Used 2020 Kia Sorento

#13 in Best Midsize SUVs for 2020

In the popular midsize-SUV segment, the 2020 Kia Sorento comes in on the smaller side of the scale, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. While its 3rd-row seat isn’t really suited for adults, for those who just need a little extra space for the kids, the Sorento’s 3rd-row works just fine. The added benefit to the SUV’s smaller size is its ease of maneuvering and parking.

Compared with mainstays like the Honda Pilot, Chevy Traverse and Nissan Pathfinder, the Sorento offers a lower starting price, a choice of 4- or 6-cylinder engines and numerous high-end features that help its aging design remain relevant. From its standard Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration to its 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, the 7-passenger 2020 Kia Sorento SUV knows how to tempt even the most discerning shopper.

RELATED: Best Midsize SUVs for 2020

One of the Sorento’s most enticing attributes is its sub-$28,000 price tag. Unfortunately, to get that price one must also sacrifice power for passing and merging. That’s because the entry-level L and LX trims come equipped with the rather weak 185-horsepower 4-cylinder engine.

We’d recommend moving to the S trim, which pushes up the price by about $4,000 but also brings the more potent 290-horsepower 3.3-liter V6. With this engine under the hood, the Sorento is much better able to haul around its 7-passenger complement and has the kind of power needed when climbing mountain passes or overtaking slower-moving traffic.

The V6’s 8-speed automatic is a good transmission, with smooth shifts and good response. It also helps the Sorento achieve a combined EPA fuel-economy rating of 22 mpg.

In the areas of steering, acceleration, handling and ride quality, the Sorento falls about mid-pack. It neither leads the segment nor lags behind, and we think most people will be quite happy with the vehicle’s overall performance.

For those who do appreciate a more dynamic ride, we suggest opting for the all-wheel-drive models that include Torque Vectoring Cornering Control. This system enhances traction on both dry and wet pavement by sending power and torque to the wheel or wheels needing it most.

For 2020, all models come with three rows and seating for seven. That’s good news for families seeking a 3-row crossover SUV across a broad range of prices. If your family is at the stage where messes and spills are inevitable, there’s also good news if you don’t opt for the leather interior — the cloth on the other models has been treated with YES Essentials to resist stains and quell odors.

There’s plenty of room and comfort in the first and second rows, but the third row is for small passengers and short trips. There’s not a lot of cargo space behind the third row either, although the seats fold down to expand that dramatically.

Kia’s Sorento gets a slight freshening for 2020, with front and rear bumpers, taillights and headlights all modified to give a more sculpted, upscale feel. It’s not vastly different, and that’s not a bad thing. The Sorento projects a handsome, strong design that belies its price point.

Higher trims emphasize that point with nice features like stainless-steel bumper trim, a dark metallic grille and chrome roof rails. Lesser models, meanwhile, forgo roof rails as standard, while the least expensive Sorento L lacks the acoustic windshield and shark-fin antenna found on the other models. Wheels range in size from 17 to 19 inches.

AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Although not standard (and not even available on the 4-cylinder models), the Sorento’s automatic emergency braking system scans the road ahead for cars or people that may pose the threat of collision. It will then warn the driver with an audible and visual alert, and if no action is taken, can slow or automatically bring the vehicle to a complete stop.

STANDARD APPLE CARPLAY & ANDROID AUTO
With all that our smartphones do for us today, it seems only logical they should be included in our daily drives. That’s why the Sorento’s standard Apple CarPlay/Android Auto is such a big deal. Connecting your phone to the 7-inch touch screen allows the system to mirror the apps, messaging and music features contained within. You can even use voice commands with some applications.

The base 2020 Kia Sorento L remains the bargain play, but it’s still decently equipped with keyless entry, cruise control, stain-resistant cloth upholstery, 17-inch alloy wheels, rearview camera and a new 7-inch touch-screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration and Bluetooth wireless connectivity.

If you can afford it, we’d suggest stepping up to at least the Sorento LX. In addition to being the entry point for available all-wheel drive and other major options, it includes two rapid-charge USB ports, blind-spot monitoring and an acoustic windshield.

The S trim is even more recommendable, as it has the stronger engine and 8-speed transmission, a power driver’s seat, push-button start and dual-zone automatic climate control. This model also adds safety and driver-assistance features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert and park-distance warning.

All new Sorentos come with Kia’s excellent warranty that covers five years/60,000 miles bumper-to-bumper and 10 years/100,000 miles for the powertrain.

The LX Convenience package includes such must-haves as a 10-way-power driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, park-distance warning and forward-collision avoidance.

Moving up to the Sorento EX adds leather seating, 7-inch digital display in the instrument panel, heated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, smart power liftgate, fog lights and 19-inch alloy wheels. This model also adds significant safety and driver-assistance features like blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic avoidance, forward-collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, driver-attention monitor, lane-departure warning and assist and smart cruise control.

At the top of the pack, the SX brings a 14-way-power driver’s seat with position memory, 8-inch display, surround-view monitor and an 8-way-power passenger seat. Sorento SX models also boast a 10-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound audio system and wireless phone-charging cradle.

Base L and LX trims are powered by a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder with a 6-speed automatic transmission, while S, EX and SX trims have the well-regarded 3.3-liter V6, now connected to an 8-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive (AWD) can be had in lieu of the standard front-wheel drive (FWD) on all models except the base trim. The Sorento is rated to tow between 2,000 and 5,000 pounds, depending on engine and drive configuration.

2.4-liter inline-4
185 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
178 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/29 mpg (FWD), 21/26 mpg (AWD)

3.3-liter V6
290 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
252 lb-ft of torque @ 5,300 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/26 mpg (FWD), 18/24 mpg (AWD)

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