2021 Kia Sorento Review

　　

2021 Kia Sorento Video Shorts

by zzdcar Test Team

　　

2021 Kia Sorento Review

byCameron RogersManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　Kia's Sorento has always tried to go above and beyond as one of the few small crossover SUVs with a third row of seats — even if the back row was pretty cramped. As a result, the Sorento has long led a fairly compromised life straddling the two- and three-row SUV segments. But Kia is determined to make the small three-row SUV formula work. The redesigned 2021 Kia Sorento has more interior room and all-new powertrain choices, including a traditional hybrid and a plug-in.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Kia Sorento LX 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$145/mo  for Sorento LX

　　Sorento LX

　　LX 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A) - $29,390 MSRPLX 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A) - $31,190 MSRPS 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A) (Most Popular) - $31,890 MSRPS 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A) - $33,690 MSRPEX 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) - $34,990 MSRPEX 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) - $36,790 MSRPSX 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) - $37,990 MSRPSX 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) - $39,790 MSRPSX Prestige 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) - $40,590 MSRPSX Prestige X-Line 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) - $42,590 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　In short, we're big fans of the new Sorento. It delivers everything you'd want of a modern SUV — comfortable seats, plenty of cargo space, and sprightly acceleration from the optional turbocharged motor. And in a welcome change of pace, this newest version has enough room in the third row for adults. It's significantly better than either the Volkswagen Tiguan or Mitsubishi Outlander — the only other compact SUVs with three rows of seating. Even if you discount the versatility offered by the third row, the Sorento is quite competitive against other compact SUVs, though it does cost quite a bit more than these two-row rivals.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.2

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the Sorento drive? The Sorento with the optional turbocharged engine is downright quick for a small SUV. And it wasn't just the sprint to 60 mph in a mere 6.7 seconds that impressed us but also the way the power continues to build at higher speeds. For comparison, this Sorento is nearly 3 seconds faster than the similarly sized Volkswagen Tiguan and a tick faster than even the V6-powered Honda Passport. Highway merging as well as passing is not a problem in the Sorento. Just as impressive is the new eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which is capable of near seamless shifts in slow-moving traffic or full-throttle merging.

　　Slowing the Sorento can be done with confidence thanks to the nicely balanced and intuitive brake pedal. Stopping from 60 mph, the Sorento showed only a little nosedive and braked in just 121 feet, which is better than average for the class. Handling is similarly confidence-inspiring, but we wish for a little more accuracy in the steering.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Sorento? All three rows of seats provide better-than-expected comfort for a small SUV. The front seats on our top-of-the-line test vehicle offered heating, ventilation and a good range of adjustment. The second-row captain's chairs (a bench seat is standard on lower trim levels) were firm but more comfortable and supportive than bench seats found in other SUVs. The third-row seats are small and low to the floor but still offer enough support for adults. The dual-zone climate control is efficient and easy to use even if the touch-sensitive buttons aren't as responsive as traditional buttons.

　　Ride comfort isn't quite as impressive, and a steady stream of jitters heads into the cabin at lower speeds. The large 20-inch wheels of the Sorento we tested may have been the culprit, and their low-profile tires caused elevated road noise at freeway speeds. On the highway, the Sorento's ride is well controlled, imparting confidence and a sense of stability.

　　

Interior

8.5/10

　　How’s the interior? Contrary to its small SUV classification, the Sorento offers ample space for adults in all three rows. You'll even find more legroom in the second row than in dedicated two-row SUVs such as the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. Taller adults will have plenty of space. Even the third row is hospitable for adults, though it's a bit of a squeeze to get back there. Getting into the Sorento is otherwise an easy affair.

　　The Sorento carries over many of Kia's user-friendly attributes, and buyers new to the brand will have no problem getting a handle on the interior. Visibility is also quite good thanks to ample-size windows and good sight lines throughout the cabin. The optional surround-view camera system offers high-definition images and proves helpful in tight situations.

　　

Technology

8.5/10

　　How’s the tech? Our top-of-the-line test vehicle came decked out with a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, an upgraded Bose audio system and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. The graphics are crisp and creative, but we found some on-screen buttons a bit on the small side. The Bose audio system was slightly less impressive, and we never really found a sweet spot over a wide range of music. The merely average voice command system is the least impressive tech in the Sorento. It lacks natural language recognition and flexibility.

　　With multiple USB ports as well as a wireless charger, passengers won't lack power for their devices. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility is standard, though wireless connectivity is not offered with the larger screen. The Sorento's advanced driver aids are impressive not only in scope but in application. We encountered no false alarms, and with the exception of an overly cautious rear cross-traffic warning system, we had no complaints.

　　

Storage

8.0/10

　　How’s the storage? With the third-row seats up, there's only 12.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity, which equates to a row of about five grocery bags. Its closest competitor, the Volkswagen Tiguan, offers only 12 cubes, and the larger Subaru Ascent offers up to 17.8 cubes. With the third row dropped, the Sorento offers between 38.5 and 45 cubic feet, depending on how far forward you slide the second-row seats. That's more than the roomy Toyota RAV4 (up to 37.6 cubic feet) and the larger Honda Passport (41.2 cubes). With all the seats down, the Sorento holds 75.5 cubic feet, which is on par with the Honda CR-V.

