Kia Sorento Review 2021

A sturdy SUV like this one seems promising, especially because of its wide range of powertrains, superior suspension, and comfortable ride quality.

Kia doesn’t disappoint us when it comes to engine and performance. If you have the budget, we would suggest you go for the higher trims, as Sorento comes in hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants, which offer more fuel efficiency and comfort, without compromising on power.

Engine and gear

Sorento is equipped with a standard 2.5 liters 191 hp four-cylinder engine, but if you want more power, you can opt for the 281 hp turbocharged engine with eight-speed automatic transmission.

Suspension & Ride

The brand-new suspension is designed to absorb the maximum amount of impact while riding on bumpy terrains. So quite naturally, you can expect a smooth ride for all trims. However, the suspension is meant to minimize vibration and limit noise, but it doesn’t do a great job in this department.

Handling

Kia Sorento offers easy handling, but owing to its big size, it doesn’t feel too swift. However, as compared to its competitors in the market, Sorento is still a lot more agile.

Kia Sorento 2021 has received an overall reliability rating of 81/100 from JD Power. The vehicle has great resale value, and the overall consumer consensus about the vehicle is quite impressive. Even though the vehicle has not been tested by NHTSA or IIHS, it offers a good deal of safety, security, and reliability.

Standard Safety Features

Sorento comes with a wide number of standard safety features, including automated emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and cross-traffic alert.

Airbags

Keeping in mind the driver and the passengers’ safety, Sorento is equipped with front-impact airbags, side-impact airbags, along with overhead and knee airbags.

Traction control

Kia Sorento comes with an all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. AWD powertrains are designed to supply power to all the four wheels, so with this vehicle, you can expect enhanced grip and better traction control.

Pretensioner

One additional safety feature of this vehicle is the seat belt pretensioner. Whenever there is a collision, the pretensioner makes the seatbelts tighter to keep the passenger and the driver protected.

For any vehicle, the engine size has a great impact on the fuel economy of the vehicle. The bigger the engine, the more power it needs to run. Big engines are also costlier, so the overall price of an SUV jumps up to a great extent.

That’s why it’s important to analyze your needs before buying a vehicle. For people who need powerful acceleration and heavy towing on a daily basis, choosing a large engine can be justified. But if you are a regular user and you don’t need to rush through the roads at the top speed at all times, a smaller engine would be sufficient.

As Sorento comes with multiple trims, Kia leaves the power in the hands of the customers to choose an engine that suits their requirements.

Engine size

Sorento has been given a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with eight-speed auto transmission, and in some variants, a more powerful turbocharged engine.

Gas per mileage consumption

If you opt for the base model with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, it will give a mileage of 24 mpg and 29 mpg, on city and highway respectively. The hybrid trim of Sorento offers 39 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. If you’re looking for maximum fuel efficiency, the hybrid Sorento would be a perfect choice.

The interior of the 2021 Sorento has received a facelift. The detailed design, the spacious cabin, and the extended wheelbase add up to the premium experience that Kia wants its customers to experience.

Driving seat

From S trim onwards, Sorento has a power driver seat that offers optimum flexibility and comfort when you’re driving for a long duration. All trims are equipped with steering wheel controls, along with an adjustable steering wheel.

Dashboard

The center console on the dashboard features a drive mode selector and a rotary shift knob. The infotainment system consists of a standard 8-inch touchscreen, but you can upgrade to a 10.3-inch variant. There’s an option to upgrade to a 12-speaker Bose audio system.

Passenger seats and extras

Sorento has a three-row design, offering a seating capacity for up to 7 passengers. Cloth upholstery is standard in the vehicles, but you can upgrade to leather upholstery as well. There is also an option for adding heated and power-adjusted front seats for more comfort.

The first two rows are roomy enough, but the third row feels a little constricted in comparison. You can switch the second-row regular seats for captain’s chairs, but it will reduce the seating capacity of the vehicle.

Overall height and space

The height of the vehicle is between 66.9–70.3 inches, with a length and width of 189 inches and 74.8 inches respectively. The cabin looks and feels spacious.

Trunk space

The diesel variant of Sorento boasts a massive boot space of 616 liters, which comes in handy for long drives or trips with family. And if you go for the hybrid trim, the trunk area is around 608 liters, which is also sufficient for hauling heavyweight luggage and cargo.

Towing

When supported with the right mechanism, Sorento offers a towing capacity of up to 3500 lbs.

With this line of vehicles, Kia makes sure that there is a trim level available for every budget. The lower trim levels are quite affordable, and as you go up, the price increases, and so does the availability of features.

Warranty

In today’s automotive market, Kia offers outstanding warranty on its vehicles. Each vehicle is backed by a limited warranty applicable for 5 years, or up to 60,000 miles. The powertrain is covered by a grand 10-year warranty, or up to 100,000 miles, whichever is applicable. However, Kia doesn’t offer any complimentary post-purchase maintenance.

AWD

Front-wheel drive (FWD) comes standard in every vehicle. If you want to switch to all-wheel drive (AWD), you can get it for an additional $1800.

Awards

2021 Kia Sorento (trim 2) has won the Large SUV of the Year award in the Car of the Year Awards by What Car?.

Verdict

If you’re looking for a midsize SUV in 2021, Kia Sorento is a good choice. With its powerful engine, well-designed dashboard, latest infotainment additions, and newly stylized boxy exterior, this is surely an impressive purchase. Thanks to its performance, safety, and reliability, Sorento has very well won the hearts of car buyers and automobile experts. The price is more or less affordable, but still on the higher side, considering that it’s a midsize vehicle. Nonetheless, the features and the experience it provides, the cost is totally worth it.