2016 Kia Sorento Review | Drive Chicago

While the wall calendar insists its May, automakers march to a different measure of passing time. The fast-forward automotive clock gladly welcomes in a new year long before Father Time has a chance to pack his belongings and wave good-bye. The award for the first 2016-model year test vehicle arriving for a week's assessment goes to Kia's totally redesigned five-door Sorento crossover.

This marks the third-generation of the mid-size vehicle debuting back in 2003. The first generation featured a truck-like, body-on-frame structure with rear-wheel drive; decent for towing weekend toys, but at the expense of fuel economy and ride quality.

The second-generation brought changes on several fronts including car-like unibody frame and a new production home. Starting with the 2011 model year, Sorento called West Point Georgia its assembly headquarters; a facility Kia opened for business in late 2009. It's Kia's sole U.S. assembly plant also churning out the mid-size Optima sedan. Gen one assembly took place in Kia's home turf of South Korea.

Sorento rates as Kia's third-most popular vehicle sold in the America behind Optima and the compact, box-ish five-door Soul. Sorento sales in 2014 stacked up at 102,520, down about three percent from the previous year. However, the new third-generation effort boosted sales three percent during the first quarter of this year.
For 2016, Sorento's wheelbase (distance between front and rear axle) stretches three inches; identical to its overall length growth of three inches. Body width increases slightly by .02 inches. Side windows have narrowed adding to a more aggressive ambiance.

During the 2013 Chicago Auto Show, Kia debuted the "Cross GT" concept, a product providing a glimpse of the 2016 Sorento including a bolder, bigger honeycomb grille with oval, Kia logo smack in the middle. Headlight housing now sports a narrower design. A top-side hatch spoiler comes standard across all five trim levels (all-new base L, LX, EX, SX and top-trim SLX).

Sorrento stands as a mid-size five-door crossover available with a host of mix-and-match opportunities. Two-row five-passenger seating is available as well as three-rows accommodating seven riders. Three engine choices along with five trim levels and two drive trains (front-wheel or four-wheel drive) add to the decision-making process.
Four-wheel drive automatically sends power to the wheel with the most traction. It's optional in all trims sans L. If needs arise, drivers may also activate a four-wheel drive mode, splitting power evenly between front and rear drive shafts.

Sorento's newest powertrain, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder cranks out 240 horsepower and comes standard in EX and SXL trims. A second four cylinder, a tweaked, naturally aspirated (non-turbo charged) 2.4-liter with 185 horses, comes standard in Base L and LX trims. Returning largely unchanged is a 3.3-liter Gas Direct Injection (290 horses) V-6 comes standard in SX and is available in LX, EX and SLX. All three engines team with a six-speed automatic transmission.
For those seeking three-row seating, the process simplifies as 3.3-liter V-6 is the sole powertrain for this configuration.

An updated rear suspension smooths out the ride experience while revised bushing help quiet the interior. Many new radar-based safety options are now offered including rear cross traffic alert, helpful when backup up from a tight parking spot; side blind spot detection and Smart Cruise Control automatically slowing or speeding Sorento depending on the distance of the vehicle ahead.

Starting price for a base L edition with the naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine checks in at $24,900. Our tester, a top-line four-wheel drive SXL with seven passenger accommodations and 3.3-liter V-6 GDI engine checked in at $43,100 after factoring $200 for the Snow White Pearl Paint and $2,500 technology (radar-based) package, the bottom line swelled to $46,695 with $895 destination charge. Four-wheel-drive deserves consideration especially when residing in Chicagoland's four-season climate. The V-6 four-wheel drive is also the towing choice, able to manage 5,000 pounds of boats or jet skis.

As with many mid-size car-based crossovers with a third-row option, Sorento's 50/50-split two-person third row is best reserved for an 'agile' audience. That said, once ensconced in row three, my six-foot, two-inch frame snuggled in with surprising comfort without Closter phobic backlash. Sorento's added dimensions are effectively evident in all three rows. Both second and third rows share the same ground floor level, aiding leg comfort. Many full-size Sport Utility Vehicles include a slightly elevated back row platform.

Maneuvering into row three requires a young or young-at-heart volunteer possessing minimum body aches. The passenger side second-row seatback (the far right of the 40/20/40 split) includes a top-side pull tab which tilts the back rest forward. Once manually sliding the bottom seat forward along a built-in track and flexing the backrest forward, a narrow aisle allows a step up then twist-and-sit path to third-row cushioning. To exit, the vacated second-row seat easily pushes forward with foot or arm strength.

