{"id":1799,"date":"2019-11-06T03:55:31","date_gmt":"2019-11-06T08:55:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/?p=1799"},"modified":"2025-03-06T16:26:32","modified_gmt":"2025-03-06T21:26:32","slug":"2019-kia-sorento-sxl-road-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/2019-kia-sorento-sxl-road-test\/","title":{"rendered":"2019 Kia Sorento SXL Road Test"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"2019
Kia updated the Sorento’s styling for 2019, making big changes to the lower front fascia. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Have you ever driving a Kia? Even sat inside one? If it was way back at the turn of the millennium it might not have been the best of experiences. Even Kia doesn\u2019t promote its past in detail, the Korean brand celebrating its twentieth anniversary in Canada with limited edition models of its impressive Soul compact crossover and Stinger mid-size four-door coupe, but hardly paying tribute to the forgettable Sephia, Spectra and Magentis. <\/span><\/p>\n

Those cars offered nothing better than their competitors, and certainly nothing new, instead relying on low pricing to pull in new buyers. Today\u2019s Kia, however, builds vehicles you want to own in spite of their more renowned rivals, but first you\u2019ll need to give them a chance, and that\u2019s exactly what I\u2019m recommending mid-size crossover SUV buyers do with the Sorento. <\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve driven every Sorento generation, even the first 2002 model as part of its initial Canadian press launch, a vehicle that so impressed me I recommended it to my brother who kept his for nearly a decade. The redesigned 2010 model went from body-on-frame SUV to car-based crossover and therefore improved drivability as well as refinement, not to mention styling, while the 2016 model<\/a> upped all of the above to entirely new levels.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"2019
New LED taillights and a completely reworked rear bumper mark the changes from behind. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

My 2016 Sorento tester wasn\u2019t even in top-line trim, yet I found myself awestruck by its shocking supply of soft-touch interior surfaces, blown away from finding cloth-wrapped roof pillars all-round, impressed with its sizeable full-colour high-resolution touchscreen infotainment system, wowed by its diminutive yet formidable 240-horsepower 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and simply satisfied by its overall goodness. <\/span><\/p>\n

With not much changing over the past four years, plus an even more capable V6 on the options menu, one might think it would\u2019ve remained high on my list of highly recommended mid-size crossover SUVs, and so it does except for one considerable detail, since testing this most recent 2019 Sorento I\u2019ve also spent a week with the completely new 2020 Telluride<\/a>, so I\u2019m no longer recommending the Sorento quite as highly for seven-passenger crossover buyers. <\/span><\/p>\n

To be clear, the seven-passenger Sorento\u2019s price range slots in considerably further down Kia\u2019s model hierarchy, beginning at $32,795 for the EX 2.4 and topping out with the 3.3-litre V6-powered $49,165 SXL on this page, which is hardly in the same class as the Telluride that starts at $44,995 and tops out at $53,995 for its SX Limited with Nappa. As expected, the recent arrival of the Telluride and next year\u2019s forecast redesign of the 2021 Sorento have already resulted in a reshuffle of the mostly carryover 2020 Sorento<\/a>\u2019s trims, with today\u2019s base LX FWD model and this top-tier SXL soon to be discontinued. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"2019
LED headlights, LED fog lamps and chromed 19-inch alloys depict this Sorento’s top-line status. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So what about that upcoming 2021 Sorento? I expect it to follow in the tracks of the recently redesigned fourth-generation Hyundai Santa Fe that utilizes the same platform that the new Sorento will ride on, the former SUV only available with two rows and a maximum of five passengers for 2019, due to Hyundai now having a version of the Telluride all its own for 2020, named Palisade. The new Palisade is actually priced lower than the Telluride at $38,499, so we can expect the future 2021 Telluride to grow its trim line down-market with an SX model to slot below today\u2019s base Palisade so as to provide a seven-passenger crossover option for more mainstream Kia shoppers after this seven-place Sorento gets cancelled. <\/span><\/p>\n

