2014 KIA Sorento SX AWD

Disclosure: TMC was not paid for this post. Products received are for review purposes only. Opinions are TMC’s only

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The 2014 KIA Sorento SX arrived at my door and no one noticed.  From the outside the Sorento looked so similar in size, color and shape to the previously reviewed SUV from the week before that no one could tell the difference. After two days of driving the Sorento the differences could not be ignored.

Redesigned for 2014 the Kia Sorento SX with AWD is drastically different in look and feel.  Not much of the old model was left behind, which was I think is a step in the right direction.  The old ways of Kia still plague its reputation despite the fact that each year with some model or other the company continues to win over the car industry.  Trust me, I still remember the purple Sephia I drove in 1999 that couldn’t have both the A/C and the radio on at the same time without affecting the acceleration of the car. Thankfully, that is no longer the case. Back to 2014 and the current  SUV.

Changes

Outside the model has about the same look in body but there is a new bumper, set of head and tail lights and a smaller grille.  Under the hood and inside are where you will find the most noticeable differences and isn’t that what really matters?

This is a V-6 engine with 290 horsepower and 252 pound-feet of torque which is up from the last model.  What this does is give the Sorento some smoothness in acceleration that it was lacking before.  Whether you are switching gears in town or on the highway you won’t feel or hear the difference.  Breaking is adept and average without any slow to stop softness.  I loved how easily this car took corners.  Steering glided and just let the car do its thing and gave it tightness when turning that made driving more agile than other SUVs I’ve tested.  That’s due to the new rack-and-pinion steering system and it is welcome.  An attractive and fun panoramic roof with power sun shade gives the SUV some style.

Easily stores items from the nursery, hardware store and more.

Easily stores items from the nursery, hardware store and more.

Inside this model there is ample room for up to 7 passengers with third row seating.  The second row seats split fold at 40/20/40 and move easily in and out of place without much effort.  I was able to fit two boosters and a large forward-facing car seat in the second row.  There is an additional 1.2-inch legroom increase in this row and about 0.3 in the third.  Third row seats seem wider than the last model too.  Dual-zone climate control extends all the way to the third row as well and this makes for very happy driving.  Another bonus is the second row sunshades that drop down into the window when not in use.  A clip at the top of the window secures the sunshade into place when it is needed.  Perfect for those of us who hate those suction cup shades.  Additional features abound like a rear camera display, an 8” navigation display, leather trimmed seats and steering wheel and Blind Spot Detection.

Image from caranddriver.com

Image from caranddriver.com

To me, this re-design is a success.  After two days of driving the Sorento SX I was quick to correct neighbors who thought it was the same car from the previous week.  “Oh no, that’s the new Sorento and it is a much better ride. Want to take a look?”  My only complaint was that I got too sick to drive it the rest of the week.  It’s an easy ride, great for families and traveling and comfortable in town or on the highway.  Fuel economy is standard for an SUV this size with 18 mpg city/24 highway.  Priced to start at $24,100, SX model with all-wheel drive tested is priced at $38,550, a bit steep in my mind but that is with all the options and there are other packages.

*First image courtesy of netcarshow.com