2014 Kia Sorento Test Drive

On-Sale Date: Now

Price: $24,950 to $28,250

Competitors: Toyota Highlander, Ford Edge, Dodge Journey, Nissan Murano, Hyundai Santa Fe

Powertrains: 2.4-liter I-4, 191 hp, 181 lb-ft; 3.3-liter V-6, 290 hp, 252 lb-ft; six-speed automatic, FWD or AWD

EPA Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 19?20/24?26 (I-4), 18/24?25 (V-6)

What?s New: The 2014 Kia Sorento?s sheet metal is a disguise. Yes, it looks an awful lot like the 2013 Kia Sorento, and yes, the basic body panels and glass are the same. But Kia says this is nearly an all-new vehicle. Beneath the surface the Sorento shares a revised chassis with the new Hyundai Santa Fe. Torsional rigidity is said to be up by 18 percent, while both the strut front and multilink rear suspensions were calibrated to improve ride, noise isolation, and handling compared to the old Sorento. The more compact rear suspension now creates an extra 1.6 cubic feet of interior space too. Cargo space is unchanged, but every foot counts in a family wagon.

This significant refresh comes just three model years after Kia launched the Sorento as an all-new 2011 model. The company made the same move with the new Forte. Kia is keeping a hyper-competitive product cycle these days.

Under the hood, the Sorento moves to an all-direct-injected engine lineup. Gone is the old 175-hp 2.4-liter engine, along with the choice of a manual transmission. Instead, whether you tick the box for the standard 191-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder or the 290-hp 3.3-liter V-6, a six-speed automatic comes along for the ride.

Tech Tidbit: Sorentos now use Magna?s Dynamax all-wheel-drive system. Kia codeveloped Dynamax and introduced it on the 2011 Sportage. It?s essentially a smart coupling that mounts to the front of the rear axle. The AWD system gathers information from vehicle sensors and the coupling, and then proportions torque with a multiplate clutch to the rear axle. Torque is metered out to the appropriate axle quickly and, through the use of vehicle sensors, the system can anticipate when the Sorento will need a little extra traction in foul weather or rearward torque to help reduce understeer. Speaking of handling, the system works with a new Torque Vectoring Cornering Control system. Don?t let the name get you too excited?it doesn?t vector torque mechanically like an expensive German sport sedan, but rather uses the brakes to help control torque across the rear axle.

Driving Character: Our loaded SX AWD model came packing the V-6 and felt quick scooting around traffic. From a standstill, though, the Sorento feels sluggish even though it will probably zip to 60 mph in about 7.5 seconds. There?s a bit of a lag between the time you pin the throttle and the moment the Sorento launches from a stoplight. It?s as if the engine, transmission, and AWD system must all check with base camp for approval. No matter: Once under way, the Kia has plenty of highway passing power.

On paper, the Sorento SX appears to be set up for switchbacks. All Sorentos come wearing suspension that?s 10 mm (0.39 inches) lower than the old one, and the SX gets standard 19-inch low-profile tires along with the company?s "Flexsteer" adjustable electric steering system. But bend the Sorento into a set of twisties at high speeds and it soon becomes clear that this Kia is out of its element. With a cabin full of kids, dogs, and mothers-in-law, you won?t be speeding anywhere except to the grocery store for more Honey Nut Cheerios.

The new Sorento delivers the most important driving characteristic a family needs?comfort. The new suspension system provides a ride that?s as plush as an air-spring-equipped Jeep Grand Cherokee. The SX comes packing a ton of luxury features including heated and ventilated leather front seats, heated steering wheel, rear air conditioning, and a power liftgate. Rear-seat passengers have plenty of space and optional seat heaters too.

However, climb into that third row on seven-seat models once, and you won?t do it again. This is no back seat for adults, unless they happen to hail from The Shire.

Favorite Detail: The Sorento?s dash has been heavily reworked and looks far more modern than before. But as tempting as it may have been for designers to replace old-school controls, they chose to keep the knobs. Two easy-to-use dials control the audio system and two more are there to adjust the climate control. Perhaps we?re Luddites, but sometimes simplicity is best.

Driver?s Grievance: The new Sorento is smoother, quieter, and drives better. But leaving the bodywork essentially unchanged from the old one seems odd. How will anyone notice the newness if it hardly looks different?

Bottom Line: The Kia Sorento has always been an exceedingly good value. That hasn?t changed. The top-level SX Limited, at just over $40,000, adds a litany of luxury features for thousands less than its competitors.

Yet don?t get used to the look of this Sorento. Kia product planners told PM that an even newer Sorento is coming along soon. While they didn?t specify a date, we got the impression that this 2014 model is a stopgap before something radical comes along, perhaps aping some of the style from the cool Cross GT concept that debuted at the Chicago Auto Show.

Source: http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/reviews/drives/2014-kia-sorento-test-drive?src=rss

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