Well…at least that's how I remember it.
Sure…there were sport utes before 2010, and there were Sorentos before 2010,
but KIA opened their plant in Georgia and started rolling out their reengineered 2010 model year Sorentos…and the public seemed to say "Yes…this is what I've been waiting for!"
Bob Jackson
No longer did suburban soccer Moms need a big V-8 to take the kids to practice. The Sorento carried a couple of kids just fine…cost less…got better mileage…and fit in the garage a little easier.
And now 15 years later, while KIA has stayed true to that original formula, they've added a few sprinkles to their Sorento cupcake.
Bob Jackson
Those first made-in-Georgia Sorentos were priced from the low $20's and came with either a four or six-cylinder engine that got around 18 MPG.
Today's Sorento will start around ten thousand higher and give you 30+ MPG and offer an array of standard and optional equipment that was unheard of 15 years ago.
Bob Jackson
Even the base LX '24 Sorento comes standard with auto braking, cross-traffic and pedestrian alerts, collision avoidance, smart cruise and a smart key. When you factor in the level of equipment and 15 years of inflation, today's Sorento is a bigger bargain than the original '10 model.
Ante up another 3K and your mid-$30's "S" will add enough features to keep most folks happy. You'll have 18" glass black alloys, roof rails, faux heated leather power seating, dual-zone temp controls, wireless charging, and front and rear parking sensors.
Bob Jackson
You'll still be a hair under $40K if you upgrade to an EX. You'll have a 281 HP Turbo, 20" alloys, 2nd row Captains' chairs, 3,500 lb towing ability, and a smart power rear liftgate.
And there's still a few models between the EX and KIA's top of the food chain Sorentos. We got to test their just under 50K X-Line SX-Prestige 2.5 Turbo with AWD.
For starters, the AWD gives you an extra 1.3" of ground clearance…and the SX Prestige adds even more luxury touches. You'll have Bose audio, heated steering, real leather seating with drivers' memory and heated second-row Captains' Chairs, suede headliner, rear window shades, front, rear and side parking alerts and a 115V power invertor.
If your game plan includes a fair bit of muddy or otherwise challenging commutes, pay another thousand and get all-terrain tires and the ability to tow up to 4,500 lbs.
The EPA says that mileage is around 20 city and 27 on the road. We averaged a hair over 25 in our week-long test.
With an even dozen different models…and more than that when you look at the various EV and hybrid options…KIA's Sorento still stands out as a value-loaded "Can-Do" option in their ever-growing portfolio.
