The Car Connection Deems 2021 Kia Sorento Three-Row Crossover “Spacious and Stylish”

During late winter here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis, its a time of true transition: many of our loyal customers are enjoying firsthand their looks at the 2020 available models, but also looking forward to future horizons. The 2021 Kia Sorento is a model asked about quite frequently, and one that has risen drastically in popularity. As Managing Editor Aaron Cole said in his most recent blog for The Car Connection, the 2021 model will boast brand-new looks, a new engine, and a new frame when it arrives in the States.

This rising star of a crossover will make its formal debut to the public at the Geneva auto show in March, although Kia has revealed a fair amount about the 3-row and fit family hauler so far. The 2021 model will be available with two turbo-4 engine options. There will be a 2.5-liter turbo-4 snagged up from the new Genesis GV80 crossover that makes 277 horsepower and a 1.6-liter turbo-4 mated to hybrid batteries as well as an electric motor that will make 227 hp combined. Both engines will be paired to an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Plausible rumors also say that a plug-in hybrid version could arrive after this year. The wheelbase on the 2021 Sorento is about an inch longer than the outgoing model, and we expect the new model to brandish much more interior space. The nose on the new crossover is a bit more like the Seltos, featuring a horizontal grille, a more creased hood, LED headlights that have been stretched, and a distinctly angled front bumper. A glance at the back shows features that are a bit closer to what you see on the Telluride, including vertical taillights, wider badge, and a bumper situated lower with dual exhaust ports.

We always love the outlook and insight that the Motor Trend staff offers up as well, and after they hailed the Telluride as the 2020 SUV of the Year, they were glad to see that the Sorento was taking cues from its design stance. There's a rotary shifter, fine-appearing upholstery on the seats, and distinctly unique ambient lighting. It will be the first SUV based on a brand-new platform that was built to accommodate a new hybrid powertrain.

Overall, the new Sorento's proportions have been designed to give the appearance that the crossover is longer than it really is, and that is thanks to very smooth surfacing on the entire body. Another great feature will be the new “remote smartphone surround-view monitor”: it allows folks to look at the vehicle's surroundings on their smartphone through an app, which can help you keep a watch on a parked car while you're inside running your errand.