

The automatic transmission keeps the experience smooth on the Ring Road’s longer stretches, and the diesel variant’s 441 Nm of low-revving torque makes highland ascents feel effortless — the engine doesn’t need to be worked hard to maintain momentum on steep F-road approaches. Heated and ventilated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a configurable digital driver’s cluster are standard on higher trims.

At the back, the 898-litre boot is the cabin’s most commercially relevant feature — it loads four large hard-shell suitcases with all seats in use without requiring any compromise. For a family of four arriving at KEF with full-size roller cases. The wide tailgate opening and flat load floor make trailhead and campsite loading practical at the end of a highland driving day.

Kia Sorento Dimensions, Seating and Luggage For Your Trip

The Sorento’s 898-litre boot in its 5-seat configuration comfortably fits 4+ large hard-shell suitcases with all five seats in use — one of the largest load spaces in the Hertz Iceland Full-size AWD category. The flat load floor and wide tailgate make trailhead and campsite loading practical.

Why rent a KIA Sorento in Iceland with Hertz?

• Choosing Hertz Iceland means renting from a locally owned operator with over 50 years of experience, operating in Iceland since 1971. We have been recognised as Iceland’s Leading Car Rental Company at the World Travel Awards in 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2025 — and are proud to be nominated again in 2026.
• Or Similar Guarantee: The Sorento gas is rented by category — if unavailable, you’ll receive a comparable automatic AWD SUV. Never downgraded in class.
• Under 2 Years Old: Every Sorento in our fleet is under two years old — current specification, full manufacturer warranty in effect.
• No Charging Required: Pure petrol or diesel — no cable, no charging logistics, no infrastructure planning. Fill up at any fuel station and continue.
• Safety First: 5-star Euro NCAP, season-appropriate tyres, 24/7 emergency phone assistance. For pre-trip safety planning, visit safe.hertz.is.
• Convenience: Available across all 11 Hertz Iceland locations, with direct pickup at KEF Airport.

History of Kia

Kia was founded in South Korea in 1944, initially producing steel tubing and bicycle parts before transitioning to motorcycles and then automobiles in the 1960s. After a period of financial difficulty in the late 1990s, Kia was acquired by Hyundai Motor Group — a partnership that transformed both brands’ engineering capabilities and global reach. The Sorento, first launched in 2002, has been Kia’s flagship SUV for over two decades and is now in its fourth generation.

The fourth-generation Sorento launched in 2020 on Kia’s N3 platform — a significant step up in cabin quality, technology, and AWD capability from its predecessor. The HTRAC AWD system, standard on higher trims, uses a multi-plate clutch to distribute torque between axles based on traction demand rather than a fixed split. In Iceland’s varied driving conditions, this proactive system manages surface changes — from tarmac to gravel to highland volcanic terrain — without driver input.

Renting a Kia Sorento with Hertz Iceland means choosing a vehicle that combines genuine family-capable practicality with F-road access — in a generation that finally matches its size with the interior quality to justify it.

Kia Sorento Gas vs Kia Sorento PHEV: Which Version Fits Your Iceland Trip?

Rental Locations

The Kia Sorento AWD is available across all 11 Hertz Iceland locations:

What’s Included in Your Rental

• 24/7 emergency phone support across Iceland
• Unlimited mileage
• Free cancellation 3+ days before pickup (prepaid) / any time before rental start (Pay on Arrival)
• Basic Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)
• Third-party liability coverage
• VAT and local taxes
• Season-appropriate tyres (winter tyres in winter, summer tyres in warmer months)

Kia Sorento car hire in Iceland FAQ

• • Can I drive the Kia Sorento on F-roads?
    Yes — in summer only. The Kia Sorento HTRAC AWD is permitted on F-roads and Highland tracks including the routes to Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk. F-roads are closed in winter. Always check road.is for current road status and safe.hertz.is/f-road-guide to confirm vehicle eligibility before entering Highland areas.

• • Gas Sorento vs Sorento PHEV — which should I choose?
    Both have the same HTRAC AWD, F-road access, and 898-litre 5-seat boot. The gas version is the simpler choice — no charging cable required, no EV range planning, fill up at any fuel station. The PHEV version adds 56–65 km of electric range and lower fuel costs on shorter legs — better for travellers based in Reykjavík with hotel charging available. For pure highland use or long Ring Road itineraries where charging infrastructure is absent or inconvenient, the gas version removes all charging logistics.

• • Will I receive a petrol or diesel Sorento?
    The Hertz Iceland Sorento gas fleet includes both petrol (2.5L T-GDi, 277 PS) and diesel (2.2L CRDi, 180 PS / 441 Nm) variants. The engine allocated depends on fleet availability at pickup and cannot be specified in advance. Both are automatic AWD. The diesel offers better fuel economy and stronger low-revving torque for highland use; the petrol delivers more power and smoother city driving.

• • How much luggage fits in the Kia Sorento?
    The Sorento in its 5-seat configuration holds 898 litres — comfortably fitting 4+ large hard-shell suitcases with all five seats in use. One of the largest boot capacities in the Hertz Iceland full-size AWD category. The flat load floor and wide tailgate make campsite and trailhead loading practical on multi-day highland itineraries.

• • Is the Kia Sorento good for winter driving in Iceland?
    Yes. HTRAC AWD with winter tyres provides confident traction on Iceland’s main roads in snow and ice. F-roads are closed in winter regardless of vehicle capability. For winter driving guidance, visit safe.hertz.is.

• • Is the Kia Sorento a guaranteed model?
    No — it is rented on an “or similar” basis. If this exact model is unavailable, you’ll receive a comparable automatic AWD SUV. If you need a guaranteed specific vehicle, see our Guaranteed Model options including the BMW X3, BMW X5, Toyota Land Cruiser 250, Range Rover Sport PHEV, Land Rover Discovery Sport, and Land Rover Defender 130.

• • Does Hertz Iceland offer Roadside Assistance?
    Yes. Roadside Assistance can be added at the rental desk at pickup — not bookable online in advance. It costs 1,990 ISK/day standalone, or 990 ISK/day when added with MAX Coverage. If you need assistance during your rental, pay the service fee at the time, then bring your receipt when you return the car — we’ll refund the covered amount to your card on file. Emergency line: +354 858 0499 (24/7).

• • Where can I find driving safety information for Iceland?
    Hertz Iceland operates safe.hertz.is — a dedicated driving safety hub covering winter driving, F-road guidance, road conditions, and emergency contacts. Available to all travellers in Iceland, not just Hertz customers.