Vehicle Review: 2021 KIA Sorento X-Line SX Prestige AWD

Early Years

The Kia Sorneto is a mid-size crossover SUV that was built by South Korean automaker Kia. When it debuted in 2002 it did so as was a traditional sport utility vehicle (SUV) with a body on truck frame design. There was even an option for a 4x4 low range drive system for those buyers who were serious about their off-road adventures. In 2009 the automaker shifted the second generation Sorento to the more popular mid-size crossover platform, which utilizes a passenger car for a smoother ride. At that time Kia also introduced its new design language through the Sorento as well as new features and technology that would later become available on other Kia models.

All-New 2021 Sorento

Today the all new 4th generation 2021 Sorento is built on the versatile 3rd generation N3 platform. This platform is a lighter, stronger and more flexible design than previous models and is shared with both cars and SUV's in the Kia and Hyundai fleet. This new platform update allows the Sorento to extend its wheelbase by 1.4" providing a smoother ride. This extended platform also allows for the vehicle's overall length to be extended providing second-row captain's chairs in place of the standard second-row rear split bench seat and more cabin room for third row passengers. The 2021 will be available in six different trim levels, LX, S, EX, SX, SX Prestige, and SX Prestige X-Line.

Sorento has always been one of Kia'o;s premier products. Its combination of style, utility, safety and comfort have made it a perennial customer favorite. This stunning new Sorento sets the bar in the compact SUV class even higher and represents the pinnacle of Kia design and engineering. We're extremely proud to add it to our line-up of incredible automobiles.

Sean Yoon, President and CEO, Kia Motors North America and Kia Motors America

Powerplant Options

This all new Sorento is probably one of the more versatile vehicles a buyer could look at. Not only does it offer six different trims levels for buyers to choose from, but there will be a total of four different powerplant configurations available as well. You can also pick between front wheel drive (FWD) and All-wheel drive (AWD) depending on your personal needs.

Gas Engine Choices

The first gas engine option will be the 2.5-liter GDI 4-cylinder that produces 191 horsepower and 181 lb.-ft. torque. It will have a combined city and highway of 27 mpg. This is a 2 mpg increase over the previous generation Sorento. It will come with the standard 8-speed transmission and is available as FWD or AWD. The second option in the gas only category is the 2.5-liter GDI 4-cylinder Turbo that will produce 281 horsepower and 311 lb.-ft. torque. It will come with the segment exclusive 8-speed wet dual clutch automatic transmission and an estimated combined 25 mpg, which again is a 3 mpg increase over previous V6 Sorento. It comes in either FWD or AWD. Here is the benefit of this package. It has the ability to tow a bit of adventure fun at 3,500 lbs. of towing capability.

Hybrid Options

The first hybrid is a regeneration hybrid. It will come with a 1.6-liter GDI 4-cylinder turbo as well as a 44 kW electric motor and a 1.5 kWh battery. It will produce 227 horsepower and an estimated 39 MPG city / 35 highway / 37 combined. Let that sink in. 37 mpg combined for an SUV. This version is only available on FWD. The other hybrid that will be offered is a plug-in hybrid version. It will also be a 1.6-liter GDI 4-cylinder turbo that produces 261 horsepower, but it will also offer a 66.9 kW electric motor and a 13.8 kWh battery that will provide an all-electric range of 30 miles. The all electric range will be very convenient for the around town errands. It will only be available as an AWD.

Exterior

This new updated Sorento has more of a stylish architectural structure that is clearly defined by sharp, modern lines with high-tech accents. This is demonstrated by the strong side profile lines that emphasize a muscular and athletic profile. The engineers also updated the traditional tiger nose that seems to flow better with the major changes. o finish off the muscular and athletic look, the Sorento, will offer six different alloy wheel designs in 17 or 20-inch sizes. These will be a first and also the largest for the Sorento.

Interior

The major upgrade continues with the interior providing a strong, solid and sophisticated look. The design engineers were very creative with the use of bright satin finishes, metal texture inlays or open-pore wood inlays. Theses unexpected materials certainly cast a striking effect. The seats will also have available leather embossed quilted patterns on the optional leather-equipped models. The final interior touch that demonstrates a sophisticated tranquility is the Bos9 Premium sound system with 12 high-performance speakers. Also available will be the Bose Centerpoint technology that unpacks the wider music bandwidth that is limited by most music sources for a richer surround-sound experience.

Safety

The new 2021 Sorento has 16 Kia Drive Wise Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) that are either standard or available. Here are a few of the standard safety features. My favorite is the first one I highlighted, Standard Intelligent Speed Limit Assist. This is very convenient when you are doing any amount of traveling. There are times that Im so focused on my surroundings I find myself not noticing speed limit changes.

• Standard Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA): Automatically changes set speed of Smart Cruise Control through the front camera or GPS navigation information (when activated)\
• Standard Forward Collision Warning (FCW): Designed to detect a vehicle ahead in the lane and in certain conditions, calculates distance and closing speed to issue an alert to the driver if it senses a potential frontal collision
• Standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA): Builds on FCW by assisting the driver when braking to help prevent a collision or lessen the effects in certain conditions if a vehicle or object is detected in front
• Standard FCA-Pedestrian: Builds upon FCW functionality and helps detect pedestrians in front of the vehicle and uses automatic braking to avoid or mitigate an impact
• Standard Driver Attention Warning (DAW)13: Senses inattentive driving patterns and sends an audible/visual warning to alert the driver
• Leading Vehicle Departure Alert (LVDA): Alerts driver with a chime when the leading vehicle begins to move forward from a standing position
• Standard Lane Following Assist (LFA): Follows lane markings that the system detects and provides steering inputs to help maintain the vehicle in the center of the lane

My press loan for the week was the X-Line AWD with the 281 horsepower and 311 lb.-ft. torque. This AWD machine has no problem shuttling me around in comfort or sport mode. It is priced out at $44,285. The X-Line interior features make this such a swanky ride, many of the people who have asked to see the interior have remarked how nice it is. When I told one gentleman the price, he had sticker shock. He told me he expected a price well into the 60k range. So the all-new fourth-generation Kia Sorento has again changed the game again and like I said to open, like a fine wine, it gets more powerful, more attractive and better engineered, with each new iteration.

Learn More

For more information or to test drive this vehicle for yourself, stop by a local dealer or visit online at:
KIA | Sorento

About KIA

Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia America continues to top quality surveys and is recognized as one of the 100 Best Global Brands. Kia serves as the Official Automotive Partner of the NBA and offers a complete range of vehicles sold through a network of more than 750 dealers in the U.S., including cars and SUVs proudly assembled in America.