2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid EX in Runway Crimson (a $445 choice)
When the excellent Kia Telluride debuted as a 2020 mannequin, it was an instantaneous hit. This all-new “plus-size” midsize three-row SUV garnered many business accolades (together with a Client Information Greatest Purchase award), and continues to be a prime vendor for the model. The Telluride’s success made it simple to neglect that Kia already had a strong-selling, albeit smaller, three-row midsize SUV in its mannequin lineup. The Kia Sorento was launched as a 2003 mannequin, and for 2021 it will get a whole redesign that brings it out of the shadow of the Telluride and again into the highlight.
The 2021 redesign inaugurates the Sorento’s fourth technology, and brings all-new powertrains, new know-how options, and the first-ever gas-electric hybrid fashions to the Sorento lineup. An all-new “N3” platform, shared with the new-for-2021 Kia K5 midsize sedan, underpins the ‘21 Sorento–Kia says it’s each lighter and stronger than the previous-gen Sorento’s structure. General size stays the identical at 189 inches, and width grows lower than an inch. A slight wheelbase stretch (1.4 inches, to 110.8 inches complete) bumps second-row legroom up 2.3 inches to 41.7 inches, however third-row legroom shrinks about two inches, to 29.6.
The 2021 Kia Sorento’s physique styling will get a crisper, extra angular look than the previous-generation mannequin. Design thrives embody satin-finish brightwork and an fascinating “dorsal-fin” roof-pillar trim accent.
The trim ranges for the “common” gas-engine Sorentos ascend via LX, S, EX, SX, SX Status, and SX Status X-Line fashions. LX and S fashions get the bottom engine—a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that’s paired with an 8-speed automated transmission. EX, SX, and the SX Status fashions step as much as a 281-hp turbocharged 2.5 4 that’s mated to an 8-speed dual-clutch automated transmission. Base costs vary from $29,390 for a front-wheel-drive LX to $42,590 for the SX Status X-Line.
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The highest trim ranges of the 2021 Kia Sorento household are the Hybrid EX (left), the SX Status (proper), and the SX Status X-Line (heart). The X-Line will get off-road-focused touches corresponding to a raised journey top and a beefier roof rack.
Save for the 2 Status fashions, all trim ranges can be found with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive (AWD tacks on a $1800 worth premium no matter mannequin). The SX Status is front-drive solely, whereas the SX Status X-Line comes solely with AWD. The X-Line additionally will get off-road-focused touches corresponding to a better journey top (8.2 inches of floor clearance as a substitute of 6.9 inches), a snow mode for its AWD system, distinctive physique trim, elevated strategy and departure angles, and a bridge-type roof-rack system.
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The Sorento’s management format is easy and simple to make use of. Hybrid fashions get a easy analog cost/eco/energy gauge that helps facilitate an environment friendly driving model. The middle console is residence to the rotary shift knob, drive-mode selector knob, heated seat switches, and a cubby bin that homes USB ports and a wi-fi charging pad. Heated and ventilated entrance seats and a heated steering wheel are normal on SX Status fashions, however not supplied on the hybrids.
For now, the Sorento Hybrid is available in simply two trim ranges—S and EX. Each are powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder paired with an electrical motor and a 6-speed automated transmission. Complete powertrain output is 227 horsepower, and the EPA fuel-economy scores are 39 mpg metropolis, 35 freeway, 37 mixed. The 2021 Sorento Hybrid is on the market solely with front-wheel drive. An AWD model of the hybrid is slated to debut for the 2022 mannequin 12 months, as is a plug-in-hybrid variant that might be powered by a 261-hp turbo 1.6 4-cylinder with a bigger battery pack and a more-powerful electrical motor. Kia says the Sorento PHEV will supply an estimated all-electric driving vary of as much as 30 miles.
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There’s respectable room for adults within the Sorento’s second-row seats. The third-row is greatest suited to youngsters, however it will possibly accommodate bigger passengers in a pinch. They’ll journey knees-up, nevertheless, for the reason that seat bottoms are low to the ground.
