Home/2026 Sorento/Power Liftgate with Auto Open/Close
POWER LIFTGATE WITH AUTO OPEN/CLOSE*

The Smart Liftgate with Auto Open/Close can be operated from several controls to either open, close or lock the Liftgate.

Opening from Inside the Vehicle: Press the power liftgate open/close button for 1 second. The liftgate opens or closes with a warning sound. While the liftgate is opening or closing, press the button to stop liftgate operation.

Smart Key: To open the Power Liftgate, press and hold the Liftgate button until the Liftgate begins to open. Press and hold again to automatically close.

Reminders:

Pulling the Liftgate upward by the handle or pressing the button a second time will interrupt the automatic opening of the Power Liftgate.

Opening/Closing from Inside the Power Liftgate

To open the Power Liftgate automatically, press the Liftgate Release button on the exterior of the Liftgate.

Automatically close by pressing the Power Liftgate Close button .

Power Liftgate Opening Height Adjustment

To adjust the Power Liftgate opening height,

  1. Go to SETUP on the Infotainment System and
  2. Select VEHICLE.
  3. Press DOOR, then POWER LIFTGATE OPENING HEIGHT.
  4. Select FULL OPEN, LEVEL 3, LEVEL 2, LEVEL 1 or USER HEIGHT SETTING.

To turn OFF the Power Liftgate Auto Open feature: Press the Automatic Close Release button, on the inside of the Liftgate, while the Liftgate is open.

Quick Tips:

  • The Liftgate must be unlocked before it can be opened by the Liftgate Release Button
  • Smart Key with Auto Open - When enabled in the Vehicle Settings, the Liftgate can be opened with no touch activation, if the following conditions are met: 1) after 15 seconds of all doors being closed and locked
    2) if the Smart Key is within the detecting area for more than 3 seconds

Reminders:

When closing, be mindful of any objects or persons.

Using the “Smart” feature:

When the Smart Key fob is on your person and you are near the back of the vehicle, within close proximity, the hazard lights will blink and a chime will sound for about 3 seconds as an alert that the Smart Power Liftgate is about to open. Then the alert system will blink and chime two additional times before opening the Smart Power Liftgate.

With the Smart Key still on your person and you walk away from the back of the vehicle, the hazard lights will blink and a chime will sound for about 3 seconds as an alert that the Smart Liftgate is about to close.

Quick Tips:

  • During the Smart Liftgate alert, the Power Liftgate with Auto Open/Close can be deactivated with the Smart Key by pressing any button on the key fob
  • The open height and speed can be adjusted. For information on how to set the open height and speed, see your owner’s manual

Reminders:

  • All doors are closed and locked after about 15 seconds
  • The Smart Liftgate with Auto Open/Close feature will not operate when: 1) The doors are recently closed and locked, and the Smart Key is still detected after 15 seconds near the vehicle or within 60 inches of the door handles. 2) A door is not locked or closed 3) The Smart Key is in the vehicle
  • Press any button on the Smart Key fob during the Detect and Alert stage, or move out of the detection area, to deactivate the Smart Power Liftgate function
  • When the ignition is on, the Smart Liftgate with Auto Open/Close will only operate with the gear shift in the Park (P) position
  • The Smart Key must be outside of the vehicle for the Smart Liftgate with Auto Open/Close to operate
  • When closing, be mindful of any objects or persons
Manual Liftgate / Liftgate Release Button

Located underneath the rear liftgate hatch. With liftgate unlocked, press the Liftgate Release Button and pull the liftgate up by the handle to open.

Quick Tips:

  • The liftgate must be unlocked before it can be opened by the Liftgate Release Button.

*See LEGAL page for legal information.

This feature may not be available on all Kia models. 

Button configuration may vary. Images are for illustrative purposes only and may not reflect actual feature or operation.

Refer to section 5 in the Owner’s Manual for more information.

Using Guide iconUsing Guide
PDF iconDownload PDF