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Kia Sorento. 4 doors, 5/7 passengers, mid-size SUV. Full-time four-wheel drive.

PRICE: LX FWD 4 cylinder — $27,995; LX 4WD 4 cylinder — $30,295; EX 4WD 4 cylinder — $32,495; LX Premium 4WD V6 — $34,795; EX 4WD V6 — $38,365; EX 4WD V6 Premium — $40,865; SX 4WD V6 — $44,865; SXL Limited 4WD V6 — $48,865.

ENGINE: Base — 2.4 litre inline four, double overhead camshafts, 4 valves per cylinder, variable valve timing, direct injection; available, as tested -3.3 l V6, double overhead camshafts, 4 valves per cylinder, variable valve timing, direct injection. POWER/TORQUE, Horsepower / lb.-ft: 2.4 litre 4 — 185 @ 6,000 r.p.m. / 178 @ 4,000 r.p.m.; 3.3 litre V6 — 290 @ 6,400 r.p.m. /

252 @ 5,200 r.p.m. FUEL CONSUMPTION: Transport Canada City/Highway, l/100 km: 2.4 litre FWD — 10.7 / 8.2; 2.4 litre 4WD — 11.2 / 9.0; 3.3 litre 4WD — 12.5 / 9.7. Regular unleaded fuel.

COMPETITION: Ford Explorer; Hyundai Santa Fe, Mazda CX-9.

WHAT’S BEST: Handsome, beautifully-finished interior; excellent driving dynamics for its class; at least a few proper round control knobs.

WHAT’S WORST: But still not enough of them; bothersome reflections in side-view mirrors; side-view mirrors incorrectly positioned; third row seats a bit cramped. WHAT’S INTERESTING: German engineering and Korean value making an impact in just about every segment in which Kia competes.