Quick Take: 2021 Kia Sorento
We recently managed to spend time with Kia’s Sorento, an SUV designed for growing families who are also looking for an upscale experience. Completely redesigned for the 2021 model year, the Sorento is now more off-road capable, comes with an even more powerful engine, and has more room inside, all of them delightful updates to an already exceptional SUV. On the roads of Half Moon Bay and Highway 1, we explored the welcoming interior, efficient performance, and versatility of the Sorento.
The Sorento we drove came in X-Line trim, which brings 1-inch higher ground clearance, improved approach/departure angles, and a more advanced all-wheel-drive system with a dedicated snow mode in conjunction with a stronger roof rack. Other features on our test vehicle were a tan leather interior, 12-speaker Bose sound system, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, blind-spot viewing monitor for additional safety when merging, and a surround view monitor for parking. Heated and ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, as well as a navigation system with a 10.25-inch touchscreen also came with the Sorento X-Line.
While driving around Half Moon Bay, we found the 4-cylinder engine (that makes 281 horsepower) more than enough as the Sorento could quickly accelerate to highway cruising speeds. Ride quality was very supple while the handling was direct on the serpentine back roads of Half Moon Bay. We also found the UVO infotainment system and the controls on the steering wheel to be very intuitive with it being simple to engage the smart cruise control. Our test vehicle had second-row captain’s chairs to make passengers’ lives more comfortable while the 3rd-row seat could fit small adults in a pinch. USB chargers were available for all 3 rows.
All in all, the Sorento is best for urban families looking for a stylish SUV that can accommodate extra people in a pinch. Even with a third-row seat, the Sorento has plenty of space inside and outdoors-oriented families will appreciate the off-road features afforded by the X-Line trim level. With features that were once available on much more expensive vehicles and a dynamic versatility, midsize SUV shoppers will likely be glad the Sorento is on their list.
