Kia's five-door Sorento debuted in 2003 with a five-door, body-on-frame structure sporting rear drive and a not-so-subtle truck-like ride. This first-generation, five-seat Sorrento created a name for itself in the crowded and popular, sub-full-size SUV segment. To enhance sales, a second-generation Sorento debuted in the 2011 model year to great fanfare and complete philosophical makeover.
So excited was Kia to get this Gen Two on the road, no 2010 model was offered. The out-going, first-generation 2009 model gave way to the spanking new 2011. Even though Sorento was a well-established player, Kia invested mightily in this multi-talented hauler.
The second-generation Sorento was the first vehicle to roll off an all-new assembly facility (late in 2009) in West Point, Georgia, near the Alabama boarder. The milestone revitalized the region economically and paved the way for other vehicles. Last year, Kia added production of the stylish mid-size Optima sedan to the facility, which Kia pumped $1.1 billion into to build from the ground up. A third vehicle also calls West Point Georgia home, but it's not a Kia. Hyundai's Korean counterpart, Hyundai, assembles the redesigned mid-size 2013 Santa Fe crossover at the plant. Both Santa Fe and Sorento share some platform underpinnings. The plant currently has three shifts with the capacity to assemble 360,000 units. Locally, Kia's central regional office sports a Lombard address.
This visually appealing, second-generation effort is longer, lower, lighter, roomier and built on a unibody, car-like frame with tamer, on-road characteristics teamed with enhanced handling. Gas mileage is also upped from Gen One. While much of Kia's marketing materials peg Sorento as a larger-sized compact, this vehicle fits closer into a diminutive mid-size. Kia offers one other five-door, car-based crossover in its 2013 lineup, the slightly shorter Sportage (not counting the urban-inspired, box-on-wheels subcompact Soul). Sorento changes little in 2013 from the 2012 model year.
Sorento is available in several mix and match opportunities. Unlike the 2013 mid-size Kia Optima sedan which comes with only four-cylinder power, Sorento offers two four bangers as well as a V-6 powertrain. All engines get mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. No manual transmission is offered. Keep in mind standard front wheel and optional all-wheel drivetrains are available in three trim levels (LX, EX and up level SX). Buyers also must choose between two (five passenger) or three rows (seven passenger) of seating.
The LX and EX trims come with the choice of four or six cylinder engines. Up-level SX is solely six cylinders.
The V-6 engine cranks out 276 horses. A base inline four comes standard in LX and delivers 175 horses while a more potent Gas Direct-Injection sweetens horsepower to 191. The four-cylinder GDI power source is standard in EX while optional in entry LX. Sorento offers no gas-electric hybrid in the 2013 model year.
Kia supplied a front-drive, up-level SX with standard V-6 engine and third-row seating. Pricing started at $31,700. A $3,200 Premium Package added in-dash navigation, air-cooled driver's seat, sunroof, power-folding outside mirrors and heated steering wheel for a $35,875 bottom line including aftermarket additions of a $50 cargo net, $125 cargo cover and $800 destination charge. With all-wheel drive, SX starts at $33,400. The Premium Package is the only option package available on SX. The LX offers four package opportunities while mid-level EX has three. The lowest, price edition, a front-drive LX with four-cylinders and two rows is $23,150. Other than the Hyundai Santa Fe, which gets a major next-generation redo in the 2013 model year, the closest competitor may be the mid-size Toyota Highlander crossover ($28,870 starting price) which also offers three rows of seating along with four and six-cylinder engine choices.
Mileage readouts with the potent V-6 engine coupled with front-wheel drive check in at 20 miles per gallon city and 26 mpg highway, subtract two miles per gallon with all-wheel drive The fuel tank holds 18.0 gallons of regular 87-octane unleaded fuel. The most fuel efficient Sorento is the gas-direct-injection four-cylinder coupled with two-wheel drive (22 mpg city and 32 mpg highway).
Inside, the dashboard layout is intuitive, welcoming and easy to maneuver through. The three-spoke steering wheel includes cruise control and secondary audio functions. Push-start comes standard in EX and SX trims. The instrument panel features three deep-set circular gauges. Headroom remains plentiful even with the sometimes space-robbing sunroof. Seating positions are a bit elevated, providing good road visibility and command. Front buckets tilt towards a firmer seat setting.
Mid-size crossovers with optional third rows carry a few inherent caveats. The two-passenger third row is best left for the pre-teen set. Sorento's third-row headroom is comparatively tighter than the two forward rows. Entry to the far back is best made from the passenger's side rear door. That's because the right side of the 60/40 split second-row bench's backrest folds down while the entire unit tumbles forward unveiling a narrow walk way. Twisting and contorting is part of the adventure to the Promised Land.
Thin, 50/50 split third-row seatbacks manually reposition from an upward prone state down to a flat layout via pull straps attached to each back accessible from the open cargo door region. With all rows in use, enough room exists behind the last row for a small assortment of grocery bags. If third-row usage is a high priority, larger car-based crossovers including the Chevrolet Traverse ($29,660 for a 2012 entry model) or Mazda CX-9 ($29,725 for a 2012 vintage) deserve a peek. Cloth seating is an LX staple while leather surfaces are found in the two higher trims (leather seating in EX models is new for 2013). Five-passenger models repackage the rear region with an under-rear-cargo floor storage compartment.
Near the top of the central dash is a seven-inch push-sensitive display screen housing the optional navigation system and back-up camera feed. Below, easy-to-grab dials monitor dual temperature zones with a rectangular set of buttons controlling fan direction and speed in between. Rear air conditioning comes standard only in SX trims. Below ventilation controls is a storage hub for portable electronics as well as a 12-volt outlet and USB port. In between front buckets are dual inline cup holders and huge, deep storage bin with front-opening (hinged at the back) flip cover doubling as an arm rest. A push button releasing the circular fuel cover is conveniently found on the driver's door.
Exterior side-view mirrors smartly include secondary blinker bands. The rear hatch, hinged at the top and featuring a standard wiper, opens up from the bottom with enough head clearance for those six-feet two inches and shorter. Narrow band-like headlight housing flanks a narrow, honeycomb grille with oval-shaped Kia icon front and center. Seventeen-inch alloy wheels come standard in LX while larger 18-inch varieties adorn the upper two trims. The SX adds LED trail lamps.
As with all Kia vehicles sold in the U.S., powertrain warranty coverage is 10 years/100,000 miles, one of the industry's longest.
2013 Kia SorentoPrice as tested: $35,875
Wheelbase: 106.3 inches
Length: 183.9 inches
Width: 74.2 inches
Height: 67.3 inches
Engine: 3.5-liter V-6
Horsepower (V-6): 276
Curb weight: 3,781 pounds
Powertrain Warranty: 10 years/100,000 miles
City/Highway economy: 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway
Assembly: West Point, Georgia