2013 Kia Sorento - Value For Careful Buyers

The 2013 Kia Sorento offers us a glimpse at the future of the crossover segment.  Now that buyers are largely over the novelty of a vehicle that looks like an SUV but drivers more like a car, and automakers no longer have to lure curious customers in with unusual features or dramatic styling, a number of function-first, value-oriented vehicles have crept onto the radar of families seeking an affordable daily driver.  The Kia Sorento is at the forefront of this type of crossover design, a big, practical vehicle that is defined more by what it's not (a minivan) than by any of its individual characteristics.

Stick With The Affordable Sorento

The 2013 Kia Sorento is available in three trim levels, and with a choice of two engine options.  The Sorento LX starts at a very reasonable $26,895, which gets you features such as a 191 horsepower, direct injection 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, a six-speed automatic transmission, hill assist and downhill brake control, an MP3-capable stereo system, Bluetooth connectivity, and heated front seats.  The LX additionally makes available steering wheel buttons that interact with the stereo and cruise control system, fog lights, automatic headlights, power windows and door locks, keyless entry, air conditioning, and a tilt and telescoping steering wheel.

Why did we go through the trouble of listing so much of the Sorento LX's standard equipment? Quite honestly, aside from its attractive, semi-macho styling, it's the number of features for the price that stands tall as the Sorento's most compelling selling point.  This is one very well-equipped crossover right out of the box, and given its affordability this gives it a leg up over some of the competition.

In fact, although we drove a top-of-the-line Kia Sorento SX, which featured 18-inch rims, heated leather seats, dual automatic climate control, and the UVO entertainment system, we recommend against paying the premium required to slip behind the wheel of a comparatively decked-out vehicle.  Sure, we appreciated the dual-pane sunroof, sporty front and rear fascias and the LED running lights that came with the SX, but our heavily optioned ride cost a startling $41,295.  Things that are easy to ignore at the $26,000 price point, such as the heavy use of hard plastics throughout the interior and the low quality leather upholstery are less likely to be forgiven when spending $15,000 more.

V6 Engine Is A Worthwhile Upgrade

One are where it would definitely be worth spending a little more money above and beyond the entry-level price would be in the engine compartment.  The Kia Sorento model that we drove came with a 276 horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine, which did a decent job of dealing with the Sorento's bulk.  We could not imagine being pleased with the performance of the less robust four-cylinder mill, especially with a full load of passengers inside the Sorento's generous confines, given the weight of the vehicle.  There's also not much of a fuel mileage difference between the two units, with the larger mill turning in figures of 10.5 l/100 km in city driving and 7.7 l/100 km on the highway for front-wheel drive models (compared to 10.1 l/100 km highway and 6.2 l/100 km city for the four-cylinder).

All-wheel drive, which includes a locking center differential, is offered with either motor, and a six-speed automatic is the only available transmission with the Sorento.

Not A True Seven-Seater

The 2013 Kia Sorento is advertised as a seven-seat crossover, and while the third row of accommodations is physically present it's important to understand that its design precludes its use by anyone other than young children.  The two rearmost seats fold up out of the floor and sit quite low, which makes it uncomfortable for adults.  The seats are also not easy to get to, requiring the would-be occupants to scrambled over the folded second row in an awkward fashion.  With the third row in use, cargo space is reduced to almost unusable levels.  When it is folded, the Sorento performs admirably as a luggage hauler.

Stay Focused On Value

If one wants to get the most value possible out of the 2013 Kia Sorento, then it makes sense to order the mid-size crossover in its strongest edition: the LX trim level with the optional V6 engine, which will set buyers back roughly $30,000.  More expensive editions of the Sorento don't justify their additional cost, especially when compared to rivals like the Toyota RAV4 and the Chevrolet Equinox.  The Kia Sorento is a good budget people mover for five that can handle a couple of extra kids in a pinch.  Once it attempts to reach past that definition, it simply doesn't deliver.