Due in large part to your review we purchased a Sorento SX. My personal selling points were cabin noise (fantastic) and comfort of ride. Thank you for your impartial input.
Recently purchased the 2018 SXL version, replacing a similarly loaded 2012 Sorento. Virtually every one of our (short list of) complaints we had about the 2012 model has been addressed in the 2018 model along with a raft of additional features, mainly in the driver assistance and safety categories. Our 2012 model had been trouble free over nearly 70,000 miles so we were inclined to believe the 2018 version would be reliable. The excellent KIA warranty only added to that confidence. We live in the Pacific Northwest where sloppy weather in the winter, especially for ski trips in mountains, makes AWD a near necessity. Our 2012 Sorento handled those duties very well. The same is true of our new Sorento. I seldom trade a vehicle for the same brand/model and we did seriously consider the Ford Edge Sport before our purchase. We very rarely need a 3rd row of seats so the 2.7L V6 in the Edge Sport was a tempting alternative, especially for me. Still, this is mainly my wife's car and she strongly preferred the KIA, mainly due to her familiarity with and affection for the Sorento and her dislike of the VERY long distance from the driver's position to the windshield in the Edge. (YMMV). And while the 3rd row of seats is seldom needed for our family of three plus a 60 lb dog, being a chauffeur for a gaggle of teenage girls is an occasional short trip duty. (Don't count on seating for 7 AND luggage, though. It's an either/or proposition.) All in all, I've been very impressed by KIA's commitment to incremental improvements in their vehicles even within model cycles. Minor and even fairly major complaints were addressed from one model year to the next. Suspension harshness in our 2012 model was addressed in 2013. And low ratings of the 2017 model headlights were rectified in 2018, for example. If a compact CUV is a bit on the small size and other midsize alternatives feel like buses, the Sorento is an ideal alternative. And if spending near $40K (or more) for a KIA seems crazy, you simply haven't driven their vehicles in recent years.
Similarly, I went from the 2011 Kia Sorento SX V6 AWD to the 2016 Kia Sorento SX-L Limited 2.0 Turbo. The upgraded safety features as well as the relative simple process to upgrade the UVO navigation system to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto made this my happiest car purchase ever. The ride quality and sound isolation is comparable or better than my wife’s last Lexus RX Hybrid. I wish they had continued the Turbo as an engine option into model year 2017 when they fixed the throw distance and added road following headlights. But I enjoy the fuel savings and slightly extra torque of the smaller engine. This was our third Kia as my wife traded it that aforementioned Lexus RX Hybrid for a 2018 Kia Sportage SX Turbo which she loves! Apple CarPlay still not being available on most Toyota and Lexus models in 2019 and starting on Kia in 2015 should make one wonder which is the real luxury brand!
Two years and 25K miles later and my assessment hasn't changed. If I insisted on replacing our Sorento I'd have to pry my wife's cold, dead fingers off the steering wheel.
I test drove a used 2017 Sorento SXL today as a possible SUV replacement for my 2014 Avalon Hybrid Limited (my needs changed since buying the Avalon). I like the carrying capacity and also the towing capacity with the V-6 AWD (5,000 pounds) that the RAV4 and Rogue can't match, and even some larger vehicles such as the GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave fall short. It has all the bells & whistles my Avalon Limited has, plus a few more. My short list right now is very short, either a Highlander or the Sorento.
I would've never considered buying a KIA brand. But, after my long research, decided to take a look at it. At dealershop, as soon as I got into the driver seat, I knew I like the car. Been driving it for 3 months and love it.
@@JBM425 Still love it. I drove it to Big Bear mountain to see snow with my son, it ran like a rock. I also noticed that KIa's warranty is the best in the industry.
+chocolate milk I used to own 2 2011 Kia Sorentos, one for business and one for personal. Both vehicles were maintained properly but ended up having engine troubles at around the 150,000 km mark. If you're strongly considering a Kia, I would suggest you lease.
Chester Laurea Thanks for the input. That kind of information is good to know. However, if I was going to lease a vehicle it would most certainly not be a Kia haha. I don't think it's going to make my short list anyway.
You make no sense. The fact that you are not stuck with the car and its depreciation if you owned it is exactly why you lease it. They have great leasing deals on it and in 3 years you are done and can go buy a used car and not worry about depreciation. I think owning a kia is where you will get killed with the depreciation. I have test driven everything and this car is one of the most comfortable and most luxurious inside. It drives nice and quiet also.
Just bought one. Great car. Test drove highlander/mdx/pilot but buying this was a no brainer. Better built, longer warranty/better finance options/ and improved reliability over the Hondas (see new CR report) . Leave your badge snob away and go and test drive one. you will be pleasantly surprised.. Thank you Alex.
+Old_Barbarism Traded in my Range Rover for the Sorento. Consumer reports loves the thing and I do to. Great SUV and I easily got past the KIA badge because its a beautiful car. Love this.
Honda, Toyota, and FCA no different. I think all the manufacturers have tightened their belts with warranty. Most of us buying new cars are likely to service it at the dealer anyway.
Just purchased one as well. Prepping to make a run from Texas to Myrtle Beach SC; then up to Charlotte, NC for a pickup of our son inbound from "K Town", back to Columbia, SC; then back to San Antonio. This is not counting the stops in between all in 13 days. For the size of the owner manual, it is pretty thick in reading.
Have a blast, too long a trip for me but your Kia will make it a lot more pleasant then most other vehicles. Its very comfortable. I hope you get some time to have fun stopping along the way. Drive safe.
This is one of the most thorough and detailed reviews I've seen of the Sorento. Now if only I could get one of the 2017 model year. Thanks for the great detailed review.
We just got the 2017 Kia Sorento SX and absolutely love it. It is so refined and it now also has active headlights, apple CarPlay. Our kids love the rear back seats as well because they have their own temp control. Hopefully it last us a long time.
I just test-drove a used 2017 Sorento SXL. How is yours is holding up three years later? I have to say I am very impressed by the power, ride, and interior quality (not to mention the cargo capacity and towing capacity). Since I will be the only person in the car 95% of the time, I don't need to keep the third row up, and the size is just right for a solo driver.
THANK YOU ALEX YOU ARE SOOOOOO DETAILED I GOT THE 2017 AND AFTER WATCHING YOUR REVIEW, I WAS ABLE TO USE MOST OF THE FEATURES I DID NOT KNOW EXIST. THANK YOU.
thanks Alex. I was delighted with this car at the dealership, but paused my buying process to go home and watch your video review. You confirmed my thoughts and exposed several things I had not considered. Thanks for talking fast. -Greg
fantastic review...was researching another crossover and bumped into this video....having seen the video...1) clicked the like 2) subscribed 3) test drove the sorento .... A tick mark to all that was said in the video...now have to decide
This is by far the best and most helpful auto review i have ever seen. This review was from 2015, so it looks like i have a lot of catching up to do. Great work!
Hay Alex! As a subscriber, I watch your reviews all the time and find them very informative. Your child seat and infotainment segments show how detailed you are. Above and beyond a simple vehicle review and I appreciate that. It was one of the reasons I went ahead and purchased a 2016 Kia Sedona SX and though we are very happy with our new van, there's just one thing we really hate that has never been brought up, at least not as far as I know. The push button start is great but there are limitations as to what you can do when it comes to remote starters. We had a dealer installed, KIA brand remote starter installed before delivery and it is very limited in functionality. To start the vehicle, you press the lock button on the fob and then the start button on the fob...the van locks and starts. But when I attempt to unlock and open the sliding doors for the kids to get in prior to us leaving the house, the van shuts off. When I open the rear gate to put things in there when we've been shopping, the van shuts off. When I try to turn on the heated seats and rear defrost for my wife in the mornings, the van shuts off. According to my dealer and a few aftermarket installation shops in town, this is the way it has to be due to the push button start system. Through a detailed explanation, I know know why it works that way but had I of known prior to the purchase, I might have gone with another vehicle with all our required options but with a keyed ignition. Remote start is very important here in Canada and it should be integrated into the vehicle's systems better than Kia has done. From what I've been told, this is an issue with keyless ignition systems, no matter the brand of vehicle. Could you let others know about the issues surrounding the keyless ignition and it's relationship with the remote starter system? Thanks
I have a 2020 Sorento SX AWD V6. And i wouldn't consider it a CUV. Now my previous 2015 Lincoln MKC AWD was just that. Very small and not really able to carry a lot. But the Sorento is like night and day by comparison. The V6 is very powerful especially in sport mode and has a nice throaty growl to it. Plus the dynamax AWD system is SUPERB...!!! It's BY FAR better than Hyundai's newer Htrac AWD system. Just a great SUV that can carry a lot and go a lot of places.
My only dislike on the vehicles are that all of the lights are not fully LED, and the acceleration on the V6 in particular could be better at a lower RPM. Other than that, fantastic, detailed review. Definitely the best I have seen to date.
Annnnnddd......breath...that's a lot of words! Humour aside, this is a very detailed and thorough review. Good video, and appreciated from a future buyer.
@Brandon Ayers we did have to replace the motor but kia paid for everythibg including a rental. But other than that we love it and dont regret our decision
Excellent review and video as always. I used your video reviews as advice to buy one of these instead of the Acura MDX, I have been more than pleased with this vehicle since day one.
Great review as always. I found the Sorento to match up very favorably to all the competitors you mentioned. It’s a 2 or 3 row version of an Edge or Murano. One thing that I think should be considered is Kia’s Sedona, I spec’d a SXL Sorento FWD to a SXL Sedona and the Sedona is a $1,000 cheaper and more practical while not looking much worse except in profile with the obvious sliding door tracks. What I really want to see is Mazda’s new CX-9, it should have the styling and performance from a handling perspective, I just hope it doesn’t come with only a 4 cylinder.
Alex, your car reviews are top notch - much appreciated! I would gladly buy one of these '16 Sorento LX SUVs IF I could obtain one with the V6, leather seats and the navigation system without being forced to get a vehicle with the idiotic "panoramic" roof (Technology Package). Not only do my family not like them, Kia has a serious problem with over 200 exploding sunroofs with the 2011-15 Sorentos. Kia is making a major league mistake jamming these packages down the throats of potential buyers.
Alex really enjoy your reviews. Very detailed and a lot to take in. I just bought a loaded MDX after looking at all your reviews and driving them all to boot. While I loved the Kia SXL I did not feel the MSRP of almost $46K was worth it for the Kia brand. Yes I paid after negotiation $19k more but I am fairly confident how a Honda product like an Acura will hold up versus a Kia which there are still some questions out there. There is also an overall value difference and cache of course. I hate to say this but when I went to several Hyundai and Kia dealers, while nice their sales people were very uneducated, vehicle knowledge wise, compared to any of the luxury dealers where the sales people dressed and knew not only their product but all of the competition. When spending almost or in my case $50k and coming out of a Caddy I guess I am used to that type of service and quality.
Well before I tell you, let me say that the Sorento I drove was the base so I gave the keys back to the sales manager and told him about the wind noise. He said that he never new that but the strange thing is that the more expensive Sorentos have a better windshield and is quitter according to info found on the Kia website. Sales people don't know what they are selling.Now if you have a family, the Sorento is the safest and best for the price with a great ride, the Santa fee sports ride was not good at all so we bought a Lexus NX base with the 17" tires. If the roads where you live are good, you may like the Santa fee style better
+serge vivier Wow, that's funny because the Lexus was in my top 3 choices along with the Santa Fe. I just want a V6 engine. Rav 4 doesn't have it anymore. I'm a Toyota guy for years.
Well the Rav 4 is out of this league , in fact the 2016 rav 4 is one of the worst vehicle I have driven in a long time. The NX is on the Rav 4 platform with better everything and the new turbo in the NX is a masterpiece of engineering with a 7 years 110k warranty. V6 are smooth and powerful, I drove V8 and then V6 for about 20 years, now I like turbo engines better because of the high torque at low RPM.
@@sergevivier956 Kia uses acoustic (sound-insulating) glass windshields in the LX, EX, SX, and SXL models, and acoustic side windows on the front seats in the EX, SX, and SXL models. That makes a big difference in wind noise. I test drove a used 2017 Sorento SXL and took it on the interstate on a rainy day, and it was just as quiet as my Toyota Avalon Limited which also has acoustic glass in the windshield and side windows (my needs have changed since buying the Avalon, so I'm looking at switching to SUVs).
Very well done review! On topic, and precise, and even pricing of the different models...excellent. I'm not so sure on the depreciation of the KIA compared to other brands though, as Toyota, Honda, Nissan and a few others have a had top ratings in the past, where KIA and Hyundai are now just catching up. Again, nice changes KIA, as we just may test drive one of these after this review!
You can get the passenger in from the driver side if you first slide the seat forward and then release the bottom lever to let it fall forward. Works pretty well! Considering the larger leg and headroom compared to Highlander and CX-9 you need to bump your 3rd row rating on this to 8/10 atleast.
Nice SUV overall.. But a couple of disappointments.. 1) I never did like the steering wheel design.. 2). A quiet car is important to me and its unfortunate that the base (or lower) models didn't get the same sound deadening treatment that the higher end Sorento.
As usual, perfect work, Alex! This car is not for Europe in my opinion. I like it but a staggering fuel consumption of 20.6 mpg as I saw on the dashboard makes this car unfit for the European market, I think. At least if Kia wants to sell a lot of them.
Also a complete review for 2016 Honda Civic Hatchback will be great if you have a chance to get one. There are already several reviews on the new sedans out but I am sure many are looking forward to the civic hatch reboot and its comparison with the like (elantra GT, mazda3 sport, etc) around $20k range.
Hi Alex, Your car reviews are the best on the web! Looking to spend about $20,000-25,000 on a used vehicle. I'm, coming out of a Mercedes c320 sport wagon I loved (2002, 118,000 miles and looks great but suspension and transmission issues cost more to fix at my local mechanic than the car is worth.) Considered a Mercedes M Class or the BMW X3 or Sport Wagon, but I'm afraid of expensive repairs. Liked the design of the 2015-16 Volvo V60 wagon, but I'm tall 6'3" and it felt a bit small inside. Liked your review on the 2015 Venza, but well equipped it's no bargain and the ride isn't it's strong point. Considering a 2013-14 Lexus RX350 or a 2016 KIA Sorento. Don't need racetrack speed or cornering and don't need a 3rd row. Do you still think KIA Sorento (EX version) is a winner? (The one you tested was the top of the line package) Do you still prefer the 6cyl over the turbo 4? (The one thing I'll miss about driving a Mercedes is that even when it's a decade old it's still a "Mercedes" and carries more prestige than a new KIA or Rav4.)
It even tows more than some larger SUVs; the GMC Acadia and its sibling Buick Enclave can only tow 4,000 pounds with their V-6 AWD systems. It's the equal of the Highlander, and only the Grand Cherokee/Dodge Durango and Nissan Pathfinder can tow more with their V-6 engines... but do you really trust towing 6,000 pounds with the Pathfinder's CVT?
2017 Kia Sorento doesn't have 4 way adjustable headrest. Headrest only goes up and down, and it's at its most forward position. The manual and quick start guide comes with the car mentions the forward and backward adjustment. Apparently dealers have received a "kit" late December that has white stickers that covers the manual pages. This is an ergonomics issue and Kia removed this quietly. Because the headrest is so forward it makes driving uncomfortable. I'm not sure how this will be addressed.
Sinan Uşşaklı I test drove one last weekend and noticed this. At 6'4" the bottom front of the headrests were actually hitting the top of my shoulders. Even at the top most position. Not comfortable at all.
Kevin Smits I noticed this too late, I now own the car :). however if you tilt the seat back a bit the way you sit changes and it no longer bothers THAT much, still I prefer Kia addresses this issue
@@eskieman3948 No, it isn't overpriced. Have you priced out the Highlander Limited with the Platinum package or the GMC Acadia in Denali trim? The quality you get in those rivals or exceeds what you will find in their competitor's top trim levels, and some (such as the Acadia) don't even come fully loaded in the top trim and require you to buy option packages just to get what the Sorento has.
Nice but I see the Nissan Murano as more of a competitor to this vehicle than the Rogue and also much nicer..... The gas mileage with the V6 compared to that of the Murano with the V6 also makes this vehicle less attractive. Nonetheless the 3rd row option is a significant consideration for those who want that option. Thanks again for a stellar review.
I have test driven both, and while the Murano Platinum is very nice, the Sorento SXL is at least on par with the Murano Platinum in terms of bells & whistles, possibly nicer. I was a bit disappointed that the engine that felt so peppy in a Maxima seemed weak in the Murano, whereas the Sorento had plenty of power accelerating on the interstate and coming off the line at traffic lights. One significant advantage for the Sorento: the Murano is rated to only tow 1,500 pounds even with that V-6 (which isn't a whole lot better than the Rogue's 1,000 pound capability with a four-banger), while the Sorento with AWD and a V-6 is rated to tow 5,000 pounds. And then, there's the 800-pound gorilla in the room: the Nissan CVT. One must be extremely scrupulous about changing the CVT fluid at recommended intervals (about 30,000 miles in normal driving, and 22,000 in "severe service" such as mountain travel or high mileage in a short period). In fairness to the Murano, one of my co-workers has a 2019 Murano SV, and she really likes it so far. That actually is not a bad deal in lower end trim; its "zero gravity" cloth seats are the most comfortable I've found in lower-trim cars.
I'm considering getting this as my next vehicle and the fact that the trims I like come with a third row that I don't need don't bother me one bit. I'll just leave the third row down. Problem solved.
Alex, thanks for another well-prepared & thoughtful review! You mention the possibility of Android Auto, which I'd really like. How confident are you that it's coming to the Sorento?
Alex, thank you for your very thorough and fear review. I purchased this car before I saw your review and I feel a lot better after your review. I have the SXL same color and configuration in your review. I am very interested in the possibility of Apple CarPlay. Is there any update you know of, or direction you could point me in. I really want this feature. Respectfully, Keith Boone
First of all, thank you for all your reviews. I always come back every Friday to see your reviews. You are the best reviewer! I was looking at buying the BASE MDX 2016 (with just the AcuraWatch package) this month (since December is supposed to be the best month to buy a car), but after looking at this review, I may consider giving the Sorento SXL a chance (and save some money!). According to your reviews, the Sorento is much more comfortable (front seat), it breaks much better and the ride is superior (including less cabin noise). I am not so concern about the acceleration, so would you say the Sorento is a better choice?
Due in large part to your review we purchased a Sorento SX. My personal selling points were cabin noise (fantastic) and comfort of ride. Thank you for your impartial input.
You are so incredibly detailed in every review. You appear to put a lot of effort into each and it's much appreciated.
I agree 100%. Alex's reviews are so enjoyable and detailed!
i third that!
I agree great job, thank you.
I bought a 2017 thanks to this review! After a year of ownership I still love it.
Recently purchased the 2018 SXL version, replacing a similarly loaded 2012 Sorento. Virtually every one of our (short list of) complaints we had about the 2012 model has been addressed in the 2018 model along with a raft of additional features, mainly in the driver assistance and safety categories. Our 2012 model had been trouble free over nearly 70,000 miles so we were inclined to believe the 2018 version would be reliable. The excellent KIA warranty only added to that confidence. We live in the Pacific Northwest where sloppy weather in the winter, especially for ski trips in mountains, makes AWD a near necessity. Our 2012 Sorento handled those duties very well. The same is true of our new Sorento.
I seldom trade a vehicle for the same brand/model and we did seriously consider the Ford Edge Sport before our purchase. We very rarely need a 3rd row of seats so the 2.7L V6 in the Edge Sport was a tempting alternative, especially for me. Still, this is mainly my wife's car and she strongly preferred the KIA, mainly due to her familiarity with and affection for the Sorento and her dislike of the VERY long distance from the driver's position to the windshield in the Edge. (YMMV). And while the 3rd row of seats is seldom needed for our family of three plus a 60 lb dog, being a chauffeur for a gaggle of teenage girls is an occasional short trip duty. (Don't count on seating for 7 AND luggage, though. It's an either/or proposition.)
All in all, I've been very impressed by KIA's commitment to incremental improvements in their vehicles even within model cycles. Minor and even fairly major complaints were addressed from one model year to the next. Suspension harshness in our 2012 model was addressed in 2013. And low ratings of the 2017 model headlights were rectified in 2018, for example.
If a compact CUV is a bit on the small size and other midsize alternatives feel like buses, the Sorento is an ideal alternative. And if spending near $40K (or more) for a KIA seems crazy, you simply haven't driven their vehicles in recent years.
Similarly, I went from the 2011 Kia Sorento SX V6 AWD to the 2016 Kia Sorento SX-L Limited 2.0 Turbo. The upgraded safety features as well as the relative simple process to upgrade the UVO navigation system to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto made this my happiest car purchase ever. The ride quality and sound isolation is comparable or better than my wife’s last Lexus RX Hybrid. I wish they had continued the Turbo as an engine option into model year 2017 when they fixed the throw distance and added road following headlights. But I enjoy the fuel savings and slightly extra torque of the smaller engine.
This was our third Kia as my wife traded it that aforementioned Lexus RX Hybrid for a 2018 Kia Sportage SX Turbo which she loves! Apple CarPlay still not being available on most Toyota and Lexus models in 2019 and starting on Kia in 2015 should make one wonder which is the real luxury brand!
I agree with both of you. I also own a Kia and have been delighted with everything about. I have no buyers regret.
Two years and 25K miles later and my assessment hasn't changed. If I insisted on replacing our Sorento I'd have to pry my wife's cold, dead fingers off the steering wheel.
I test drove a used 2017 Sorento SXL today as a possible SUV replacement for my 2014 Avalon Hybrid Limited (my needs changed since buying the Avalon). I like the carrying capacity and also the towing capacity with the V-6 AWD (5,000 pounds) that the RAV4 and Rogue can't match, and even some larger vehicles such as the GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave fall short. It has all the bells & whistles my Avalon Limited has, plus a few more. My short list right now is very short, either a Highlander or the Sorento.
I would've never considered buying a KIA brand. But, after my long research, decided to take a look at it. At dealershop, as soon as I got into the driver seat, I knew I like the car. Been driving it for 3 months and love it.
It's 1/2/2021. I test drove a used 2017 Sorento SXL today. May I ask how well yours is holding up (assuming you still have it)?
@@JBM425 Still love it. I drove it to Big Bear mountain to see snow with my son, it ran like a rock. I also noticed that KIa's warranty is the best in the industry.
I've been considering the Sorento very seriously, and I never ever would have considered buying myself a Kia. It's gorgeous in the maroon color.
+chocolate milk see my post above, great car. Like yourself, never thought of buying a kia, always German. But you will be pleasantly surprised.
+chocolate milk I used to own 2 2011 Kia Sorentos, one for business and one for personal. Both vehicles were maintained properly but ended up having engine troubles at around the 150,000 km mark. If you're strongly considering a Kia, I would suggest you lease.
Chester Laurea Thanks for the input. That kind of information is good to know. However, if I was going to lease a vehicle it would most certainly not be a Kia haha. I don't think it's going to make my short list anyway.
When you lease, you can return the vehicle if you're truly unsatisfied with it.
You make no sense. The fact that you are not stuck with the car and its depreciation if you owned it is exactly why you lease it. They have great leasing deals on it and in 3 years you are done and can go buy a used car and not worry about depreciation. I think owning a kia is where you will get killed with the depreciation. I have test driven everything and this car is one of the most comfortable and most luxurious inside. It drives nice and quiet also.
We bought an SX and love it. Amazing in the snow and so roomy inside.
E Eastwood how is it?
Alex, I truly think you are one of the top car reviewers in you tube. Keep up the good work.
Just bought one. Great car. Test drove highlander/mdx/pilot but buying this was a no brainer. Better built, longer warranty/better finance options/ and improved reliability over the Hondas (see new CR report) . Leave your badge snob away and go and test drive one. you will be pleasantly surprised.. Thank you Alex.
+Old_Barbarism Make sure you do your maintenance on time and record them, if there's an issue, Kia will give you a hard time.
+Old_Barbarism Traded in my Range Rover for the Sorento. Consumer reports loves the thing and I do to. Great SUV and I easily got past the KIA badge because its a beautiful car. Love this.
Honda, Toyota, and FCA no different. I think all the manufacturers have tightened their belts with warranty. Most of us buying new cars are likely to service it at the dealer anyway.
Just purchased one as well. Prepping to make a run from Texas to Myrtle Beach SC; then up to Charlotte, NC for a pickup of our son inbound from "K Town", back to Columbia, SC; then back to San Antonio. This is not counting the stops in between all in 13 days. For the size of the owner manual, it is pretty thick in reading.
Have a blast, too long a trip for me but your Kia will make it a lot more pleasant then most other vehicles. Its very comfortable. I hope you get some time to have fun stopping along the way. Drive safe.
This is one of the most thorough and detailed reviews I've seen of the Sorento. Now if only I could get one of the 2017 model year. Thanks for the great detailed review.
His reviews are thought out and detailed, glad i found him
We just got the 2017 Kia Sorento SX and absolutely love it. It is so refined and it now also has active headlights, apple CarPlay. Our kids love the rear back seats as well because they have their own temp control. Hopefully it last us a long time.
I just test-drove a used 2017 Sorento SXL. How is yours is holding up three years later? I have to say I am very impressed by the power, ride, and interior quality (not to mention the cargo capacity and towing capacity). Since I will be the only person in the car 95% of the time, I don't need to keep the third row up, and the size is just right for a solo driver.
This car rides smooth, quiet and luxurious. Definitely getting one for next year model.
Just got a 2017 Sorrento and it's a good vehicle. The suspension is a bit soft and floaty but it works
THANK YOU ALEX
YOU ARE SOOOOOO DETAILED I GOT THE 2017 AND AFTER WATCHING YOUR REVIEW, I WAS ABLE TO USE MOST OF THE FEATURES I DID NOT KNOW EXIST. THANK YOU.
This is the most detailed and thorough review i have come across. Well done for being so fastidious.
thanks Alex. I was delighted with this car at the dealership, but paused my buying process to go home and watch your video review. You confirmed my thoughts and exposed several things I had not considered. Thanks for talking fast. -Greg
Took it for a test drive and it was cabin was very quiet, and the ride smooth. Its a very tempting vehicle.
I have no interests in this car and why am I watching this. Ugh Alex, you got me addicted to your channel!!
The best car reviewer on UA-cam!!
I have this car and I love it! Great video, greetings from Costa Rica🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷
You do some of the best reviews online. Its been invaluable in my search for a new car.
fantastic review...was researching another crossover and bumped into this video....having seen the video...1) clicked the like 2) subscribed 3) test drove the sorento .... A tick mark to all that was said in the video...now have to decide
This is my next car
Absolutely the best reviews anywhere. AoA is always the first name I look for in the search results when researching a vehicle.
first !! waiting for this review of the v6 after watching the turbo 4 and wanted to see how they compare. thanks ALEX!!