The ’21 Sorento’s newly accessible security/driver-assist applied sciences embody Lane Following Help (which works with the adaptive cruise management system to maintain the automobile centered in its lane), Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Help + Parallel Exit (which warns of incoming parallel visitors whenever you’re leaving a parking spot), Rear Occupant Alert (which warns of probably forgotten passengers or gadgets within the again seat), Secure Exit Help (which may detect an object approaching from the rear and maintain the kid security locks activated till the item passes). Additionally, the ahead collision-warning system positive factors pedestrian/bicycle owner detection and junction turning functionality, and the adaptive cruise management system now has full stop-and-go functionality and the power to regulate velocity in curves based mostly on information from the navigation system.
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Second-row passengers get USB ports conveniently situated on the inboard facet of the entrance seatbacks, in addition to dual-level front-seatback map pockets and a mesh pocket on the inboard facet of the seat cushion.
We’ve pushed solely the Sorento Hybrid so far, so evaluations of the brand new gasoline-only powertrains must look forward to future take a look at drives. Our take a look at automobile was a Hybrid EX mannequin, which comes properly geared up with normal options corresponding to a big panoramic sunroof with energy sunshade, height-adjustable hands-free energy liftgate, heated entrance seats, enhanced forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise management with stop-and-go functionality, and forward-facing park-assist sensors along with rear-facing sensors. The lone choice on our tester was Runway Crimson paint, a $445 further that introduced the bottom-line worth to $38,205, together with the $1170 vacation spot payment—a decent worth contemplating the hybrid powertrain and the extent of normal options.
A turbocharged engine is an uncommon option to pair with a hybrid powertrain, since each turbos and fuel/electrical hybrid methods current challenges to the sleek, seamless supply of energy. Nonetheless, Kia’s engineers did a wonderful job right here—the Sorento Hybrid’s powertrain is well-behaved, and delivers respectably linear acceleration. It won’t be fairly as polished as the most recent batch of Toyota hybrids, nevertheless it’s shut. The acceleration is robust sufficient that the front-wheels can typically briefly scrabble for traction should you flooring it from a cease (we sit up for the AWD model for that reason), and all-around energy is satisfactory, if not thrilling, in each metropolis commuting and freeway driving.
The brakes are pretty simple to modulate for clean deceleration, although they will get barely grabby simply earlier than you come to an entire cease—a typical trait of hybrid autos, and one thing that house owners will probably acclimate to in brief order. General, the Sorento’s quietness is on par with class opponents. The engine notice is properly muffled general, nevertheless it does have a slightly coarse tone in quick acceleration.
This being a First Spin report, we didn’t have sufficient time with out take a look at automobile to place it via our regular fuel-economy testing process, however the dashboard’s fuel-economy readout indicated a mean of 32 mpg after a slight majority of freeway miles—under the official EPA’s combined-driving estimate of 37 mpg, although the chilly temperatures throughout our take a look at probably had an impact.
Although the brand new Sorento’s appears to be like are sharper-edged than the earlier mannequin, its driving persona is as nice and relaxed as ever. The dealing with is completely competent and predictable, however not as crisp as some equally sized class rivals. The steering really feel isn’t significantly sporty both—there’s little or no suggestions from the highway—however it’s pleasingly direct and responsive. Our take a look at automobile rode fairly comfortably, and absorbed bumps and tough pavement properly on its 17-inch wheels. We count on that the 18-inch and 20-inch wheels (and their lower-profile tire sidewalls) on different Sorentos will convey a slight penalty in journey high quality.
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Each third-row passengers get a USB port, a cupholder, and a cell-phone storage bin. Simply seen on the higher left is a molded-in seize deal with that makes it simpler to climb out of the again seat. The 12-volt jack and second-row seatback launch buttons are accessible when standing on the rear of the automobile.
Easy, easy management layouts and dashboard instrumentation are a Kia sturdy level, and the brand new Sorento retains up the custom. The rotary-dial shift knob is straightforward to make use of, and frees up a little bit of center-console area. The local weather controls are touch-sensitive; we’re sometimes not followers of touch-sensitive controls, which are sometimes finicky and don’t all the time react to being pressed, however we had no points with the Sorento’s setup. The dashboard’s HVAC vents have an uncommon two-tiered format so air will be directed upward and downward, or individually blocked off by closing the vents—a pleasant function for extra-temperature-sensitive people (which in all probability contains virtually each married individual’s partner). One other good contact: lighted USB ports which are simple to see at nighttime.
