WASHINGTON — The first car I ever tested was the 2014 Kia Sorento, and I found it to be a nice crossover that was packed with cool features for a decent price. But it was a little small for the midsize crossover class and the ride wasn’t the best.
Kia must have thought the same thing because the 2016 Kia Sorento has grown up and is more in line with what people are considering when looking for a midsize crossover. You can now equip some models with a third row of seats, making room for seven. If you want that third row, you’ll need to choose a V6 engine as the turbo four-cylinder models only come with five seats.
Prices for a Kia Sorento start at around $25,000, and there are five trim levels, which means you can work yourself quickly toward $45,000 for the fully loaded Limited with AWD model that I spent a week with recently.
The 2016 Kia Sorento has a new exterior look — it’s more modern than before, and it looks like it costs more than it does. It will also win for most fog lights in a crossover — there are eight. It looks like a bigger, more substantial vehicle when compared to the last Sorento. It stands out and offers more of a presence. My tester also came equipped with larger 19-inch wheels that contribute to a classy look and help boost curb appeal.
The interior has been given a great deal of attention. It’s more upscale and user friendly, with added space for rear seat passengers and a bit more cargo space. I didn’t get to sample a seven-seat version but the five-seater has plenty of room — I’m not sure why the turbo four-cylinder can’t be equipped with a third row. The top trim levels come with heated and cooled front seats, rich-feeling Napa leather and a heated steering wheel. The trim and other materials are very nice and give you the feeling that you’re in a luxury crossover. The NAV system is easy to use with an eight-inch screen. The optional surround view monitor provides a 360-degree view around the vehicle, instead of the standard rear-view camera.
Driving the new 2016 Kia Sorento was an eye-opener after the last Sorento I drove. It’s much smoother over all road surfaces, even with the large wheels. It’s very quiet inside, even at highway speeds, and the steering is light at lower speeds to make for easy parking. This Sorrento is a little larger than before, but not too big to easily drive in the city. My test ride came with the 2.0 liter turbo engine with 240 hp and it didn’t have much of a problem keeping up with traffic. I would recommend sampling a V6, in order to compare what’s right for your needs. You can tow 3,500 lbs with the turbo four-cylinder and if you want more, choose the V6 to tow up to 5,000 lbs.
Gas mileage with the AWD is 19 city/25 mpg highway and combined 22 mpg. I could only manage 20.5 mpg over 337 miles of mixed driving with regular fuel.
The 2016 Kia Sorento is a crossover that deserves to be on your list to look at before you buy. With a choice of five and seven seats, three engines and five different trim levels, you can find a Kia Sorento that fits your needs. Add a ten year powertrain warranty and the upscale look, and you’ll know why the Sorento has become a convincing alternative to the usual mid-size crossovers.
Editor’s note: Mike Parris is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association. The vehicles are provided by STI, FMI or Event Solutions for the purpose of this review.
