Her and His Reviews
June 2010
2011 Kia Sorento EX V-6
There are always two sides to everything, right? Well, the truth is there are many more than that!
To keep our car reviews innovative and well-rounded, we are providing you with not just one, but two points of view on the same exact vehicle –
Her and His perspectives.
Her: Anne Fleming, Car Buying Advocate,women-drivers.com
His: Chuck Kerber, Writer, AutomobileJournal.com
| Anne | Chuck |
|---|---|
| Price | |
| MSRP: $30,095 as Tested | MSRP: $30,095 as Tested |
| Performance | |
| Korean automaker KIA continues to impact sales and grow a wider customer base, and reasons for that include the 2011 Sorrento. Made in their plant in Georgia, just outside of Atlanta, the new design is powerful, sturdy and contemporary. As a 6 speed it is virtually in a class by itself. This crossover, with 276 horsepower and 3.5 Liter engine is making noise in the marketplace, not in the cabin. Handling was most responsive; the ride was smooth at times and abit rougher at other times. Acceleration, however, was consistently steady and quick. | The new Kia Sorrento is brisk; acceleration is sure-footed, and steady. The electronically controlled 6-speed transmission with Sportmatic and Electronic Overdrive make stop-and-go's a breeze- simply hit the pedal and you're off; no honks from behind for slow start-ups at stop lights. Take a corner in rural areas at higher speeds, and you'll be pleasantly surprised at the low center of gravity that keeps all four wheels on the ground. 4-wheel disc brakes assure capable stopping power for the 3896 pound vehicle when needed.
3.5 Liter V-6 Aluminum Block and Heads with 276 Horsepower @ 6300 RPM and boasting 248 Ft. Lbs. of torque @ 5,000 RPM. |
| Fuel Economy | |
| 19 Mpg City, 25 Mpg Highway | 19 MPG City, 25 MPG Highway |
| The Car | |
| The car really looks great-more aggressive than last year's model and with many amenities to boot. All Wheel Drive and the comfort of leather seats, heated front seats, a wider sunroof (panoramic) and a NAV system.
The car is spacious and has an estimated 37 cubic feet of cargo room behind the second row Want more space? Simply fold the second row seats down and you have instant, expanded roominess. Third row seating is available and not so comfortable; but there if you need it. Organization is simple as there are lots of compartments and cup holders for easy storage. The instrument panel is attractive and easy to read and reach for driver. Loved the tilt & telescoping steering wheel, so a height impaired person like me can adjust the steering to fit my size, rather than the other way around. |
The designers at Kia hit the nail on the head with this re-design. Not only is the new Kia Sorento an attractive vehicle, it has all of the amenities that were lacking with previous Kia models. The leather seats are comfortable, and had excellent lumbar support. The cabin is spacious, and there's plenty of head room for front and rear passengers. Looking for a cup holder? No problem, they're all over the place. Attention to interior detail is impressive; no cheap materials here, just high-end metals, and leather. The controls are few, which makes everything from the AC, to stereo system simple to operate. There's one small thing missing... a power lift gate for when you have your hands full of groceries. |
| Safety | |
| Dual Stage front air bags and Side Curtain air bags. Front and Rear 3-Point seat belts. Child Seat Latch System available, as well as front seat belt pretensioners. | Dual Stage Front Air Bags
Side Curtain Air Bags Front and Rear 3-Point Seat Belts Child Seat Latch System Front Seat Belt Pretensioners |
| Technology | |
| There is a lot happening on the inside of this car.... AM/FM/Sirius audio system with I-pod/MP3 Interface for thorough connectivity. The kick optional Infiniti surround sound system with 10 Speakers amplifies your listening pleasure. DVD Player with overhead controls
Dual zone temperature for personalized control - and with automatic ionized air filtration for a quick removal of smells associated with those fast food road trip stops. |
AM/FM/Sirius Audio System with I-pod/MP3 Interface
Optional Infiniti Surround Sound System with 10 Speakers Steering Wheel Mounted Audio/Cruise/Bluetooth Wireless Technology Controls Optional DVD Player with Overhead Controls Tilt and Telescoping Steering Wheel Dual Zone Automatic Temperature Control with Automatic Ionized Air Filtration |
| Aesthetics & Styling | |
| Bravo to KIA. This new Sorento we tested is going head to head with the Honda CR-V and looks every bit as gutsy, if not more. The exterior has an aggressive stance and great lines that deliver a strong message. That handsome appeal translates to the inside cabin where the look is clean and attractive. The palate and combination of materials is well done. | The New, 2011 Kia Sorento looks great. I'm not trying to over-simplify my perception of the new model, but the new design looks fantastic. The front end swoops low giving the sporty SUV a more car-like appearance. The lavish lines continue around the sides, and wrap around the rear end. The design is fluid, and complete- no detail was overlooked, including the premium paint.
The interior mirrors much of the same skipping the fake chromes and plastics in favor of high-end materials. |
| Warranty | |
| 10 Year, 100,000 mile limited warranty | 10 Year, 100,000 mile limited warranty |
| Non-tangibles / Other | |
| KIA has jumped in price point with this model; as they have traditionally been priced in the entry level price point; this vehicle intentionally is going up against the Honda CR-V and Toyota Rav4. Does KIA have the brand and staying power to compete on a level field with these tried and true brands? Stay tuned. Made in USA. | The new Kia Sorento is a visual stunner. Its new design is close to perfect; couple that with a refined interior, top-shelf exterior finish and reasonable price and you're going to be completely satisfied. The Kia Sorento will be competing with the Toyota Rav4, Nissan Rogue, and Honda CR-V. |
