2021 KIA Sorento X-Line AWD

Does KIA's Sorento have a case of the "12-year-itch"?

Yes, KIA's Sorento has been made in Georgia for 12 years now, and their re-designed '21 is still a family-friendly three-row SUV, but with its fresh new body and X-Line muscle, this re-styled Sorento is also ready to roam the field.

Well, let's explain.

By "roam the field" we mean KIA's new X-Line AWD Sorento brings some off-road chops to its expected car-pool duties.

Now that doesn't mean that you'll see the X-Line crawlin' the canyons in Moab, Utah, or mud-boggin' in the swamps, but now a bit of snow, dirt, sand and gravel aren't going to make KIA's new Sorento X-Line turn around and go home.

In addition to all-wheel-drive, the Sorento X-Line has an 8.3" ground clearance…riding an inch taller than the rest of the Sorento line.

While base Sorentos start around 30 thousand, the X-Line is only available on KIA's top of the line "SX"…and that'll get you a darned well-equipped vehicle for just a little over $44,000.

Here's a quick look at what the X-Line offers over and above the SX trim: 20" matte alloys, special X-Line trim and roof rails, heated and ventilated leather, heated steering, Bose premium audio, surround-view, both front and rear parking distance alerts, reverse parking collision avoidance and a 12.3" screen.

And then you get your SX luxury features like sunroof, hands-free power rear liftgate, second row captains' chairs, one-touch slide and fold second row seats, USB chargers for all three rows and more.

Power will come from a 2.5 liter turbo four with 227 HP delivering an EPA rated 21 MPG city and 28 on the road….and gear switching will be handled by an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic.

So if your car pool takes you through a bit of snow, mud or sand, KIA now has a luxurious three-row that sells for just over 44 thousand that doesn't mind getting dirty every now and then.