KIA Sorento Review | Surprising Reasons To Love This SUV

The KIA Sorento is one of the best crossover SUV’s on the market. You can read our car review of the 2017 KIA Sorento, and see all of the reasons to love this SUV. 

KIA Sorento Review | Surprising Reasons To Love This SUV

It’s no secret we’re loyal to the KIA brand. Years ago I thought their cars were uncool, ugly designs, and you couldn’t have paid me to buy one of their cars. 

But then something happened. 

KIA changed up the game with their “power to surprise” slogan. And boy did they surprise people. Their designs improved, 10 years, 100,000-mile warranties came out, and they were knocking the 5-star ratings on design, specs, and safety out of the park. 

People started buying into their message and believing in this brand. 

Reviews and ratings came out, all raving about the best family SUV, van, etc. And KIA continued to improve and improve. 

In 2011, I was tired of buying used cars that kept breaking down. I wanted out of my current mini-van into something that said: “I was a cool Mom.” I kept hearing advertisements about the new KIA Sorento. 

I thought, “okay I’ll go test-drive one.” 

I was sold immediately on the design, the price, specs, and the fact I could be a cool Mom, but still have enough room for three kids, car seats, and strollers. And with that type of warranty, I had a peace of mind, knowing any major issues would not fall on my shoulders or break my budget. 

Over the past few years, I’ve had the privilege to work with KIA and driving their other vehicles, such as the Sedona, the SOUL, the Sportage, and the Optima, And of course, a 2016 Sorento. This summer I’m driving a 2017 Sorento SX AWD (disclosure), and oh man, KIA did not hold back when it comes to all of the bells and whistles. 

Let me tell you about this beautiful beast. 

The Design. KIA has made subtle changes to their crossover SUV the past few years. The 2017 KIA Sorento has been “redesigned with smooth, sinuous lines, muscular shoulders, and a lower roofline.” I also noticed this newer SUV has a bigger and bolder grille, along with an updated rear end with updated tailgate lights. It also has long, swept-back projector beam headlights. This new design doesn’t ask for respect in the line-up of crossover SUVs, it demands it. 

{there is no comparison between these two! I mean, look how sexy and sleek the Sorento is compared to the Equinox!}

Extended with a more pronounced front grille and available stainless steel bumper trim, the redesigned front fascia gives the Sorento its bold, modern look. Make a statement with available 19-inch Chrome-Finish Alloy Wheels. Dressed with a striking 10-spoke design.

Keeping your car clean. Typically after you take your vehicle through the car wash, you have to get out and wipe it down. Not with the Sorento. The premium paint used on the Sorento makes it easy to clean. And with all of the smooth angles, water just rolls off and doesn’t leave any water spots on the car. So you can literally drive away after washing your SUV, clean as a whistle. 

Save on Gas. I snapped this photo of my current gas mileage after a crazy day of running errands with the family. I typically get between 22-25 mpg in the city and up to 30 mpg on the highway. 

Lifesaver button. This little button, oh how I LOVE you! The Smart Power Liftgate comes standard on a lot of SUV’s, and I’m glad to see KIA follow this trend. I did not have this option on my 2011 SUV, but in my next vehicle, this is a must. It’s easier to carry all of the bags in the house at once when you can close the trunk with a touch of a button. Yeah, this little button saves lives! 

Game-changer outlets. I recently reviewed a few other car brands, and my number one concern was the lack of outlets. In 2017, having outlets spread throughout a vehicle is a MUST. The 2017 Sorento is equipped with up to eight, (8 people!) outlets, which includes four 12v outlets, two USB rapid-charging ports, one AUX/USB port, and an 110v inverter. We travel quite a bit, and I try to work while I travel; being able to plug my laptop in and keep working is a HUGE win. 

{photo credit: KIA}

Think about it… you would be able to plug your kid’s iPad in so they can keep watching their movie! Talk about a lifesaver! 

Bigger trunk space. Comparing the 2011 model to the 2017 model, I noticed the trunk space is bigger, as well as the leg room in each row. 

Rear-seat controls. Select models have this feature, but if your third row will be used a lot, it’s a great feature to have. When the boys sit in the back, they can easily control the rear A/C. 

Other things I love on the Sorento SX:

• push button start with smart key
• advanced smart cruise control (one of my favorite safety and convenient features)
• heating and cooling on the front captain seats
• saved seat settings, also known as Integrated Memory System (as a tall person, being able to get in and it adjusts my seat to my own setting is impressive)
• controls on the steering (this is also great from a safety aspect. You don’t need to take your eyes off the road to change the music, take a phone, e.t.c)
• rear-camera display
• UVO eServices with Navigation, 8″ Color Touch-Screen Display, SiriusXM® Traffic, HD Radio™, Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay™
• blind spot detection
• lane-departure warning (one of my favorite safety features)
• forward collision warning
• multi-angle parking camera (if you have a hard time parallel parking, thank KIA for making your life a little easier)
• easy to clean leather seats
• 50/50 Split-Folding 3rd-Row Seats and auto folding 2nd-row seats (it’s easy to use your Sorento for a variety of reasons. Stay tuned for my post on how versatile this SUV can be to meet your needs). 
• Panoramic sunroof (another feature I LOVE! Opening up this sunroof allows in a lot of light, which makes your SUV feel bigger)

Driving Miss Daisy. I could go on and on, talking about all of the awesome specs and beautiful design the Sorento SX AWD has, but how does it drive? This SUV was made for adventure. It’s a beast on the road, with a 3.3-liter V6 Engine, you have power for days. It’s not only smooth in design, but the ride will always be a smooth one, with 5,000-pound towing capacity. 

The fully active Dynamax™ All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) system continuously monitors road and driving conditions to anticipate your needs.

As soon as you put your foot on the gas, it immediately responds. Be careful, because it’s easy to get to 60 mph in a 25 mph speed zone. Both Derrick and I love how the Sorento delivers on design and performance. 

We have a few off-road adventures planned during our time with this SUV, so stay tuned for updates! 

Overall, the KIA Sorento SX model is a powerful beast. From the design, drive performance, and all of the thoughtful bells and whistles, it can compete with any other crossover SUV on the market. If a new SUV is on your car wish list, I highly recommend finding a local dealership and taking one of the many varieties of the Sorento for a test drive. You will not be disappointed. And with a 10 year, 100,000-mile warranty, there is really peace of mind when you’re part of the KIA family. 

We’re just getting started to tell you about the KIA Sorento, stay tuned for more tips on how this SUV is great for families, adventures, road trips, and more! 

Do you have questions about the Sorento? Drop us a line below and let us know!