2016 Kia Sorento in Valdese, NC - $11,980

More capable than ever before with increased towing capacity, more room for passengers and their gear and a newly available turbocharged engine, the 2016 Kia Sorento owes many of its design inspirations to the highly regarded Cross GT concept that was unveiled in 2013. Kia’s design and engineering teams focused on a stronger body structure, premium-grade NVH reduction and more driving confidence.

Overall, the all-new Sorento takes on a brawnier, more planted stance, communicating its edginess and rugged personality. The clean profile is easily recognizable as Sorento, enhanced with stronger shoulders and a long hood to deliver a more aerodynamic and sleek appearance. Combining a significantly longer wheelbase and overall width, the Sorento’s packaging is more efficient and allows for greater interior room. The aggressively styled front end, with its narrower headlight design, is an evolution of the upper fascia seen on the Cross GT concept and bears a strong family resemblance to the all-new highly praised Sedona multipurpose vehicle.

Distinctive LED positioning lights set the Sorento apart. Sitting below the headlights, the lower intake and fog lamp pockets are more prominent, creating a sportier appearance, which blends harmoniously with the overall design proportions. Premium enhancements include available LED rear dimensional tail lamps and LED fog lamps. The Sorento’s muscular body sits atop four new alloy wheel designs ranging from 17 to 19 inches, depending on model.

Available in five trim levels – L, LX, EX, SX and SXL; front or all-wheel drive; and five or seven passenger seating configurations, power for the redesigned Sorento is generated by one of three engines: an improved 2.4L four-cylinder, new 2.0L turbo-charged four-cylinder and the silky smooth 3.3L V6. Torque is communicated to the street for all three engines by an electronically controlled six-speed automatic overdrive transmission with Sportmatic.

Sorento’s advanced AWD system automatically routes power to the wheel with the most traction. When conditions call for more sure-footed capability, the 4WD Lock Mode splits engine power evenly between the front and rear drive shafts. The system also provides drivers the added stability of Torque Vector Cornering Control (TVCC). The TVCC system is activated when yaw and steering sensors detect unwanted understeer.

The core of the all-new 2016 Sorento is its significantly modified platform. The enhanced structure increases torsional rigidity by 14 percent over the previous generation. Fifty-three percent of the unibody consists of advanced high-strength steel, a 115 percent increase over the outgoing model. Liberal application of industrial strength adhesives, the use of dual-seal lip joints as well as large diameter and laser welding techniques combine to make the 2016 model the most robust Sorento ever. Sorento combines this strong base with additional design improvements to reduce NVH and provide a comfortable and quiet interior environment. Ride and handling are optimized with the application of an "H" shaped subframe, four-point bushing mountings, and Hydraulic Rebound Stopper-type shock absorbers.

Control hardware updates include revised front suspension geometry and responsive steering system result in a quick and nimble behind-the-wheel feel. Updates to the rear suspension include a redesigned rear cross-member span that’s longer than the outgoing model for improved wheel travel over harsh roads and revised bushings to help reduce road noise. Vertically mounted rear shocks contribute to a comfortable ride no matter what the driving conditions.

Inside the passenger cabin, the overall interior theme is focused on the stability of a horizontal plane. As a result, the design motif provides a strong foundation for the premium textures and high-quality materials found throughout the cabin. The liberal application of soft-touch materials is particularly evident around the instrument panel, center console and door panels.
Depending on trim level, the Sorento comes with standard 40/20/40 second-row folding five-passenger (four-cylinder models) or 50/50 folding third-row seven-passenger (V6 models) seating configurations. The seating system of the new Sorento is designed to offer optimum comfort and ideal seating positions to fulfill the needs of every occupant. Second- and third-row passengers will enjoy enhanced comfort thanks to a 0.5-inch increase in rear passenger space for both rows and a roomier flattened second-row center floor. Access to third-row seating is improved with 1.5 inches of additional boarding space, while headroom throughout the cabin is also increased.

More overall cargo volume is combined with an easy-folding lever which allows various seating arrangements, flexible luggage space and greater overall versatility. Users can fold the second-row seatback without opening the rear door by pulling the lever mounted on the luggage-area side trim. This feature allows quick and easy loading of large cargo.

Dimensions & specifications 
Wheelbase: 109.4; overall length: 187.4; width: 74.4; height: 66.5
All vehicle measurements are in inches.

Engine: 2.4L four-cylinder – 185 hp at 6,000 rpm and 178 lbs-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm; 2.0L turbo-charged four-cylinder – 240 hp at 6,000 rpm and 260 lbs-ft of torque at 1,450-3,500 rpm; 3.3L V6 – 290 hp at 6,400 rpm and 252 lbs-ft of torque at 5,300 rpm.

Transmission: six-speed automatic
EPA Fuel Economy: 2.4L four-cylinder – 21 city/29 hwy. (FWD), 21 city/26 hwy. (AWD); 2.0L four-cylinder turbo – 20 city/27 hwy. (FWD), 19 city/25 hwy. (AWD); 3.3L V6 – 18 city/26 hwy. (FWD), 17 city/23 hwy. (AWD).
Cargo capacity: 73.5 cubic feet
Towing capacity: 2,000 lbs (2.4L); 3,500 lbs (2.0L turbo); 5,000 lbs. (3.3L AWD)

Safety features
Dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side-impact airbags, dual head curtain side-impact airbags, four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock, electronic brake force distribution, traction control, electronic vehicle stability control, hill start assist, rollover sensor, side-impact sensor, and Bluetooth hands free phone system. AWD adds locking center differential and Torque Vectoring Cornering Control. EX adds fog lights and backup warning system. SX-Limited adds LED positioning lights, navigation system, push button start with Smart key, HomeLink universal garage door opener, blind spot detection system, and rear cross traffic alert.

Optional safety equipment includes Xenon high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps, advanced smart cruise control, lane departure warning system, forward collision warning system, and around view monitor.

Warranty
Basic: 5-year/60,000 mile
Powertrain: 10-year/100,000 mile
Corrosion: 5-year/100,000 mile
Roadside Assistance: 5-year/60,000 mile 24-hour

Pricing
The base Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2016 Kia Sorento SUV starts from $24,900 for the L FWD model upto $43,100 for the SX-Limited V6 AWD. Destination charges add $895.