The Kia Sorento has received a major and complete makeover, resulting in rave reviews from industry experts, automotive journalists, and Crossover enthusiasts.
Your local Kia car dealer is the best place to see it up close and get more information about purchase and lease deals on the 2016 Kia Sorento and see what all the fuss is about.
A Better Build
As part of its total makeover, the 2016 Kia Sorento features a restructured, and stiffer body, built from more than double, 53 percent to be exact, advanced high-strength steel.
This family crossover is also a bit bigger than its predecessor, longer by three inches, with a wheelbase more than three inches longer than before, making the whole body stand a bit taller at a ground clearance of 7.3 inches.
In fact, its redesigned size distinguishes it from the crossover class, making it closer in line with other midsize SUVs, like the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Toyota Highlander, and the Ford Edge.
The larger exterior makes for a more spacious interior, with an optional third-row set of seats, ideal for kids, but a bit tight for adults, unless the ride covers a short distance quickly.
Depending on your family’s needs, the 2016 Kia Sorento can comfortably seat five and up to seven passengers, if you opt for the extra third-row.
This car is stylish and luxurious enough for a corporate commute, ideal for carpooling your colleagues comfortably, but also has the family feel of a road trip or a summertime ice cream run after baseball practice.
About that Interior
In addition to extra space, the interior of the 2016 Kia Sorento has evolved in elegance, boasting an abundance of soft-touch features.
You’ll have to choose between four trim levels when it comes to purchasing your new 2016 Kia Sorento.
Choices range between the base L trim, which starts at the impressively affordable MSRP of $25,795.
The LX and SX seem to meet the needs of most Sorento drivers and are considered the “heart” of the Sorento lineup, while the SX and SX-L offer more options and high-end upgrades.
Reliability in a Powerful Package
Why fix what isn’t broken?
Featuring the same drive trains as last year’s model, with one powerful addition, the 2016 Kia Sorento is available with either a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine, getting 185 horsepower, or a 3.3-liter V6.
Although Kia remained true to its tested and proven engine options, it also shook up this year’s model line with the available 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, with a turbo-boost of 240 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque.
Each engine option is operated by a six-speed automatic transmission, with optional front-wheel drive or DynaMax all-wheel drive on select trim levels.
Not only does the 2016 Kia Sorento feature an available turbocharged engine, but also improved steering and handling in all models.
This is, in part, thanks to Kia’s tried and true Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system.
It’s really no wonder that U.S. News & World Report awarded the 2016 Kia Sorento the second spot out of twelve in the competitive Affordable Midsize SUVs rankings.
So Many Options
With so many options, it’s worth examining each trim level, at least in a quick overview.
Standard features on all trims include Bluetooth, USB port, and satellite radio.
Optional features range from the ten-speaker Infinity sound system and various safety innovations like Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).
A basic snapshot of some trim level differences, think Polaroid, reveals something like this:
The L Trim
On the base L model, you’ll get a 2.4-liter, front-wheel drive engine, able to achieve 185 horsepower, with a fuel economy of 21 city and 29 highway miles per gallon.
The interior is covered in YES Essentials fabric-treated cloth, a Kia-exclusive, which reduces static, eliminates odors, and repels stains.
Helpful innovation for that summertime ice cream run…that top scoop never is pushed down quite hard enough.
Bluetooth wireless, with controls mounted on the steering wheel, comes standard as a nice safety option, as do the heated exterior mirrors with LED turn signals.
Starting MSRP for the 2016 Kia Sorento L is $24,900.
The LX Trim
Sharing the same engine and fuel economy as the L trim level, the LX, starting at $26,200, also features a rear camera and Kia’s Uvo eServices Infotainment system, as well as roof rails for extra storage and transportation options.
The LX V6 Trim
With this trim level, starting at $28,300, you get an upgrade in engine and, therefore, horsepower.
Equipped with a 3.3-liter V6, this car boasts 290 horsepower, with 3,500 pounds towing capacity, and 18/26 mpg fuel efficiency.
The 50/50 split third row seats come standard, as well as the sliding and auto-folding second row of seating.
The EX Trim
Priced at $31,100, the EX has the 2.0-Turbocharged Inline four-cylinder engine, with 240 horsepower, and 20/27 mpg fuel economy.
Standard features include leather seats, eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, and dual-zone climate control.
The EX V6
As its name suggests, the EX V6 shares the same 3.3-liter V6 as the LX V6, as well as fuel economy, the 50/50 split third row, and automatic slide and fold second row.
A tad pricier with a base MSRP of $31,700, the EX V6 offers more high-end, luxury features, from leather seats to additional bells and whistles.
The SX V6
Similarly equipped as the EX V6, the SX V6 sports 19-inch alloy wheels, and fun features like a power liftgate, panoramic sunroof and power sunshade, for the starting price of $37,900.
The Limited and Limited V6 Editions
The last two trim levels offer the most in the way of exceptional luxury and refinement.
For the Limited edition, starting at $39,900, you’ll get a 2.0-liter Turbocharged Inline four-cylinder engine, powered by 240 horses, and offering the best of driving comfort, including premium Nappa leather interior, ventilated front seats, and heated second-row seats.
Fuel economy is EPA-estimated at 20/27 mpg.
Looking for some extra power?
The Limited V6 houses a 3.3-liter V6 engine, able to get 290 horsepower, and 18/26 mpg fuel efficiency for $41,300.
Added luxury comes in the form of a leather-wrapped and wood-style steering wheel, LED front fog lights, and 19-inch chrome alloy wheels.
Just in case you didn’t have enough to choose from with these trim levels, Kia made sure to offer a variety of personalization potential for its discerning and unique consumers.
Endless Customization
With nearly fifty accessories packages, you can customize your 2016 Kia Sorento in a number of ways, adding convenience, athleticism, or extra technology to your model.
Accessories present a wide-range of options like puddle lights, a roof cargo box, a roof kayak attachment, a wireless charger, a touch up paint pen, a tablet holder kit, or a tow hitch.
Choose any single or a combination of these options to enhance your driving experience.
The 2016 Kia Sorento has an extensive color palette, too, with ten exterior choices: Aubergine, Blaze Blue, Dark Cherry, Ebony Black, Midnight Brown, Platinum Graphite, Remington Red, Snow White Pearl, Sparkling Silver, or Titanium Silver.
And the exterior is complemented by six interior choices: Black Metallic, Dark Gray, Ivory, Merlot, Satin Black, or Stone Beige.
Color availability depends on trim level, with interior options ranging from the base-level YES Essentials all the way up to the premium Nappa leather, standard on the SX-L.
Select Safety Features
In keeping with Kia’s decade-plus commitment to safety, the 2016 Kia Sorento was named an Overall 5-Star Safety Pick by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) following in the tire treads of the Kia Sorento’s 2015 Top Safety Pick, as awarded by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
With nearly twenty standard safety features, including Dual Front Advanced Airbags, Dual Front Seat-Mounted Airbags, Side Curtain Airbags, and Brake Assist System (BAS), it is easy to see why the 2016 Kia Sorento has received such recognition for being a safe and reliable vehicle.
But, if you’re interested in Advanced Safety Features, you will have to consider the high-end SX-L model, which comes equipped with options like: the Lane Departure Warning System, Forward Collision Warning System, Smart Cruise Control, and 360-degree camera system.
No matter what, when you drive a Kia Sorento, you drive a car with an award-winning safety record.
For more than a decade, Kia has been delighting drivers and offering outstanding customer service and satisfaction.
Visit your Kia car dealer and get in on the action.
