SX Appeal: 2011 Kia Sorento SX Review

By Mike Dovorany

Mike Dovorany

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SX Appeal: 2011 Kia Sorento SX Review
Until recently, Kia and sister company Hyundai had a problem: their vehicles offered great value... Read More

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5 2,304 views Dec 21, 2010

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Boy how things have changed.

Approaching the Sorento, you first notice the work of former Audi designer Peter Schreyer.  Clean surfaces and a muscular stance give the vehicle chunky good looks, particularly with this tester’s 18” mirror-finish alloy wheels. 

The top of the line Sorento SX AWD comes standard with the 276-horsepower V-6, a 6-speed automatic, and the aforementioned 18” wheels.  Inside, leather seats, dual-zone climate control, navigation, Bluetooth, and a 10-speaker Infinity sound system round out the standard features of the up-level SX.

The driver is presented with an elegant yet simple dash layout featuring a large touch screen and intuitive audio system and climate controls.  Kia’s clear, simple iPod/Bluetooth interface is still one of the best offered in any vehicle.  The Sorento has a clever dual-tiered storage compartment below the climate controls.  In a vein similar to Volvo’s floating control panel behind which lies storage space, the Kia’s dual-level storage provides ample space for phones, glasses and other items that normally clog cup holders.

With seating for seven, passenger space is ample.  However, with the second and third row seats up, remaining cargo space is tight (9.1 cubic feet).  Folding both rows reveals a cavernous cargo area; though the downward sloping roofline that looks so attractive from the outsides does limit the ability to carry taller items.  Two mountain bikes couldn’t be stowed upright in the Sorento, an easy task for some smaller, boxier competitors. 

Dynamically the Sorento does well but in no way sets a new standard for mid-size SUVs.  Fuel economy is good at 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.  The V-6 and 6-speed auto work together well, at times undermined by nonlinear throttle programming that is quite sensitive at initial tip-in but can be slow to respond deeper in the pedal travel. That said, acceleration is strong.

A rare area where Kia lags the competition is in suspension tuning.  Lots of body roll makes the 3900-pound SUV feel large.  At times the Sorento’s ride feels jittery, with sharp, sudden bumps sending reverberations through the body, leading one to wonder if Kia was aiming for both comfort and sportiness but not quite getting the mix right.  Not horrible, but not class-leading either.   

The attractive, well-engineered Sorento may not lead the competition in every way, but this vehicle is a must-see for anyone considering mid-size SUVs.  Pilot and Highlander, consider yourselves warned.