Review: 2011 Kia Sorento SX All-Wheel Drive

Family Friendliness: 8.3

Recommended: Yes

Specifications apply to test vehicle only.

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By Keith Buglewicz

Kia is a rising star in the automotive universe. It was only a few short years ago that the company was synonymous with cheap, disposable transportation. But now, like its parent company Hyundai, it's a go-to brand, one that's selling cars because they're desirable in their own right.

Case in point: The 2011 Kia Sorento. This midsize five-plus-two-passenger crossover slots in above the company's smaller Kia Sportage crossover. It's stylish, comfortable, packed with features, and since its introduction has become one of the hottest selling vehicles in Kia's lineup. To find out why, I drove one for a week.

Model & Pricing

The model that Kia provided for my test was a fully loaded 2011 Kia Sorrento SX with all-wheel drive. The base price for this particular model is $34,690, including the $795 destination charge. That's a pretty big chunk of change for any vehicle, much less one from a company with a reputation built on affordability. However, you do get a lot for your cash. The SX is the top-tier model, but it's important to note that Bluetooth, USB inputs for the audio system, and steering wheel mounted audio controls are standard equipment on all Sorentos. The SX adds a 3.5-liter V-6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission -- in this case connected to all-wheel drive -- and a leather interior. Along with that is a navigation system, power and heated front seats, high-end surround-sound audio system, and a backup camera. The only option on this model was a $1,200 panoramic sunroof, which brought the total price to $35,890.

Safety

All Sorentos come standard with a multitude of safety features, not the least of which is a coveted Top Safety Pick ranking from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control, and hill assist control -- which prevents the Sorento from rolling backwards at a stop on a hill -- are all standard. There are frontal and side impact airbags for the driver and front passenger, but the curtain airbag extends only to the second row. The SX model I drove also had a backup camera, but no backup sensors.

Behind the Wheel

The 2011 Kia Sorento SX comes only with Kia's 3.5-liter 276-horsepower V-6 engine. This is a strong engine, in fact, at times it felt like too much. The gas pedal was especially sensitive, and I frequently found myself giving it too much gas pulling away from stoplights or when simply cruising down the freeway. It's not just annoying, but it likely affects fuel economy, which ranked only 18 mpg in mixed driving. The six-speed automatic drew no attention to itself -- always a good thing -- and you can select your own gears with a manual shift mode.

The suspension was firm and controlled on surface streets or the freeway, but without feeling harsh or uncomfortable. It's not a sporty crossover by any means, but it won't let you down in emergency maneuvers, either. The Sorento was also quiet, with wind and road noise well controlled at freeway speeds, and the V-6 only made itself heard at full-throttle.

The Sorento's predecessor was actually an off-road capable SUV. While this model doesn't have off-road ambitions, it offers a lockable center differential and downhill assist control. Translation: It's a little more capable on dirt or rugged terrain than most other vehicles of this type, but true off-road enthusiasts should probably hit the Jeep dealership instead.

Utility & Comfort

The 2011 Kia Sorento's interior is one of the nicest designs in its price and size class. The satin finish trim on the center console, faux carbon fiber inserts and tasteful bits of chrome dress it up to make it look classy without going overboard. The black-on-black upholstery was a bit oppressive, but overall it was pleasant to look at. The front seats are also very comfortable, and it was easy to find and keep a good driving position thanks to the two-position memory. The audio system and climate controls were also easy to use, as was the navigation system's voice commands. Storage is also pretty good, with two cupholders in the center console, a deep center console bin, big door bins, and similar storage in the second and third rows.

Second row comfort was pretty good, but tall passengers will complain about a lack of thigh support. Still, there was plenty of room for three small kids in the second row, or two adults. As expected, the small third row seat should only be used on an as-needed basis, since its thin padding and lack of visibility, leg and headroom mean that even smaller kids will start to feel cramped.

Behind the second row there's very good cargo space, and the third row split-folds to accommodate one extra person plus cargo. Folding the third row is a snap, too. A small hidden storage area is under the floor, but the jack and emergency kit take up about a third of it. If you need to max out the cargo space, the second row folds flat with minimal difficulty, and the 72.5 cu.-ft. should be enough for just about anything. However, like most vehicles in its class, cargo space behind the third row is mostly reserved for small bags or a few jackets; this is not a full-time seven-passenger hauler by any stretch.

There were two things that made it hard to really love the Sorento's interior. The first is the abundant hard plastic. Considering the plentiful features, it's unfair to call even this $36,000 Sorento expensive. Still, there was more hard plastic on the dash, doors and center console than expected. It all feels durable, and everything fit together superbly, but the SX should get more than just a stitched cover for the instruments for the extra price.

The bigger problem is the Sorento's horrible rear visibility, which is bad even in a class of vehicles known for a poor rear view. The rearmost pillars are absurdly thick, the rear window small, and the side windows are narrow. It's too bad a blind spot warning system isn't available, although at least the SX comes with a backup camera, and additional backup sensors are available on LX and EX models.

Family Friendliness

Overall, the Sorento scores well when it comes to family friendliness. There are two easy-to-reach LATCH positions in the second row, but none in the occasional-use third row. While it's possible to fit three small boosters in the second row, the center position's shoulder belt crosses behind the buckle for the leftmost position, making it difficult to strap everyone in. The sole benefit of sitting in the third row is getting your own climate controls. Otherwise, the tight quarters and lack of visibility make it a better timeout chair than a regular seating position.

You'll have to stow that third row if you want to load any sort of cargo into the rear. A stroller plus groceries fit just fine in that case, and the Sorento is a good five-passenger crossover. Note that if you want backup sensors or a rear-seat entertainment system, you actually have to step down to the EX, since neither is available on the SX I drove.

Conclusion

It's easy to like the 2011 Kia Sorento. It's comfortable, quiet, has room for five, boasts good cargo space behind the second row, and has plenty of power from the V-6 engine. The SX has a lot of features to keep you occupied, and it looks good inside and out. It has excellent safety scores, kids have little problem clambering in and out, and there's even a third row you can use in a pinch.

However, it's not an easy vehicle to love. The poor rear visibility, cargo space-consuming and tight third row, and hard plastic trim conspired against the Sorento's good qualities.

On balance it still gets a Recommended rating, but unless you absolutely must have the SX, I suggest skipping it and getting an LX or EX model instead. For example, you can get an EX, with the same engine, all-wheel drive, interior and big sunroof, plus the rear-seat DVD system and still save a few hundred dollars over the SX. Skip the fancy stuff and the V-6 engine, and you can get into an LX for about $10,000 less. That's a more reasonable price, and one worth recommending.

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