2016 KIA Sorento SX Limited V6 AWD Review
Kia's 3-row crossover is all-new for 2016 and I’ve already spent a week with one, having experienced its maturation as a renewed force in the 7-passenger segment. This time around, though, I'm going top-of-the-line with the Sorento SX Limited V6 AWD.
The price range between the base Sorento L and the Limited is nearly $20,000…not unusual, as manufacturers try to craft a variety of trims to suit customer tastes and spending power. But who doesn’t occasionally dream of owning the best? When it comes to new cars, there typically seems to be two camps; one that likes them lean and cheap with presumably less to go wrong and the other that is willing to dig deeper for the most accoutrements and the associated pride of having the top model. This Sorento SXL V6 has every factory installed option. It starts at $42,195, tacks on $1,800 for all-wheel drive and another $2,500 for the only available package – the Technology grouping. All told, the MSRP is $46,495. Undoubtedly, some will find that to be an absurd amount for a Kia while others will find the overall offering satisfying enough to part with the cash.
So what does that nifty L add to the SX V6 model? Well, that gets you 19” chrome finish wheels, chrome sill trim accent, a heated wood and leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, premium Nappa leather seat trim, cooled front seats, and heated rear seats. Additionally, the Technology Package invites Xenon headlights, a lane departure and collision warning system, smart cruise control, an electronic parking brake and the very helpful Surround View Monitor.
With the addition of the beautiful ivory interior and the tech package this SX Limited definitely has a premium feel.
It looks great and its design garnered praise all week.
The family and I really like the Sorento and our 2nd go-around hasn't altered our opinions. Powerful, quiet, spacious, feature laden and mostly easy to use; Kia has done a very fine job here.
The lack of clutter in the cabin, the excellent UVO infotainment system and the useful driver information display contribute to the Sorento’s very likeable persona. And I say mostly easy to use simply because manipulating the rear seating could use a little bit of massaging. For instance, dropping the 2nd row is conveniently accomplished by levers but unless the 2nd row is positioned as far back as possible, you still have to go to the rear door to fold it flat.
One of the bummers about the rear seating configuration in the Sorento is that 3rd row access can only be had from the passenger side.
The seats do slide and recline and the 3rd row is relatively accommodating with its own climate control. The panoramic roof contributes to its airiness. There’s a hand-free liftgate too than senses when you’re standing near it with the key fob on your body, but that feature along with the approach lighting, folding mirrors and smart entry worked only sporadically this week.
The drive and ride quality are impressive, even if the steering is still a bit aloof. There’s a hushed silence to the cabin, the 290-horsepower 3.3-liter V6 is a muscular motor and the suspension has a class-above sophistication, comfortably squelching rough roads while maintain dignity in the curves. The 6-speed auto and torque-vectoring all-wheel drive system contribute nicely to the Sorento’s competent drivability. Mileage is rated at 19mpg in combined driving.
But lurking out there is a similarly priced, even more stocked and fuel efficient Honda Pilot Elite…a competitor too good to ignore. And though the Sorento has some advantages, the Honda badge creates a gravitational pull perhaps too strong to resist. Still, the Sorento is a big winner that’ll please its owners.
The price range between the base Sorento L and the Limited is nearly $20,000…not unusual, as manufacturers try to craft a variety of trims to suit customer tastes and spending power. But who doesn’t occasionally dream of owning the best? When it comes to new cars, there typically seems to be two camps; one that likes them lean and cheap with presumably less to go wrong and the other that is willing to dig deeper for the most accoutrements and the associated pride of having the top model. This Sorento SXL V6 has every factory installed option. It starts at $42,195, tacks on $1,800 for all-wheel drive and another $2,500 for the only available package – the Technology grouping. All told, the MSRP is $46,495. Undoubtedly, some will find that to be an absurd amount for a Kia while others will find the overall offering satisfying enough to part with the cash.
So what does that nifty L add to the SX V6 model? Well, that gets you 19” chrome finish wheels, chrome sill trim accent, a heated wood and leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, premium Nappa leather seat trim, cooled front seats, and heated rear seats. Additionally, the Technology Package invites Xenon headlights, a lane departure and collision warning system, smart cruise control, an electronic parking brake and the very helpful Surround View Monitor.
With the addition of the beautiful ivory interior and the tech package this SX Limited definitely has a premium feel.
It looks great and its design garnered praise all week.
The family and I really like the Sorento and our 2nd go-around hasn't altered our opinions. Powerful, quiet, spacious, feature laden and mostly easy to use; Kia has done a very fine job here.