With the third-row prone, 11 cubic feet of cargo space remains, enough for a cadre of Jewel food bags or overnight luggage; up from 9.1 cubic feet in 2015. With all seat backs folded, 74 cubic feet is ready for garage sailing duty (up from 72.5 cubic feet).

The simplistic, nicely oversized, instrument panel includes a large center-circle with outer speedometer frame and interior media window with tutorial options summoned via steering wheel rotary dials. Maintenance reminders, audio settings and even digital speed readout may be selected. It's all flanked by a left-side, half-moon tachometer gaugeand quarter-circle right side fuel and temperature gauges. Push-button start comes standard in SX and SXL trims. Both the fuel tank door and power rear latch buttons (standard in SXL and SX) reside on the lower dash (not the floor) for easy access.

The long panoramic moon roof, when open, includes a three-inch tall ping-pong-table like mesh wind net across the horizontal opening edge of the retracting glass deflecting breezes outward, rather than inside the vehicle.

The standard rear camera display is feed through an eight-inch color touch screen with navigation maps (nav mapping come standard in SX and SXL trims). The screen is flanked by air vents, all framed within a brushed-aluminum oval outline. Our tester included dual temperature zone dials below flanking push buttons monitoring fan speed and direction.

Easy-maintenance fabric seats come standard in base L and LX trims. Leatherette trim is found in EX and SX while top-trim SXL pampers with Premium Nappa leatherette cushioning. An electronic parking brake pull tab is found rear of the floor-mounted transmission shifter and left of dual in-line cup holders. A coverable pocket ahead of the shifter houses portable electronic plug-in ports and dual 12-volt outlets.

All three engines run on regular, 87-octane fuel. As with the previous generation, a spare tire stows under the cargo bay in an exterior hub, manually lowering down, if needed.
What sets Sorento apart from most other mid-size crossovers? Kia and parent-company Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, a duration few exceed. Value pricing when stacked against similarly equipped mid-size crossovers also bodes well for Sorento.

2016 Kia Sorento

Price as tested: $46,695
Engine: 3.3-liter V-6
Horsepower: 290
Wheelbase: 109.4 inches
Overall width: 74.4 inches
Overall height: 66.3 inches
Overall length: 187.4 inches
Curb weight: 3,968 pounds
Limited powertrain warranty: 10 year/100,000 miles
Fuel economy: 17 mpg city, 23 mpg highway
Assembly: West Point Georgia

2016 Kia Sorento

Kia Sorento bigger and bolder for 2016

By Dave Boe

This marks the third-generation of the mid-size vehicle debuting back in 2003. The first generation featured a truck-like, body-on-frame structure with rear-wheel drive; decent for towing weekend toys, but at the expense of fuel economy and ride quality.

The second-generation brought changes on several fronts including car-like unibody frame and a new production home. Starting with the 2011 model year, Sorento called West Point Georgia its assembly headquarters; a facility Kia opened for business in late 2009. It’s Kia’s sole U.S. assembly plant also churning out the mid-size Optima sedan. Gen one assembly took place in Kia’s home turf of South Korea.

Sorento rates as Kia’s third-most popular vehicle sold in the America behind Optima and the compact, box-ish five-door Soul. Sorento sales in 2014 stacked up at 102,520, down about three percent from the previous year. However, the new third-generation effort boosted sales three percent during the first quarter of this year.

For 2016, Sorento’s wheelbase (distance between front and rear axle) stretches three inches; identical to its overall length growth of three inches. Body width increases slightly by .02 inches. Side windows have narrowed adding to a more aggressive ambiance.

During the 2013 Chicago Auto Show, Kia debuted the “Cross GT” concept, a product providing a glimpse of the 2016 Sorento including a bolder, bigger honeycomb grille with oval, Kia logo smack in the middle. Headlight housing now sports a narrower design. A top-side hatch spoiler comes standard across all five trim levels (all-new base L, LX, EX, SX and top-trim SLX).

Sorrento stands as a mid-size five-door crossover available with a host of mix-and-match opportunities. Two-row five-passenger seating is available as well as three-rows accommodating seven riders. Three engine choices along with five trim levels and two drive trains (front-wheel or four-wheel drive) add to the decision-making process.

Four-wheel drive automatically sends power to the wheel with the most traction. It’s optional in all trims sans L. If needs arise, drivers may also activate a four-wheel drive mode, splitting power evenly between front and rear drive shafts.

