Kia Sorento, Most Affordable Three-Row Crossover

2016 made it official that the auto market is starting to shift. SUVS and crossovers (CUVs) are starting to dominate, and although some of us still love sedans and sports cars, the focus is also turning towards the big metal cages. In December, _ AutoGuide _ took a look at midsize three-row crossovers and the results may surprise you.

Five CUVs were measured and tested on a variety of specs, from mechanical engine specs and horsepower to cargo space and price. How each would hold up when pitted against the other four would clearly define which one stood out. The vehicles consisted of the 2016 Mazda CX-9, the 2016 Honda Pilot, the 2017 GMC Acadia, the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe, and the 2016 Kia Sorento, and the rating of each crossover is in _ AutoGuide’s _ ranking of worst to best.

Wouldn’t you know, _ AutoGuide _ rated the Kia Sorento as the most affordable three-row mid-size crossover that is _ also _ fairly comparable to its more expensive competitors. Many of its specs were similar or a few digits shy of competitors, but given that some specs (wheelbase for one) don’t really say much when it comes to a customer’s comfort and feelings towards a vehicle, let’s look at engine, fuel economy, cargo space, towing capacity, and of course, the price.

Three engine options can be found in the 2016 Kia Sorento, and its most powerful is the 3.3-liter DOHC V6 engine. The engine was designed with gasoline direct injection and dual continuously variable valve timing (CVVT), both of which help increase horsepower, totaling up to 290 horsepower and 252 lb-ft of torque. That torque lends to a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds (three out of five vehicles had the same towing capacity) the highest towing capacity on the list.

Paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission with a Sportmatic Sports shifter, the fuel economy comes out around 26 mpg on the highway for vehicles with the strongest engine in the lineup.

Although not the most on the list, the 2016 Kia Sorento has fairly comparable cargo space. The cargo space compared in the study were cargo in the trunk, cargo behind the second row, and max volume. The 2016 Kia Sorento has 11.3 cubic-feet of cargo in the trunk, 38.8 cubic-feet behind the second row and 73.0 cubic-feet of max cargo space.

Not only does the 2016 Kia Sorento have comparable specs to the other CUVs, but the 2016 Kia Sorento has a starting price of $25,400, which is more than $3,670 less than the next lowest priced CUV and $4,486.80 less than the average price of all five CUVs — making it a bargain! The price of the 2016 Kia Sorento that _ AutoGuide _ used for the study is priced at $44,590, only $445 more than the lowest priced CUV used in the study.

* Want to see what the Kia Sorento looks like in person? Come to Miami Lakes Kia and take a look for yourself. Or you can check our inventory online here . *

Photo Source: Kia Ad Planner

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