2014 Kia Sorento EX Road Test and Drive Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 ก.ย. 2024
- To say the Sorento's transformation from rugged body-on-frame SUV to car-based softroader has been a sales success is putting it mildly. In the first 27 months of production Kia shifted more Sorentos than they did the 8 years prior. Sales numbers like that catapulted the Korean krossover (couldn't help it) from CX-9/Xtera/Murano competition to 7th place in the midsized battlefield. Three model years later, Kia is spicing things up with a refresh. I know what you're thinking: why bother looking at a refresh? Because 2014 brings enough changes to call the 2014 Sorento a redesign.
After three years, most car companies slap on a new nose, tweak some paint and trim options and call it good for another three years. At first glance it seems that Kia has done the usual, but the similarity is skin deep. The front and rear get tweaks of course, but its the chassis that's been substantially changed with new floor stamping to improve interior room, new suspension subframes, different welding techniques, suspension geometry changes, additional chassis bracing in addition to a refreshed interior and exterior. In all, only 20% of the parts from last year remain. If you doubt the magnitude of the change, check out the curb weight which is down 250lbs vs the 2013 model, that's no small feat.
As before, the Sorento offers your choice of 5 or 7 passenger seating, yet the Sorento still isn't a large SUV at 184-inches long. That's 15 inches shorter than a Durango, 7 inches shorter than a Pilot and even 6 inches shorter than the other 5/7 passenger "tweener" crossover, the Dodge Journey. The RAV4, CR-V and Sportage are a half step smaller putting the Kia and its Hyundai sister-ship in their own small category. (Remember, the RAV4 ditched its 7-seat option this year.)
Rounding out the refresh is a revised engine lineup. The 175HP 2.4L base engine is gone with the formerly optional 191HP, 181lb-ft 2.4L direct-injection four taking its place. The 16HP and 12lb-ft bump are minor, but a better torque curve made possible by the DI sauce combined with a 250lb weight loss make the difference noticeable. On the downside, fuel economy suffers from the upgrade dropping the AWD model from 21/27/23 (City/Highway/Combined) to 19/24/21. Some of the drop is likely due to changes in the way the transmission shifts, but also perhaps to Kia re-stating their MPG numbers to be more realistic.
Optional on the Sorento LX and standard on EX, SX and Limited is Hyundai/Kia's newest 3.3L direct-injection V6 making its way across the lineup. Cranking out 290 ponies and 252 twists vs 273/247 for the old 3.5 mill, the difference behind the wheel is largely in the way power is delivered. Our tester scooted from 0-60 in 7.23 seconds, about 2/10ths faster than last year's 3.5L model. If you go by the EPA scores, the new engine is simply an even trade with the same 18/24/20 MPG score as before. However, unlike the 2013 model, our Sorento averaged a better than expected 22.1MPG in mixed driving as compared to 19.5 in the old model on the same route. Adding the V6 increases towing capacity from 1,500lbs to 3,500lbs with or without AWD.
The Sorento is a textbook modern Kia. The exterior styling is unlikely to set your heart on fire, but it won't offend anyone either. The interior apes the style and features of the next price class above, but casts it in durable, hard plastic. That makes the Sorento sound like a very average vehicle, but the key to Kia's success is value. When you adjust for the standard features on the base LX model, the Sorento is a $1,500 better value than the Dodge Journey, often cited as the cheapest and most un-loved of the 7-seat set. Compare the Sorento to a comparable Ford Edge or Toyota Highlander and the Kia is $4,000-5,000 less. See why the hard dash plastics that other reviewers complain about don't bother me? Because value speaks to me, and judging by the sales it speaks to a large number of shoppers. Toss in that long warranty and the only thing that surprises me is that the Sorento is only "7th" in the mid-size SUV class.
Music by Kevin MacLeod
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I love how in depth these reviews are. Awesome awesome.
Great Review Alex! I love that Kia!
Good review; you pointed out several details (hard plastics, but you get extras) and price against the competition. Made my decision process easier. Thanks!
I would buy the Sorento before the Journey at the moment, but the Journey isn't a bad car, it's just a bit behind the times on the interior. I like the Edge, but it's a really massive 5-seat SUV. If you end up loading the Edge to the gills, you might as well get the MKX. With those on the list, you really should give the GMC Terrain a look, I prefer the way it drives and GM's new radios are easy to use.
The Pathfinder has a nicer interior but it is more expensive. The Nissan CVT takes some getting used to, but if you live in hilly country, then you may want to consider it as it will deliver better hill climbing and mileage. The AWD systems are very similar in terms of capability and I found the Nissan to have smaller 3rd row seats. Check out our look at the Pathfinder when you have a moment.
That's tricky. When jumping up the ladder to something like an MDX, you're paying not only for the nicer plastics, better leather, etc but you're also paying for the brand name. The MDX does have better plastics everywhere, a more polished integration of systems and more luxury market options like LED headlamps but if you're talking value (features for the price) then the mass market crossover is going to be your better buy.