Previously in this review I said that little had changed since the Sorento\u2019s 2016 redesign, but it should be noted this 2019 model underwent a fairly extensive refresh, albeit somewhat more subtle with respect to styling. The big news is a new eight-speed automatic gearbox for its available 3.3-litre V6, and sadly the elimination of the aforementioned 2.0-litre turbo-four (an odd removal, being that the majority of challengers are swapping out their optional V6s for turbocharged fours in order to improve fuel-efficiency, but I\u2019m guessing a stopgap ahead of the next-gen Sorento). <\/span><\/p>\n

\"2019
These LED taillights are standard on SX and SXL models. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As it is, the 2.4, which produces 185 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, now gets used for LX FWD, LX and EX 2.4 models, whereas the 3.3, making a maximum of 290 horsepower and 252 lb-ft of torque, adds performance to LX V6, EX, EX Premium, SX, and SXL trims. The six-speed autobox is the sole transmission with four-cylinder powered Sorentos, while the two extra gears only benefit the six-cylinder engine. As you may have guessed already, all trims excepting the LX FWD get all-wheel drive. <\/span><\/p>\n

As with all modern-day multi-speed automatics fuel-efficiency is the main benefactor, but they also help an engine maintain peak output thanks to shorter shift increments, therefore improving performance. Nevertheless, the upgraded Sorento\u2019s claimed fuel economy rating of 12.5 L\/100km city, 9.7 highway and 11.2 combined isn\u2019t as efficient at speed as the outgoing six-speed automatic and V6\/AWD combination that received a rating of 9.3 highway. In the city, however, where most of us spend the majority of our driving time, the old model\u2019s 13.2 L\/100km rating means the new version is much thriftier, while the new eight-speed helps V6-powered Sorentos achieve a less significant 0.2 L\/100km advantage. <\/span><\/p>\n

In case you were wondering how much better the previous 2.0-litre turbocharged four with its six-speed automatic might compare against a new Sorento with the same engine and eight-speed, the old model\u2019s rating of 12.3 L\/100km city, 9.4 highway and 11.0 combined is actually better than the new eight-speed automatic in the totally redesigned 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe, which can only manage 12.3 city, 9.8 highway and 11.2 combined. That Santa Fe, incidentally, rides on the same all-new platform architecture as the next Sorento.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"2019
The Sorento’s cabin gets closer to premium level execution than most of its rivals. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With respect to the base 2.4 that\u2019s available in the here and now, Kia claims 10.7 L\/100km in the city, 8.2 on the highway and 9.5 combined with FWD, representing a big improvement in city driving over last year\u2019s Sorento with the same powertrain, which could only manage 11.2 L\/100km city, 8.3 highway and 9.9 combined despite zero changes (gear ratio mods?), while the 2019 Sorento 2.4 AWD achieves a rating of 11.2 L\/100km city, 9.0 highway and 10.2 combined, compared to 11.5, 9.3 and 10.5 last year. <\/span><\/p>\n

If you found yourself scratching your head over some of those fuel economy figures, a quick glance at the refreshed 2019 Sorento might also leave you wondering exactly what was changed stylistically. For instance, the new grille looks exactly like the old grille, as does the hood that\u2019s supposedly changed too, but the lower front fascia is entirely new, the latter very noticeable on SX and SXL trims that previously had four larger LED fog lamps at each corner instead of the new half-sized combinations, the sections below now filled with what appear to be slatted brake vents, plus they\u2019re now framed within taller, V-shaped chrome bezels. <\/span><\/p>\n

