If you’re looking for a reliable midsize SUV, checking out Kia models is a great place to start. In fact, the 2021 Kia Sorento is just about to enter the market if you want something new and exciting. The Kia Sorento has been around since 2002, with both gasoline and diesel options. By 2012, the Sorento increased its cargo space and included driver’s assist options like Blind-Spot Detection, Front Collision Warning, Lane Crossing Departure Warning, and more.
Later, the 2018 Sorento would continue being Kia’s best-selling model with its 3.3-liter V6 engine and 8-speed automatic transmission, creating a better driving experience than ever before. If you think the 2018 model sounds great, just wait until you hear what the 2021 Sorento has to offer. This model, just like its predecessors, is about to bring in a whole new level of style and class.
The Aesthetic Appeal
The Kia Sorento proves that SUVs do not have to look boring or basic. In fact, the Sorento comes in five beautiful, natural colors, including Aruba Stone (green), Sparkling Silver, Crystal Beige, Glacial White Pearl, and Ebony Black. These colors are for the X-Line, but the other Kia models look great as well. The interior highlights the exterior well, offering Rust Leather or Black Leather seating and accented paneling to boot. You are sure to look and feel stylish in this new and improved Sorento.
Powertrains
The 2021 Kia Sorento comes in three different powertrain options, including the 2.5-liter GDI engine, the 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, and the 1.6-liter turbocharged hybrid. That’s right; the 2021 Sorento does come as a hybrid if you want to save some money on fuel. So, let’s start with the lowest powertrain option.
The 2.5-liter GDI has 191 horsepower, an 8-speed automatic transmission, and can get up to 26 MPG combined. In short, if power isn’t your primary concern, then this one is the best deal for you. You’re still getting all the tech and visual benefits, but this one won’t cost you as much. The 2.5-liter turbo produces a much higher 281 horsepower at 311 lb-ft of torque, and it’s paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. This is definitely the most powerful option of the three.
Lastly, the 1.6-liter hybrid engine gets up to 620 miles of charge and up to 37 miles per gallon combined. This hybrid will still provide you with up to 258 lb-ft of torque, though. The hybrid is the best option for those who want to save a little money on gas while also helping to save the environment.
How Does The 2021 Sorento Perform?
This crossover comes with several assets to help better its performance. First off, it has an adaptive all-wheel drive with lock mode. This works to match power distribution with the road conditions to aid in traction control. It also has a hill-start assist, which is almost like having an extra foot. Basically, this technology holds the brake for an additional 2 seconds after you let off, giving you more time to hit the gas without rolling backward on steep inclines.
Next, we’ve got torque vectoring corner control. This technology is similar to hill-start assist in that it applies brakes automatically. However, instead of applying brakes on hills, torque vectoring corner control works with cornering instead. Lastly, the Sorento promises to perform well in all weather conditions, including snow. Overall, the 2021 Sorento is ready to face whatever the road may bring you.
Safety and Tech Features
There are plenty of driver’s assist features on the new Kia Sorento. These include Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Blind Spot Assistance, a 360 Surround View Monitor, a Rear Occupant Alert, Parking Collision Avoidance, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assistance, and Safe Exit Assist. Some of these probably sound familiar to you, but a few could use some explaining. Let’s take a look at these.
Rear Occupant Alert is a cool feature for many reasons. It will notify you of any intruders who may enter the car while you are away. The other, more beneficial reason is that it will alert you if the rear seat is occupied when exiting the vehicle, so you can know that everyone is out of the car. In short, Rear Occupant Alert senses movement in the backseat and can send an alert to your phone if something goes wrong or if something or someone shouldn’t be there.
Safe Exit Assist alerts occupants of approaching vehicles or people and can automatically activate child locks. Whether you accidentally back up too close to a pond or an unwanted stranger begins approaching your vehicle, this is a great feature to help keep you and your children safe. This is especially helpful for exiting when parallel parked on the busy city streets.
Finally, Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go is a modernized version of the cruise control feature. Most people know what cruise control is, but the Stop & Go part is what’s important here. This feature helps drivers keep away from whatever vehicle is in front of them. So, rather than needing to restart cruise control constantly, now you can rely on Stop & Go to keep up with the flow of traffic for you. It’s definitely a good idea to still pay attention, but at least this tech is here to back you up when your mind is overwhelmed.
On top of all those tech safety features, the Sorento’s light yet strong body style provides extra protection in case of crashes. This is paired with smart airbags that can detect how drastic a crash’s impact is. While warnings and alerts are great, durability and physical protection is always most important. We can confidently say that the 2021 Kia Sorento offers both.
More About The Sorento’s Interior
What does this SUV look like on the inside, you may ask? The answer is probably way better than you were expecting. As if the leather interior options aren’t enough, the reclining captain’s chairs and dual cargo floor really bring it all together. Additionally, the Bose 12-inch speakers with Bluetooth connection, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto are sure to pair great with the 10-inch Infotainment center. You also won’t have to worry about your phone dying during your favorite song, thanks to a whopping 8 available USB charging ports. Additionally, navigation is also included in all of this, creating a safe traveling experience for everyone.
Optional UVO Link Subscription
If all those safety features aren’t enough for you, and you’d rather play it extra safe, the available UVO Link technology might be for you. It comes with 5 main features, including Find My Car, Connected Routing, In-Vehicle Notification Center, Connected User Profile, and 911 Connect & Roadside Assistance. Find My Car helps you locate your vehicle via the Kia app, while Connected Routing uses data to give you the fastest travel route possible. The notification center is handy for those forgetful folks who forget to update their calendar reminders. It will let you know when you have scheduled maintenance, when you need to check your tire pressure, and so on.
Finally, let’s look at the Connected User Profile and the 911 Connect & Roadside Assistance features. The user profile basically keeps you from having to switch settings in between drivers. Think of it like your Playstation user profile. You get your own personalized settings, including everything from radio station presets to mirror and seat adjustments.
Lastly, perhaps the most important, is the 911/Roadside Assistance feature. The best part about this asset is its ability to automatically call 911 when it senses that your airbags have deployed. If you’re injured or in shock, this helps keep you and your loved ones extra safe. Additionally, non-emergency services are included, such as tire replacement repair and breakdowns.
Is The New Sorento Right For Me?
If you’re looking for an SUV, then the short answer is yes, the 2021 Sorento is definitely going to appeal to you. Even if you’re not familiar with Kia, it’s time to start now. The Sorento is a happy medium for all types of drivers. You have plenty of engine options to choose between, standard and optional safety features, and a gorgeous aesthetic to top it all off.
While we may have to wait a little bit longer for the 2021 Kia Sorento, that doesn’t mean you can’t start shopping now. If you are in the Houston, TX area, come visit Parkway Family Kia and let us help you find your best next vehicle. We can’t wait to have the new 2021 Kia Sorento on our lot for you to test drive.
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Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.
*Based on Sales from January 2022 to January 2023.