　　Interior storage is another Sorento strong suit. Though it lacks the cleverness of Honda's CR-V and Passport, there's ample, well-thought-out storage options in all three rows. Towing capacity for this new generation of Sorento is a fairly standard 3,500 pounds (the last-generation capacity stood at 5,000 pounds). Sorentos without the turbocharged engine can tow up to 2,000 pounds.

　　

Fuel Economy

8.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the all-wheel-drive Sorento with the turbocharged engine returns 24 mpg combined (21 city/28 highway), and we got a 25.2 mpg average over our 115-mile mixed-driving evaluation loop. As an added bonus, the turbocharged Sorento doesn't need premium gasoline. The Sorento is not as frugal as the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, but it exceeded the mpg numbers we got for the similarly powerful Honda Passport and Subaru Ascent on our eval route.

　　

Value

8.5/10

　　Is the Sorento a good value? As we've come to expect from Kia, the Sorento is well equipped and well built. Even with bits of hard plastic scattered about the cabin, the Sorento features thoughtful detailing and premium touches throughout. Even in a SX Prestige X-Line optioned up to $44,290, the Sorento still manages to look and feel like good value for money, though that price tag puts it closer to larger, more capable SUVs.

　　Kia warranties are class-leading, and the Sorento comes with five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranties. Roadside assistance is more standard at five years/60,000 miles.

　　

Wildcard

8.0/10

　　When equipped with the optional 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, the Kia Sorento is just about as much fun in a straight line as a small SUV can be. Not only is the impressive power addictive but so is the smoothness with which the Sorento goes about gathering speed. As for the rest of the Sorento experience, if you can imagine a baby version of the popular Telluride, you're not very far off.

　　The previous Sorento was always a bit of a compromise and left us thinking it was being asked to do too much. The new Sorento is a revelation as an impressive and versatile small SUV.

　　

Which Sorento does zzdcar recommend?

We think the Sorento's value statement is strongest in the middle of its trim structure, though the ideal pick depends on your needs. If you'll only use the rear seats occasionally, the S trim has plenty of features and keeps the cost low. But if you plan to frequently drive with all seats occupied, you might want to consider the EX, which comes with a more powerful motor. Note that both of these models come with the smaller touchscreen, which, unlike the wider screen in more upper trims, features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This is a rare case of getting more and paying less.

　　

2021 Kia Sorento models

The 2021 Kia Sorento is a three-row compact SUV available in six trim levels: LX, S, EX, SX, SX Prestige and SX Prestige X-Line. Most models come standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The exception to this rule is at the top: The SX Prestige is front-drive only, while the SX Prestige X-Line solely comes in AWD form. There's also a Sorento Hybrid, which is reviewed separately. Highlight features for the Sorento's trims include:

　　LX

　　Starts you off with:

　　2.5-liter four-cylinder (191 horsepower, 181 lb-ft) Eight-speed automatic transmission Selectable drive modes 17-inch wheels LED headlights Heated mirrors Height-adjustable driver's seat Second-row 60/40-split folding bench seat (seven-passenger seating) Third-row 50/50-split folding seats 8-inch infotainment touchscreen Six-speaker audio system Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibilityThe Sorento also comes with:

　　Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued) Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position) Low-speed lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane at low speeds)S

　　Adds a little more style and convenience with:

　　18-inch wheels Remote engine start Gloss black exterior trim Roof rails Leather-wrapped steering wheel Simulated leather seat trim Power-adjustable driver's seat Heated front seats Dual-zone climate control Keyless entry and push-button start Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing) Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)EX

　　On top of S features, the EX adds:

　　2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (281 hp, 311 lb-ft) Eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission LED foglights Second-row captain's chairs Wireless phone charger Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Sorento and the car in front) Forward collision mitigation system (can detect cyclists and brake if it detects a likely collision with an oncoming vehicle — for instance, while turning left across oncoming traffic)SX

　　Adds the following:

　　20-inch wheels Panoramic sunroof (also available as a stand-alone option on S and EX trims) LED taillights Power-adjustable passenger seat 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen Navigation system Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto High-speed lane-keeping systemSX Prestige

　　Dresses up the Sorento with:

　　Digital gauge cluster Auto-dimming rearview mirror Leather seating surfaces Ventilated front seats Heated steering wheel Upgraded 12-speaker Bose audio system Front parking sensors Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle) 360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Sorento and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Blind-spot camera (displays live camera footage to the instrument panel of your blind spots when changing lanes)SX Prestige X-Line

　　The SX Prestige X-Line is essentially just the AWD version of the SX Prestige, though it does add:

　　Unique dark silver exterior trim Different bumpers Lumbar adjustment for the front passenger seat

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2021 Sorento Highlights

Trim: LXSEXSXSX PrestigeSX Prestige X-LineLX

　　

Base MSRP	$29,390
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	26 MPG
Cost to Drive	$145/month
Seating	7 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	12.6 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles