The conclusion: The new 2021 Kia Sorento, the middle kid in a family of SUVoverachievers, is ready for the spotlight owing to a smartly designed cabin, agreeable driving dynamics, and a long list of standard safety systems.
Comparing the Sorento to the competition: The Sorento distinguishes out thanks to a sleek new multimedia system and luxurious inside materials, however many other three-row SUVs of its size have more cargo space.
For 2021, Kia updated the Sorento three-row SUV, which now sits next to the Telluride model in the lineup. This year’s Sorento is larger, comes with a more luxurious interior, an optional hybrid powertrain, more standard safety equipment, and a tough off-road variant. Compared to the previous model.
See how the new Sorento stacks up against vehicles like the Volkswagen Atlas, Toyota Highlander, and Honda Pilot.
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Best Dressed Award
The Telluride’s inside was expertly done by Kia, but it appears that the automaker was only honing its skills in preparation for the Sorento, whose interior belongs in a higher class.
I drove the SX-Prestige X-Line trim level, the highest available. It was beautiful, with an elegant design, upscale materials, and careful attention to every detail. Yes to soft-touch plastic padding in all the right places, elegant low-gloss wood trim, and plush quilted leather seats. Less expensive trims probably won’t have as much of all that, but this trim gets it perfectly.
Additionally, the cabin has been deliberately packaged, with an emphasis on little things that add up in terms of comfort and convenience. The large open area under the controls, the small mesh pockets on the side of the second-row seats, the abundance of USB ports in all three rows, and the rubber cargo mat that can be pulled out from behind the back seats to help contain messy items in the back are just a few of the features that we like best.
For 2021, the new Sorento has grown slightly and is now supported by a wheelbase that is 1.4 inches longer. Although it still has three rows, there is a little more space for passengers and goods than the previous model thanks to the longer wheelbase. I had second-row captain’s seats, but a bench seat that accommodates three people is also an option. Two people sit in the third row.
In terms of rear legroom, the Sorento is on the roomier side of the class, but it lags behind rivals a little in terms of headroom. I had plenty of both at 5’6″ and we had no trouble fitting two child safety seats in the second row because the Latch anchors were conveniently accessible and there was enough space. To learn more, visit our Car Seat Check. A button on the captain’s chairs instantly opens a wide passageway to the third row, making access there hassle-free as well, however this feature is inoperable when car seats are in place. If that is the case, people will have to use the relatively small aisle that is in between the chairs.
The third row in the outgoing Sorento was only comfortable for little children (or for grownups you don’t get along with), and even if this year’s model is a little bit roomier, it will still be uncomfortable for adults. However, Kia has accomplished a lot with little: On each side of my test model, there were storage spaces large enough to store a device, cupholders, and USB connections. Additionally, there are two sets of top tether anchors for car seats there, as well as two sets of lower anchorsa feature not all three-row SUVs have. (The third row of the Highlander, for instance, lacks lower anchors.)
Tech Revamp
The multimedia system in the Sorento can also be added to the thoughtful-items column. This year, a huge 10.25-inch touchscreen is available (borrowed from the Telluride). The 2018 Sorento’s highest trims place it front and center, while the lower trims use a conventional 8-inch unit. The system satisfies all requirements: It has good responsiveness, is simple to use, and is easy to see and read. Though perhaps I’m just not cool enough to get the allure of encasing radio station frequencies in vintage lightbulbs, I found some of the graphics to be a little off-putting. Or old enough to recognize a vacuum tube. [Editor’s note:
The multimedia system employs the most recent Kia Uvo software, and it has improved voice-control capabilities that enable management of the audio system, seats, steering-wheel heating, and climate settings. Uvo has two new features as well. Find My Car first takes pictures of its surroundings with the car’s cameras before sharing them on the Kia Access Uvo app. The other is the Last Mile feature, which, if it detects that the automobile is parked between 0.1 and 1.2 kilometers from your final destination, will provide you walking directions.
A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, up to eight USB charging outlets, a rotary gear selector (which wasn’t at all annoying to use, unlike some others), and accessible wireless smartphone charging are further new features in the cabin. Smartphone integration for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard, just like in the 2020 model. Although it costs $1,500, a rear-seat entertainment system is an optional amenity.
