How to Install Roof Rack On Kia Sorento

Last Updated on February 4, 2023 by Will Sabel

The Kia Sorento is a popular SUV among users who love to drive a mid-sized crossover. Although this vehicle is quite spacious and can carry a pretty decent load, you may want some more room to transport bulky objects that may not inside the car. 

In such cases, roof racks can come in very handy. Installing roof racks on a Kia Sorento is easy, and you can do it without any professional help as well. So, if you are thinking about how to install roof rack on Kia Sorento, we are here to answer your query. Let’s move forward with the article and follow the installation process.

Kia Sorento Roof Rack Buying Guide

Choosing a roof rack might seem easy, but in reality, it is even more difficult than installing the roof racks on the vehicle. If you can emphasize some factors, making the right purchase won’t be a tough job. Let’s see what to look for in roof racks while buying.

Material & Weight Capacity

The roof rack shouldn’t be heavy. People often think a heavy steel roof rack is sturdy, but in reality, aluminum roof racks are even sturdier than steel. 

Besides, if we compare the weight, the weight of an aluminum roof rack is way less than that of a steel rack. 

For that reason, you can carry some extra pounds when you install a lighter yet strong roof rack like the aluminum one. So, while buying roof racks, check the weight capacity of your car and the roof rack.

Durability and Strength

Check the durability and strength of the roof racks before buying. The strong roof racks don’t come cheap. Buying a roof rack is like an investment. If you invest in a good product, it will last for a longer period of time. 

And if you want your roof racks to withstand harsh weather conditions, you can’t compromise on quality.

Product Support

Not all manufacturers provide the product as they promise. And in this competitive industry, no brand will sustain itself for a long time if it doesn’t provide a quality product. That’s why you should always choose old brands that know the real deal.

Compatibility

Compatibility is the biggest concern when purchasing roof racks. Not all manufacturers provide roof rails with the Kia Sorento. That’s why you need to check if your car already has roof rails or if you need to install a new one. 

Some roof racks are moveable, while some are permanent. Depending on the accessories you need to carry, choose the roof racks accordingly.

2021 kia sorneto roof rack

How to Install Roof Rack on Kia Sorento

Installing roof racks on a Kia Sorento is a one-man job. And to start with the procedure, read the manual that comes with the roof rack packaging. There are so many options available to choose from. But pick the one that meets your requirements. 

Besides, some Kia Sorento versions come with a sunroof. So, depending on your needs, you have to pick the right product first. Here, we have described how to install a crossbar roof rack on the Kia Sorento. Let’s follow the procedure. 

  • Unpack the roof racks and check the manual first. 
  • Make sure the packaging has all the equipment, such as caps, two crossbars, sets of keys, etc. 
  • Now, prep the cross bars. 
  • Loosen the screws that are located on the top of the crossbars and place them on the roof. 
  • Adjust the position of the crossbars on the roof. 
  • Clamp both ends of the crossbars to the roof rails and tighten the screws. 
  • Make sure you have tightened the screws enough so that nothing flies off when you are driving at a high speed. 
  • Take the caps one by one and put them on the sides of the crossbars. 
  • After placing the caps on all the ends of the crossbars, secure them with an Allen key. 
  • Before driving off to your destination, inspect if all the screws and caps are holding their positions in the right manner or not.

How Much Weight Can You Put On The Roof of A Kia Sorento?

The load capacity of a Kia Sorento’s roof is 165 lbs. It means you can put a weight of up to 165 lbs on the roof of the vehicle. So, while installing the roof racks, check their weight first. 

For example, if you choose 11 pounds of roof racks for your car, you can carry 154 pounds on the roof racks. That’s why we suggest that you choose a lightweight roof rack for your vehicle. 

Besides, the weight distribution of the roof racks is also crucial. You can’t just place them anywhere in any position on the roof. Following the instructions in the manual that comes with the roof rack is necessary to achieve the best outcome. 

Final Words

Roof racks are extremely useful when loading your car with large accessories that will not fit inside. And because of the impressive weight limit of the Kia Sorento, you can load the car with quite a good number of accessories as well. 

After learning how to install roof rack on Kia Sorento it shouldn’t take over 10 minutes to complete the installation. Load the roof rack with any item and enjoy the space inside your car.

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Author: Will Sabel

Will Sabel is an avid car enthusiast. When he's not writing for RidersWant, you'll find him cruising the country in a new car. People are always wondering how many cars he has!

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