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2014 Kia Sorento

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Overview

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2014 Kia Sorento Review

By Jason Allan

KBB Expert Rating: 7.8

Having undergone a more extensive update than its mildly refreshed exterior would suggest, the 2014 Kia Sorento is now an even more appealing package for tech-minded shoppers who want 3-row flexibility but not the bulk of a typical midsize SUV. But the Sorento is also available in a 2-row configuration, making it a viable alternative to 5-seat SUVs like the Ford Edge, too. In either case, the 2014 Kia Sorento offers more features for the money – including a leading-edge infotainment offering – with little to no compromise in overall refinement. Similarly sized competitors include the Dodge Journey and Mitsubishi Outlander, but the Sorento is the clear winner in that race.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you like the idea of maximizing your infotainment and seating capabilities while keeping vehicle size and price in check, you're going to like the more refined, mostly new 2014 Kia Sorento.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you need three rows on a regular basis, or need room enough for six or seven people and more than a couple duffel bags at the same time, you'll probably be better served by a more traditionally sized 3-row vehicle.

KBB Expert Ratings

Overall Rating

7.8
Driving Dynamics

7.7
Comfort & Convenience

7.3
Design: Interior & Exterior

7.0
Value

8.3
Safety

N/A

How It Ranks

#6

out of 6

MPG

#1

out of 6

Horsepower

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Consumer Rating

8.0 out of 10

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consumer ratings

What's New for 2014

Kia says more than 80 percent of the parts in the 2014 Sorento are either all-new or redesigned. The net result is an SUV that looks a little different but feels significantly more refined, and offers an impressive set of convenience and infotainment technologies, including the new UVO eServices system.

Driving the Sorento

Driving Impressions What the 2014 Kia Sorento gives up in interior volume to its larger competitors, it gains in everyday maneuverability. The Sorento is seven inches shorter than a Honda Pilot, with...

a shorter wheelbase and tighter turning radius, making the Kia easier to navigate into and out of the many parking spaces it's likely to visit on a daily basis. Out on the road, the Sorento's new 290-horsepower V6 and smooth-shifting 6-speed automatic transmission combine to deliver responsive, seamless acceleration. Our very first taste of the revised Sorento included a 6-hour drive from Arizona to California, and at no point did highway ride or seat comfort elicit a second thought. Powertrain and structural enhancements were a big part of the Sorento's upgrade for 2014, and the result is a crossover SUV that drives with a sense of refinement comparable to some of its best competitors.

Favorite Features

UVO eSERVICES
In addition to a bunch of other cool infotainment capabilities – many of them voice-activated – Kia's next-gen UVO system leverages your smartphone to automatically call 911 in the event of an airbag deployment, and lets you send a navigation destination from your computer to the car.

FLEXSTEER
As part of its new electric power steering system, the 2014 Sorento includes a FlexSteer feature that lets the driver select between Comfort, Normal and Sport steering modes. Comfort mode feels the least artificial, making small corrections easier and mitigating some of the compromise of efficiency-enhancing electric steering.

2014 Kia Sorento Details

2014 Kia Sorento Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

Interior highlights from the well-equipped 2014 Kia Sorento models we've driven include small touches like a leather transmission selector boot, unexpected features like an LCD speedometer, retractable 2nd-row window shades, and a huge panoramic moonroof. Combined with a next-gen level of refinement for Kia, you'll have a hard time finding a nicer interior for the money. The Sorento definitely gives up some passenger and cargo room to just about every other 3-row SUV worth considering, but a rear seat that slides, reclines and folds down in 40/20/40 sections adds valuable flexibility. The optional third row is best reserved for little ones.

Exterior

If not for the new taillights, it'd be hard to distinguish the 2014 Sorento from its 2013 predecessor. But the front end has been redesigned, too, and there are a number of neat upgrades all around. The headlights now offer an LED design element, the exterior mirrors will fold in at the push of a button, and the exterior door pockets light up to welcome you back at night. Stepping all the way up to the SX Limited nets xenon HID headlights, unique 19-inch wheels and red brake calipers, but even the base models have a finished look that includes 17-inch aluminum wheels.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

A base model 2014 Kia Sorento LX starts at $24,950, including destination, with a 4-cylinder engine, front-wheel drive and two rows of cloth seats. Standard feature highlights include Bluetooth and USB phone/audio connectivity, air conditioning, cruise control, and steering wheel-mounted controls. Outside, alloy wheels, body-color side mirrors and LED taillights help the entry-priced Sorento present about as well as pricier trims. The full complement of electronic and inflatable safety equipment is also standard.

Optional Equipment

A 2014 Kia Sorento SX stickers at $38,550 with a V6 engine and all-wheel drive, leather seats (heated and cooled in front), three rows of seating, a panoramic moonroof, keyless entry and touch-start, blind-spot monitoring, and the full UVO eServices infotainment setup including an 8-inch touch-screen display, navigation and a 10-speaker Infinity audio system. For another $3,000 you can step up to the SX Limited, with softer Nappa leather, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, and a handful of exterior touches.

Under the Hood

Because the 4-cylinder engine isn't markedly cheaper or more efficient than the V6, and because the V6's 290 horsepower is a lot to feed through only the front wheels, we recommend the 2014 Kia Sorento with its new V6 engine and all-wheel drive. The all-wheel-drive system features a locking center differential for especially difficult conditions, and incorporates a new Torque Vectoring Cornering Control system that further enhances drivability. All Sorento configurations offer the same 6-speed, manually selectable automatic transmission.