There’s glorious headroom and good legroom within the driver’s seat. The seating place itself is kind of comfy—it’s a shade decrease than in lots of midsize SUVs, because the Sorento hews a bit extra to the automobile facet of the automobile/SUV crossover equation than a few of its rivals (we contemplate {that a} good factor). All-around visibility is kind of good, although the third-row headrests intrude on the view out the rear window. A rearview digicam mirror (like those on some GM and Toyota SUVs) isn’t accessible, however the SX Status fashions come normal with a 360-degree surround-view digicam show and blind-spot cameras that show left- or right-side views within the instrument panel when the suitable flip sign is activated.
Fuel-engine LX and S fashions have a second-row bench seat for seven-passenger capability. All different Sorentos get second-row captain’s chairs, which cut back capability to 6 passengers however present higher pass-through area and a much less closed-in really feel within the third-row seats. The second-row seats are comfy and supply sufficient legroom adult-friendly legroom in the event that they’re adjusted all the best way again. Reclining the seat backs frees up sufficient headroom for tall passengers—in any other case, the housing for the panoramic sunroof cuts into headroom a bit. The rear doorways’ interior handles are properly designed—they’re sturdy and simple for youths to seize and use. We additionally preferred the second-row cupholders, that are well positioned at armrest stage on the ahead fringe of the door panels.
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Cargo room is a bit stingy behind the third-row seats at 12.6 cubic toes. Fold the third-row, and the amount grows to between 38.5 to 45.0 cubic toes, relying on the place of the second-row seats. With each the second- and third-row seatbacks folded, cargo area expands to a decent 75.5 cubic toes.
Second-row passengers get HVAC vents on the again on the entrance heart console, in addition to USB jacks conveniently situated on the inboard facet of the entrance seat backs. There are additionally some intelligent small-items storage touches, together with small storage nets on the inboard facet of the second-row seat cushions, and dual-level map pockets (the interior one is strong materials, the outer one is see-through mesh) on the entrance seatbacks.
Useful buttons on the highest of the second-row seat backs make it simple to tilt and slide the second-row seats ahead, easing entry to the third row. The third-row seats are set low to the ground, which leads to a knees-up seating place, however they’re OK for youths. Teenagers and small adults also needs to be OK within the third row, not less than for brief journeys, if the second-row passengers cooperate by transferring the second-row seats ahead to open up extra third-row legroom. Each third-row passengers get a USB jack, cupholder, and cellphone storage bin.
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Sorento Hybrids are powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder paired with an electrical motor for a complete output of 227 horsepower. Each S and EX hybrid fashions come normal with 17-inch alloy wheels.
In all, the Sorento’s inside feels very space-efficient; there’s good room throughout the tidy-for-a-three-row-SUV exterior dimensions. Nonetheless, in order for you three-row seating AND ample cargo room behind the third row… nicely, that’s why Kia sells the bigger Telluride. The Sorento has 12.6 cubic toes of area behind the third-row seats—sufficient for a small grocery run, however not much more. The Sorento is likely one of the smallest three-row midsize SUVs, however what it offers up in most cargo and passenger area, it positive factors in “parkability” and drivability.
The previous-generation Sorento was a reliable midsize SUV that, regardless of quietly placing up some respectable gross sales numbers, appeared to get misplaced within the shuffle of that extremely aggressive section. The brand new 2021 Sorento, with its a lot broader mannequin roster, recent styling, and new know-how options, appears poised to place the nameplate on the radar of a better variety of consumers.
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The redesigned-for-2021 Kia Sorento is a properly executed, inexpensive three-row midsize SUV that packs good inside area inside wise exterior dimensions, and it affords a refined, economical hybrid powertrain besides.
Hearken to the very entertaining Client Information Automotive Stuff Podcast
2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid Gallery
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Client Information Automotive Stuff Podcast, Episode 57; 2021 Client Information Greatest Buys
