The 2021 Kia Sorento is a mid-size SUV with plenty of room for both passengers and cargo. It offers great performance and a sleek exterior design. The interior is just as stylish and offers plenty of comfort and convenience. The Sorento also comes equipped with a lot of safety features and driver-assist technology.
What’s New for 2021?
The 2021 models of the Kia Sorento mark the start of a brand-new generation for this vehicle. The exterior features an all-new design. The Sorento now has a more aggressive, sporty appearance. The interior received a number of upgrades as well. The 2021 interior design is more modern with digital interfaces and a new gauge-cluster layout.
Body Styles and Configurations
The new Sorento is a four-door SUV with a rear hatch for easy access to the cargo area. It comes in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive variations. The Sorento offers three seat rows to accommodate up to seven people. This mid-size SUV measures in at 189-inches long, 74.8-inches wide and 66.7-inches high. It has a wheelbase of 110.8 inches.
The exterior style is accentuated by features such as Multi-Reflector LED Headlights. The exterior mirrors are power adjustable and offer a heating feature. Kia uses Solar Control Glass on the front windshield and rear window. All other windows get Privacy Glass. The base trim level gets Kia's Rugged Body Styling while the remaining trims get Sport Body Styling.
Interior Features
The 2021 Kia Sorento will be available in five different trim levels. The first three trim levels are called the LX, S and EX. These all come with an AM/FM/HD stereo and six speakers. Audio controls are mounted on the steering wheel for safety and convenience. There's an 8-inch touchscreen with sharp graphics for the infotainment center. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay both work with this setup.
The SX and SX-Prestige trims get a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen. They add in Bluetooth technology for hands-free phone calls and easy music streaming. These trim levels also add on a navigation system. The audio setup is upgraded to a Premium Bose System with 12 speakers. All trim levels have a number of USB ports to charge your smartphones and other mobile devices.
The base model gets a 6-way adjustable driver's seat. All other trim levels get a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat with 2-way lumbar support. The LX has cloth upholstery while the next three trim levels have SynTex Seat Trim. The SX-Presitige gets genuine, embossed and perforated leather. This top trim level also offers heated and ventilated seats up front.
Performance Stats
The first two trim levels come equipped with a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine. They also get a standard 8-speed automatic-transmission system. The higher trim packages have a turbocharged version of this engine with an 8-speed automatic, duel-clutch transmission. The base engine produces a respectable 191 horsepower with 181 pound-feet of torque. The turbocharged model makes 281 horsepower with 311 pound-feet of torque.
Driving Impressions
Acceleration is good with both powertrain options. There's plenty of passing power at highway speeds no matter which engine its equipped with. Both automatic transmissions shift smoothly right when needed. The suspension system is solid, and there's very little engine or road noise to be heard inside of the Sorento.
There's around 105.3 cubic-feet of space for the passengers. There's plenty of room to stretch out in for all three rows of seats. The seats are well cushioned and supportive in every trim level. The Sorento has a maximum cargo space of 75.5 cubic-feet. This, along with the great ride quality, makes it the perfect vehicle for long road trips.
Fuel Economy
According to EPA estimates, both engines have a combined fuel-economy rating of 29 miles-per-gallon in a Sorento with front-wheel drive. All-wheel-drive models fall down to 25 miles-per-gallon with the base engine. They come in at 28 miles-per-gallon with the turbocharged engine. That makes the all-wheel-drive Sorento with a turbocharged engine the best performer with its balance of power and efficiency.
Safety Features
Safety is one of the most important categories to consider when buying a new car. Fortunately, the 2021 Kia Sorento comes packed with safety features and driver-assist technology. All models get Four-Wheel Disc, Anti-Lock Brakes. A Rear-View Monitor with a Parking-Assist feature is standard as well.
All trim levels have an Advanced Airbag System. The driver and front passenger get airbags in front and to the side of them. The driver gets an extra airbag around the knee area. The middle- and rear-seat passengers get side-mounted airbags. There are also full-length side curtain airbags for an extra level of protection.
Lane-Keeping Assist and Lane-Departure Warning keep you moving safely straight ahead. The Forward-Collision Avoidance Assist helps to avoid accidents. This handy feature can detect pedestrians. The higher trim levels upgrade this feature with Cyclist Detection and Junction Turning. The Sorento also has systems to help the driver avoid collisions due to blind-spots or rear cross-traffic.
The 2021 Kia Sorento is an excellent choice for anyone who is looking for a new mid-size SUV. It can do anything that one would expect from a vehicle in this class. The Sorento works as a family hauler or cargo transporter. It provides a comfortable interior with a fantastic ride quality. Both powertrain options offer great performance and fuel efficiency.
Formula for Calculating Dealer Cost:
Total Dealer Cost - Rebate and Incentive + Taxes / Licensing Fees = True Dealer Cost. (You can get rebates and incentives here)
Note: All Kia Sorento MSRP, invoice and dealer cost dollar figures above are approximate amounts. Prices are subject to change without notice.
A note about rebates: Most rebates are subtracted from the "on the road" figure. In most cases, you can have the rebate if you are arranging your own financing or you are paying cash. If you decide to use the manufacturer’s low interest financing, you do not usually get the rebate. Ask your dealer for details.
