A Stylish Family Crossover

Kia is known for building value-oriented cars, but the 2017 Sorento crossover offers more. It’s still a great value, but the Sorento is also genuinely stylish inside and out and offers impressive capability and fuel efficiency. It’s the complete package.

Performance

The 2017 Kia Sorento is a capable family crossover that offers a satisfying driving experience both in terms of performance and comfort. The Sorento also boasts towing capabilities to rival more traditional truck-based SUVs, but with fuel economy that is more car-like. Three available powertrains help the Sorento accomplish this.

Base models get a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, which produces 185 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. All Sorento models come with a six-speed automatic transmission and the option for front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. With front-wheel drive, the 2.4-liter Sorento gets an EPA-rated 24 mpg combined (21 mpg city, 28 mpg highway),* or 22 mpg combined (21 mpg city, 25 mpg highway)* with all-wheel drive.

Kia also introduced a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine when the Sorento was redesigned for 2016. This engine produces 240 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, making it a good option for buyers wanting a little more power, but with four-cylinder fuel economy. The turbo engine gets 23 mpg combined (20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway)* with front-wheel drive, and 22 mpg combined (19 mpg city, 25 mpg highway)* with all-wheel drive.

Finally, Kia also offers a more traditional 3.3-liter V6 engine in the Sorento, good for 290 hp and 252 lb-ft of torque. EPA-rated fuel economy is 20 mpg combined (18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway)* with front-wheel drive, and 19 mpg combined (17 mpg city, 23 mpg highway)* with all-wheel drive. V6 models can also tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.

Features

The 2017 Kia Sorento is a five-door midsize crossover with seating for five or seven. It’s available in five trim levels, priced starting from $25,400.**

The Sorento is an example of typical Kia value. Even the base L model comes generously equipped with standard features like 17-inch alloy wheels, heated exterior mirrors with LED indicators, rear spoiler, tilt and telescoping steering column, auxiliary and USB ports, and Bluetooth®.

The next model up from the L is the LX, which incorporates all of the base model’s standard features, and adds roof rails, two rapid charge USB ports, and other features.

Further up the chain, the Sorento EX adds features like paddle shifters, 18-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, interior accent illumination, second-row sunshade, leather seats, heated power front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, dual-zone automatic climate control, and pushbutton start.

Next up is the SX, which incorporates the applicable standard features from the other models, and adds 19-inch alloy wheels, power-folding exterior mirrors, 110-volt power inverter, Infinity surround sound system with 10 speakers, navigation, auto-dimming rearview mirror, memory system for the driver’s seat and mirrors, and a Smart Power liftgate.

The top Sorento model is the SX Limited, which piles on even more standard equipment, including Xenon HID headlights with self-leveling feature, premium Nappa leather seat trim, ventilated front seats, heated second-row outboard seats, heated steering wheel, and other features.

Design

The 2017 Kia Sorento features the same sleek exterior that debuted with the crossover’s 2016 model year redesign. It combines elements from other recent Kia models with a traditional SUV shape. The front end features Kia’s signature “tiger nose” grille, along with prominent fog light pockets that help visually slim down the front end. The rest of the body features clean surfacing and details, and alloy wheels sized 17 to 19-inches fill out the wheel wells nicely.

The interior is both classy and functional. Base models feature YES Essentials stain-resistant fabric seats, while other models get leather. All models come with a 40/20/40 split-folding second-row bench seat, while certain trim levels also feature a 50/50 split-folding third row, bringing seating capacity from five to seven. Total cargo volume is 74 cubic feet with the rear rows folded, or 11 cubic feet with the second and third rows in place.

Safety

Standard safety equipment on the 2017 Kia Sorento includes anti-lock brakes, stability and traction controls, and a full array of airbags. Optional features include adaptive cruise control, back-up warning system, blind spot detection system, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, and Around View Monitor camera system.

Verdict

The 2017 Kia Sorento offers impressive capability and value, making it a midsize crossover worth considering.

Contact us online or visit 3Birds Template at 505 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill, NC 27516 to schedule a test drive.

*Based on EPA estimates. Actual mileage will vary with options, driving conditions, driving habits and your vehicle’s condition. These estimates reflect EPA’s revised coefficients beginning with some 2017 models.

**Starting price is manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for lowest model trim.

Image Credit: Kia