The 2021 KIA Sorento X-Line AWD Premium Edition SUV
You Are What You Drive — A Bottom Line Review
The Bottom Line: Who is Kia? Kia Motors Corporation was founded in May 1944 and is Korea’s oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. From humble origins making bicycles and motorcycles, Kia has grown as part of the dynamic, global Hyundai Motor Group, that has the Kia and Genesis brands of passenger cars in its portfolio. Together they are now the world’s 4th largest car manufacturer behind Volkswagen, Toyota and General Motors.
Kia currently sells 6 different crossover and SUV models starting with: the Kia Soul, then Seltos, Sportage, Niro, Sorento and the multiple award winning, top of the line, Telluride SUV. They go up in size, price, and capabilities. The X-Line is an off road tuned version of the crossover Sorento SUV. This trim features aggressive styling, higher ground clearance, and it comes standard with AWD. In terms of an off-road capable vehicle, this is definitely the model you want, with the best in power, options, comfort and safety.
This week Kia sent me a 2021
Kia Sorento X-Line AWD Premium Edition SUV to test drive and review. The base price for this model is $42,590. The options on the test SUV are: the X-Line Rust colored leather interior package for $200, the carpeted floor mats for $210, and the carpeted rear cargo mat with seat back protection for $115. The total MSRP manufacturer’s suggested retail price, including the $1,175 destination charge, came to: $44,290.
After you add in the state and local sales taxes, dealer prep charges, and DMV registration and license plates fees, the out the door and in your driveway price came to: $49,826. This is a fantastic all around midsize SUV, with all new styling and up to date technology, for less than $50 Grand.
Because adventure is a sport, Sorento is a triple threat with beauty, brawn, and brains. The X-Line option package delivers a trio of style, convenience, and advanced driver assistance technology. X-Line adds these features to the standard SX model Sorento:
A set of 20” matte finished alloy wheels, X-Line front and rear bumper fascias, matte trim X-Line accents, X-Line roof rails, leather heated and ventilated front seats, a Bose premium audio system, surround view Monitors, blind spot view monitors, a 12.3” digital instrument cluster, a heated steering wheel, parking collision avoidance assist, reverse collision avoidance assist, parking distance warning assist, aluminum sport pedals, and a auto dimming rearview mirror.
To power the X-Line Sorento it has a 2.5L liter Turbo engine bolted to an 8 speed dual clutch automatic transmission, with AWD all wheel drive and a center locking differential, plus DMS diver mode select. This engine can generate 281 HP horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque and can be paired with FWD front wheel drive, or AWD all wheel drive. The 2.5L turbo engine offers a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, and has a combined fuel economy rating of 24 mpg.
Now that we know what it looks like, and what it’s drivetrain is, how does it ride and drive? Extremely comfortable, responsive, and it’s quite roomy for a midsize SUV. With confidence inspiring performance, new driver safety assist technology, ample seating and cargo space, plus the turbo powertrain, the all new Sorento stands ready to help write a new benchmark level of SUV value. Plus the Rust colored leather seats and door trim package makes a bold and luxurious statement, and the vacuum tube digital radio display is very retro cool, to say the least.
Add in that JD Power has named Kia the number #1 mass market brand in initial quality for the sixth consecutive year, and that every Kia comes with the Best in Class warranty coverage. The Kia consumer protection package has a 10 year / 100,000 mile limited powertrain warranty, a 5 year / 60,000 mile limited basic warranty, and a 5 year / 60,000 mile roadside assistance program.
For the price, warranty, style, options and overall drivability of this 2021 Sorrento X-Line AWD premium Edition SUV, it really does not get any better than this for less than $50,000, in the midsize SUV class. And know that all Kia Sorrento’s, with the same rugged good looks, start at only $29,390.
So, when you are ready to buy a new midsize SUV, the Kia Sorento should be at the top of your ride and drive list, as it is one of the best midsize SUVs on the market for sale today. Call, click or visit your local Kia dealer for a test drive, and a Bottom Line price review, on the all new 2021 KIA Sorento SUV.
A word to the wise is sufficient: Be Smart, Stay Safe, and Just Breathe. Remember, “You Are What You Drive ©” And maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should “Drive one, Buy one, Today ©”.
This Bottom Line new vehicle review is a Nut & Bolt and Dollars & Sense © editorial provided by Tony Leopardo. “Tony the Car Guy” is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have a question, or comment for Tony, send it to tonyleo@pacbell.net and visit AutoWire.Net at www.autowire.net