The Kia Sorento is a "tweener," playing in the space between small crossovers such as the Honda CR-V and midsized vehicles like the Toyota Highlander. Splitting segments like that allows the Sorento to be city friendly while offering accommodations, storage, and features akin to larger vehicles. For some shoppers, this Goldilocks package lands in the sweet spot.
The new looks are backed up by substance, manifested in a comfortable ride, quiet cabin, and reassuring handling -- not to mention the peace of mind that comes with driving an SUV deemed a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
The base Sorento comes with just a 185-hp four-cylinder engine. If you want more power from either a turbo four cylinder or a V6, or if you want a third-row seat, it will cost you a few grand more.
Our tested EX V6 trim adds leather seating surfaces, heated power front seats, and automatic climate control. It's classy inside.With the V6, you'll always get the kids to soccer practice on time. The engine's 290 hp is routed through a six-speed automatic transmission to the front or all four wheels. Our AWD V6 version is capable of towing an impressive 5,000 pounds.
On the road, the Sorento has a comfortable ride, absorbs pavement flaws effectively, and transmits low levels of road and wind noise into the cabin. Handling, traditionally not one of Kia's fortes, is responsive and secure. The third row is roomy for younger kids.
Kia has made living with the Sorento as easy as possible. Pairing your phone via Bluetooth is straightforward, and the voice control system understands myriad commands. But the EX has a disappointingly small touch screen for the radio, and only three audio presets appear on the screen at one time.
A caveat: Shortly after we purchased our $37,915 tested model, an EX Touring package became available. It adds $2,900 to the price and includes a much larger, easier-to-use touch screen with navigation, as well as a massive dual-pane moonroof. Had that model been available at launch, we would have purchased it instead.
That said, 40 grand is a lot to pay for a crossover that literally doesn't measure up to the competition. Its features may be the equal of the larger SUVs on the market, but when you're hauling kids and their stuff, those precious extra inches of length and cargo capacity might make a huge difference.
The Sorento's pleasant driving experience and family-friendly functionality have placed it among our highest-scoring midsized SUVs. It may be a tweener, but it is right-sized for us.