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.
