Engine Types

With just five trims, Kia Motors has made two engines available for the 2021 Kia Sorento. Under the hood of the LX, S, and EX trim is a 2.5-liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine, optimized with Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) for better performance and fuel efficiency. This engine is able to generate 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. The 2021 Kia Sorento SX and SX-Prestige are powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine with CVVT. Able to deliver 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, it’s the most powerful of the bunch.

Engineering

All trims come with idle stop and go for conserving fuel when the car idles for a bit (think when stuck in traffic or at a long stop light). All trims also come with an 8-speed automatic transmission, but the EX, SX, and SX-Prestige come with a dual clutch automatic. Also able to come with a front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) drivetrain, fuel efficiency varies. If powered by the 2.4-liter engine, the 2021 Kia Sorento gets a fuel economy of 24 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway with FWD, 23/25 mpg city/highway with AWD. Trims powered by the turbocharged engine have an EPA of 22/26 mpg city/highway with FWD and a fuel economy of 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway with AWD.

Exterior Features

For the exterior of the 2021 Kia Sorento, there are several lineup standards, along with some gems on select trims, and the X-line package available for the SX-Prestige. All trims come with heated exterior mirrors with LED turn signal indicators, a rear spoiler, solar control glass, privacy glass, a sound-absorbing front windshield, LED headlights, automatic headlamps, and a rear windshield wiper. The EX, SX, and SX-Prestige come with a smart power tailgate, and a panoramic sunroof with a power sunshade comes standard on the SX and SX-Prestige, an optional add-on for the S and EX. The 2021 Kia Sorento LX rides on 17-inch wheels, 18-inch for the S and EX, and the SX and SX-Prestige ride on 20-inch wheels. The SX-Prestige with the X-Line package has added off-road capability with a total increased ride height of 8.3-in, improved approach/departure angles, more advanced AWD with snow-mode, unique 20-inch wheels, and a more robust roof rack.

Interior Features

Able to sit up to seven passengers (LX and S), the 2021 Kia Sorento mixes it up a bit with the interior. Cloth upholstery is on the LX trim, a SynTex (synthetic leather) on the S, EX, and SX trims, and the SX-Prestige (as the name implies) is the only trim to come with genuine leather trimming. All trims but the base get a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat (6-way adjustable on LX), and heated front seats (and ventilated on the SX-Prestige). A split-folding rear bench of some sort is a lineup standard, along with one-touch sliding and folding second-row seats and a reclining third-row with 50/50 split folding. All trims but the base also come with a leather-wrapped steering wheel (heated on the SX-Prestige), a leather-wrapped gear shift knob, and dual-zone automatic temperature control.

Entertainment

A six-speaker audio system on an 8-inch touchscreen is standard on the 2021 Kia Sorento, but a 10.25-inch touchscreen can be found on the SX and SX-Prestige. UVO link remote connectivity and SiriusXM radio come on all trims but the base (LX). All trims come with Google Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and steering wheel-mounted audio, phone, and cruise control buttons. Bluetooth wireless connectivity and voice-recognition only comes on the SX and SX-Prestige trims, and consumers get a 12 speaker Bose premium audio system on the SX-Prestige. Lastly, a wireless phone charger can be found on the EX, SX, and SX-Prestige.

Safety Features and Warranty

The 2021 Kia Sorento comes with many basic safety features, including dual front advanced airbags, dual front seat-mounted side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, a rollover sensor, an anti-lock brake system, stability and traction control systems, a rear occupant alert system, rear-camera display, and LATCH child-seat ready anchors. Many advanced safety features are also available across the lineup, including forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, a driver attention warning system, lane keep assist and lane following assist. Blind-spot collision avoidance assist with parallel exit, rear-cross traffic collision warning, and parking distance warning (reverse) come on all trims past the base. Parking assist with front and rear is standard on the SX-Prestige, along with a surround view monitor and blind view monitor.

Kia has a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty program. The Kia 10-year/100,000 mile warranty program consists of 10-year/1000,000 mile limited powertrain warranty, 5-year/60,000 mile limited basic warranty, 5-year/100,000 mile limited anti-perforation warranty, and 5-year/60,000 mile roadside assistance plan.