What we researched for this specific generation: where an enclosure actually fits, what the factory speakers are, how the factory audio is wired, and which real builds and commercial products exist for it. Confidence badges say how well each figure is sourced — this is research, not manufacturer spec.
Body styles covered: 4-Door SUV, 3-row
These are researched envelopes, not a guarantee. Measure your own vehicle — the numbers here tell you what to expect, not what you have.
| Location | behind 3rd row (the tire jack storage compartment is reported on a 2022, next-generation Sorento and is unconfirmed here) |
|---|---|
| Outer bounding box | Not measured for this generation. The ~1" rear / ~2" front down-firing clearance quoted here before was reported on a 2022 Sorento (next generation). |
| Known obstructions | Must use quick-disconnect mounting — owners actively use this cargo space for hauling, not a fixed installation |
Suggested configurations for this vehicle, not prescriptions. Run the numbers in the Box Builder before you buy anything.
| Subwoofers | 2x8" sealed in the tire jack compartment — a 2022 (next-generation) owner build; confirm the compartment exists on your 2016-2020 before planning on it |
|---|---|
| Box type | sealed |
| Location | tire jack storage compartment (unconfirmed for 2016-2020) |
| Subwoofers | 1x10" HO/low-profile (e.g. JL W3v3), behind 3rd row |
|---|---|
| Box type | sealed |
| Location | behind 3rd row seating — must be quick-disconnect for cargo access |
Sizes and depths below are what research turned up for this generation. Confirm against your own vehicle before cutting or ordering — trim levels vary.
| Factory speaker size | 6.5" (raised surround mounting configuration) |
|---|---|
| Known obstructions | Genuine OEM front door speaker part exists (left/right specific), confirming this is a known factory location |
| Adapter bracket needed | unconfirmed |
| Tweeter | A-pillar-mounted (standard 1" size) on premium/equipped trims — real, confirmed. Real, important safety caution: a side airbag runs through the A-pillar on most vehicles including this one — treat any A-pillar tweeter work as airbag-adjacent, not a simple trim-panel job. |
| Factory speaker size | unconfirmed |
|---|---|
| Adapter bracket needed | unconfirmed |
| Tweeter | n/a — tweeter is A-pillar mounted, front only |
| Factory amp / premium audio | Kia's feature tables (read directly): 2016-2018 Infinity surround sound with 10 speakers on the EX / EX V6 / SX V6 / SX-Limited (optional on most, standard on SX-Limited in 2016); in 2016 the navigation package adds an external amplifier and subwoofer, and in 2018 the subwoofer and external amplifier come only with the SX-Limited V6 navigation head unit. From 2019 it is Harman Kardon surround sound with 10 speakers (including centre speaker, subwoofer and external amplifier): optional on EX V6, standard on SX V6 and SX-Limited V6 (EX Sport V6 also lists the 10-speaker system). 2020: Harman Kardon on SX V6 only; EX Sport V6 and SX V6 list 10 speakers including centre speaker, subwoofer and external amplifier. Base trims: 6 speakers (including 2 tweeters). CONFLICT inside Kia, both kept: the 2016 launch release quoted a 630W 12-speaker Infinity system; the 2016 and 2018 feature tables list 10. 2017 not read. |
|---|---|
| Adding subs without a head-unit swap | Confirmed straightforward — all documented locations avoid the head unit |
| Head unit | No replacement needed |
GENERATION CAUTION (2026-10-02): the tire-jack-compartment build and its ~1"/~2" down-firing clearances below come from a thread about a 2022 Sorento (4th generation, MQ4) and are not confirmed for this 2016-2020 body; Kia's own pages also make the 2015 Sorento the previous generation, so this entry now covers 2016-2020. Multiple real build locations documented. Tire jack storage compartment can fit a pair of 8" subs. REAL TIGHT-CLEARANCE CONSTRAINT for down-firing installs: only ~1" floor clearance at the rear, ~2" at the front closest to the rear seats — genuinely tight, worth flagging before assuming a down-fire design will clear. Behind-3rd-row mounting is also real and documented, with the JL Audio W3v3 in its HO (high-output/low-profile) box specifically noted as fitting well there. REAL PRACTICAL NOTE: any cargo-area box needs quick-disconnect mounting so it can be removed when full cargo capacity is needed — this vehicle's owners actively use the space for hauling, not just as a fixed installation location. Amp placement: JL Audio 500/1 fits well under the middle rear seat, with connections accessed from the rear trunk.
Outside links. Some are commercial products, some are owner builds posted on forums — the label says which. We do not endorse any of them.
Each link opens the tool with this vehicle already selected.
Measure your own vehicle. Trim levels, factory subwoofer options, and mid-generation changes all move these numbers, and a box cut to a researched figure that does not match your truck is wasted wood. Where a badge reads Unconfirmed, treat the value as a starting point for your own measurement, not as an answer.