Kia builds nice automobiles nowadays, one thing I used to be reminded of by the Telluride I reviewed not way back. This three-row SUV is likely one of the greatest in its section, although it is likely to be extra car than some folks want. If this sounds such as you, I’ve excellent news: You can drive dwelling in a three-row utility car that is somewhat smaller and a bit extra inexpensive than the Telluride, all with out ever leaving your native Kia seller. The 2021 Sorento SUV distills a lot of its massive brother’s goodness down right into a trimmer, and a few would possibly say much more trendy bundle.A good-looking haulerThe fourth-generation Sorento is far more rugged-looking than its rounded predecessor, resembling a cross between the pint-sized Seltos and far bigger Telluride. Standard LED headlights punctuate its entrance finish, whereas the coarsely textured grille is extra sculptural than what you will discover on different Kias. This car’s entrance and sides are fantastically executed, although its rear is a bit busy, with too many creases and a few Audi-inspired fake exhaust retailers within the bumper. At least this Sorento’s Sapphire Blue paint is beautiful, even on a colorless Michigan day.The Sorento is obtainable in 5 completely different trim ranges, with both front- or all-wheel drive out there throughout the vary. Accentuating this SUV’s flanks, six separate wheel designs can be found, spanning between 17 and 20 inches in diameter. The mannequin seen right here is fitted with the biggest rollers supplied, which even have a gloss-black end.
A spacious, thoughtfully designed cabinIn retaining with its engaging physique, the Sorento’s inside is sort of wonderful, at the very least in high-end SX Prestige trim. There’s loads of gentle plastic, the quilted leather-based seating surfaces look nice and its textured trim items add some visible curiosity with out being overly busy. Lots of Telluride affect is clear as nicely, from the place of the seat-heater switches to the design of the door pulls to the slick-feeling mechanical shifter. Overall, this inside is snug, spacious and nicely constructed, however it’s not fairly good.Unusually, Kia determined to go together with each bodily switches and touch-sensitive buttons for the climate-control system. All of those are clearly labeled and simple to make use of, being mounted comparatively excessive on the dashboard, however it’s unusual having each sorts of controls proper subsequent to one another. Just decide one fashion and go together with that (ideally the bodily ones, OK?).
Aside from a number of minor quibbles, this inside is extraordinarily good.
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Another unusual factor on this Kia’s cabin is the association of its air vents. The trapezoid-shaped main HVAC retailers are massive and simple to regulate for move and course, however there is a tiny supplemental vent beneath every of those who’s of questionable usefulness. They swivel barely back and forth, however do not present a lot air and are usually not in a very helpful location.
Similarly, there’s one thing odd in regards to the dashboard structure. Like so many automobiles nowadays, the Sorento is obtainable with a digital instrument cluster, one spanning 12.3 inches. Attractive and extremely legible, this panel makes it a cinch to maintain observe of significant stats like pace, mileage and gasoline consumption. The challenge, nevertheless, is the housing that surrounds this show. Off to the left, there is a tab-like part that extends past the meter-cluster housing. It seems completely misplaced, prefer it’s imagined to have buttons or one thing on it. Instead, it is only a vacant extension of shiny black plastic, seemingly with no objective.Speaking of shows, two sizes are supplied within the new Sorento. Lesser fashions characteristic an 8-inch touchscreen, however higher-end variants include a brilliant and colourful 10.2-incher. This panel is dwelling to a wonderful infotainment system that is snappy and intuitive. For added flexibility, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are commonplace throughout the mannequin lineup.Unlike a few of its rivals together with the Nissan Murano, Honda Passport and Jeep Cherokee, this new Sorento affords three rows of seats, in each six- and seven-passenger configurations. As for consolation, you is likely to be shocked simply how accommodating this Kia is. Its entrance buckets are wonderful, and so are the second-row chairs, being loads spacious for grownup passengers. This SUV’s rear-most bench is hospitable, too, even when the underside cushion is mainly on the ground, which places your knees at chin-level when seated. Still, there’s sufficient headroom and legroom for grownup passengers to outlive.If you want toque, you will love this 2.5-liter turbocharged engine.
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Powertrain potentialitiesThe new Sorento will probably be out there with a whopping 4 completely different powertrains. This features a base, naturally aspirated engine, a traditional hybrid drivetrain, a plug-in hybrid powertrain (which will probably be out there someday subsequent yr) and the providing in my tester: a 2.5-liter turbo-four, delivering 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. That twist, which is obtainable all through a broad vary, hits with Blitzkrieg pace, taking pictures the Sorento ahead if you give it the spurs. Such antics can lead to a little bit of torque steer, sometimes inflicting my front-drive tester’s tiller to squirm. That engine, regardless of pulling like a mule, is impressively easy and quiet, if a contact grumbly when working exhausting.An eight-speed computerized transmission is commonplace with that 2.5-liter turbocharged engine. Rather than having a traditional torque converter, it incorporates a twin wet-clutch design. While this configuration delivers blazingly fast gearchanges, its swiftness comes on the expense of refinement. Unfortunately, this transmission does not reply naturally at low speeds, feeling disconnected as you apply throttle to start out accelerating from a cease. It additionally judders faintly when taking off. I’m unsure why Kia engineers determined to go this route since many standard automatics are loads fast, however the car would have in all probability been higher served by one thing with a torque converter.The real-world gasoline financial system this Sorento deliveries is sort of spectacular, particularly when you think about its robust efficiency. In my fingers, it averaged 27.2 miles per gallon in response to the onboard pc. That’s higher than its marketed mixed rating of 25 mpg. In metropolis driving, this car is rated at 22 mpg and on the freeway it ought to return 29 mpg.The Sorento feels costlier than it’s.
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Dynamically first rateThe Sorento’s powertrain is a little bit of a blended bag, however the driving dynamics are stable. Its steering is easy however unremarkable, like nearly another crossover out there nowadays. The trip high quality, nevertheless, is superb — supple but nicely managed on the identical time.Of course, a variety of various driving modes is obtainable, with Sport altering the car’s really feel most dramatically. It sharpens the throttle response, nearly to the purpose it turns into jumpy, quickens the shifts, holds onto decrease gears and alters the digital instrument cluster’s look.Quite a lot of superior driver aids are commonplace, together with issues like computerized emergency braking and pedestrian detection. Available goodies embrace blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and lane-keeping help, which helps the Sorento observe like a locomotive. This characteristic is significantly efficient, by no means sawing on the steering wheel or wigging out when lane markers disappear. In reality, the Sorento’s lane-centering system is superior to the one within the Telluride I reviewed not way back. My Sorento tester additionally options adaptive cruise management with stop-and-co functionality and a crisp surround-view digicam system that makes parking in tight areas a breeze.An wonderful alternativeAside from a number of questionable design selections and a less-than-ideal transmission, the 2021 Kia Sorento SX Prestige is a superb all-around SUV. Sweetening the deal, this car can be a powerful worth. Including $1,170 in vacation spot expenses, a front-wheel-drive LX mannequin begins at $30,560. That’s $1,300 greater than its entry-level predecessor, however further commonplace tools ought to assist offset that worth hike. Of course, when you want all-wheel drive, plan on budgeting $1,800 extra. In comparability, the practically top-of-the-line model examined right here checks out for a still-reasonable $42,205. But actually, the Sorento feels prefer it ought to price at the very least a number of grand greater than that due to its snug and spacious inside, nice dynamics and engaging design.