2021 Kia Sorento First Drive Review: Trickle-Down Effect

The Telluride is a smash hit and Kia is aware of it. The three-row has earned numerous accolades in its comparatively quick time in the marketplace and is promoting so nicely that the manufacturing unit simply needed to enhance manufacturing by 100,000 models. So it solely is smart that the corporate would construct on that success by making use of the identical method to 2021 Kia Sorento – which even execs admit attracts closely from its massive sibling.

“We’re principally attempting to comply with Telluride’s success,” mentioned Mark Savino, Kia product technique supervisor, of the brand new Sorento. And that’s apparent simply by it; the Sorento’s rugged exterior is clearly Telluride-inspired and even the cabin will get among the identical remedies. However that is to not say the 2021 Sorento is only a clone of the bigger SUV – it has a particular character, and an excellent one at that.

We frolicked in two variations of the brand new Sorento: An SX Status mannequin with front-wheel drive, and an SX Status mannequin with all-wheel drive by way of the non-compulsory X-Line package deal. And in each instances, the brand new Sorento proves dynamic, feature-rich, and visually beautiful.

Rugged Good Seems to be

Greater than another mainstream firm, Kia is aware of the right way to design a classy crossover – first with the Telluride, then the Seltos, and now the brand new Sorento. Designers mentioned they needed the lineup to look more durable, and with the Sorento, it does. The model’s signature “tiger nostril” grille adorns the front-end, joined by triple-beam LED headlights, a smooth daytime working gentle sample, and sharply angled trim items decrease on the bumper.

Boxy proportions akin to the Telluride additional emphasize the Sorento’s now-tougher persona, whereas the kinked black C-pillar creates a kind of floating roof impact – a familial trait borrowed from the K5 and smaller Seltos. Cut up taillights and a refined spoiler assist hold the angles tapered within the rear, and relying on which trim you select, the Sorento comes with as much as 20-inch wheels. Each of our SX Status testers, one with the non-compulsory X-Line package deal, put on the bigger wheels, they usually look nice.

To our eye, the X-Line mannequin is the extra fashionable of the 2 – particularly within the trim-exclusive Aruba Inexperienced paint. The chunky bumpers with fake skid plates, darkened 20-inch wheels, and massive roof rails give this Sorento a purposeful, rugged look. And that theme carries over to the cabin, which now will get a pointy wooden trim and higher leather-based, assuming you pay the additional $200 for the Rust Inside package deal – an inexpensive worth for one thing that appears this good.

However even with out these non-compulsory items, the within of the Kia Sorento is a pleasant place to be. The SX Status comes normal with real leather-based seating surfaces; our beautiful Sapphire Blue Sorento wears a easy black leather-based and the Aruba Inexperienced X-Line mannequin sports activities the rust-colored surfaces we like a lot. The quilted entrance seats are supremely comfy, as are the captain’s chairs within the second row, and even the third row wears leather-based – and it would not really feel too cramped comparatively.

The quilted entrance seats are supremely comfy, as are the captain’s chairs within the second row, and even the third row wears leather-based – and it would not really feel too cramped comparatively.

Though the Sorento seems to be smallish on the skin for a three-row, there is a stunning quantity of area inside. Regardless of being 10 inches shorter than the Mazda CX-9, it matches that CUV’s third-row legroom (29.6 inches) and affords extra passenger quantity total. Even the third row is comfy for 6-foot-tall adults and comparatively simple to entry. A button atop the shoulder of the captain’s chairs electronically strikes the seats ahead, leaving a strong opening for rear entry. Kia did an amazing job of packaging this car.

Behind the third row is a comparatively scant 12.6 cubic toes of cargo room – it is sufficient for groceries and a few baggage, however there are alternate options which are higher. In the event you want extra space, folding the third row flat reveals 38.5 cubic toes of room, and folding down the captain’s chairs opens the cabin as much as a powerful 75.5 cubic toes of cargo area.

