2021 Kia Sorento Offers Luxury Fit and Finish, “Spirited and Sensible Drive”

Looking back at our offerings over the past few years, the Autoblog staff fondly remembered a few of their first drives they had in our Telluride and Stinger, reflecting on how both were a turning point for the brand's completely new stance and presence. For 2021 our Jim Butler Kia of St Louis favorite, the Sorento, is getting a makeover. Two of them arrived for this crew to test drive during an early December snowstorm. 

Both of the vehicles came equipped in SX-Prestige trim with the 2.5-liter turbo engine, with one in front-wheel drive and one in all-wheel drive. The X-Line package adds an inch of ground clearance and perfectly rugged styling accents, and the group first noticed that they appear like a slightly smaller version of the Telluride. They exclaimed that the Sorento still has a very vividly unique personality, with a very sharp and sporty vibe. The center stack replaces an older-looking infotainment unit with a fresh unit, and there is a much larger amount of elbow room aboard that provides spaciousness in the cabin. 

The interface on the touchscreen has a new design scheme with a neon theme, and the controls are located on the right arm. This new interface is loaded up with many everyday sounds that are useful such as an open-air cafe or warm fireplace, which are all fitting for a year that saw a bit less along the lines of freedom and impulsive travel behavior. The standard engine is a 191-horsepower naturally-aspirated base four-cylinder, with both plug-in hybrid and hybrid powertrains arriving soon. The Autoblog crew was able to try the 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four, which sees availability on the EX trim line and above through the SX-Prestige.

This engine cranks out 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque and is paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. The official 0-60 mph drive time is 7.4 seconds but felt quicker and invigorating around town. The Snow Mode was ideal for the conditions the crew was experiencing, and the extra bit of clearance made things easier when more potholes were in the way. This new version felt immediately more connected to the road and sharp than the previous year's, while offering up easily-accomplished daily drives without a delayed response or continuously bouncy feel.

The blind-spot warning system is also on-board the new Sorento, which snagged up top honors in the 2020 Autoblog Technology of the Year Award. The driving force of this system puts to use two cameras that engage as soon as you use the turn signal. Whichever direction you signal in appears in place of the speedometer via the digital dash, or in the tachometer's virtual spot on the cluster's right side. This is a vehicle on so many savvy consumer's radar for its comfy and worry-free commute even during peak congestion and has an excellent advantage over the competition with its smaller size and current tech along with a balanced sense of practicality. 

Kia K5 and Telluride Display Their “Give it Everything” Spirit Via 2021 Edmunds “Top-Rated” Awards

Awards and accolades have always followed closely on the heels of the entire Kia lineup, as so many different various models have carved their own path by achieving much more than just an honorable mention. The Kia K5 was ranked as the Edmunds Top-Rated Sedan during the 2021 Edmunds Top-Rated Awards, and the Telluride has earned the top spot as “Edmunds Top-Rated SUV” for the second year straight. The excitedly-claimed victories represent success in two different segments and are living proof of our brand's “Give it Everything” spirit.

The Telluride has enjoyed massive and well-deserved popularity as a luxury and outdoors-ready SUV that evokes a brand-new chapter in Kia's bold and adventuresome lineup. The K5 is the brand's mid-sized sedan that offers the highest amount of power, and the best in technology offerings for the busy commuter on the go. The Edmunds team tests over 300 vehicles every year, and it was very clear that the K5 and Telluride were the defined champions in their respective categories. The ride that the K5 offers is as smooth as what the world's highest-class luxury numbers provide, and its incredibly sharp design makes for a memorable first impression. 

The Edmunds editorial team selects their top winners through an extensive testing and ranking process. Once a vehicle enters the ranks of a finalist, they are given a closer look regarding comfort, driving, interior, tech, storage, and capability. After numerous test drives of our own here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis, we have loads of appreciation for the K5 for its comfortable and quiet drive on the highway, strong turbocharged engine included with the GT trim, and its on-board available technology. The GT line has features such as the 290-horsepower 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, upgraded brakes, a sport-tuned suspension, and 8-speed dual-clutch automatic 4-cylinder engine.

The 2021 Telluride showcases Kia's fantastic ability to deliver an upscale experience and the most current features at a low price, easily earning a spot on Car and Driver's 10Best list. New for 2021 is the Nightfall Appearance Package, bringing a blacked-out grille, 20-inch wheels, and various other accents. The EX trim level also receives LED headlights as part of the Premium package, and Sangria, as well as Black Copper, are new options for exterior paint. 

The Telluride's SX Prestige package offers a head-up display, heated and ventilated second-row seats, Nappa leather upholstery, and a self-leveling rear suspension to get the most out of the vehicle's towing capability. Going up against the likes of the Toyota Camry and Hyundai Sonata in terms of competition, The K5 is the champion with its athletic handling and optional turbo-four engine that has far more horsepower than its rivals' off-the-line abilities. Edmunds has always brandished their unique form of “expert eye” when it comes to ranking world-class cars, and this particularly accomplished pair will surely be arriving under many numerous and well-decorated 2020 holiday trees!

Kia K5 Billed as a “Defined And Confident Driving Experience”, Leads Sleek Sedan Segment

The K5 is one of those models that comes along and completely redefines the capability and exhilarating connection to the road that choosing from the large sea of SUV options may not quite suffice for! A very distinct new appearance and front end charged with fresh character are both part of the package, courtesy of LED lighting and an extra-long body. The WTOP news team recently enjoyed a long test-drive with the 2021 K5 and was first impressed with the heated and ventilated seats as well as the panoramic sunroof that come with the EX trim level.

During initial drive impressions, the experience overall offered a very composed ride, without the jumpy characteristics that some sedans have on the pavement. The majority of time behind the wheel yielded an average of 30.2 mpg in 256 miles of mixed driving, and it was noticed right away that this is a premium-level sedan with a price that doesn't feel as such. Higher-end materials inside the cabin put the K5 above and beyond many of its competitors, and the first glance of the cabin keys one into a few similar accents on the dash from the highly-awarded and hailed Kia Telluride.

The 2021 K5 is available with all-wheel drive, and those who don't need a more powerful engine but are on the hunt for excitement should consider the GT-Line. Here you get to step up to adaptive cruise control, upgraded LED headlights, a panoramic sunroof, and a wireless charger. The engine on-board as standard is a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder that cranks out 180 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. 

When the GT arrives later in the year, it will boast a more powerful 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that will put out 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. Having paid close attention to how particular tires can drastically change the performance characteristics of the entire car, the GT-line will boast Pirelli P Zero summer tires that are great for cornering performance. This is the interior that Car and Driver said was “truly amazing for the cost”, and the cabin boasts nice-looking material such as wood trim on the dash and doors that stand out and assure that every drive is luxurious and memorable. Other enjoyable upscale features are a head-up display, ambient interior lighting on the dash and doors, an air purification system, and a panoramic sunroof. 

All of us here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis want every single customer to have a happy and safe holiday season, and excellent advancements in technology over the years have made for some  amazing driver-assistance features that survey and adapt amazingly to the constantly changing driving landscape around you. The Kia K5's key safety features include forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitor with rear-cross traffic alert.

Consumer Guide Automotive Graces Kia Brand With Holiday Cheer in the Form of Four “Best Buy” Awards

 As 2020 draws to a close, all of us here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis are pleased to announce that the Soul, Seltos, Rio, and Telluride have been officially named 2021 Consumer Guide Automotive Best Buy Award winners. The Soul's seventh consecutive win marks a holiday's milestone as the longest-running streak in history for the Subcompact Crossover category. The Telluride enjoyed its second time taking top honors and displayed in many ways the spirit that Kia has consistently evoked to “Give it Everything” 110% of the time. 

The 2021 Kia Telluride fully outshines the mid-size SUV competition in many vital categories. Offering high levels of luxury and utility, it is widely-hailed as being the best in its segment for offering upper-end features at a low cost. The top-of-the-line SX model comes with black 20-inch rims, blind-spot monitoring, a Harman/Kardon audio system, front and rear sunroofs, and second-row captain's chairs. Don't forget to include the SX Prestige package when you engage in a test drive, as here you'll enjoy the additions of a head-up display, heated and ventilated second-row seats, and Nappa leather upholstery. 

