1st Place: 2016 Kia Sorento, Jeff Wilson

At every opportunity, Senior Editor Jonathan Yarkony likes to point out his impressive record of predicting the winner of our comparison tests before we even start the testing.  While he surely has at least a 50 percent win rate, it’s unlikely any of our group of evaluators were surprised by the Kia’s victory in this test.

Several Autos.ca team members have already logged some considerable seat time in our 2016 Sorento long-term vehicle and know how great a machine it is.  For others like me, this was a first up close and personal engagement with the Korean family hauler, and let me tell you, it does not disappoint.

Like every modern Kia, its styling, both inside and out, makes it look and feel much more expensive than it is.  The exterior doesn’t break any new ground for revolutionary aesthetics in the segment, but neither does it offend.  It’s inside where the magic really happens, with high quality materials and a design language that’s clean and sophisticated.  More impressive is that it is not only pleasing on the eyes, it’s also highly functional with controls that feature simple buttons and knobs, and an infotainment system that’s logical and responsive – by far the best of the bunch.

Seating all-round in the Sorento is comfortable, and for those up front, the heated and cooled functions (plus heated steering wheel) are features that become must-haves once you’ve experienced them.  Middle and third row passengers give up a bit of space compared to some of the larger competitors in this segment, but for most families, there should still be ample space for family getaways.

Not only did our Sorento offer up more luxury than pretty much everything else in the group, but it did so with the second-lowest price, reminding us that Kia is still a value-leading brand.  Plus, with thoughtful touches like easy latch points for child seats, it’s clearly a brand that has considered the real world usability of the vehicle.

But where previously Kia would offer up loads of content and a low price, it was often at the expense of refinement in the drivetrain and suspension.  With this new Sorento, that’s no longer the case.  Its strong 3.3L V6 hauling the least amount of mass make the Sorento is a solid performer, although a couple testers noted it holding lower gears and seeing the revs climb unnecessarily. But for the most part it’s smooth and quiet, much like the ride, making the decent stereo system all the more enjoyable.

Steering and handling were reported by some to be numb, but admittedly, still very much on par with any other rig in this test.  And by having tidier dimensions overall, the Kia is comparatively easier to park, too.  Yarkony raved: “It rides on a solid foundation with a comfortable and yet competent balance between handling, maneuverability and smoothness, not to mention reassuring steering and braking feel that increased confidence and paired well with its small footprint to make it easy to drive and park.”

To say the new Sorento is improved over last year’s would be a considerable understatement.  They have taken a mid-pack performer at best and not only made dramatic improvements in their own right, they’ve redefined a market segment filled with new and already-impressive offerings from other marques.

If Mr. Yarkony wants to make another winning prediction, he should bet there’ll be greater demand for the Sorento’s keys amongst the Autos.ca team.

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