How popular is the Kia Sorento?
Consider this: One of the most-read reviews here on TireKicker (#2 this week as I post this) is a review of the 2013 Sorento, which we published 13 months ago.
Kia's product cadence (the schedule on which they release all-new or significantly updated vehicles) is so brisk that as fresh as the '13 seemed, the 2014 Sorento is clearly a better looking, better-designed, more refined machine.
This time around, our tester was the SX front-wheel drive model...one down from the top-of-the-line Limited (all-wheel drive can be had on all trim levels). For a starting price of $35,000 even, you get a 3.3 liter V6, six-speed automatic transmission, an independent front and rear suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels, the full complement of airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction control, electronic stability control, hill-start assist and tire pressure monitoring.
Those are just the practicalities. Then come the niceties like dual-zone automatic climate control, an Infinity surround sound audio system, the UVO eServices telematics suite, an 8-inch color display, navigation, Sirius/XM satellite radio, Bluetooth, leather seat trim, an adjustable power driver's seat with lumbar support, heated and ventilated front seats, push button start, cruise control, automatic light control, a tilting and telescoping steering wheel, blind spot detection, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink, front fog lights, a panoramic moonroof with power sunshade, heated outside mirrors with turn signal indicators built-in, a power liftgate and a rear spoiler.
All standard for $35,000. That's what you call a very well-equipped midsize crossover. Ours added only two options, a third row of seats and rear air conditioning for $1,000 and a cargo net for $50. Both worthwhile. Freight and handling of $850 brought the bottom line to $36,900.
There's the usual strong stride forward in materials, craftsmanship and design that we've come to expect from each new generation of Kia products. And each new wave is a better-driving vehicle than the one before it. The new Sorento is more composed, feels more energetic and handles better than the last.
The only place where the Sorento loses a step is in gas mileage. That's because while the new-for-2014 3.3-liter V6 is a bit smaller than last year's 3.5 liter, it's more powerful (290 horsepower instead of 275). Last year's EPA estimate of 20 city/26 highway dips to 18 city/25 highway.
It's not a huge difference, and it's a fair trade-off for the added performance, but Kia's built their expanding place in the U.S. market on value (the 10 year/100,000 mile warranty is a big part of that) and I have to wonder how many Kia shoppers will balk at a window sticker that shows a price above $35,000 and city mileage in the teens.
Overall, though, it's a strong package from a company that only seems to go from strength to strength. And one 8-speed automatic could make those EPA numbers a lot more palatable.