Sorento’s newest powertrain, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder cranks out 240 horsepower and comes standard in EX and SXL trims. A second four cylinder, a tweaked, naturally aspirated (non-turbo charged) 2.4-liter with 185 horses, comes standard in Base L and LX trims. Returning largely unchanged is a 3.3-liter Gas Direct Injection (290 horses) V-6 comes standard in SX and is available in LX, EX and SLX. All three engines team with a six-speed automatic transmission.

For those seeking three-row seating, the process simplifies as 3.3-liter V-6 is the sole powertrain for this configuration.

An updated rear suspension smooths out the ride experience while revised bushing help quiet the interior. Many new radar-based safety options are now offered including rear cross traffic alert, helpful when backup up from a tight parking spot; side blind spot detection and Smart Cruise Control automatically slowing or speeding Sorento depending on the distance of the vehicle ahead.

Starting price for a base L edition with the naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine checks in at $24,900. Our tester, a top-line four-wheel drive SXL with seven passenger accommodations and 3.3-liter V-6 GDI engine checked in at $43,100 after factoring $200 for the Snow White Pearl Paint and $2,500 technology (radar-based) package, the bottom line swelled to $46,695 with $895 destination charge. Four-wheel-drive deserves consideration especially when residing in Chicagoland’s four-season climate. The V-6 four-wheel drive is also the towing choice, able to manage 5,000 pounds of boats or jet skis.

As with many mid-size car-based crossovers with a third-row option, Sorento’s 50/50-split two-person third row is best reserved for an ‘agile’ audience. That said, once ensconced in row three, my six-foot, two-inch frame snuggled in with surprising comfort without Closter phobic backlash. Sorento’s added dimensions are effectively evident in all three rows. Both second and third rows share the same ground floor level, aiding leg comfort. Many full-size Sport Utility Vehicles include a slightly elevated back row platform.

Maneuvering into row three requires a young or young-at-heart volunteer possessing minimum body aches. The passenger side second-row seatback (the far right of the 40/20/40 split) includes a top-side pull tab which tilts the back rest forward. Once manually sliding the bottom seat forward along a built-in track and flexing the backrest forward, a narrow aisle allows a step up then twist-and-sit path to third-row cushioning. To exit, the vacated second-row seat easily pushes forward with foot or arm strength.

With the third-row prone, 11 cubic feet of cargo space remains, enough for a cadre of Jewel food bags or overnight luggage; up from 9.1 cubic feet in 2015. With all seat backs folded, 74 cubic feet is ready for garage sailing duty (up from 72.5 cubic feet).

The simplistic, nicely oversized, instrument panel includes a large center-circle with outer speedometer frame and interior media window with tutorial options summoned via steering wheel rotary dials. Maintenance reminders, audio settings and even digital speed readout may be selected. It’s all flanked by a left-side, half-moon tachometer gaugeand quarter-circle right side fuel and temperature gauges. Push-button start comes standard in SX and SXL trims. Both the fuel tank door and power rear latch buttons (standard in SXL and SX) reside on the lower dash (not the floor) for easy access.

The long panoramic moon roof, when open, includes a three-inch tall ping-pong-table like mesh wind net across the horizontal opening edge of the retracting glass deflecting breezes outward, rather than inside the vehicle.

The standard rear camera display is feed through an eight-inch color touch screen with navigation maps (nav mapping come standard in SX and SXL trims). The screen is flanked by air vents, all framed within a brushed-aluminum oval outline. Our tester included dual temperature zone dials below flanking push buttons monitoring fan speed and direction.

Easy-maintenance fabric seats come standard in base L and LX trims. Leatherette trim is found in EX and SX while top-trim SXL pampers with Premium Nappa leatherette cushioning. An electronic parking brake pull tab is found rear of the floor-mounted transmission shifter and left of dual in-line cup holders. A coverable pocket ahead of the shifter houses portable electronic plug-in ports and dual 12-volt outlets.

All three engines run on regular, 87-octane fuel. As with the previous generation, a spare tire stows under the cargo bay in an exterior hub, manually lowering down, if needed.

What sets Sorento apart from most other mid-size crossovers? Kia and parent-company Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, a duration few exceed. Value pricing when stacked against similarly equipped mid-size crossovers also bodes well for Sorento.

2016 Kia Sorento

Price as tested: $46,695

Engine: 3.3-liter V-6

Horsepower: 290

Wheelbase: 109.4 inches

Overall width: 74.4 inches

Overall height: 66.3 inches

Overall length: 187.4 inches

Curb weight: 3,968 pounds

Limited powertrain warranty: 10 year/100,000 miles

Fuel economy: 17 mpg city, 23 mpg highway

Assembly: West Point Georgia