Unruffled Road Manners
The comfy and upscale interior of the 2021 Kia Sorento matches the car’s on-road demeanor. The updated SUV has a new platform, some new powertrains, including a hybrid, and does away with its old ones. There is a base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 191 horsepower and an upgraded 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 281 horsepower via a turbocharger. There is no longer a V-6 available.
After a small amount of turbo lag, the power was quick, smooth, and quiet when I tried the turbo 2.5-liter with the eight-speed automatic. The automated engine stop-start technology was well-behaved and provided transitions that were almost seamless. Eco, Sport, Comfort, and Snow settings are available on a drive mode selection; I preferred Sport due to its accelerated acceleration response.
The model I tested was the new, off-road-oriented X-Line SX-Prestige grade; in addition to a more durable all-wheel-drive system, it also features a roof rack, 20-inch alloy wheels, an additional inch of ride height, and a bumper designed specifically for the trim. Although I didn’t get to test the Sorento’s AWD system, I did find it to be steady and assured at all times, keeping composure over bumps and steadiness in bends. Some editors, however, thought the ride was a bit rough. Smaller wheels will probably result in a smoother ride.
The Sorento will also be offered with a front-wheel-drive hybrid powertrain that combines an electric motor and 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine to provide 227 horsepower overall. For a car of this size, the EPA estimates solid numbers of 39/35/37 mpg city/highway/combined. In this class, Toyota provides a hybrid Highlander that gets 36/35/36 mpg with front-wheel drive and slightly less with all-wheel drive, which the standard Sorento Hybrid doesn’t. Later in 2021, a plug-in hybrid Sorento will offer it.
With regard to fuel efficiency, the standard Sorento is likewise no slouch. It achieves an EPA-estimated 23/25/24 mpg with the basic engine and AWD, which is better than the Pilot (19/26/22 mpg), Atlas (20/24/22 mpg), and Highlander (20/27/23 mpg) base AWD variants.
Safety
For 2021, Kia increased the number of mandatory safety features and introduced several new options. Automated emergency braking with pedestrian recognition, a driver attention alert system, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane maintain assist, and automatic lane centering are all included as standard across the lineup.
The forward collision warning system has a cyclist component that assists in detecting cyclists in front of the vehicle and automatically braking to avoid an accident. Other features include blind spot collision avoidance assist, a blind view monitor, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist, navigation-based adaptive cruise control, and cyclist component. Safe departure assistance for the back seats is additionally offered; it makes use of the SUV’s rear-facing radar to identify approaching vehicles and bicycles and prevents the opening of the back door.
In terms of safety features, the Sorento is competitive, even outperforming some rival three-row SUVs in some categories. When a child or pet moves in the second or third row after the doors have been locked, the standard rear-seat warning system employs ultrasonic sensors to detect the movement and sounds the horn and turns on the danger lamps. Many other automakers have a less sophisticated door sequence logic system, which only recalls drivers who had opened a rear door before driving, in the event that they do not reopen it later.
My preferred safety feature, the available blind view monitor, is another another outstanding product. The turn signal activates the monitor, which displays a live video feed of the lanes next to it in the instrument cluster. When I’m traveling in a crowded city and have to share the road with other vehicles, bikes, and people, I find this to be extremely helpful.
But What About the Telluride?
We were so impressed with Kia’s 2020 Telluride SUV that we questioned why the company was still making the smaller Sorento. The Telluride and a revamped Sorento from 2021 are both good cars, which puts them in direct competition with one another because of their similar starting costs.
Just below the Telluride’s $33,415 basic price, the base LX variant of the 2021 Kia Sorento costs $30,565. (all prices include destination). While the Telluride has more space, a thirstier V-6 engine is also required. View the models side by side.
The Sorento costs thousands less than the Volkswagen Atlas, Toyota Highlander, and Honda Pilot combined. Only the S and EX trims are offered in the Sorento Hybrid, which has a starting price of $34,765. Although the hybrid model’s price premium appears to be considerable, it is less expensive than the Highlander Hybrid, which has a base LE trim price of $39,685.
With its 2021 facelift, the Sorento, one of a number of three-row SUVs in the class and perhaps even from the range of the automaker itself, has earned some time in the spotlight. Kia boasts a solid roster of SUVs. Customers seeking for a three-row SUV in this situation stand to gain from a little sibling competition.
What will the Kia Sorento cost in 2021?
Price of a 2021 Kia Sorento The base front-wheel-drive LX model of the new Sorento costs $29,390, and the top-of-the-line (all-wheel-drive) SX Prestige X-Line costs $42,590. The LX, S (beginning at $31,890), EX ($34,990), and SX ($37,990) versions cost an additional $1,800 when equipped with all-wheel drive.
Is it wise to purchase a 2021 Kia Sorento?
Three rows of comfortable seats, a ton of user-friendly electronic features, and a respectable maximum cargo space are all highlights of the Sorento’s upmarket cabin. We named the Sorento our Best 3-Row SUV for the Money for 2021 because to its exceptional blend of quality and affordability.
What should I budget for a brand-new Kia Sorento?
While a Sorento EX starts at $35,490, an AWD S model with the X-Line equipment starts at $34,390. Starting slightly above the Sorento SX, which starts at $38,290, is the 2022 Kia Sorento X-Line EX AWD variant at $39,190. The X-Line SX Prestige AWD, the top 2022 Kia Sorento, starts at $43,190.
How much does a fully equipped Kia Sorento cost?
The 2022 Kia Sorento SX incorporates everything from the X-Line EX, much like the EX did. It does, however, lose all-wheel drive. The price is $41,165. If you choose the 2022 Kia Sorento SX Prestige, you’ll have an even finer vehicle. Costing $42,265 is the 2022 Kia Sorento SX Prestige. This has all the same features as the 2022 Kia Sorento SX in addition to adding power-folding mirrors, a digital instrument cluster, ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. You also get a 12-speaker Bose audio system and front parking sensors with the Kia Sorento SX Prestige.
The 2022 Kia Sorento SX Prestige X-Line costs $44,265 when the X-Line option is added, the same as with the other Kia Sorento models.
You should be able to find the ideal SUV for you among the 2022 Kia Sorento’s many options. Once your spending limit has been established, you have a wide range of options, from the Sorento LX to the Sorento SX Prestige. Regardless of your choose, you’ll like your 2022 Kia Sorento.
Is the Kia Sorento a good investment?
Over the past few years, a ton of excellent SUVs that are suitable for families have been produced. As a result, the area feels fairly confined, and many customers are unsure of which vehicle to select.
The 2020 Kia Sorento is one of the most notable current models since it provides many advantages over rivals. Much of this can be observed in the fact that the car is one of the most cheap models in its class while yet offering a high-quality cabin.
Many people would presume that the 2020 Kia Sorento lacks a considerable number of amenities because of its affordable price, but this isn’t the case. Instead, a wide range of them are offered as standard features, and the ones that are optional are similarly reasonably priced.
However, a lot of prospective customers might not be persuaded by price alone. Instead, they will want to make sure the car is suitable for them. There are a lot of reasons why you ought to think about purchasing it.
Over the past few years, the Kia Sorento lineup has seen quite a few noticeable alterations. The majority of problems, however, happened with the 2019 model of the car. The removal of the turbocharged engine option is among the more noticeable changes that were made.
Despite this, purchasers of the 2020 Kia Sorento can still choose a V6, which means they will still have access to a lot of power. In 2019, there were a few further changes in addition to the engine upgrade, such as a redesigned interior and appearance.
The 2018 Kia Sedona has undergone some minor changes and enhancements, but anyone hoping for brand-new features may be let down. The main reason for this is that there haven’t been many, if any, recent additions.
Despite this, thanks to these changes, the 2020 Sedona does provide a sizable amount of high-quality driving. As a result, those who have acquired earlier iterations may be able to benefit from the upgrades, particularly if their model is a few years old.
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2020 Kia SorentoThe Pros
There are a lot of noteworthy advantages to the 2020 Kia Sorento. There are a few important reasons why the car might stand out to many potential purchasers as a result. Although a lot of this may depend greatly on personal preferences, there are a few situations in which the SUV is strongly advised.