Crossovers predated the term really. In very general terms, an SUV is generally considered to be a body-on-frame style vehicle with a RWD biased drivetrain, and crossovers are car-based unibody vehicles with FWD biased drivetrains. The Acadia, Traverse, Pathfinder and Sorento are all crossovers, but their predecessors were SUVs (Envoy/Trailblazer, previous generation Pathfinder/Sorento). The Grand Cherokee is a hybrid between the two, but since it helped start the craze we usually say SUV.
people may not know this, but the kia grill is called the the tiger nose. it was designed by peter Schreyer and resembles a tiger's nose. he is also the man who designed the audi tt and worked for Volkswagen. kia brought him over to revive their cars. he is responsible for the newly designed optima on the roads today. I know this because it was a special program I saw on one of those car channels on cable.
My biggest complain so far on our 2013 LX V6 is the suspension. The ride over smooth roads is fantastic, but any imperfection and it is jarring. It seems that Kia has not yet found the right balance between good handling and compliant ride. Excellent review though, as usual
I am partial to the exterior of the Sorento but I like the Santa Fe's interior more. They are very similar cars since Hyundai and Kia are more-or-less joined at the hip when it comes to research and development.
My preference is for the Sorento but you should spend plenty of time in both to see which fits your needs best.
I would say that depends on how much you value the brand name and the 3rd row seat. Lexus has a better cachet than Acura, but the Acura is newer in design, has the 3rd row and is more fun to drive.
Voice commands do work for the iDevices with the UVO app
Nice review. How would you compare Sorento to Santa fe?
Actually much more than refreshed. Stiffer structure, better interface for the infotainment just for 2. I like these, but money I have to spend, would rather buy a Cherokee, which I did, or even Grand Cherokee as the trim package moves up price wise quickly. It isn't your old Kia pricing deal. The front is the Peter Streyer Tiger nose design. Of Audi and Volkwagen fame, Peter is turning Kia's styling and cars around. I had an Optima, and it was a very good car!
Very good job , great detailed video for the entire vichel
Alex, Great Job once again...I regularly watch your videos. Question though, can we compare this crossover to something like an Acura MDX, which is though a "luxury" crossover, but much more costlier than this and gives us more or less the same options (like 290 HP & AWD systems).
Hi. I just need advice on whether to buy Sorrento 2014 or 2015. What is the crucial difference?
2- Is Kia Telluride 2014 or 2015 better than Sorrento?
Regards
Class act as always. Thank you again for these reviews!
Hey Alex, serious question for you: When did vehicles of this size and configuration move away from being an "SUV" to being a "crossover?" I can see the Rav4, CR-V, CX-5, and even the Venza being called a crossover. Maybe it's just me, but I still think of the Acadia, Traverse, Pathfinder, and Sorento as sport utils. I'm sure it is all just marketing jargon, so what is the benefit of calling these larger 7-seaters "crossovers?" Just curious. Good job on this one!
Will you review the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?
I hope so, possibly by the end of the summer.
Great review, the ending was funny!
Thumbs up for Alex testing out the dead body cubby...lol
I have a 2013 Kia Sorento EX V6 with UVO (no Nav) and voice recognition works great with my iphone,, usb drive, and jukebox. I can't understand why the 2014 refresh would omit that feature. There's no way I could go back to using a touch screen to select songs with such a large music collection. Are you sure that it's not available on the 2014? If so, seems like Kia took a step backwards with that technology.
How would you compare this sorento with the 2013 Nissan pathfinder? Nissan is offering better rebates/discounts so it comes to about the same
Which one would you like to recommend .....2014 Kia Sorento LX V6 or Mitsubishi 2014 Outlander GT AS-SW....looking for 5 seated decent SUVs...
good job man! keep up the good work!!
I would like to correct one thing. The Sorento in the video is not the EX. It's the LX. You can easily distinguish them by the taillight. EX has an LED and LX has a normal one.
Actually, from about 1:17 until 1:57 in the video you can clearly see it's an EX as it's badged on the back of the vehicle.
Does your model have the dual flow shocks? Cause I also had a Jeep Liberty and my 2013 Sorento EX drives/ rides 10 times better than my jeep ever did on road. Don't get me wrong, I loved my Jeeps, but it's like comparing apples to oranges- those vehicles have different missions in life.
i have a 2011 sorento ex. before that I had a 2004 jeep liberty. I thought the sorento being a cuv would ride smoother, was I wrong. the ride is so horrible. Is it any better in the 2014? I heard they addressed this issue
Well, to be honest, I have never been a big fan of Hyundai and Kia so far in life, but if I had to choose between a Lexus RX 350 and an Acura MDX, which one would you recommend?
Definitely not an Acura!!! Anything but those (and Hondas)
it's the same SAAB 9-x7
Almost bought a sorento. Glad i bought a limited toyota venza
A very good presentation. I hope you are telling the truth about your height? I'll buy it!!!!
Waddia mean boring? It looks fine...
$36,000 for a kia???????????
My mom has that car
These sorentos arent cheao, even the $40,000 sx model has. Hard plastics everywhere. Kia and hyundai have gotten way to expensive regardless of options.
get off the hard plastic comments already! CHeck out the sx if you want more fluff
I don't know you commit all that to memory.
I'll choose Hyundai Santa Fe rather than this Sorento..
Its not kidney grill. "Tiger nose", that's the corporate name for the Kia grill. But you should have known that.