2021 Kia Sorento Specs | Used SUVs for Sale near Manalapan, NJ

• Overview

  

  The Sorento got its start in the U.S. for the 2003 model year. Today, it is currently in its third generation, but with the continued push of the mid-size crossover market, it is more important now than ever before to constantly offer new looks and upgraded performance. That is why the 2021 Kia Sorento will likely become the very first model year for the vehicle's fourth generation. However, Kia hasn't officially pulled the curtain off of the 2021 Sorento. It is currently scheduled to be fully unveiled later in the month, which means a number of specifics are not yet known. Thankfully, Kia hasn't exactly done the best job at hiding the 2021 Kia Sorento, as it has been seen in several places. So, if you're a Sorento fan, here is all the latest information and updates you'll want to know regarding the model update, what to expect, and when to expect it.

  Kia plans on making the official announcement for the brand new 2021 Kia Sorento sometime in February, although it may push it back to sometime in March. There are no plans on unveiling it at one of the upcoming car shows, as most industry insiders expect Kia to officially announce it in South Korea. Due to this, the company may fluctuate its release date based on what's happening with some of the other shows taking place during late winter and early spring. Whenever it decides to unveil the Sorento, it will likely take place sometime soon.

  As for when to expect to see the 2021 Kia Sorento available at local dealerships such as Raceway Kia, that is a bit more up in the air. It will, in all likelihood, be released in South Korea not long after it is officially announced. As for the United States release, it most likely will occur a few months after that (such as mid to late summer). This is customary for most Kia releases, as it hits South Korea and possibly China first, before coming to the United States.

  191 - 281

  Horsepower (HP)

  182 - 311

  Torque (lb-ft)

  8 - 10.25

  Screen Size (in)

  Starting at

  $29,390

• Exterior

  

  We'll have more specific numbers and features to dive into once Kia makes the official announcement of the 2021 Sorento release. However, we do have a number of vehicle posts and pictures to go off of so we can offer you information on what to expect.

  External Feature Updates To Expect On The 2021 Sorento

  For starters, you can expect a slight tweak on the grille found on most Kias. It has a longer design with a slight pinch in the middle around the Kia branding. It also features what we call a tiger-nose with the overall shape of the grille's front. The grille slides in around the headlights, which will feature an elegant touch of chrome right around the fixtures. This will add just a touch of intrigue without going completely over the top.

  In general, the overall size and shape of the Sorento is not all that different from what is currently available. There are some slight body scoops around the side, but nothing hugely different. On the rear of the SUV, you'll find vertical brick headlights that are broken up by the door hatch.

• Interior

  

  Interior Features You'll Find

  The biggest changes found on the 2021 Sorento (at least from what we can confirm through product leaks and image posts of the vehicle) will be found in the center console touchscreen. There is an additional touch screen above the standard stereo and comfort controls. The touchscreen is wider and flatter than what you might find in other SUVs, giving it an extreme widescreen appearance. It is not just a screen through as there are offsetting knobs, giving it an almost hand-held video game controller look (a very large controller as the screen will span the entire area between the driver and front passenger seat).

  When based on specs for other crossover SUVs Kia has released recently, there is a good chance the base trim models will have an 8-inch touchscreen while the top-tier trims will have a 10-inch display. Likewise, there will also be a digital gauge cluster screen behind the steering wheel. We're not fully sure if this digital control cluster will be available on all models, or if it will be made as an option on the entry trims and a standard feature on the upper-tier trims.

  Possible Seating Adjustment To the 2021 Kia Sorento

  One feature for the 2021 Kia Sorento we're most curious about is the seating configuration. Currently, the Sorento is available as a three-row mid-size crossover. However, Kia recently put out its larger Telluride, which is also a three-row SUV. Due to this, Kia may decide to instead move to a two-row design and instead improve the legroom for both the two rows while also offering improved cargo space in the rear of the vehicle.

  We're not sure what to expect, but thankfully we won't need to wait long on the announcement. We also know having the third row is important to many of our customers, and so as soon as we find out the seating configurations, we will let you know. That way, you'll know if you should hold off and wait for the 2021 Sorento to make it to the dealership, or if the three-row Telluride is the better seating setup for you.

• Performance

  

  A New Hybrid Option

  One thing we can confirm is that there will be a plug-in hybrid model of the 2021 Kia Sorento. The company hasn't said specifically whether that plug-in model would come to the United States or remain a South Korea and China exclusive. Still, we're confident that it will be made available to the U.S. market (although the plug-in might come a few months later than the standard powertrain option).

  Thanks to the continued desire for plug-in hybrids and all-electric models in the United States, there is an excellent chance the 2021 Sorento hybrid will also find its way onto the market and into our showroom.

  The hybrid model will likely also feature a solar roof. The Sonata hybrid currently has a solar roof installed, which Hyundai claims offers an additional 700+ miles of additional driving annually simply through the solar charge. Due to this, if the solar roof feature is offered as an available option on the Sorento hybrid plug-in, you can expect to net something similar in terms of added driving. Of course, you know as well as anyone else that the sun can be fleeting here in New Jersey during the winter months (not to mention you won't want to leave your vehicle out and exposed during snow and rain storms), so it may not fully hit this 700+ miles, but still, these are added net miles you'll receive without pulling electricity off of your house and without the aid of fuel. Essentially, these are free miles.

  Possible Engine Options

  It is expected the 2021 Kia Sorento will have up to six engine options. However, we do not expect all six engines will make it to the U.S. We do expect the base models to use a 2.5L I4 engine while the upper-tier trims to come with either a 2.0L or 2.5L turbocharged engines. The 2.5L engine is rated for 226 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque.

  There will also be turbo diesel engines, although these are the engines we don't know yet whether the diesel options will make it to the United States this year. Often, auto manufacturers will test out diesel engines in other markets, such as Europe, before sending the engine to the United States. There is a larger draw for diesel engines (especially non-truck diesel engines) in Europe than in the U.S., so it generally depends on the overall performance of these engines in the foreign markets before production is increased and it is sent to the United States.

  If the turbo diesel engines do make it to the U.S., we expect either a 2.0 or a 2.2L turbo diesel engine to be used with the 2021 Kia Sorento.

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