2020 Kia Sorento Specs & Details | SUVs for Sale in Freehold, NJ

• Overview

  

  The 2020 Kia Sorento is a much-anticipated vehicle for the coming year. This mid-size crossover SUV has been in production since 2002, and it has won a host of awards across the globe since its inception. Original models were created as a truck-based body-on-frame SUV, with an optional four-wheel drive system. Early production took place in South Korea. By 2010 with the start of its second generation, the Sorento became the first Kia model to be manufactured in the United States.

  This second-generation also brought some major changes to the exterior styling, including the incorporation of Kia’s famous “Tiger Nose.” The Sorento was awarded Autocar Magazine’s SUV of the Year in New Zealand, and an “Excellent” overall score by Consumer Reports in the United States. In 2011, the Sorento was given a 5/5 safety rating from international crash safety experts, including the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) and the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the United States gave the Sorento a “Top Safety Pick” designation, an award that it won a second time in 2017 as well.

  The Kia Sorento is now in its third generation, which started in 2015. It’s longer than previous models but also lower to the ground, which improves driver handling control. Production remains in the United States, based at the assembly plant in West Point, Georgia. Six-speed manual and automatic transmissions are available, along with the option for all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive.

  Around the same time as the release of the third generation, Kia Motors began promoting the Sorento through the home media release of X-Men: Days of Future Past. A Wolverine-themed Sorento, created through the collaboration of 20th Century Fox, helped promote the movie and the 2015 Australian Open. A series of videos featured Rafael Nadal teaming up with the X-Men. Kia Motors also advertised the Sorento in the Super Bowl XLIX, starring actor Pierce Brosnan.

  In 2018, styling for the Sorento was updated again. Refreshed headlamps, taillamps, and a new front grille helped align its design with the Kia Forte and Kia Cadenza. New exterior color options were introduced, along with third-row seating and new wheels on all trim levels. Driver attention warning systems were also incorporated in all models for 2018. Some trims got an engine replacement, and all-wheel drive was made possible in everything but the standard version. The Kia Sorento’s growth and development over the past three generations have led to a steady rise in popularity. With the rapid rise of automobile technology innovation, for 2020, anything is possible.

  While all the specs haven’t been released yet on the new Kia Sorento, if the past is any indication of the future, there are lots of high hopes for 2020. That’s not to assume that a lot of features will change. Most experts agree that 2020 is expected to be a carryover model from the previous year. The exterior should pretty much have the same look, or at least very similar to the 2019 models. Some minor updates to the interior might be included, but the standard package of tech features will probably remain unchanged. Five different trim levels will likely continue to be the L, LX, S, EX, EX Sport, SX and SX Limited. The MSRP started at $26,290 for the 2019 Sorento, so it’s expected to be around the same price point for the coming year.

  185-290

  Horsepower (hp)

  178-252

  Torque (lb-ft)

  73

  Max Cargo Space (cu.ft.)

  Starting at

  $26,990*

• Performance

  

  The 2019 L and LX come with a standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. This offers 185 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. Upgrading to the EX or higher would give you a 3.3-liter V6 engine as standard (optional in the LX model) for 2019 models. The bigger engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and yields 290 horsepower and 252 lb-ft of torque.

  Given that the Sorento is a seven-passenger SUV, having a V6 makes a big difference in the amount of get-up-and-go that drivers will experience. The Kia Sorento isn’t necessarily a huge vehicle. Alloy wheels (rather than steel) make it somewhat lighter than others in its class. Nonetheless, it is still large enough to warrant that extra boost. Although Kia has been happy to include lots of excellent tech features in the L models in the past (rearview camera, a 7-inch touchscreen, automatic headlights, etc.), drivers will still probably need to upgrade to a higher trim level for the bigger engine in 2020.

  The main benefit of opting for a V6 engine in the 2020 Kia Sorento is to include more power. For a larger sized vehicle, this is an ideal setup. In the past, drivers may have been concerned about poor fuel economy with a V6 engine. With the modern technology used in the development of the 2020 Kia Sorento, this is unlikely to be an issue with a combined fuel efficiency rating of 22 mpg with the V6 engine.

• Drivetrain

  

  The 2020 Kia Sorento is expected to offer all-wheel drive again. Front-wheel drive has been standard in the past, with the option to upgrade for all trim levels beyond the L. From an automaker’s standpoint, front-wheel drive is cheaper and easier to manufacture. It works well at climbing hills, with the drivetrain positioned in the front and responsible for pulling the weight of the vehicle.

  If you drive in snowy conditions or off-road, having all-wheel drive is ideal, especially for an SUV. All-wheel drive systems send power to each axle of the vehicle, varying the power ratio for optimal traction. All-wheel drive is also beneficial for quicker acceleration. If you want the most power and control from a 2020 Kia Sorento, spending extra for all-wheel drive and a larger engine seems worthwhile.

• Technology and Safety

  

  The Kia Sorento offers Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support. If the standard features continue to include a 7-inch touchscreen (which they almost undoubtedly will), this is a great way to make lower trims feel like high tech vehicles. This technology allows drivers to stay connected to their mobile devices without the risk of distracted driving. Whether you have an Apple or Android device, you won’t need to take your eyes off the road to access its features.

  These apps let your car interface take over what your cell phone usually does. Listen to music, answer phone calls, and even send texts, without using your hands. Voice commands help allow these programs to keep drivers safe behind the wheel. For Apple, this is through “Siri,” while Android uses “Google Now.” These programs were originally introduced in 2014, but they were certainly not standard in most vehicles. Kia has made it a priority to bring the latest tech into all models.

  Beyond communication, the Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functions as a GPS. Replacing old navigation systems of the past, the Kia Sorento’s 7-inch touchscreen will provide all the technology that drivers need to find their way around in unknown territory. If you’re looking for the nearest gas station or restroom on your route, Google Maps is able to help with a simple voice command and no need to pull over. The convenience of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay will be a nice perk in the 2020 Kia Sorento for all trim levels.

  Other features that are offered on the 2019 model as standard that you might not find standard on competitor SUVs are remote keyless entry and a rear-camera display. On higher trim levels you can find features such as a Harman Kardon 10-speaker surround sound system, a park distance warning, rear cross traffic collision warning, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink.

Visit us at Raceway Kia!