2.4-liter 4-cylinder
191 horsepower @ 6,300 rpm
181 lb-ft of torque @ 4,250 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/26 mpg (FWD), 19/24 mpg (AWD)

3.3-liter V6
290 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
252 lb-ft of torque @ 5,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/25 mpg (FWD), 18/24 mpg (AWD)

Pricing Notes

The 2014 Kia Sorento starts at a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $24,950, and climbs to just shy of $42,000 for the Nappa-leather-clad SX Limited specialty trim. That upper end sounds like a lot of money for a Kia, but the 2014 Sorento is a lot of car, both in features and refinement. Kia's dramatically improved resale values only bolster the Sorento's already impressive value proposition.

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2014 Kia Sorento Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.0

Out of 10

Based on 170 Ratings for the 2011 - 2014 models.

Review this car

Value

8.3/10

Quality

8.3/10
Reliability

8.6/10

Performance

8.1/10
Comfort

8.3/10

Styling

8.8/10

Do Not Buy A Kia

By Katie (CA) on Saturday, May 18, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 15,000

10 1.0

overall rating 1 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 1/10
Value: 1/10
Reliability: 1/10
Quality: 1/10
Performance: 1/10
Styling: 2/10
Comfort: 2/10

Pros: "The exterior looks good"

Cons: "everything else"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"I bought this car in September 2012. It was the new 2013 Kia Sorento. In 8 months it's been back to the dealer 4 times. I've never had a car that I've had to take in to the shop for anything other than regular upkeep. The car has no power! It can barely go up hills at the speed limit. The interior is cheap and rattles a lot. The car is uncomfortable and has really bad blind spots. I am sorry I purchased this vehicle."

1 person out of 3 found this review helpful

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2014 Sorento SXL

By EdC (TX) on Tuesday, May 14, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 250

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Price, options, power, handling."

Cons: "Documentation for all of the new options."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Owned 2012 Sorento SX and loved it. Especially liked the engine power and road handling. Had minor concern with torque steer until I adjusted to the power of the V6. The seating was comfortable and the navi was very accurate. My wife even learned to love it but the lack of a power liftgate made it hard for her to use for shopping (she's tiny). Traded in the 2012 SX for the 2014 SXL this weekend and have been blown away by the upgraded quality of the interior. More power and the handling is even better top my lists and my wife loves the Nappa Leather and power liftgate. Seems most people don't look at a Kia if they want upgraded options so the dealer was more that willing to negotiate a very good deal (for me) since they wanted my gently used 2012 Sorento for their "pre-owned" lot."

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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Great vehicle but gas mileage isn't what they said

By Russ (NH) on Wednesday, April 24, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 30,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Everything"

Cons: "Gas mileage"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"My Kia has been an awesome vehicle for our family. We have driven it to Florida from New England twice and it is very comfortable, reliable and all around great. The only drawback is that the gas mileage is far from what they originally said. Count on 24-26 MPG combined on those long trips."

8 people out of 8 found this review helpful

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Dont waste your money

By Jo D (OK) on Wednesday, April 24, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 80,000

10 1.0

overall rating 1 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 1/10
Value: 1/10
Reliability: 1/10
Quality: 1/10
Performance: 1/10
Styling: 1/10
Comfort: 1/10

Pros: "One thing and the only thing I liked was the fob."

Cons: "small, cheaply made, piece of junk"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"We have had this car for approx. one year and it has been in the shop more then any other car Ive owned in my life. Now I know why they give you a warranty for it. Its poorly made, cheap plastic, uncomfortable and I think my sons four wheeler has more get up and go. We have 4 children and its claim that it can fit six people is a joke. The last "row" is extremely small and can only fit one child. If you have a child sitting back there they get either too hot or to cold because the air does not circulate back there very well because of the middle seat is too high. Just traded it in, so glad this nightmare of a car is gone!!!"

4 people out of 8 found this review helpful

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Don't buy KIA Sorento

By Carl (FL) on Sunday, April 21, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 20,000

10 1.0

overall rating 1 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 1/10
Value: 1/10
Reliability: 5/10
Quality: 1/10
Performance: 1/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 7/10

Cons: "Bad performance; bad handling;horrible gas mileage"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"The I4-GDI Sorento is a horrible vehicle. Bad gas mileage and horrible performance. I will not purchase a KIA or Hyundai product again."

1 person out of 5 found this review helpful

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Comfortable and good looking!

By RKop (PA) on Wednesday, April 17, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 1,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: Not Rated
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Great price and interior comfort."

Cons: "Haven't found any."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This is my second Kia. With the direct fuel injection on the 2.5 liter engine it has plenty of power both around town and on the highway. We bought the LX with the convenience package and even at this trim level the car has a lot of features found in higher end models. The interior is comfortable and gives a feel of luxury. Even though I am disabled and can't drive the car, I'm a 6'5" 240 lb. guy and right after we bought the car we took a two hour road trip; this is the first car I found that I could ride comfortably in for more than thirty minutes at a time in over two years! Thank You Kia! Finally the no nonsense pricing and tremendous customer service at our dealer was a refreshing change of pace. I can't see myself ever buying anything other than another Kia!"

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See all 170 reviews