The lack of clutter in the cabin, the excellent UVO infotainment system and the useful driver information display contribute to the Sorento’s very likeable persona. And I say mostly easy to use simply because manipulating the rear seating could use a little bit of massaging. For instance, dropping the 2nd row is conveniently accomplished by levers but unless the 2nd row is positioned as far back as possible, you still have to go to the rear door to fold it flat.
One of the bummers about the rear seating configuration in the Sorento is that 3rd row access can only be had from the passenger side.
The seats do slide and recline and the 3rd row is relatively accommodating with its own climate control. The panoramic roof contributes to its airiness. There’s a hand-free liftgate too than senses when you’re standing near it with the key fob on your body, but that feature along with the approach lighting, folding mirrors and smart entry worked only sporadically this week.
The drive and ride quality are impressive, even if the steering is still a bit aloof. There’s a hushed silence to the cabin, the 290-horsepower 3.3-liter V6 is a muscular motor and the suspension has a class-above sophistication, comfortably squelching rough roads while maintain dignity in the curves. The 6-speed auto and torque-vectoring all-wheel drive system contribute nicely to the Sorento’s competent drivability. Mileage is rated at 19mpg in combined driving.
But lurking out there is a similarly priced, even more stocked and fuel efficient Honda Pilot Elite…a competitor too good to ignore. And though the Sorento has some advantages, the Honda badge creates a gravitational pull perhaps too strong to resist. Still, the Sorento is a big winner that’ll please its owners.
2016 Kia Sorento SX V6 Review
The original Kia Sorento debuted during the midsize SUV craze over a decade ago. But, as tastes changed so did Kia and for 2011 the Sorento was reborn as a 3-row crossover. And now for 2016, Kia continues to refine their family vehicle concept with an all-new model.
Until you see them side-by-side, it can be easy to mistake this new Sorento for the previous one. With it being so successful, Kia saw no reason for a radical design change and so they re-sculpted what they already had into a CUV that’s instantly recognizable as a Sorento but with numerous changes to keep it modern as well as to make it more spacious.
Looking much like the new Sedona from the front, the Sorento now presents itself as more polished and also more planted with a an over 3” increase in wheelbase and a nominal increase in width. Kia also introduces a new turbocharged engine to the mix – a 2.0-liter unit making 240 horsepower, returning 22mpg combined, bridging the gap between the base 2.4-liter motor and this screaming, 290 horsepower 3.3-liter V6. Coupled with the optional all-wheel drive, this Sorento SX V6 is fleet of foot and good in the snow, even with the standard 19” all-season tires – the Premier LTX, which is all-new rubber from Michelin. Other benefits of the somewhat expensive all-wheel drive system – priced as a $1,800 option- include a 4-wheel drive lock mode for better traction in off-road conditions and Torque Vectoring Corner Control for improved dry-road handling. No matter which engine you choose, it’ll be mated to a 6-speed auto. Gas mileage here is rated at 17mpg city/23mpg highway…a tick below the les powerful Toyota Highlander while towing has been raised to handle 5,000 pounds. The Driver Mode Select comes standard across the board and manipulates the transmission, steering and engine characteristics ranging from Eco to Normal to Sport. V6 models also benefit from a rack mounted electric steering system and indeed the Sorento’s quicker wheel commands with better precision but is still a bit Kia-vague. The ride quality is far more sophisticated, enhanced by a more rigid body and a revised suspension that delivers increased softness over harsh roads and sharper handling. And it’s no doubt quieter inside, too.
The use of higher-quality and more aesthetically pleasing soft-touch plastics and standard leather trim greet the passengers. As you approach the Sorento, the mirrors unfold and ambient LED lighting shows the way. It’s a brilliantly easy cockpit to use free of clutter with intuitive control positioning, exceptional graphics displays and purposeful solutions.
The new UVO eServices is a subscription-free telematics system that uses your smartphone to do things like make a 9-1-1 call in the event of an accident or to setup a geofence that notifies you when the driver has left a certain radius that you define. UVO also has really cool features like SoundHound, Google Search and good voice recognition.
Chrysler’s industry best UConnect system has been put on standby because Kia’s UVO is arguably just as good and features Siri Eyes Free for iPhone users. The details present in the electronics are impressive, like this graphic alerting you to askew front wheels before driving off. Safety features here include a back-up warning system, blind spot detection and rear cross traffic alert. More advanced systems are optional on the range-topping SX Limited V6.
