The redesigned 2021 Kia Sorento has a TCC Ranking of 6.8 out of 10 that bests the aforementioned competitors handily, with a pointy design, number of powertrains, and easy-to-access third row. However its higher trim fashions lack sure anticipated options, it’s loud inside, and there are many low-cost, exhausting plastics.

I spent every week hauling the youngsters round city, placing youngsters’ bikes within the rear cargo space, and selecting up groceries to see the place the 2021 Kia Sorento X-Line AWD hits and misses in household life.

2021 Kia Sorento X-Line AWD

2021 Kia Sorento X-Line AWD

2021 Kia Sorento X-Line AWD

2021 Kia Sorento X-Line AWD

Hit: It stands out

The Honda Passport, Nissan Murano and Ford Edge are, in a phrase, boring. The Sorento is not; the three-row crossover SUV has a European Jeep Grand Cherokee vibes due to the same form and greenhouse with European aptitude to its headlights whereas the inside has some good detailing resembling intricate air vents and a knurled radio quantity knob.

2021 Kia Sorento X-Line AWD

2021 Kia Sorento X-Line AWD

2021 Kia Sorento X-Line AWD

Miss: However there are awkward bits

The place the competitors could also be bland and boring, they definitely by no means make you squint and go, “Huh.” The Sorento has such an issue. The break up LED taillights look a bit off, as if they’re leftovers from some prototype with a strip of physique shade between the lights on the physique and the tailgate. Merely bizarre. Then there’s the design flourish by the C-pillar that The Automobile Connection’s editorial director Marty Padgett dubbed “the door tooth.” Why does this exist?

2021 Kia Sorento X-Line AWD

Hit: Powertrain selections

Spec a Honda Passport or Nissan Murano and also you’ll be getting a V-6. Admittedly, each have easy, highly effective, considerably environment friendly V-6 engines, however that’s the one possibility. The Sorento presents a bevy of powertrains starting from an inline-4 to a plug-in hybrid. My tester’s 2.5-liter turbo-4 produced a V-6-like 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque to all 4 wheels through an 8-speed dual-clutch computerized transmission. This mixture supplied loads of energy and the DCT was principally properly behaved apart from a hiccup or two going into reverse whereas parked or crawling ahead at carpool. A V-6 was missed as a result of I’m outdated, cranky, and I like the best way naturally aspirated engines construct energy.

2021 Kia Sorento X-Line AWD

Miss: Loud and low-cost

The big three-row Telluride signaled a brand new period at Kia with its luxury-like inside. Did the automaker spend your entire price range on that new household hauler as a result of a foul development is rising with Kia merchandise which have come after the Telluride: They’re loud inside. On the freeway I needed to ask my 5-year outdated to talk up from the again seat on a close to day by day foundation. This is identical difficulty I skilled within the K5 sedan and small Seltos crossover SUV. Arduous plastics line the cabin and glossy piano black plastic scratches simply. The arm relaxation on the entrance doorways is softly padded, however the padding thins to exhausting plastic beneath the elbow.

2021 Kia Sorento X-Line AWD

Hit: Easy accessibility to 3rd row

Regardless of the variety of automobiles on sale immediately with third rows, it appears most producers don’t spend sufficient time fascinated by how simple it’s to entry this further seating. Kia did. The second-row seat folds and slides in a single motion on the push of a button mounted on the highest of the second-row seat again. This makes it particularly simple for these within the third row to fold and slide the second row. For these exterior the Sorento who may not see this button there’s additionally a deal with on the bottom of the second row to carry out the fold and slide motion. Selections are good! Sadly the second-row seats don’t slide again to their earlier positions, although most don’t.

2021 Kia Sorento X-Line AWD

Miss: It prices what?

We stay in an period of $40,000 Nissan Rogues, $50,000 Toyota RAV4s, and $44,285 Kia Sorentos. My tester had most of what one expects in a car at this value, together with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, LED lighting, and heated and cooled entrance seats. However it notably lacked a head-up show (which may be had in each a Rogue and RAV4) and reminiscence seating for even the driving force seat. These two omissions appear odd given the value of the well-equipped X-Line.

The 2021 Sorento makes a variety of sense and is sort of interesting in a section full of bland alternate options. With a trendy design, bevy of powertrain choices, and family-friendly inside options, the Sorento’s a strong contender for a household of 4 and definitely has extra persona than a Honda Passport.

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2020 Kia Sorento X-Line AWD

Base value: $26,745
Value as examined: $44,285
EPA gas financial system: 21/28/24 mpg
The hits: Sharp seems to be, loaded with tech, easy accessibility to 3rd row, powertrain choices
The misses: Lacks sure options, small third row, will get costly, low-cost plastics, loud