The 2021 Kia Sorento offers drivers a wide range of features to choose from.
With six different Sorento models, together with a selection of gas-powered and hybrid engines, the line-up has something to suit most budgets. Here’s a rundown of the Sorento’s trim levels and their key features.
Sorento Trims
There are six main Sorento configurations for 2021. These are the LX, S, X, SX, SX Prestige, and SX Prestige X-Line. Two of these trims, the S and X, are also available with a hybrid engine instead of the standard gas-powered unit.
Engine and Performance
The Base engine for the LX and S trims to move you around Austin or Rochester is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder unit that’s good for around 190 HP. The more powerful engine available with the X, SX, SX Prestige, and SX Prestige X-Line trims is a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine that can reach up to 281 HP. The excess power shaves about 2 seconds off the Sorento’s 0-60 acceleration time.
If you choose the hybrid S or X trims, your Sorento will be fitted with a 1.6-liter inline-four capable of producing 227 HP.
Fuel Efficiency
The Sorento’s standard 2.5-liter engine manages 26 MPG combined if you’re driving the front-wheel-drive version. That figure drops to 25 MPG for all-wheel-drive Sorentos. If you go for the more powerful 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, the fuel economy drops by 1 MPG for both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models. The hybrid trims have an impressive 37 MPG combined, including 39 MPG on the highway and 35 MPG in the city.
External Design
Image via Kia Dot Com.
Each Sorento trim offers several unique design touches to make it stand out. The LX leads with its distinctive black tiger-nose grille at the front, along with a matte black bumper. The lower part of the doors features chrome and black flashes.
All trims above the LX show off a black gloss tiger-nose grille and black gloss grille radiator mesh. They’re also equipped with GT-Line bumpers with gloss black detailing. If you go for the top-of-the-line XS Prestige X-Line, you get a more rugged look, including silver detailing in the radiator mesh, robust bumpers, and Hyper-Silver skid plates.
Seating and Storage
On the inside, the trim you choose will have an impact on the number of seats in your Sorento. The LX and S have a second-row bench and third-row seating that creates space for seven people. From the X trim and above, the second-row bench is replaced by two captain’s chairs. The additional comfort these seats provide will reduce your vehicle’s seating capacity to six.
With all three rows of seating up, you’ll have around 12 cubic feet of storage in the trunk. This increases to over 38 cubic feet if you fold down the third-row seats, which split 50-50 if you still need to use one. This is somewhat less storage than other SUVs, like the Telluride. However, the Sorento has the advantage of a more compact shape that’s ideal for parking in busy parts of Winona or Byron.
Technology and Entertainment
Image via Kia Dot Com.
The Sorento has an 8-inch screen for its infotainment system as standard. In the upper trims, you’ll benefit from a larger 10.2-inch display. The top trims also have a 12-inch instrument cluster, which compares well with the 4.2-inch display available on the lower trims. Each Sorento has at least six USB ports so your passengers can keep their electronic devices charged on the go. Eight ports are available with the more expensive trims, together with a 12-speaker Bose sound system to replace the standard six-speaker setup.
Safety Features
What makes the Kia Sorento such a competitive SUV in the market is its strong suite of safety features. Every trim includes forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking. You’ll also always enjoy as standard a rear-occupant alert system and a lane-keeping assist.
All trims except the LX are fitted with a blind-spot warning system and rear parking sensors to make maneuvering into a tight spot easier. Purchasing the more expensive X or SX trims will also get you access to adaptive cruise control. In addition, the forward-collision warning system in these trims is more sensitive, making it possible to detect forward cross-traffic and cyclists.
Price
The LX, which is the Sorento’s base trim, comes in at just over $30,000. From there, it’s a step of about $3,000 to the next trim, the S, which retails at $33,060. The X model, which gets you the upgrade to the turbocharged engine, comes in at just over $36,000, while the XS retails for $39,160. You’ll need to break the $40,000 barrier if you opt for the SX Prestige or Prestige X-Line trims, which cost $41,760 and $43,760 respectively. Note that all of these prices refer to the trim only. In some cases, you may pay more due to the optional extras you choose.
Deciding On Which Kia Sorento Model to Buy
If cost is your primary concern, the LX could be your best option. You’ll get the quality of the Sorento but with a reasonable price tag and seven seats to transport your family or friends around. If you’re after a touch more comfort, all trims from X on up introduce the captain’s seats into the second row to ensure a more relaxing ride, and provide you with the more powerful turbocharged engine. If technology is your thing, the SX trims will allow you to get a larger infotainment screen and advanced entertainment features. Finally, if you enjoy straying off the beaten track, the SX X-Line is the trim for you because it offers an extra inch of ground clearance with its suspension.
So that’s it! We’ve broken down all of the Sorento trims for 2021 and walked you through some of their most important features. Do you still have questions about purchasing a Kia Sorento? Or are you ready to explore our Sorento inventory and buy?
We are here to help answer anything you’d like to know about our Kia models and the process of buying a new vehicle. Contact us online or by phone and our team will assist you.
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