The Base Model Offers Excellent Value for the Price.
One of the most noticeable features of the 2020 Kia Sorento is that, contrary to popular belief, the base model is substantially more cheap. Although this could give some people the impression that there aren’t many features included as standard, this isn’t the case.
Instead, there are a significant amount of features that come with the base model, making it far more affordable than many alternatives. Even though the higher-end trims bring this down a little, it is still noticeable when compared to the majority of its rivals.
2. Numerous Powertrain Choices
Although the 2017 Kia Sorento no longer has a turbocharged engine, there are still a lot of different powertrain options. There is a V6 variant available, giving the SUV a sizable boost in power.
Additionally, an optional AWD is offered, which makes the ride much smoother than that of rivals. Regardless of the engine choice consumers make, they should be able to see quite an excellent fuel efficiency.
Drive Pleasant 3.
Unlike what many people might anticipate, the 2020 Kia Sorento offers a far more enjoyable driving experience. This is most apparent in the vehicle’s elegant cabin, which adds to its comfort when driving.
Much of this is also evident in how quiet the engine is within the cabin and how smooth the drive is. Along with this, there is a significant degree of shock absorption, so drivers shouldn’t be concerned about road imperfections.
4. Options for Smart Braking
Since most SUVs need to have a lot of power behind them to brake effectively, this is a problem for them. Despite the fact that this is generally true, some braking systems may feel considerably safer than others for a variety of reasons.
Most folks will wish to use the braking system that the new Kia Sorento has to offer. This is based on weight distribution rather than evenly applying the brakes, which frequently results in far better stopping force.
5. UVO App & Feature
The 2017 Kia Sorento’s availability of a UVO function is one of its standout features. Drivers can pair their smartphone or other connected device with the SUV in this way to control a number of features.
The most notable of them, among many more, include locking and unlocking the car and managing the music system. Even though not everyone might use this, it might end up being pretty helpful.
6. Superior Features
The 2020 Kia Sorento is offered in five trim levels, each of which offers a sizable amount of features. Each trim may offer quite a substantial variety of possibilities, depending on the specific preferences of a consumer.
Despite the fact that the higher-end options are inevitably more expensive than the base model, the features that are included with each trim level may offer a significant amount of value.
7. Safety Improvements
Although the Kia Sorento comes with a lot of safety features as standard equipment, there are quite a few enhancements that are available that many people could find appealing. Even if several of the SUV’s rivals provide comparable features, the Sorento’s improvements appear to be less expensive.
The 2020 Sorento excels over the bulk of its rivals when it comes to safety features that come standard.
8. Outstanding Warranty
Although this is something that most SUVs may lack in a number of aspects, particularly when it comes to distance, the majority of them will still give a guarantee that is lengthy enough. The 2020 Kia Sorento, however, offers a far longer warranty than many customers might have anticipated.
This applies to the entire car as well as the powertrain, both of which last a lot longer than many of its rivals.
9. Several Exterior Elements
The outside of many SUVs may not be as well-designed or upgradeable as some people may desire, which is one of its main disadvantages. However, compared to most of its rivals, the 2017 Kia Sorento delivers a significant number more enhancements.
The majority of individuals will want to take advantage of the fact that there are quite a few of them provided as standard, which goes hand in hand with this. The cost of the optional external enhancements shouldn’t be prohibitive for customers.
10. Large Towing Capability V6
The 2020 Kia Sorento’s base engine has a lot of towing capacity, but when compared to other vehicles in its class, it can be clearly missing. The SUV’s optional V6 engine upgrade, though, delivers a lot more than you might anticipate.
Buyers ought to perceive a lot of value in the update when combined with the increased overall engine power that comes with it.
buying advice
Compare prices online before buying a new car to avoid paying too much. Find out the price in advance before entering a dealership. The following free services are suggested by us: Car Clearance Deals, NADAguides, CarsDirect, and Motortrend.
These free sites will provide you the best deals and provide you with numerous price quotations from rival businesses. Before visiting the dealer, you will be aware of the best pricing.