2021 Kia Sorento review

2021 Kia Sorento Review: 

The Kia Sorento, the brand's second-largest SUV, offers a compelling blend of utility, a premium-feeling interior, strong performance and efficiency, especially with its optional engine variants. This small SUV stands out with its standard third row, a rare feature among other small SUVs, which is perfect for those times you need a few extra seats. Ideal for those who find the Telluride too large, the Sorento provides similar functionality in a more fuel-efficient and easier-to-park package.The Sorento offers a wide selection of engine choices. The standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine provides adequate power for most drivers, while a more potent turbocharged option is available on higher trims for those desiring a sportier drive. Finally, if you wanted to dip your toes into the world of plug-in vehicles, Kia did make a plug-in hybrid Sorento, starting with the 2022 model year.

• Technology

• Comfort

• Cargo and storage

• Ease of use

• Driving

What tech does the 2021 Kia Sorento have?

Connectivity

The Kia Sorento's infotainment system is both sharp-looking and user-friendly. An eight-inch touchscreen was standard on lower trims, up to the EX 2.5T, where there was an option to upgrade to a 10.25-inch screen. The larger screen became standard on the SX 2.5T and above. Finally, there was a 12.3 inch digital instrument cluster on the top SX Prestige trims. It's worth noting that wireless Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay® are exclusively available with the smaller screen. For Sorentos equipped with the larger screen, a wired USB connection is required for CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. This isn't a major drawback, as wired CarPlay typically offers quicker response times and keeps your phone constantly charged. USB ports are available on all three rows, and a wireless charger is also offered. 

Infotainment

The SX Prestige tested by Edmunds featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, an upgraded Bose® audio system, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. The graphics were sharp and innovative, but some testers found the on-screen buttons to be a bit small to press while moving. The Bose® audio system was slightly less impressive, and testers struggled to find optimal settings for a diverse range of music. The voice command system was the least impressive tech feature, requiring specific and predetermined commands to function.

Driver-Assist Tech

Edmunds test Sorento came with just about every driver-assist feature Kia offered. This included a 360-degree camera, a blind-spot camera, which was more of a novelty than useful, parking sensors and automatic braking for parking. Edmunds editors did not experience any false alarms with the assists. The adaptive cruise control and highway assist systems operated effectively, without requiring constant steering wheel input. However, the reverse parking braking system was overly sensitive, applying the brakes abruptly when making minor adjustments.

How comfortable is the 2021 Kia Sorento? 

Front Seating

The Sorento SX Prestige's front seats are heated and ventilated, with a good range of adjustment. While they looked more plush than they felt, they still provided adequate support for various body types, even on long drives.

Rear Seating

The second-row captain's chairs (a bench seat is standard on lower trim levels) were firm but more comfortable and supportive than bench seats found in other SUVs. While Edmunds testers noted the third-row seats were small and low to the floor, they still provided adequate support for adults on shorter trips.

Ride Quality and Interior Noise

Edmunds noted that the Sorento's ride comfort wasn't particularly impressive at lower speeds, with a consistent stream of jitters entering the cabin. The large 20-inch wheels and their low-profile tires might've been the culprit, as they also led to increased road noise at freeway speeds. At highway speeds, however, the Sorento's ride becomes well-controlled, instilling confidence and a sense of stability. 

Does the 2021 Kia Sorento have good storage?

Cargo 

With the rear seats in use, the Sorento offers 12.6 cubic feet of cargo space, which is enough for approximately a row of grocery bags placed vertically. Additionally, it features underfloor storage roughly equivalent to two shoeboxes, alongside the jack. This is a respectable capacity for a compact SUV, especially considering the third row, though it is less than what larger midsize SUVs like the Kia Telluride provide.

Folding down the third row expands the cargo capacity significantly, ranging from 38.5 cubic feet to 45 cubic feet, depending on the second-row seating position. This is more generous than the cargo space found in smaller two-row SUVs such as the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. While dropping the third row with a strap creates a much larger area, a gap does remain between the captain's chairs, and smaller loose objects can potentially roll through it.