The chromed door handles, chromed side window surrounds, and silver roof rails were part of my aforementioned 2016 SX tester as well, but the chromed side mouldings, 19-inch chrome alloys, and completely redesigned back bumper, which is now packed full of bright metal detailing, are all new. The updates make the Sorento classier than the pre-updated SUV\u2019s sportier design, chrome embellishment normally having such an effect. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"2019
A partially digital gauge cluster includes a centre multi-info display that doubles as the speedometer. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The 2019 refresh also provides renewed headlights and tail lamps infused with LEDs at both ends in SX and SXL trims, plus LED daytime running lights within the headlights, as well as LED fog lamps. Lower trims feature revised projector beam headlamps with LED positioning lamps, plus projector beam fog lights (on LX V6 to EX Premium trims), and conventional taillights with stylish new lenses. New colours join the usual assortment of updated alloy rims in 17-, 18- and 19-inch diameters wearing 235\/65R17, 235\/60R18 and 235\/55R19 all-season rubber, depending on trim. <\/span><\/p>\n

Moving inside, the 2019 Sorento gets an updated steering wheel, a new instrument cluster with bright electroluminescent analogue gauges to each side of a large digital speedometer that doubles as a comprehensive multi-information display, and a renewed centre with an updated infotainment touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and more. My favourite new convenience is the available wireless charging pad, although the new optional lane keeping assist and driver attention warning systems could prove even more important. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"2019
A large high-resolution touchscreen and dual-zone auto climate control combine for a comprehensive assortment of premium-level features. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Those two safety upgrades are part of top-tier SXL trim, this model also providing forward collision-avoidance assist, a feature that\u2019s now beginning to be included as standard equipment in competitive base models, but it\u2019s not unusual to force an upward move to a mid-range trim for blindspot detection with rear cross-traffic alert, these two upgrades standard with the Sorento EX. The rest of the Sorento\u2019s safety equipment is the segment\u2019s normal standard fare, and therefore is included in all trims. <\/span><\/p>\n

The previously noted base Sorento LX FWD starts at only $28,295 plus freight and fees, and is therefore an impressive value when put up against every other mid-size SUV, particularly when factoring in that it comes standard with 17-inch alloys, auto on\/off headlights, chromed door handles, a heated and leather-clad multifunction steering wheel, Drive Mode Select with Comfort, Eco, Sport and Smart settings, three-way heatable front seats, a 7.0-inch centre display with the Apple and Android smartphone integration mentioned earlier, plus a backup camera, six-speaker audio, and plenty more. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"2019
The top-tier surround camera combines with front and rear sensors to make parking ultra-easy. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Including all-wheel drive with the base LX model increases its window sticker by $2,300, the $30,595 trim also providing roof rails, proximity entry with pushbutton start\/stop and the aforementioned wireless phone charger, while the same trim with the V6 and AWD increases the Sorento\u2019s price by $4,500 to $35,095, while upping content to include fog lights, a sound-reducing windscreen, turn signals within the exterior mirror housings, an auto-dimming centre mirror, two-zone auto HVAC with auto-defog and separate third-row fan speed\/air-conditioning adjustment, UVO Intelligence connected car services, satellite radio, an eight-way powered driver\u2019s seat with two-way powered lumbar support, a third row for a total of seven passengers, trailer pre-wiring, and more. <\/span><\/p>\n

At $2,300 less than the LX V6 AWD, and $2,200 more than the LX AWD, the four-cylinder-powered $32,795 EX 2.4 gets the just mentioned fog lamps, powered driver\u2019s seat, and three-row layout of the V6-powered model, while also adding a gloss-black grille insert and leather seat surfaces, while the $38,665 EX with the V6 and AWD builds on both the LX V6 AWD and EX 2.4 models with 18-inch machined-finish alloys, a nicer Supervision LCD\/TFT gauge cluster, express up and down power windows with obstacle detection all around, and a household-style 110-volt device charger, while the EX Premium starts $2,500 higher at $41,165 and adds front and rear parking sonar, power-folding outside mirrors, LED interior lights, an eight-way powered front passenger seat, a panoramic glass sunroof, rear door sunshades, and a power tailgate with smart gesture access. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"2019
These are some of the best seats in the mainstream mid-size SUV class, made even nicer with Nappa leather upholstery. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sorento buyers wanting a near-premium experience can choose SX trim that, for $45,165, $4,000 more than the EX Premium, includes most everything already mentioned as well as 19-inch alloy wheels, a chromed grille, stainless steel skid plates front and rear, a stainless exhaust tip, chrome roof rails, dynamic directionally-adaptive full LED headlamps, upgraded LED fog lights, bar type LED tail lamps, sound-reducing front side glass, illuminated stainless steel door scuff plates up front, perforated premium leather upholstery, plus a bigger 8.0-inch high-resolution infotainment touchscreen boasting rich colours and deep contrasts as well as quick reaction to tap, pinch and swipe finger inputs. <\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, the navigation system provides nice detailed mapping and accurate route guidance, while SX trim also includes an excellent 10-speaker Harman\/Kardon premium audio system, ventilated front seats that keep backsides cool during summer heat, heated rear outboard seats that do the opposite in winter\u2019s cold, plus more. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"2019
Everyone loves a panoramic sunroof, and the Sorento’s is particularly large. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Finally, my as-tested Sorento SXL adds an additional $4,000 to the tally resulting in a maximum retail price of $49,165, which is considerably less than most fully equipped competitors, some that don\u2019t offer the same level of luxury-grade features than LX trim, but this SXL is better yet thanks to even plusher Nappa leather upholstery, an electromechanical parking brake, a surround parking camera with a divided screen that includes a regular rearview camera with dynamic guidelines to the left and a 360-degree bird\u2019s-eye view to the right, as well as high beam assist headlamps, adaptive cruise control, plus more. <\/span><\/p>\n

All pricing was sourced right here on CarCostCanada<\/a>, including trims, packages and standalone options for 2019<\/a> and 2020<\/a> model (not to mention 2018s, just in case you\u2019re curious), while money-saving rebate info and dealer invoice pricing can add thousands to your potential savings. Actually, at the time of writing there were up to $6,000 in additional incentives available, so it\u2019s well worth checking out. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"2019
The second row is spacious and comfortable. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Of course, you\u2019ll need to check in at your local Kia dealership to drive a new Sorento, and if you choose to I\u2019m quite certain you\u2019ll be impressed. The V6 is very smooth, as is the new eight-speed automatic that swaps gears almost seamlessly and quickly no matter the drive mode selected. I mostly kept it in its default Comfort mode, but Eco was smooth too, and good for saving fuel, whereas Sport mode let the engine rev higher and gearbox shift quicker than it otherwise would, making the most of the powerful V6. Smart mode pays attention to your driving style, the terrain and other factors before automatically choosing the best mode for a given situation, optimizing performance, comfort or economy. <\/span><\/p>\n

Also good, the Sorento\u2019s fully independent suspension is blissfully smooth too, although when pushed hard through fast-paced curves it manages well for such a big crossover utility. All in all the Sorento should be considered a sportier option than most of its seven-seat SUV rivals, but it\u2019s superb seats, luxuriously soft surface treatments, and generous supply of premium-level features make it amongst the most comfortable in its segment. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"2019
The third row is sizeable enough for smaller folk, but those needing to haul a full load of adults should consider the new Telluride. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Speaking of comfort, EX trims and above include four-way powered lumbar support that ideally applied pressure to the small of my back, while the LX V6 and EX 2.4 models\u2019 two-way lumbar can\u2019t be adjusted as personally. Of note, four-way lumbar isn\u2019t always provided in the lower or upper classes, with Lexus forcing its RX 350 customers to pay $63,950 for a Luxury package or $69,850 for the Executive model before receiving optimal lower back support, with none of the model\u2019s F Sport buyers getting such comfort at all, whereas Infiniti\u2019s QX60 clients are completely out of luck no matter how much they\u2019re willing to pay. An additional Sorento bonus is a driver\u2019s seat squab that extends forward to add support under the knees, while the Nappa leather is amongst the best you\u2019ll likely find in the entire volume-branded mid-size SUV class. <\/span><\/p>\n