Turbocharged Torque

Powering the Sorentos we examined is the non-compulsory turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine good for 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet – that’s far more torque than what’s supplied within the Telluride (262 lb-ft). Lesser variations get a non-turbocharged 2.5-liter able to simply 191 hp and 181 lb-ft. With the non-compulsory engine, the Sorento will genuinely stand up and go. The turbocharged unit is punchy, with little to no lag off the road, gobs of low-end torque, and a strong stream of energy at larger speeds.

Managing the facility is a singular eight-speed dual-clutch transmission – totally different from the automatics and CVTs typical of most alternate options. And whereas front-wheel drive comes normal, all-wheel drive is offered. We’d positively suggest ticking that field, as a result of the front-wheel-drive mannequin would not apply energy nicely. The tires gnarl on the pavement if you happen to fuel it onerous and there is some fairly nasty understeer in corners, even when not hammering it. The throttle could be finicky, too, in Regular and Sport modes; energy both arrives too all of a sudden or under no circumstances.

The turbocharged unit is punchy, with little to no lag off the road, gobs of low-end torque, and a strong stream of energy at larger speeds.

The all-wheel-drive system within the X-Drive mannequin, although, alleviates a few of these points. Now with energy in any respect 4 wheels, the Sorento manages that aggressive low-end twist extra appropriately and with smoother inputs – there is no jerkiness off the road such as you get within the front-drive mannequin. Even the throttle feels simpler to handle in Regular and Sport modes. The eight-speed dual-clutch transmission is fast and decisive, too.

The all-wheel-drive Sorento additionally has good, light-weight steering really feel and taut suspension that retains physique roll in examine. This definitely is not a sporty crossover by any stretch – and we doubt most patrons will anticipate as a lot – however the all-wheel-drive Sorento strikes with function. The X-Line additionally provides extra functionality with a strong 8.2 inches off floor clearance. We did not sort out any trails within the Sorento X-Line, however Kia says you are able to do so, in idea.

Save 1000’s On A New Kia Sorento

MSRP $ 28,110

MSRP $ 28,110

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Larger And Higher

Gracing the within of our two SX Status testers is the bigger 10.3-inch touchscreen, in comparison with the bottom 8.0-inch display screen. It has Kia’s intuitive new infotainment system, which makes enormous strides over its predecessor with a clear and fashionable structure, clear graphics in a enjoyable neon end, and numerous configurable choices. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto do come normal, however as with the 2021 K5, solely the smaller display screen will get wi-fi CarPlay and Android Auto for some purpose. The bigger 10.3-inch display screen is a wired connection solely.

By way of security, the Sorento SX Status affords loads of it out of the field. The usual suite consists of issues like automated emergency braking, lane-keep help with lane-centering, adaptive cruise management that may convey the car to a whole halt, and a nifty Freeway Driving Help characteristic that works flawlessly. HDA makes tiny, persistent changes to the steering to maintain the automotive completely centered, and it accelerates and decelerates extra easily than many different automobiles we have examined.

Too Shut For Consideration?

One drawback we discover with the Sorento, although, is that whereas it does price barely lower than the Telluride out of the field ($29,390 versus $31,990), the smaller three-row begins to encroach on its sibling on the worth factors examined (it is also bit pricier than final yr’s mannequin). Our blue SX Status prices $42,415 with simply two choices: Sapphire Blue paint ($445) and carpeted ground mats ($210). Our loaded Aruba Inexperienced SX Status mannequin asks a steeper $44,170 with choices just like the X-Line package deal ($2,000), the Rust inside ($200), and the identical carpeted ground mats ($200).

A comparable Telluride SX Status with a lot of the identical options prices $46,390. Or if you would like a extra rugged seem like the Sorento X-Line, with the brand new Dusk package deal, the Telluride prices $47,685 earlier than vacation spot and dealing with charges. So only a few thousand {dollars} separate two.

However that’s to not say it is best to merely eat the value enhance and get a Telluride. Although the 2021 Sorento does draw on among the Telluride’s finest bits, this crossover has its personal distinctive fashion and driving character that we a lot desire, to not point out higher tech borrowed from the K5, extra torque, and one of many extra superior energetic security suites we’ve examined just lately. The Sorento is a good crossover that does greater than sufficient to separate itself, no matter worth.