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February 1, 2010
The six-cylinder models I drove felt plenty powerful, and the engine is a smooth one that sounds good when pressed; the automatic transmission is equally good. I didn’t get a chance to drive a four-cylinder model, but my experience with the 2.4-litre engine in the Magentis and Forte suggests that it will be adequate in the Sorento, but not much more than that.
    2011 Kia Sorento EX V6 Luxury AWD 7-passenger. Click image to enlarge |
The Sorento’s interior is nicely laid out and looks good, but it’s made up of the same hard plastics found in other Kia models. This is what we’ve come to expect from Kia in its aim to offer well-equipped, budget-priced vehicles, but a little more padding, especially on surfaces that invite elbow contact, would be welcome. There’s a nicely-sized cubby at the bottom of the centre stack, and another behind and beneath that where small items like MP3 players could be kept out of sight.
On the whole, the Sorento is comfortable, with good space in the front seats. Second row space is good, too, though legroom is noticeably limited with the front seats in their rearmost positions. The optional third row seat (photo by Michael Clark) is usable, though barely, by adults; the bigger problem is gaining access to the third row, a feat not to be attempted by those of limited flexibility. Five seat models get an underfloor storage compartment in the cargo area which I think is just as useful, if not more so, than the extra row of seating.
Folding the second row creates a nearly flat load floor, aided by a bottom cushion that drops a couple of inches as the seatback is lowered. A nice touch are the headrests that automatically flip forward as the seatback is folded, negating the need to remove and store them.
In its class, Kia claims more interior passenger volume than the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V and Chevy Equinox, and more total cargo capacity (with all seats folded) than all of those, as well as the Toyota RAV4.
The Sorento follows Kia’s philosophy of loading in lots of standard equipment for not much money. The lineup starts with the LX four-cylinder, six-speed manual model, priced at $23,995. Basic equipment includes a full slate of safety kit, like anti-lock brakes, six airbags, stability control (ESC) and traction control. Also included are downhill assist control, and hill ascent control; the former limits the Sorento’s speed on steep downgrades, particularly in off-road situations, while the latter keeps the car from rolling back while the driver moves their foot from the brake to gas pedals while stopped on a hill.
Standard comfort and convenience stuff includes single-setting heated front seats, air conditioning, power windows, locks and mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering, trip computer, a windshield wiper de-icer, cruise control and steering wheel mounted audio controls.
 2011 Kia Sorento LX V6 FWD. Click image to enlarge |
That starting price is a nice number, but as with so many entry level models, won’t attract that many takers in this class, if only because few SUV buyers seem to go for manual transmissions. No doubt Kia knows this, which is why the lowest-priced automatic model is a significant $3,600 step up ($27,595), though it also adds roof rails, lighted visors, rear parking sonar and Kia’s eco-minder indicator.
The lowest-priced all-wheel drive model, the LX AWD, is worth $28,495. The EX FWD four-cylinder trim adds 18-inch alloy wheels, leather seating, a power driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control and an auto-dimming rearview mirror with a rear view camera; that model is priced at $29,795, and the EX AWD four-cylinder is priced at $31,695.
The LX V6 FWD model is equipped much like its four-cylinder counterpart, and is priced at $29,095. Six-cylinder models can be optioned with a third row of seating, for an MSRP of $30,295 with FWD and $32,995 for an all-wheeler.
If suffices to say the Sorento’s option sheet is a long one, with no fewer than five four-cylinder models, and 10 V6 trims. Pricing tops out at $39,195 for the EX V6 AWD Luxury seven-seat model; that Luxury designation adds a rear spoiler, premium 10-speaker audio system and navigation with rear-view camera.
The Sorento is built at Kia’s new assembly plant in West Point, Georgia, and will be at Kia dealers across Canada in the first week of February.
Related posts:
- New Kia Sorento will be first built in U.S. plant
- Kia unveils all-new, U.S.-built Sorento
- Kia unveils roomier, more powerful Sorento
- Inside Story: 2011 Kia Sorento
- Used Vehicle Review: Kia Sorento, 2003-2009
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