As always, your Mother in Law reference has me in stitches!
One of the best reviews I've seen.
This is by far the best and most helpful auto review i have ever seen. This review was from 2015, so it looks like i have a lot of catching up to do. Great work!
3rd row for naughty children or your mother-in-law. lol nice!
Keith Williamson hahahahahaha
mother-in-law -.... kkkkkk she deserves it !
Hahahahaaaa
I have a fishing boat and Sorento gained my attention due to its towing capacity. I did not notice you covering that aspect in your review.
I am seven years late! But I still get it Alex.
Hay Alex! As a subscriber, I watch your reviews all the time and find them very informative. Your child seat and infotainment segments show how detailed you are. Above and beyond a simple vehicle review and I appreciate that. It was one of the reasons I went ahead and purchased a 2016 Kia Sedona SX and though we are very happy with our new van, there's just one thing we really hate that has never been brought up, at least not as far as I know.
The push button start is great but there are limitations as to what you can do when it comes to remote starters. We had a dealer installed, KIA brand remote starter installed before delivery and it is very limited in functionality. To start the vehicle, you press the lock button on the fob and then the start button on the fob...the van locks and starts. But when I attempt to unlock and open the sliding doors for the kids to get in prior to us leaving the house, the van shuts off. When I open the rear gate to put things in there when we've been shopping, the van shuts off. When I try to turn on the heated seats and rear defrost for my wife in the mornings, the van shuts off. According to my dealer and a few aftermarket installation shops in town, this is the way it has to be due to the push button start system.
Through a detailed explanation, I know know why it works that way but had I of known prior to the purchase, I might have gone with another vehicle with all our required options but with a keyed ignition. Remote start is very important here in Canada and it should be integrated into the vehicle's systems better than Kia has done. From what I've been told, this is an issue with keyless ignition systems, no matter the brand of vehicle. Could you let others know about the issues surrounding the keyless ignition and it's relationship with the remote starter system? Thanks
I have a 2020 Sorento SX AWD V6. And i wouldn't consider it a CUV. Now my previous 2015 Lincoln MKC AWD was just that. Very small and not really able to carry a lot. But the Sorento is like night and day by comparison. The V6 is very powerful especially in sport mode and has a nice throaty growl to it. Plus the dynamax AWD system is SUPERB...!!! It's BY FAR better than Hyundai's newer Htrac AWD system. Just a great SUV that can carry a lot and go a lot of places.
Great overview of the Kia Sorento.
My only dislike on the vehicles are that all of the lights are not fully LED, and the acceleration on the V6 in particular could be better at a lower RPM. Other than that, fantastic, detailed review. Definitely the best I have seen to date.
One of the best reviews ever. I certainly hope you get reimbursed for your work. THX
Annnnnddd......breath...that's a lot of words! Humour aside, this is a very detailed and thorough review. Good video, and appreciated from a future buyer.
Just purchased a 2016 lx. Love it so far
@Brandon Ayers we did have to replace the motor but kia paid for everythibg including a rental. But other than that we love it and dont regret our decision
@Brandon Ayers the engine never blew. The low oil light came on then it went into protect mode. It happened around 88k miles
@Brandon Ayers i took it in and they did a test
I like this guy. great reviews and straight to the point.
Excellent speaker and reviewer.
Excellent review and video as always. I used your video reviews as advice to buy one of these instead of the Acura MDX, I have been more than pleased with this vehicle since day one.
Great review as always. I found the Sorento to match up very favorably to all the competitors you mentioned. It’s a 2 or 3 row version of an Edge or Murano.
One thing that I think should be considered is Kia’s Sedona, I spec’d a SXL Sorento FWD to a SXL Sedona and the Sedona is a $1,000 cheaper and more practical while not looking much worse except in profile with the obvious sliding door tracks.
What I really want to see is Mazda’s new CX-9, it should have the styling and performance from a handling perspective, I just hope it doesn’t come with only a 4 cylinder.
You are extremely knowledgeable it's helping me a lot to know what's important to keep in mind when shopping for a car, appreciated
Lol... I love how professional you kept it until you said the third row is for your mother-in-law..
Great review Alex. I always enjoy your reviews and the detail you provide. Thanks
very thorough and informative, best review ever!
What an awesome review, I really appreciate the detail you put into your videos.
Great review as always. Keep up the great work, Alex!
Alex, your car reviews are top notch - much appreciated! I would gladly buy one of these '16 Sorento LX SUVs IF I could obtain one with the V6, leather seats and the navigation system without being forced to get a vehicle with the idiotic "panoramic" roof (Technology Package). Not only do my family not like them, Kia has a serious problem with over 200 exploding sunroofs with the 2011-15 Sorentos. Kia is making a major league mistake jamming these packages down the throats of potential buyers.
+Kevan Morrison Yea, bundling is part of how Kia keeps prices low (it's an inventory thing) but it does result in that kind of problem.
best reviews and detailed breakdown. can't wait to see what the new equinox will bring to the table.
Another superb review! This is what you get when the smart meets the enthusiasm.
Your reviews are so thorough! Thanks!
