Marc UrbanoCar and Driver
More than five years after we last put a Kia Sorento through our 40,000-mile long-term test, we welcome the latest generation of the mid-size SUV into our fleet. Being the performance junkies we are, we skipped over the naturally aspirated and hybrid powerplant options and instead opted for the Sorento’s most powerful 281-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter engine.
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Kia offers the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine in the EX, SX, and SX Premium guises. We chose the SX.
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While the Sorento is also available as a front-driver, the all-wheel-drive model adds a Snow setting to the Sorento’s drive modes and raises the ride height by 1.3 inches.
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With a starting price of $41,165, our Sorento SX comes standard with a hefty list of comfort and convenience features.
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Our Sorento had a $445 upcharge for Sapphire Blue paint and added a $210 set of floor mats and a $115 cargo mat. All in, the as-tested price is $41,935.
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Along with a set of black-painted 20-inch wheels, the SX’s exterior features LED projector headlights and LED taillights. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found these headlights to perform much better than the standard units.
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The turbocharged 2.5-liter engine makes 311 pound-feet of torque and is paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The combo pushed our Sorento SX to 60 mph in 6.0 seconds.
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The Sorento’s 165-foot stopping distance bettered the 173-foot distance we recorded from a pricier and lighter Mercedes-AMG GLB35.
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A panoramic sunroof brightens the interior, which includes a wireless phone charger, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation.
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The third-row seat is strictly for kids.
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Cargo space with the third row in use is severely limited.
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