10 Things to Know About the 2019 Kia Sorento
10 Things to Know About the 2019 Kia Sorento
The 2019 Kia Sorento has been refreshed and is ready to take on both the compact- and midsize SUV segment. Here's a list of the top 10 things you should know about the 2019 Kia Sorento.
Keeping up with the competition
Only three years after its third-generation change, Kia refreshed its current top-selling vehicle for 2018 in order to stay competitive. The 2019 Sorento receives slight improvements in design, technology, versatility and fuel economy.
One of the most popular three-row SUVs
It may be the smallest three-row SUV offering in the midsize segment, but it's also one of the most popular just behind the Ford Explorer in Canadian sales. Now with a refresh for 2019, the Sorento expands its three-row portfolio to include its seven-seat figuration for its base 2.4-litre engine.
Standard features provide great value
Throughout its vehicle lineup, Kia has one of the strongest standard feature offerings in the market. For the 2019 Sorento starting at $27,995, consumers will receive a seven-inch display audio with rearview camera, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, leather-wrapped wheel and shift knob, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as 17-inch alloy wheels.
Three engines reduced to two
The take rate for the four-cylinder engine was too small to justify two options (60% of sales are V6), so Kia has dropped its 2.0-litre engine and will simply offer up a base 185-hp, 2.4-litre unit and its more powerful 290-hp, 3.3-litre V6.
V6 gets a new transmission
Changes to the Sorento are not all cosmetic, as the V6 receives a new eight-speed automatic transmission to assist in a smooth ride and improved fuel economy. The V6 is rated at 12.5 L/100 km in the city and 9.7 L/100 km on the highway.
Diesel may not be coming to Canada
A lot of talk has been made about the Sorento's upcoming diesel powertrain, but Kia Canada pumped the brakes on its actual arrival. The 2.2-litre turbo-diesel (the same one used in Europe) may be confirmed for our neighbours to the south, but the talks are still ongoing for Canada where an electrified alternative may be chosen instead.
Interior attempts to go upscale
A tweak here and there to its interior has made the 2019 Sorento more upscale. You have to pay a higher premium for its top trims, but it has put a nice package together including soft-touch materials, Nappa leather seats, quality accent trims, eight-inch multimedia interface with Harman/Kardon premium audio, new graphics on instrument cluster and a restyled steering wheel with new tactile buttons.
Legroom and cargo is aplenty
The Sorento offers up 1000 mm of second-row legroom, topping the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander, while equalling the Ford Explorer. When additional cargo space is needed, the Sorento easily folds flat with a couple pulls and pushes for a maximum of 2082 litres of space behind the first row, up to 1099 litres behind the second row, and 320 litres in the trunk that contains an additional multi-slot storage compartment underneath the cargo floor.
Towing capabilities
The Sorento may be small for the midsize SUV segment, but it can tow like the big boys with a maximum towing capacity of 5000 lbs. for the V6. The base engine can also do some light towing if need be with a maximum capacity of 2000 lbs.
A price to be found for all
The 2019 Kia Sorento starts at $27,995 for its base LX. If you're looking for more performance, the V6 can be had for $34,795 under its LX V6 AWD trim. More premium touches are added in EX including a panoramic sunroof, leather seating and a smart power liftgate for $40,865. And finally the kitchen sink of safety technology, 19-inch alloys and a flashy grille, to name a few, gets added to SX and SXL trims at $44,865 and $48,865, respectively.