All three rows now benefit from increased head and legroom and the 3rd row is easier to access thanks to the increased wheelbase. It’s a useable space, too with far more room than I would’ve imagined but getting there can only be done from the passenger side where the 40/20/40 splitfold seat slides fore and aft. The driver’s side doesn’t have that tilt and slide feature. The easy to drop 3rd row and the dual levers for dropping the 2nd row are very convenient. And getting the power hatch up is easier than ever with a proximity sensor that doesn’t require you to lift a leg. Looking up there’s a huge standard panoramic sunroof that lends airiness but can be a bit tricky to operate without also opening the glass. This is a cabin that has all of the little extras and clever designs to keep the family happy.
At the beginning there’s the Sorento L starting at about $25,000 and then just before the top of the line SX Limited V6 there’s this SX V6, priced with AWD at $40,595 with no other options. Kia’s 2nd effort in the crossover genre produces a more appealing and mature entry.
Until you see them side-by-side, it can be easy to mistake this new Sorento for the previous one. With it being so successful, Kia saw no reason for a radical design change and so they re-sculpted what they already had into a CUV that’s instantly recognizable as a Sorento but with numerous changes to keep it modern as well as to make it more spacious.
Looking much like the new Sedona from the front, the Sorento now presents itself as more polished and also more planted with a an over 3” increase in wheelbase and a nominal increase in width. Kia also introduces a new turbocharged engine to the mix – a 2.0-liter unit making 240 horsepower, returning 22mpg combined, bridging the gap between the base 2.4-liter motor and this screaming, 290 horsepower 3.3-liter V6. Coupled with the optional all-wheel drive, this Sorento SX V6 is fleet of foot and good in the snow, even with the standard 19” all-season tires – the Premier LTX, which is all-new rubber from Michelin. Other benefits of the somewhat expensive all-wheel drive system – priced as a $1,800 option- include a 4-wheel drive lock mode for better traction in off-road conditions and Torque Vectoring Corner Control for improved dry-road handling. No matter which engine you choose, it’ll be mated to a 6-speed auto. Gas mileage here is rated at 17mpg city/23mpg highway…a tick below the les powerful Toyota Highlander while towing has been raised to handle 5,000 pounds. The Driver Mode Select comes standard across the board and manipulates the transmission, steering and engine characteristics ranging from Eco to Normal to Sport. V6 models also benefit from a rack mounted electric steering system and indeed the Sorento’s quicker wheel commands with better precision but is still a bit Kia-vague. The ride quality is far more sophisticated, enhanced by a more rigid body and a revised suspension that delivers increased softness over harsh roads and sharper handling. And it’s no doubt quieter inside, too.
The use of higher-quality and more aesthetically pleasing soft-touch plastics and standard leather trim greet the passengers. As you approach the Sorento, the mirrors unfold and ambient LED lighting shows the way. It’s a brilliantly easy cockpit to use free of clutter with intuitive control positioning, exceptional graphics displays and purposeful solutions.
The new UVO eServices is a subscription-free telematics system that uses your smartphone to do things like make a 9-1-1 call in the event of an accident or to setup a geofence that notifies you when the driver has left a certain radius that you define. UVO also has really cool features like SoundHound, Google Search and good voice recognition.
Chrysler’s industry best UConnect system has been put on standby because Kia’s UVO is arguably just as good and features Siri Eyes Free for iPhone users. The details present in the electronics are impressive, like this graphic alerting you to askew front wheels before driving off. Safety features here include a back-up warning system, blind spot detection and rear cross traffic alert. More advanced systems are optional on the range-topping SX Limited V6.
All three rows now benefit from increased head and legroom and the 3rd row is easier to access thanks to the increased wheelbase. It’s a useable space, too with far more room than I would’ve imagined but getting there can only be done from the passenger side where the 40/20/40 splitfold seat slides fore and aft. The driver’s side doesn’t have that tilt and slide feature. The easy to drop 3rd row and the dual levers for dropping the 2nd row are very convenient. And getting the power hatch up is easier than ever with a proximity sensor that doesn’t require you to lift a leg. Looking up there’s a huge standard panoramic sunroof that lends airiness but can be a bit tricky to operate without also opening the glass. This is a cabin that has all of the little extras and clever designs to keep the family happy.
At the beginning there’s the Sorento L starting at about $25,000 and then just before the top of the line SX Limited V6 there’s this SX V6, priced with AWD at $40,595 with no other options. Kia’s 2nd effort in the crossover genre produces a more appealing and mature entry.