Storage

The Sorento provides well-organized and practical storage for small items. The center console features a covered bin ideal for a wireless charger, phones, sunglasses, and other small essentials. Additionally, there are two shelves: one for keys or access cards, and another specifically designed to hold a phone horizontally. The deep center bin also incorporates a smaller upper compartment for easy retrieval of small items. Both front doors offer generous storage. In the rear, the doors include integrated can holders near the window switches and bottle storage in the door pockets. Plus, each third-row seat is equipped with molded plastic cupholders and a small bin.

How easy is the 2021 Kia Sorento to use?

Entry, Exit, and Car Seats

The step-in height is fairly standard to get into the Sorento, and the front seats are positioned to allow easy entry. The second row offers similar ease of access, though taller passengers may need to duck slightly. To access the third row with captain's chairs, use the quick-release button to slide and fold the seat. Adults were able to fit in the back with some degree of comfort, and exiting, though a bit snug, was manageable.

Car seat installation is made easier by wide door openings and captain's chairs. The second row offers exposed lower anchors and easy-to-find top tether anchors. Infant and rear-facing convertible seats are simple to install with ample legroom. Forward-facing convertibles fit well, but the head restraint might need to be raised for taller children. Boosters can also fit after raising the head restraint. In the third row, LATCH anchors are exposed and clearly marked. Fixed head restraints can hinder a flush fit for taller children in forward-facing convertibles, which are designed to sit against the seatback.

Interior Layout and Visibility

The Sorento's interior features clearly labeled switches and buttons, along with easily identifiable main touchscreen icons that have a neon light aesthetic. While the steering wheel controls are somewhat cluttered and may take some time to master, they should not pose a problem once learned.

The driving gauges sit a bit lower, so you wind up looking down into the instrument panel, but the rest of the dash, screen, and controls all feel within easy reach.

The Sorento offers excellent visibility thanks to its large, unobstructed windows and minimal blind spots, especially with the rear three-quarter windows. The rear view is also clear, and the available high-definition surround-view camera system provides a very helpful and clear display on the screen.

What’s the 2021 Kia Sorento like to drive?

Driving

The available turbocharged engine in the Sorento leaves a strong impression. In Edmunds' testing, it proved remarkably quick for a small SUV, not only hitting 60 mph in a mere 6.7 seconds but also maintaining its power at higher speeds. For context, this Sorento is nearly 3 seconds faster than the similarly sized Volkswagen Tiguan and even slightly quicker than the V6-powered Honda Passport, making highway merging and passing effortless.

Braking in the Sorento is confident and well balanced thanks to the intuitive brake pedal. From 60 mph, the Sorento stopped in just 121 feet with minimal nosedive, which is better than average for its class. However, this braking distance is slightly increased on the top trim due to its standard all-terrain tires. Handling is also confidence-inspiring, though improved steering accuracy would be a welcome enhancement.

Towing

The Kia Sorento has a towing rating of about 3,500 pounds for the 2.5-liter turbo.

This figure is down from 5,000 pounds with the previous generation Sorento. For those who really want to tow more, there's always the Kia Telluride to consider. You'll find that the Telluride's and other midsizers' tow ratings are in the 5,000-pound range.

Fuel Economy/Electric Efficiency

The Kia Sorento's fuel economy will vary anywhere from 23 mpg to 37 mpg

, depending on the powertrain you've chosen. The all-wheel-drive Sorento with the turbocharged engine, the model Edmunds editors tested, achieved an average of 25.2 mpg in their mixed-driving evaluation route, slightly exceeding the EPA's estimate of 24 mpg combined. One notable advantage is that this turbocharged Sorento does not require premium gasoline. While not as fuel-efficient as the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, it outperformed the Honda Passport and Subaru Ascent, which have similar power outputs, on the same evaluation route. 

EPA Fuel Economy Estimates