Mid-sized Kia SUV gets a mid-cycle refreshening prior to 3rd gen intro
Cottaging comes naturally by David Miller The 2019 Kia Sorento gets a refresh three model years removed from its third-generation change. For the first drive program, we head out to the cottage country of Muskoka, Ontario for a thorough test of the SUV in one of its natural family vacation environments. ▲
A little too big; a little too small The Kia Sorento falls in-between the compact- and mid-size SUV segments. Like the tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, it’s a little too big for the compact segment and too small for the mid-size, especially when looking at 3-row options. ▲
Slight increase makes it smallest 7-seater Kia could have easily increased sizing to separate the Sorento from its compact Sportage sibling, but it basically keeps sizing the same with only a slight increase in length (by 40 mm). This puts it as the smallest 3-row, 7-seat offering in the business, and therefore a strategic unique choice for consumers. ▲
Space for the family The base model LX is the only Kia Sorento trim that is available with just five seats. For 2019, Kia has brought back the 7-seat configuration for its base 2.4-litre engine, as according to Kia Canada, consumers typically make the purchase for its family space. A 5-seat configuration isn’t available outside the LX trim or with the V-6 engine. ▲
4- and 6-cylinder engines mostly driving all wheels Kia is offering up two direct injection gas engines in Sorento, to start with: a base 2.4-litre 4-cylinder with 185 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque matched to a 6-speed automatic transmission, and a top-level 3.3-litre V-6 that produces 290 hp and 252 lb-ft of torque through a new 8-speed automatic tranny. All-wheel drive is standard on all trims except LX, where it is optional. ▲
Future may include diesel and/or electrification There was some talk of a diesel powertrain for the Kia Sorento, replacing the outgoing 2.0-litre 4-cylinder. According to Kia Canada, the diesel debate is still in flux with a final decision coming later this year. We will have to wait and see whether the Sorento will receive a diesel, an electrified alternative, or stay with its two existing options for Canada. ▲
Seamless interaction between engine and transmission For this test, V-6 Kia Sorentos were the only ones on hand allowing us to thoroughly test its new 8-speed transmission. Compared to its previous iteration, the extra two gears make the drive much smoother due to a more seamless interaction between engine and transmission. ▲
Improvements in fuel economy The new transmission simultaneously aids the Sorento in better fuel economy (now rated at 12.5 L/100 km in the city and 9.7 L/100 km on the highway). I was able to manage an impressive 9.7 L/100 km combined, though mostly on the highway. The 2.4-litre unit in all-wheel drive rates at 11.2 L/100 km in the city and 9.0 on the highway (10.7 and 8.2, respectively, for the front-wheel drive). ▲
Two new Tiger Noses In an attempt to be more refined, Kia takes on two different designs to its signature Tiger Nose grille. Both provide a bolder look for Sorento, but the more upscale design goes to the top SX and SXL trims, which feature chrome hot stamping inserts that truly makes the grille sparkle. A new fog light and headlamp design adds to its bold stance and character. ▲
Resculpted rear and new wheels Resculpted taillights and rear bumper finish off the Sorento’s new look, but those slight changes don’t look far off from the outgoing model. The most striking addition are its new wheel designs (four in total), especially the 19-inch alloy bright chrome on the SXL. ▲
Reworked, restyled, refreshed interior A lot of attention has been paid to the Kia Sorento interior with a revised centre console, improved graphics on the instrument cluster, restyled steering wheel with new tactile buttons, and a striking 8-inch multimedia interface touchscreen with AVN 5.0 navigation (available on SX trim and up). ▲
Nice interior, though not quite luxurious For Sorento buyers at the top-trim levels, Kia added more soft-touch materials including Nappa leather, as well as accent trims to up its look and appearance. They are nice touches, but not enough to receive that luxury tag, as it still lacks a certain sophistication and class for that label. ▲
Do what you do best – value All Sorentos provide tremendous standard-feature-value including an easy-to-use 7-inch display touchscreen with rearview camera, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An available wireless charging pad (in the LX AWD version and up) works for both Android and iPhones. ▲
Leather seating starts at second-tier Along with the addition of three rows in the LX trim, Sorentos are packaged with leather seating. The seating improves up the trim line with premium leather in the SX that I found to be more comfortable, thanks to its seat bolsters, than the Nappa leather in the SXL. ▲
Plenty of room in second row; not as much in third The second-row seating has plenty of headroom and legroom for its occupants including rear climate ventilation at most trims. Like most third rows, the Sorento’s can be fairly snug and more suitable for smaller children. ▲
Ease of cargo configurations Sometimes overlooked is the ease of seat flexibility in SUVs. Folding the Kia Sorento second- and third-rows were simple with a tug here and a pull there, which can be complicated in other 3-row vehicles. Both rows fold flat without taking off any headrests or sliding rows forward, allowing for plenty of cargo room throughout. ▲
Safety technology enhancements Most of the advanced Kia Sorento safety features are found in the SXL trim, which now includes Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Attention Alert, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist and a 360-degree-around-view camera. At EX, consumers will receive Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. ▲
Connected UVO intelligence services For V-6 Sorentos, Kia has standardized its UVO intelligence app that’s free for the first five years. It has remote services such as engine start/stop, climate control, remote lock/unlock and Find My Car all from the press of a smartphone button. In addition, it has automatic emergency collision notification and enhanced roadside assistance. ▲
Drive aimed for comfort, not sportiness The Sorento provides an adequate and comfortable drive: nothing too flashy or exciting to speak of. Consumers aren’t expecting a lot in this department, so it does its part in creating a smooth and comfortable ride that’s quiet in nature. Braking is exceptionally responsive and smooth complementing its relaxing ride. ▲
More driving-mode choice is a Smart move The Kia Sorrento has four driving modes to play around with: Eco, Comfort, Sport and Smart. The first three are self-explanatory, the latter attempts to understand the driver’s steering preferences and adjusts accordingly between the other three modes. Personally, I found the Sport mode to be ideal, eliminating any sluggish acceleration from the onset. ▲
Lower trims priced just right The 2019 Kia Sorento starts at $27,995 and $34,795 for the version with the V-6 and all-wheel drive. There are many different price ranges to choose from, but it’s hard to beat LX V-6 that comes with a plethora of standard features and a 3-row seating setup. The top-trims can get pricey at $44,865 (SX) and $48,865 (SXL). ▲
Keyword: FIRST DRIVE: 21 refreshments in the 2019 Kia Sorento