Sporty, stylish and spacious, the 2013 Kia Sorento may well be one of the most versatile family haulers in the business.
And it's certainly one of the best values, with the top-line SX costing $43,045 for a mid-sized hauler with three rows of seats and loaded with every bell and whistle a buyer may want.
Today's Kia is a far different company than it was just more than a decade ago. Its cars and SUVs are becoming renowned for quality and design that even the most picky auto critics are raving about.
The transformation of Kia is nothing short of astounding, which explains why so many more of its nameplates are on city streets. Kia is proving that affordable doesn't have to mean cheap. And all of its vehicles show that being affordable doesn't mean sacrificing comfort because of budget.
Six models are available in the Sorento line, starting with the LX, powered by a 2.4-litre inline fourcylinder, 191-horsepower engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. For a starting MSRP of $26,895, even base models feature anti-lock brakes, hill start control, traction control, electronic stability control, sideimpact airbags, rollover prevention, Sirius Satellite radio, Bluetooth, steering-wheel mounted audio controls, heated front seats, fog lights and a telescoping steering wheel.
Yes, that's the base model! Moving up the ladder, Kia adds other goodies, including dual-zone climate control, leather seats, allwheel-drive, a Smart Key push button ignition, auto dimming rearview mirror with compass, eight-way power driver's seat, heated steering wheel and a 3.5-litre DOHC V-6 engine that cranks out 276 horsepower and still delivers fuel economy of 25 mpg city and 34 mpg highway for a starting MSRP of $38,795 in the EX-V-6 luxury model.
The black beauty tester had all those features plus third-row seating with rear heat and air conditioning controls, LED rear combination lamps, a sport grille, 18-inch chrome wheels, chrome muffler tips, alloy sport pedals, sport bumpers and carbon-fibre patterned inserts.
Like the EX-V-6 luxury model, it also had a ventilated driver's seat with two memory settings and a premium 10-speaker audio system with subwoofer and amplifier. Add onto that a navigation system with rearview camera, panoramic sunroof and automatically folding side mirrors when the Sorento is in reverse, and you have a luxury hauler at an affordable price.
The Sorento SX also has Kia's voice-activated UVO "infotainment" system that includes an in-dash hard-drive and is programmed to recognize two voice profiles.
This piece of technology is not only simple to learn and use, it's exceptionally handy by allowing drivers to focus on the road ahead.
Buyers who have never driven a Kia will find the Sorento a revelation. For me, the 2013 version of this crossover is an evolution of a product Kia has been improving for years.
Roomy, quiet and comfortable with a spacious middle-row bench seat, the Sorento is a place a family will enjoy spending time in. Middle-row passengers have an ample 37.6 inches of legroom while the third row has 31.3, which should still be sufficient for many adults.
Cargo capacity with the two rear rows of seats folded is 72.5 cubic feet. Interior appointments are not only modern and stylish, they seem substantial. Soft-touch surfaces and rich textures abound in the Sorento, which has plenty of interior storage space and abundant headroom, even with the two panel sunroof that extends over the rear passenger area.
That V-6 engine will pull up to 3,500 pounds and it pulls hard.
With 248 lb.-ft. of torque, it practically jumps from a standing start.
An ECO indicator will remind drivers when they're in the zone for maximum fuel economy, a zone that can be easily maintained at highway cruising speed.
With a large greenhouse and big side mirrors, visibility is superb. A rearview camera and those folding side mirrors make backing up into tight spots a snap.
A tight turning radius makes the Sorento easy to park in the city while its fuel economy makes it practical for commuting.
On the highway, the Sorento has a hushed interior and a smooth ride.
The instrument panel has large, legible gauges and controls for the UVO are clearly marked.
With a high level of luxury equipment and a respectable price tag, the SX version of the Sorento is not only a cost-conscious alternative to other luxury haulers, but with Kia's improved reliability and close attention to detail, it's a smart alternative.
The Sorento is, according to Kia, a broad-shouldered expression of Kia's new design language, blending emotion and sophistication. Long, wide and low, the Sorento offers a Europeaninspired design that is sure to attract attention.
I'll buy that. And I'm betting many others will, too.
