This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the third generation (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020) Kia Sorento SUV with the Lambda II GDI 3.3L V6 engine in changing a weak or dead 12 volt car battery. (The procedure should be the same or very similar for the Theta II GDI 2.4L I4 engine and the Theta II GDI 2.0L Turbocharged I4 engine.)

Owners of other Kia, Hyundai and Genesis vehicles such as the Soul, Seltos, Sportage, Niro, Telluride, Forte, Rio, Optima, Stinger, Cadenza, K900, Sedona, Kona, Venue, Santa Fe, Elantra, Sonata, Accent, Veloster, Ioniq, Nexo, G70, G80 and G90 may also find these instructions to be helpful.

The OEM (original equipment manufacturer) 12V battery "Group Size" was an "H7" (also known as 94R) and the Kia / Hyundai part number is Solite AGM80L-DIN.

A few other AGM (absorbed glass mat) group size H7 / 94R 12V batteries with their part numbers include the following: ACDelco 94RAGM, Delphi BU9094R and Exide Edge FP-AGML4/94R.

The tools needed to complete this procedure include a small flat head screwdriver or a plastic pry bar tool, a 10mm socket with a 1/4" drive ratchet, a 12mm socket, a long extension bar and a 3/8" drive ratchet.

The first two steps are to open the hood and then move to the right (driver) side of the engine bay.

The black plastic air intake assembly that is connected to the radiator cover and the engine air filter box must be removed before you can access the old 12V battery.

Use a small flat head screwdriver or a small plastic pry bar tool to gently pop in the two round buttons in the center of the two fasteners to release them.

Then carefully pry out the base of the fasteners to remove them.

Carefully pull up the front edge of the air intake assembly and then remove the rear edge from the air filter box.

Avoid touching both the terminals or battery posts at the same time so that you don't electrocute yourself!

I would also recommend wearing some gloves.

Loosen the "-" negative terminal by turning the nut in the counterclockwise direction with a 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet.

You don't need to remove the terminal nut. Just loosen it a few turns.

Wrap the terminal in a small towel and tuck it away on the right side of the battery behind the driver side headlight housing to help prevent accidental electrical contact.

Loosen the nut on the positive terminal by turning it in the counterclockwise direction with the 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet.

Pull the positive terminal straight off the "+" battery post.

Pull the heat shield off the old battery and set it aside for re-installation later on.

Look down at the front edge of the battery tray and locate the black metal hold down clamp.

Loosen the single bolt on the battery hold down clamp by rotating it in the counterclockwise direction.

Remove the hold down bar and the bolt.

The bolt should remain attached to the hold down clamp due to an orange / red plastic retaining ring.

Set the hold down clamp aside in a safe place.

Gently set the old battery down on the ground. Avoid dropping or tipping over the old battery to prevent from having acid leak out.

Please be sure to bring the old battery with you to the auto parts store to prevent from having to pay a "core" charge. The auto parts retailer will have the old battery properly recycled.

If you can wait a few days for delivery, I highly recommend the ACDelco 94RAGM battery since it has excellent reviews on Amazon.

There is a "ridge" or "slot" on the rear edge of the battery tray.

Gently lower the new battery down into the engine bay with the "-" negative post on the right (driver) side and the "+" positive post on the left (passenger) side.

Avoid touching both the "+" positive and "-" negative battery posts or terminals at the same time!

Carefully slide the new battery back on the battery tray until the lip on the bottom rear edge of the battery slides under the plastic ridge or bracket on the tray.

Lower the hold down clamp on to the front edge of the battery tray.

Spin in the bolt a few turns by hand to prevent it from becoming cross threaded.

Tighten the bolt in the clockwise direction with the 12mm socket, a long extension bar and a 3/8" drive ratchet until it is snug.

Try to move the new battery.

If the new battery can be moved, rocked or slid on the tray, tighten the bolt on the hold down clamp an extra turn or two.

If you've had an issue with corrosion (white or blue powder) building up on the battery terminals or posts, consider installing some felt anti-corrosion washers over the battery posts.

You could also spray the terminals and battery posts with some CRC Battery Terminal Protector spray to help prevent corrosion.

Tighten the terminal nut in the clockwise direction with the 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet until it is snug.

Try to avoid over tightening the terminal nut to prevent from cracking the battery post which could lead to an acid leak and premature battery failure.

Push the negative terminal over the "-" battery post on the right (driver) side.

Tighten the negative terminal nut in the clockwise direction until it is snug.

Avoid over tightening the terminal nut to prevent from breaking the battery post which could lead to an acid leak.

Lower the rear of the air intake assembly into the opening in the engine air filter housing.

Lower the front edge of the air intake down towards the radiator cover.

Make sure the small round "buttons" in the center of the two plastic fasteners are in the up and "released" position.

Gently snap in the buttons to secure the two fasteners.

Double check that the air intake assembly is securely in place.

To test the new battery, start the engine.

If you often travel and don't drive your SUV for two weeks or longer, I highly recommend keeping the battery attached to a trickle charger such as the Battery Tender Junior.

Lead acid batteries should be kept fully charged for the best longevity.

If you would like to test your 12V battery or see if the alternator is working properly, use a digital multimeter tool. The voltage of the new battery should be about 12.6 volts when fully charged with the engine off. To test the alternator, start the engine and carefully test the voltage again. The alternator should be charging the battery at a voltage range of 13 volts to just over 14 volts.

Be sure to write down the battery change in your vehicle's service records and keep any warranty information and the receipt in the glove box.

Please take a look at all of my 2016-2020 Kia Sorento DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.