With so many consumers in the market for a crossover vehicle, all the major automakers are putting a big focus in this area, trying to find that perfect combination to attract people to their brand in a sea of competition.
Kia is among those in the hunt, and I recently tested their newest crossover offering -- the 2014 Kia Sorento -- and I'm back with a full report on how it performed.
LOOKS
The 2014 Sorento has an attractive exterior look, better than previous versions, but is still a little more boxy looking than some others in its class.
The interior was not quite as roomy as I would have liked to see, but you can fit 7 people if you get the optional third row. On one trip, I fit 6 people -- 4 adults and two kids in car seats, plus another kid could have squeezed in. The back seat is kind of tight so it's ideal for the little ones and not grown folks. There is not a lot of trunk space when the car is packed with people, but you can get adjust the back seats to create more storage space.
My test vehicle (The higher-end Sorento SX model) had 19-inch wheels, but lower trim levels have smaller wheels (LX has 17-inch wheels, EX has 18-inch wheels).
Materials used on the vehicle were decent quality, but could have been a bit more upscale on the higher-level SX that I drove, considering the pricetag on the higher end.
ENGINE, HP
The 3.3-liter V6 engine on the Sorento SX is a highlight of this vehicle and improves on previous editions of the Sorento. You get an impressive 290 horsepower, and it's evident when you drive. (NOTE: The more affordable LX trim level of the Sorento does come with a less powerful, four-cylinder engine)
The vehicle is very fast at getting up to speed, and due to its overall smooth and quiet ride, you don't feel like you're going as fast as you are.
The Sorento comes with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
MPG
The official mileage numbers on the 2014 Sorento are 18 city/24 highway and 20 combined. I was getting about 20 from mostly city driving, so I was in line with the numbers. These aren't what I'd call bad numbers, but others in the class do have an advantage in the mpg department.
TOUCHSCREEN, NAVIGATION
My test vehicle featured an 8-inch touchscreen display and Navigation, which was accurate and easy to use. It also featured a helpful rearview camera and the UVO eServices telematics system.
The rearview camera comes standard with EX and SX models and can be added on the LX.
The UVO system was responsive to voice commands to control phone functions and entertainment.
SAFETY
Standard safety features on the Sorento include dual front advanced airbags, side curtain air bags in the first two rows, anti-lock brakes, traction control, electronic stability control, hill-start assist control and a tire pressure monitoring system.
Blind-spot monitoring, a very helpful tool, is standard on SX models and optional on other levels. Rear parking sensors are standard on EX and SX models.
PRICE
The base, no-frills Sorento (LX) is pretty affordable for an SUV, coming in at about $24,000. A jump up to the EX category starts around $30,000. I drove a decked-out SX and it's total including an $850 destination charge was $38,550. So there's a wide variety of options depending on what features you want and what your budget may be.
BOTTOM LINE
The 2014 Kia Sorento is not the fanciest or roomiest crossover out there, but it's still a powerful ride and impressive overall. The name recognition for Kia in the U.S. isn't as widespread as some of the competition, but it’s making strides to become a more serious contender in the United States auto market, and vehicles like the 2014 Sorento will help in that effort.