Alex really enjoy your reviews. Very detailed and a lot to take in. I just bought a loaded MDX after looking at all your reviews and driving them all to boot. While I loved the Kia SXL I did not feel the MSRP of almost $46K was worth it for the Kia brand. Yes I paid after negotiation $19k more but I am fairly confident how a Honda product like an Acura will hold up versus a Kia which there are still some questions out there. There is also an overall value difference and cache of course. I hate to say this but when I went to several Hyundai and Kia dealers, while nice their sales people were very uneducated, vehicle knowledge wise, compared to any of the luxury dealers where the sales people dressed and knew not only their product but all of the competition. When spending almost or in my case $50k and coming out of a Caddy I guess I am used to that type of service and quality.
my 2016 sorento gets 34mpg . i kid you not. but its all highway with no traffic. 84 miles daily.
Awesome review. Lot of information well presented. Thanks Alex.
I test drove this Kia today and the wind noise was terrible other than that, the ride is much better than the new Santa Fe.
so what did you end up getting?
Well before I tell you, let me say that the Sorento I drove was the base so I gave the keys back to the sales manager and told him about the wind noise. He said that he never new that but the strange thing is that the more expensive Sorentos have a better windshield and is quitter according to info found on the Kia website. Sales people don't know what they are selling.Now if you have a family, the Sorento is the safest and best for the price with a great ride, the Santa fee sports ride was not good at all so we bought a Lexus NX base with the 17" tires. If the roads where you live are good, you may like the Santa fee style better
+serge vivier Wow, that's funny because the Lexus was in my top 3 choices along with the Santa Fe. I just want a V6 engine. Rav 4 doesn't have it anymore. I'm a Toyota guy for years.
Well the Rav 4 is out of this league , in fact the 2016 rav 4 is one of the worst vehicle I have driven in a long time. The NX is on the Rav 4 platform with better everything and the new turbo in the NX is a masterpiece of engineering with a 7 years 110k warranty. V6 are smooth and powerful, I drove V8 and then V6 for about 20 years, now I like turbo engines better because of the high torque at low RPM.
@@sergevivier956 Kia uses acoustic (sound-insulating) glass windshields in the LX, EX, SX, and SXL models, and acoustic side windows on the front seats in the EX, SX, and SXL models. That makes a big difference in wind noise. I test drove a used 2017 Sorento SXL and took it on the interstate on a rainy day, and it was just as quiet as my Toyota Avalon Limited which also has acoustic glass in the windshield and side windows (my needs have changed since buying the Avalon, so I'm looking at switching to SUVs).
Very well done review! On topic, and precise, and even pricing of the different models...excellent. I'm not so sure on the depreciation of the KIA compared to other brands though, as Toyota, Honda, Nissan and a few others have a had top ratings in the past, where KIA and Hyundai are now just catching up. Again, nice changes KIA, as we just may test drive one of these after this review!
Just wanted some info, but your reviewed is so detailed, I decided to sub after watching your review. Amazing job and thanks!
You can get the passenger in from the driver side if you first slide the seat forward and then release the bottom lever to let it fall forward. Works pretty well! Considering the larger leg and headroom compared to Highlander and CX-9 you need to bump your 3rd row rating on this to 8/10 atleast.
Great review. Very detailed and great comparisons.
This review tipped the scale for me ... I purchased the Sorento EX+.
Nice SUV overall.. But a couple of disappointments.. 1) I never did like the steering wheel design.. 2). A quiet car is important to me and its unfortunate that the base (or lower) models didn't get the same sound deadening treatment that the higher end Sorento.
Alex, although I'm looking at the European version which is slightly different, your review's great! Thank you!
Such a detailed review, awesome job!
Thanks so much for making this video
Crazy good review. Great work
As usual, perfect work, Alex! This car is not for Europe in my opinion. I like it but a staggering fuel consumption of 20.6 mpg as I saw on the dashboard makes this car unfit for the European market, I think. At least if Kia wants to sell a lot of them.
He had the 3.3 V6 version; Kia will sell this in a diesel version for Europe.
Great review. Keep up the good work!
Great Review, as always! Hope to test drive it soon. Thanks!
great review. very helpful
Also a complete review for 2016 Honda Civic Hatchback will be great if you have a chance to get one. There are already several reviews on the new sedans out but I am sure many are looking forward to the civic hatch reboot and its comparison with the like (elantra GT, mazda3 sport, etc) around $20k range.
Would love to see some comparison with the CX-9.
Hi Alex, Your car reviews are the best on the web! Looking to spend about $20,000-25,000 on a used vehicle. I'm, coming out of a Mercedes c320 sport wagon I loved (2002, 118,000 miles and looks great but suspension and transmission issues cost more to fix at my local mechanic than the car is worth.) Considered a Mercedes M Class or the BMW X3 or Sport Wagon, but I'm afraid of expensive repairs. Liked the design of the 2015-16 Volvo V60 wagon, but I'm tall 6'3" and it felt a bit small inside. Liked your review on the 2015 Venza, but well equipped it's no bargain and the ride isn't it's strong point. Considering a 2013-14 Lexus RX350 or a 2016 KIA Sorento. Don't need racetrack speed or cornering and don't need a 3rd row. Do you still think KIA Sorento (EX version) is a winner? (The one you tested was the top of the line package) Do you still prefer the 6cyl over the turbo 4? (The one thing I'll miss about driving a Mercedes is that even when it's a decade old it's still a "Mercedes" and carries more prestige than a new KIA or Rav4.)
superior reviews!! thumbs up
Alex, UA-cam is saying your video has 50 views and 93 likes. How is that possible? By the way, I "liked" your video. Thank you as always.
+bird271828 The stats are always delayed by hours or sometimes even days. It should be a few thousand by tomorrow.
