2019 Kia Sorento Road Test and Review

2019 Kia Sorento hero ・ Photo by Kia

The Kia Sorento isn’t the biggest three-row crossover SUV in the American market. It isn’t the best-handling or the fastest. It might not win you an elite parking spot at an upscale restaurant. But the Kia Sorento is a great value in a number of ways. J.D. Power named the 2017 version of the Sorento the vehicle with the highest initial quality in its class, and the Sorento ranked well above average in the research firm’s Automotive Performance Execution and Layout study. 

For the 2019 model year, the Sorento receives some minor appearance changes in the front and rear fascias and grille. The more important upgrades, though, are functional. Notably, the optional 3.3-liter V6 is now paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission that offers smoother shifts. And after some crash-safety improvements, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has just given the 2019 Sorento its Top Safety Pick+ designation, its highest accolade.

Driving Impressions

While some performance-oriented auto reviewers might yearn for more sportiness from the Sorento’s acceleration and handling, the vehicle’s behavior is right in line with what most midsize crossover buyers want — quiet and comfort. The Sorento doesn’t have the direct steering nor sharp cornering prowess of the Acura RDX or even the Mazda CX-9, but the vast majority of crossover buyers will find it perfectly acceptable.

As one would guess, the base 185-horsepower four-cylinder engine doesn’t deliver thrilling off-the-line performance, but it is more than adequate. Frankly, the available 3.3-liter V6 doesn’t feel a hundred horsepower stronger than the four-cylinder, but its acceleration and smoothness match up well with its buyers’ needs. If you want to make hundreds of Interstate miles disappear in the rearview mirror, you will appreciate the Sorento’s multi-adjustable seats and comfortable driving position. Third-row passengers will be less enthusiastic.

Photo by Kia

Upscale Interior

Though the Sorento’s interior isn’t as roomy as others in the segment, it makes excellent use of the space it provides. And the interior is decidedly upscale, reflecting an Audi influence. The instrument cluster, revised for 2019, is an obvious example of the European design theme. It is both clear and attractive. The available premium Nappa leather seats are also upscale. Similar to the seats we liked so much in Kia's Stinger sports sedan, they are available in mahogany and terracotta colors depending upon trim level.

Standard 40/20/40 folding seats in the second row and 50/50 folding seats in the third row provide accommodations for up to seven passengers. And they can be folded down in various configurations to provide room for odd-sized cargo.  Maximum cargo volume is a generous 73 cubic feet. The Sorento interior also offers available dual-zone HVAC and a panoramic sunroof.

Photo by Kia

Sophisticated Infotainment

One of the most pleasant aspects of the 2019 Kia Sorento is its easy-to-understand and easy-to-use controls. The clarity is a theme throughout the vehicle, and it is particularly obvious in its infotainment system. Even the base level L trim is equipped with a 7-inch infotainment system interface, and the system is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. In the more expensive trim levels infotainment includes an upgraded AVN 5.0 navigation system, which is also with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. A wireless charging tray for compatible smartphones is also available.

The premium sound system is the equal of many you would find in European luxury crossovers. This 630-watt, 10-speaker Harman Kardon system has an 11-channel amplifier and features both Clari-Fi and QuantumLogic Surround Sound technology.

Photo by Kia

Handsome Exterior

The Kia Sorento offers a clean, refined exterior look, including what has become Kia’s signature “face.” At 189.0 inches in overall length, the Sorento is one of the smallest mid-size SUVs. It's significantly more compact than the best-selling Ford Explorer (198.3 inches) and the new Chevrolet Traverse (204.3 inches).

The 2019 Sorento is a “refreshed” edition of the model's handsome complete redesign from 2016. The grille has been subtly reworked, and it is flanked by a new, more aggressive headlight treatment. All-LED lighting is available on the Sorento SX and standard on SXL. The rear fascia features a new bumper design, revised taillights, an altered liftgate, and a sportier muffler tip. Three newly designed wheels complete the exterior remake, and they range in size from 17 to 19 inches depending on trim level.

Photo by Kia

Choice of Powertrains

The Sorento is designed to serve a very broad swath of mid-size SUV buyers, and that is reflected in the powertrain choices for 2019. The base engine is a 185-horsepower 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder channeling its motive force through an electronically controlled six-speed automatic transmission. The transmission offers manual shifting capability, and it was revised for 2019.

The bigger news, though, is the newly available eight-speed automatic transmission, which is teamed with the potent V6. With a displacement of 3.3 liters, the V6 delivers 290 peak horsepower. The eight-speed automatic, which is also installed in the Kia Cadenza sedan, is intended to be smoother than the previous six-speed transmission. Noticeably absent from the 2019 powertrain lineup is last year's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Also absent is 2018’s Drive Mode Select feature, replaced by the new Smart Shift & Drive system that automatically activates the optimum of three drive modes.

Photo by Kia

Cargo and Towing

The Sorento isn’t the biggest of the mid-size crossovers, but its versatile interior will still hold an enormous amount of cargo. With both rear rows folded it offers 73.0 cubic feet of cargo volume. That number shrinks to a still robust 38.0 cubic feet with the second-row bench seat in use. And even with all three rows in place, the Sorento has 11.3 cubic feet of luggage space.

Of course, Sorentos equipped with roof rails can also accept a variety of carriers for additional space. With the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and front- or all-wheel drive the Sorento offers a modest 2,000-pound towing capacity. With the 3.3-liter V6 and all-wheel drive, however, towing capacity more than doubles to 5,000 pounds.

Photo by Kia

Safety/Driver Aids

All Sorento models are equipped with a robust array of active safety features. The list includes electronic stability control, traction control, brake assist, hill-start assist, electronic brake force distribution, and antilock brakes. All-wheel drive models add rollover mitigation and cornering brake control.

That is an impressive array, but the on upper trim levels (EX and higher), the suite of driver assistance system gets significantly more robust. It adds a forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, a rear cross-traffic collision alert, and a surround-view monitor. Additional offerings are a driver attention warning and lane-keeping assist. In the Sorento, lane-keeping assist will not only warn the driver of drifting but also actively steer the vehicle back into its proper path. The driver attention warning is triggered when the system detects signs of driver fatigue or inattentiveness.

Photo by Kia

Trim Levels

The 2019 Kia Sorento is available in six trim levels — L, LX, LX V6, EX V6, SX V6, and SX Limited V6. Even the L version has a reasonable array of standard features, including alloy wheels, a six-speaker AM/FM/MP3 audio system with a 7-inch display, and third-row seating.

The top-of-the-line SX Limited V6 takes the Sorento across the line into the realm of luxury crossovers. Its vast list of standard items includes a 10-speaker infotainment system with an 8-inch display for navigation and other functions. Dual-zone climate control, Nappa leather seat trim, and a 10-way adjustable driver’s seat are also standard. The mid-line EX V6 and SX V6 arguably offer the best compromises between price and features.

Photo by Kia

Pricing and Value

The Sorento spans a broad price range. The price-leading L trim level has an MSRP of $25,990 while the all-in top-of-the-line SX Limited V6 has an MSRP of $46,490. That is a very big spread, but somehow the Sorento manages to pull it off. Further, it manages to seem like a bargain at each of the price points in which it is offered. 

The LX starts at $27,490, the LX V6 at $31,290, the EX V6 at $35,590, and the SX V6 at $39,990. All-wheel drive is essentially an $800 option on all trim levels. In terms of cost-to-own, the Sorento is in mid-pack, while its safety, quality, and satisfaction ratings are significantly above average. With the enhancements for 2019, it is definitely worthy of consideration.

Photo by Kia