For 2011, Kia completely redesigned the Sorento. And boy did they do a good job. Then again, pretty much everything Kia does these days is pretty damn good these days.
The test car was an EX AWD model equipped with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that delivered 276 horsepower. For a 7-passenger vehicle, this was everything I could have possibly wanted. And more.
The timing of this test vehicle was quite lucky, as I actually had the opportunity to test 6 of the 7 seats. I had it during a weekend when my family was actually all in one place at the same time. While my 67-year-old mom had a little difficulty hiking her way into the back seat (no running boards), my fireman brother-in-law was perfectly comfortable in the front bucket seat. My 5-foot 2-inch sister fit in the third-row seat OK, but the dimension are more suited to my 4-foot 11-inch frame. Perfect for kids under 10.
For the size of the vehicle, I was pretty pleased with the MPGs I received. EPA estimates that you should get 19 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. With about 400 miles of highway driving and 100 miles of city driving (several of which included 6 passengers), I ended the test period close to 24 mpg. Considering my lead-foot ways and the fact that this is an all-wheel drive vehicle, I can't complain.
Well, I can't complain about that at least. The one area where I think the Sorento falls short is in the ride and handling. While all the leather and up-level options give the appearance of a much pricier vehicle, you can tell you're not driving a Lexus because of some of the rattles and bumps along the way.
By no means was this a deal breaker, however. But you could definitely hear some squeaks over rough pavement, and the ride was more stiff than luxurious. Especially if you spend any time in that rearmost seat.
Speaking of that rear seat, I also want to point out that getting into it was a bit of a chore. It took three of us to figure out how to raise the middle seat to give a rear-seat passenger enough room to scoot into the back, but the space to scoot isn't nearly big enough, and getting into that third row involves a bit of a jump and a roll.
On the flip side, folding that third row flat and lifting it into place was easily achieved -- even by this petite driver. Plus the 9.1 cubic-feet of cargo room behind the third-row seat was perfect for all that inevitable shopping my family does when we're together.
Inside and out, the looks of the Sorento are first rate. From the basket weave pattern on the taillights to the incredible fit and finish on the inside, the trappings of this new SUV were incredibly well done. The test vehicle included standard features like Bluetooth, push-button start, tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and back-up warning system. It also added a couple of options including the Limited Package ($2,000) and the Premium Package 2 ($2,700). This added features like navigation with travel data, a premium Infinity audio system with 10 speakers, interior accent package, panoramic sunroof, leather seats for the first and second rows and (my personal favorite) heated front seats.
When all was said and done, the as-tested price of the Sorento was $34,840. Not bad for a 7-passenger, AWD vehicle that actually gets mileage in the 20-mpg range. If you're looking for size over amenities, you can shave some dollar signs off the price tag by opting for the base LX model with front-wheel drive, cloth seats and no options. The Sorento starts at $23,150.
I had a great driving position, and I really liked the clean-and-simple appearance of the interior. And everything on this car was relatively intuitive -- well except for the Bluetooth. That took a couple of mis-pushed buttons and mis-spoken commands before I got that one right.
Other than the squeaks and rattles, my only other complaint about this car is the location of the microphone for the voice commands, and thus, the Bluetooth-connected phone. It's on the driver's side ceiling clear at the left by the window. First, this is bad placement if you want to have your window open while talking on the phone or using the voice command system. Second, the driver is the only one who can effectively use this mic. Which was rather annoying when I had my sister in the car and we both wanted to talk to our parents at the same time. They could only hear me.
When you think about what you're actually getting for your money, though, a speaker in the wrong place is a relatively minor problem. And, once again, Kia has delivered a vehicle that both surprises and delights ... and looks like a more expensive brand.
In fact, to a passenger, everyone who took a ride in the Sorento during the test week said the same thing: This is a Kia?
Yes, it is.
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