The second-row of seats is plenty spacious and almost as comfortable and supportive as the two seats up front, but the Sorento\u2019s third row is probably best left for smaller- to medium-sized children, the Telluride now a better choice when the need to carry a full load of large teens or adults. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"2019
Storage under the cargo floor is made more useful thanks to its ability to securely lock the retractable tonneau cover in place when not in use. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A few particularly upscale trim details include curving black lacquered appliqu\u00e9s on the backside of each front seat, something that I\u2019ve rarely seen in anything less than a Bentley or Rolls-Royce. It\u2019s an olde British take on luxury that isn\u2019t often used these days, although a quick glance back at a previously covered 2019 Genesis G90<\/a> (which shares underpinnings with the dearly departed\u2014from Canada\u2014Kia K900<\/a>) helps us put a finger on where Kia came up with the concept (scroll back through the photos for the same idea in hardwood). Sorento SXL trim also includes black lacquer on the steering wheel spokes, instrument panel and lower centre console surface, plus highlighting each door panel, although as attractive as it looks when brand new, I\u2019m concerned it\u2019ll scratch as it ages. <\/span><\/p>\n

Those loading longer items such as skis into the cargo hold will appreciate that Kia has split the second row in the unusually ideal 40\/20\/40 configuration, allowing both rear passengers to enjoy the more comfortable and visually optimal window seats, not to mention the aforementioned heatable rear seats if equipped. This is a dealmaker for me, and usually only found in pricier European SUVs. I also liked the convenience of cargo wall-mounted levers that dropped each side of the second-row down automatically, right to the point of locking safely into place, this resulting in a large, flat loading floor that measures 2,082 litres (73.5 cu ft) in the bottom two trims or 2,066 litres (73.0 cu ft) in LX V6 trim and above behind the first row, 1,099 litres (38.8 cu ft) and 1,077 litres (38.0 cu ft) respectively behind the second row, and 320 litres (11.3 cu ft) behind the third row. There\u2019s some extra storage space below the cargo floor, which even lets you stow the retractable cargo cover securely away when not being used. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"2019
Passenger\/cargo flexibility is a Sorento strong point. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It\u2019s such details that make the Sorento so good, Kia\u2019s rare attitude of going above and beyond that\u2019s so wonderfully unique in the mainstream marketplace. They don\u2019t have the luxury of resting on their laurels, so they work harder at impressing you than most Japanese peers, and definitely more so than the Americans. I always thought their global motto, \u201cThe Power to Surprise\u201d was kind of hokey, but it really does make sense to those experienced with to their products. The Sorento, now Canada\u2019s best-selling (mostly) seven-passenger SUV, is really that good. As for the Telluride<\/a>, it\u2019ll blow you away. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Story and photo credits: Trevor Hofmann<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Have you ever driving a Kia? Even sat inside one? If it was way back at the turn of the millennium it might not have been the best of experiences. Even Kia doesn\u2019t promote its past in detail, the Korean brand celebrating its twentieth anniversary in Canada with limited edition models of its impressive Soul […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":1801,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-container-style":"default","site-container-layout":"default","site-sidebar-layout":"default","disable-article-header":"default","disable-site-header":"default","disable-site-footer":"default","disable-content-area-spacing":"default","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[31,275,177,136,138,239,36,37,179,79,78,178,332,139,137,333,270],"class_list":["post-1799","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-carcostcanada","tag-31","tag-3-row","tag-177","tag-crossover","tag-cuv","tag-kia","tag-mid-size","tag-midsize","tag-passenger","tag-review","tag-road-test","tag-seven","tag-sorento","tag-sport-utility","tag-suv","tag-sxl","tag-three-row"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1799","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1799"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1799\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1838,"href":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1799\/revisions\/1838"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1801"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1799"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1799"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1799"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}