The 2021 Kia Soul now receives a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine cranking out 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. The EX trim adds heated mirrors, sunroof, keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, a 10.25-inch infotainment screen with navigation, and a wireless charging pad. Offering plenty of space and a funky character, this is an affordable crossover/hatchback with the X-line and GT-Line models now both receiving a suspension upgrade for the new year. With a uniquely squared-off design, it also provides 62.1 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded down.

The 2021 Kia Seltos is another one of our compelling and feature-rich SUV offerings that sees a fantastic blend of style, value, and versatility. It offers sharp handling with a taller ride height, spacious cabin, and plenty of technology. You'll be under the completely solid and high-tech protection level with features such as lane-centering assist, automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. The star of an awesome Super Bowl commercial and loaded with just about everything, it can be decked out with up to three USB charging ports, a head-up display, and an optional 8-speaker Bose audio system. 

The 2021 Kia Rio features a new design this year with a narrower tiger-nose grille and full LED headlights and integral running lights. There's also an 8-inch widescreen for infotainment, and the 4.2-inch digital cluster has been upgraded to provide higher resolution. Standard and GT-Line models are now equipped with driver and optional front passenger seat height adjustability, and the Rio also boasts Kia's very first new mild-hybrid setup pairing our Smartstream 1.0-liter turbocharged gasoline direct injection engine with a revolutionary 48 MHEV system.

Kia Sorento Yosemite and Zion Editions Re-Define Readiness For Treacherous Terrain

 

The Kia Telluride was a milestone junction in the road for Kia's future, and a completely re-imagined and off-road capable SUV lineup is now in the works. The 2021 Sorento is going to expand to appeal to the outdoors demographic with a pair of off-road editions that will be prime contenders for conquering the wilderness. Upping their trail game by means of 20-inch wheels, increased ride height to 8.3 inches, improved approach and departure angles, and advanced AWD with snow-mode, they will also sport a durable roof rack to carry the recreational goods along for the ride. 

LGE-CTS Motorsports of San Dimas, California are seasoned experts in preparing already well-built cars and trucks for the challenges of off -roading, drawing inspiration from the splendor and recreation opportunities that abound in our nation's great national parks. The Yosemite Edition was built with an extreme focus on high-elevation adventuring and the challenges of the mountains, with super cool exterior paint boasting a “Pine Green” finish and matte black accents. The Sorento Zion Edition is a desert-running prodigy built especially for conquering landscapes rich with rocks and sand. It's topped off appropriately with a “Desert Sand” gloss finish and black accents. 

Both of these models also feature fender flares on top of 20-inch wheels and 32-inch all-terrain tires, with custom skid plates and brush guards in chrome finish protecting the necessary elements that see wear from off-road abuse. Both new Sorento models will be making appearances nationwide to appeal to those looking for adventure. If the upgrades on these two are just a touch extreme for your traveling needs, Kia will still provide a line of dealer-installed accessories that allows for individual add-ons like tow hitches, side steps, and roof-rack crossbars. 

There is a more Eco-conscious version arriving in the form of the Sorento PHEV next year, as well as a stronger but lighter chassis and available center-row captain's chairs. Boasting a tow rating of 1,600 pounds, it is equipped to lug some extra toys for added fun to the outdoor destination of your choice with either the Zion or Yosemite Editions. Once inside either of the new cabins, you'll enjoy bright satin finishes, open-pore wood inlays, vertical air vents, and embossed diamond-quilted leather in the Prestige models. The base LX has six handy USB ports, with all other models being equipped with eight.

Standard features on the base 2021 Kia Sorento LX include the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, an 8-speed automatic transmission, 17-inch alloy wheels, and the Comfort, Sport, Eco, and Smart drive modes. The base Sorento here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis also provides LED headlights  and taillights, cloth seat trim, 60/40 split-bench for three in the center row, privacy glass, a 6-speaker audio system, and an 8-inch touchscreen radio with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. These two models fulfill the need for exactly what many consumers of today desire: the option to explore further and further outside the city with the expertly-designed and tested equipment to do so!