Car Review: Kia Sorento X-Pro SX Prestige adds off-road credentials to a solid smaller SUV with three rows

The Kia name has gone from being known only as affordable transportation to a more obtainable premium vehicle. One stalwart is the Kia Sorento, a compact SUV, with three rows of seats.

The Sorento got a new chiseled face last year — one that better matches Kia’s very popular and larger Telluride SUV. The Sorento traded its more conservative, blend-in-with-the-crowd style for a bold, upright, blacked-out grill and vertical LED headlight clusters.

Now you can get the Sorento in an off-road capable version with the introduction of the X-Pro model. The special 17-inch matte black wheels with grippy all-terrain tires give this Kia Sorento a look more like an SUV.

Hop inside and Sorento X-Pro SX Prestige will surprise you with its more upscale look and feel compared to the many other small SUVs on the market. There are heated and ventilated leather seats up front, finished in a pleasing Olive brown color, along with a touch of class and color. The second row on this top-of-the-line model comes with two heated and adjustable captain’s chairs, which replace the three-seat bench on lower trim levels.

Usually, the third row in one of these smaller SUVs is more for looks than function. But, in the more compact Kia Sorento, you have good space for kids and even adults can fit when needed. Don’t expect much cargo space when all three rows are filled. Fold that third row for a cargo-friendly vehicle.

Many of the smaller crossovers and SUVs fall a bit short in the driving experience. The Kia Sorento X-Pro SX Prestige seems to buck that trend. With a 2.5L turbocharged engine with 281 hp, this small SUV is quick with plenty of power on tap. The eight-speed, dual-clutch automatic provides fast shifting when you want to go.

Nevertheless, it acts a bit strange and feels like it’s lagging in some very low-speed situations. I found the all-terrain tires better at handling bumps than the other trim-level versions with the larger 20-inch wheels. They also handled the snow nicely when the snow mode was engaged.

Cost: $48,025; as tested $49,400

MPG: 20 MPG City; and 27 MPG Highway. I managed 22.7 in 336 miles of mixed driving.

Options: $225 carpeted floor mats; $295 olive brown leather package; $115 carpeted cargo mats; $1,375 inland freight and handling

Safety: Blind spot collision avoidance assist-pedestrian; rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist; forward collision avoidance-assist; cyclist & junction turning; vehicle stability management; safe exit assist with power child lock; NAV smart cruise with stop-go; parking collision avoidance-rear; highway drive assist; leading vehicle departure alert; rear occupant alert

Things to know: The Kia Sorento has a new more premium look and an off-road version of its three-row small SUV.

Pros: 

  • The interior space is impressive for its more compact size.
  • The new X-Pro version adds some off-road capabilities and all-terrain tires.
  • Good power from the turbocharged engine makes this crossover a quick ride.

Cons:

  • Gets pricey in higher trim levels.
  • Cargo space is limited when the third-row seats are in use.
  • HVAC and radio functions share the same controls.

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