Kia has been putting better interiors in its cars than the price suggests, and the lighting is the one part that still feels budget. Swapping the bulbs changes the cabin more than almost anything else you can do for the money.
The Sportage and Sorento use standard bulb types and are forgiving about LED load.
Sportage (SL 2010-2015, QL 2016-2021, NQ5 2022+)
| Position | 2010-2015 | 2016-2021 | 2022+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front dome / map | T10 (194/168) | T10 (194/168) | T10 (194/168) |
| Rear dome | 31mm festoon | 31mm festoon | 31mm festoon |
| Footwell (front) | T10 (194/168) | T10 (194/168) | T10 (194/168) |
| Vanity mirror | 31mm festoon | 31mm festoon | 31mm festoon |
| Cargo | T10 (194/168) | T10 (194/168) | T10 (194/168) |
| Glovebox | T10 (194/168) | T10 (194/168) | T10 (194/168) |
The 2022+ NQ5 has a larger dome housing with two bulbs in a single unit on higher trims. Count what you have before ordering, because the single-bulb kit will leave one side dark.
Sorento (XM 2010-2014, UM 2015-2020, MQ4 2021+)
| Position | 2010-2014 | 2015-2020 | 2021+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front dome / map | T10 (194/168) | T10 (194/168) | T10 (194/168) |
| Second row dome | 31mm festoon | 31mm festoon | 31mm festoon |
| Third row | T10 (194/168) | T10 (194/168) | T10 (194/168) |
| Footwell (front) | T10 (194/168) | T10 (194/168) | T10 (194/168) |
| Vanity mirror | 31mm festoon | 31mm festoon | 31mm festoon |
| Cargo | T10 (194/168) | T10 (194/168) | T10 (194/168) |
Seven seat Sorentos have a third row light that is worth doing. It is the difference between passengers being able to see and them asking you to turn the light on.
Warning lights
Uncommon. The 2021+ Sorento with the digital cluster is the one to watch, and even there it is rare. A CANBUS bulb in the dome handles it if it happens.
Fitting them
Sportage front dome: trim tool at the rear edge, gentle lift, the housing drops. On the NQ5 the housing is bigger and comes away with a bit more of a pull.
Rear dome on both: 31mm festoon, spring clip. The same technique as every other Korean car.
Sorento third row light is a T10 and it is easy to reach from the boot side. Do that one early, it builds confidence if you have not done this before.
The vanity lights take the longest of any position. Small notch, fingernail, patience. Two per side on some trims.
Colour
White is what most Kia owners fit and it suits the grey and black interiors that dominate the range.
Warm white works if you have the beige or brown interior option, particularly on a Sorento with the tan leather. White makes tan look grey by comparison.
Ice blue is popular in the Sportage on the GT-Line trims. Purple less so, though it does look good on black interiors at night.
Frequently asked questions
Will these fit a Hyundai Santa Fe? No. Use the Hyundai-specific listing. The platforms are shared but the interior housings are not identical.
Do I need CANBUS bulbs for a Kia? Usually not. Use them in the dome if you have a 2021+ model with the digital cluster and want zero risk.
How many bulbs for a seven seat Sorento? Around fourteen including the third row and cargo. Count yours first.
Can I replace the ambient lighting? If your Sorento has the mood lighting package, those are LED modules in the trim and cannot be swapped for bulbs.
Find your Kia LED interior light kit by model and year.
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