+Alex on Autos Few thousand and one. Nice job.
Alex on Autos 是田火
The only item you often omit is whether second row seating includes power outlets.
Excellent review.
and the V6 tows 5000lbs unlike so many of the crossovers you mentioned in your review ie. rav4, crv...
It even tows more than some larger SUVs; the GMC Acadia and its sibling Buick Enclave can only tow 4,000 pounds with their V-6 AWD systems. It's the equal of the Highlander, and only the Grand Cherokee/Dodge Durango and Nissan Pathfinder can tow more with their V-6 engines... but do you really trust towing 6,000 pounds with the Pathfinder's CVT?
Great review as usual! Will this model get Android Auto as an update sometime?
Is it just me or does that steering wheel look enormous!
Fantastic vehicle.
2017 Kia Sorento doesn't have 4 way adjustable headrest. Headrest only goes up and down, and it's at its most forward position. The manual and quick start guide comes with the car mentions the forward and backward adjustment. Apparently dealers have received a "kit" late December that has white stickers that covers the manual pages.
This is an ergonomics issue and Kia removed this quietly. Because the headrest is so forward it makes driving uncomfortable. I'm not sure how this will be addressed.
Sinan Uşşaklı I test drove one last weekend and noticed this. At 6'4" the bottom front of the headrests were actually hitting the top of my shoulders. Even at the top most position. Not comfortable at all.
Kevin Smits I noticed this too late, I now own the car :). however if you tilt the seat back a bit the way you sit changes and it no longer bothers THAT much, still I prefer Kia addresses this issue
your mother in law must have hurt you so much
for sure....kkkkkkk
Very good review
Kia's is so underrated
And, if you're looking at an SX or SXL, SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO overpriced!!!!!!
@@eskieman3948 No, it isn't overpriced. Have you priced out the Highlander Limited with the Platinum package or the GMC Acadia in Denali trim? The quality you get in those rivals or exceeds what you will find in their competitor's top trim levels, and some (such as the Acadia) don't even come fully loaded in the top trim and require you to buy option packages just to get what the Sorento has.
Amazing reviews! keep up the good work... on the Sorento... Turbo4 or just the 4? (drive for work, and need to place my 3 kids in back)
Alex, this in top trim or an Edge sport? Wait, I guess you already answered that with your top pick award.
Nice but I see the Nissan Murano as more of a competitor to this vehicle than the Rogue and also much nicer..... The gas mileage with the V6 compared to that of the Murano with the V6 also makes this vehicle less attractive. Nonetheless the 3rd row option is a significant consideration for those who want that option. Thanks again for a stellar review.
I have test driven both, and while the Murano Platinum is very nice, the Sorento SXL is at least on par with the Murano Platinum in terms of bells & whistles, possibly nicer. I was a bit disappointed that the engine that felt so peppy in a Maxima seemed weak in the Murano, whereas the Sorento had plenty of power accelerating on the interstate and coming off the line at traffic lights. One significant advantage for the Sorento: the Murano is rated to only tow 1,500 pounds even with that V-6 (which isn't a whole lot better than the Rogue's 1,000 pound capability with a four-banger), while the Sorento with AWD and a V-6 is rated to tow 5,000 pounds. And then, there's the 800-pound gorilla in the room: the Nissan CVT. One must be extremely scrupulous about changing the CVT fluid at recommended intervals (about 30,000 miles in normal driving, and 22,000 in "severe service" such as mountain travel or high mileage in a short period).
In fairness to the Murano, one of my co-workers has a 2019 Murano SV, and she really likes it so far. That actually is not a bad deal in lower end trim; its "zero gravity" cloth seats are the most comfortable I've found in lower-trim cars.
nice review
I'm considering getting this as my next vehicle and the fact that the trims I like come with a third row that I don't need don't bother me one bit. I'll just leave the third row down. Problem solved.
Excellent review! One correction, the AWD EX and LX FE are rated as 18/26. I emailed KIA to ask why as it makes no sense but I did not get a response.
EX FE and LX FE
Alex, thanks for another well-prepared & thoughtful review! You mention the possibility of Android Auto, which I'd really like. How confident are you that it's coming to the Sorento?
VERY Informative!
Also, tire size varies amongst models.
Alex, thank you for your very thorough and fear review. I purchased this car before I saw your review and I feel a lot better after your review. I have the SXL same color and configuration in your review. I am very interested in the possibility of Apple CarPlay. Is there any update you know of, or direction you could point me in. I really want this feature. Respectfully, Keith Boone
I'd get this Kia and wrap it camouflage if it is AWD. I think it would make it look quite decent.
First of all, thank you for all your reviews. I always come back every Friday to see your reviews. You are the best reviewer! I was looking at buying the BASE MDX 2016 (with just the AcuraWatch package) this month (since December is supposed to be the best month to buy a car), but after looking at this review, I may consider giving the Sorento SXL a chance (and save some money!). According to your reviews, the Sorento is much more comfortable (front seat), it breaks much better and the ride is superior (including less cabin noise). I am not so concern about the acceleration, so would you say the Sorento is a better choice?
+Edgar Arceo Since I'm all about the value (and less about the third row) then yes, I'd get the Sorento over the MDX.
+Alex on Autos Last question. You also gave high scores to the 2016 Honda Pilot. What are your thoughts about Pilot vs Sorento? Thank you
Great reviews Alex. Can you tell me which is the best for towing in this segment. escape etc.
I don't think you mean "indistinguishable." I think you are saying that it is, actually, very easy to distinguish between them.