Yahoo Autos 2021 Kia Sorento Satisfies High Expectations
Kia faces a formidable challenge with the launch of its redesigned fourth-generation 2021 Sorento SUV, which comes to market on the heels of the Korean brand's immensely successful and 10Best-winning Telluride crossover. Yet, while both SUVs compete in the same mid-size, three-row segment, the slightly smaller Sorento makes a compelling case with its attractive design, more affordable pricing, and a diverse range of powertrains that includes two gas engines, a hybrid, and an upcoming plug-in hybrid model.
The new Sorento may not have the same bold style as the chunky Telluride. But its chiseled lines look handsomely modern and they set off its more prominent styling details, such as the hexagonal pattern in its grille and its eye-catching LED taillights. A $2800 X-Line appearance package is available on all-wheel-drive SX models, which adds a model-specific roof rack and front and rear bumpers. The X-Line is also available in a fetching Aruba Green color that pairs nicely with Sorento's optional brown leather interior.
While we've only driven well-equipped SX models thus far, we're impressed with the design and material quality of the Sorento's cabin. Its fake wood trim is convincing, its quilted leather upholstery is soft, and its shapely door panels feature attractive stitching and plush armrests. The dashboard's abundance of air vents can look busy, but the SX's crisply rendered 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system sits within easy reach of the driver, and the climate controls are straightforward to operate. Lesser LX, S, and EX models have a smaller 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, but strangely the SX's larger screen requires you to plug your phone in with an old-fashioned USB cable in order to access those features.
With a wheelbase that's 3.4 inches shorter than the Telluride's, the Sorento is closer in size to two-row mid-size crossovers such as the Honda Passport, yet the Kia comes standard with a questionably useful third row of seats. Accommodations in the way back simply aren't comfortable for adults, with limited stretch-out space and a low bottom seat cushion that forces your knees up toward your chest. Plus, we only fit two carry-on suitcases in its cargo area with the third row raised versus the four we fit in the Telluride's aft hold. If we owned a new Sorento, we'd probably leave the third row folded until we absolutely needed to ferry additional riders for short distances. Lower trim levels have a second-row bench seat and seven-passenger capacity, but higher trims are limited to six riders with their second-row captain's chairs.
