The revamped Kia Sorento competes in the crowded SUV category by offering bargain-priced utility with a splash of style. A pace-setting warranty means peace of mind is standard equipment.
ABOUT THE KIA SORENTO:
Body style:
midsize, four-door SUV
Trim lines:
LX, EX
Price:
Base MSRP $19,995-$26,195; tester MSRP $30,065
Drive:
Rear wheel, four wheel
Seating:
Two in front, three in rear
Engine:
3.8-liter V-6
Transmission:
Five-speed automatic with manual mode
Miles per gallon of fuel:
17 city/22 highway
WHAT'S SPECIAL:
The newest Sorento is more powerful than its predecessors with a new 3.8-liter V-6 producing 262 horsepower, a 36 percent increase. The five-speed automatic transmission, a bit clunky on the downshift, has a manual shift mode. The SUV is capable of towing 5,000 pounds.
WHAT WE LIKE:
This is a stylish family car Ñ inside and out. At a quick glance, you could very well mistake the Sorento for the M-Class Mercedes-Benz. The interior fit and finish are nice, nearly luxurious, although the "wood trim" has never seen a forest.
WHAT ISN'T THERE:
A jack for plugging your iPod, or other MP3 player, into the sound system. Satellite radio is also missing, even as an option. Entertainment choices are limited to AM/FM radio and six-disc CD changer.
YOU OUGHTA KNOW:
In addition to a sunroof and leather seating, part of the luxury package is what Kia calls Torque-on-Demand, an all-wheel-drive system that transfers power between the front and rear wheels when it senses the wheels are slipping. The low-range four-wheel drive and 8.2-inch ground clearance makes tough going a bit easier.
EXTRAS:
The list of standard features is fairly lengthy: cruise control, full-length side-curtain air bags, CD player. There are steering wheel controls with raised, Braille-like dots so that you can navigate the controls by touch. Why don't all cars have that? Beneath the carpeted rear cargo area is a divided storage box to stash fairly flat things out of sight. It's a good place for a first aid kit and roadside emergency gear.
AND ANOTHER THING:
The Kia warranty lasts longer than most marriages: 10 years/100,000 miles on the powertrain; five-years/60,000 miles on the rest.
