2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid's Thorough Re-Vamp Offers Larger Screens, Intuitive Interface, Cues From Class-Leading Telluride

Kia has fully revamped the Sorento for the 2021 model year, and the staff hard at work on duty at Newatlas.com gave a thorough review of its performance. Customers thrilled for the coming of warmer weather here at Jim Butler Kia of St. Louis have been asking about hybrid options, and we're proud to present them with the all-new Sorento Hybrid. Just for starters, it offers a significant boost in fuel economy. This complete revamp also moved the Sorento a bit more to the midsize category, as it's one of the few options out there with 3 rows of seating.

The testing team reporting for duty drove both the brand-new 2021 Sorento in gasoline format as well as the Hybrid and felt that the hybrid model possesses much better balance, and great manners on the road even minus the all-wheel-drive option. Taking noticeable design cues from the larger Telluride and the newly-renamed K5 sedan, the interior becomes significantly more upscale. These are all qualities that today's car buyers are looking for, and to top it all off there is also an 8-inch touchscreen at the base which grows 2.25 inches as you move up in trim level.

The all-new Sorento's screens (of all sizes) possess a rapidly responding interface that offers up blind spot cameras along with other practical features. The child safety latches in the third row are easier to access as well. Plus, with the third row folded down you will have more than enough room for large family grocery store runs or sporting event cargo.

Like many new Kias, even the base level Sorento Hybrid S is very well-equipped. As standard features, you'll enjoy 17-inch wheels, LED headlights, tinted rear windows, roof rails, keyless entry with push-button start, simulated leather upholstery, heated front seats, power-adjustable driver's seat, and a six-speaker audio system. Stepping up to the EX model offers black exterior trim, panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charger, adaptive cruise control, front parking sensors, and enhanced forward collision mitigation.

Power for the hybrid is derived from a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder and onboard electric motor that together cranks out 227 horsepower. Both the gasoline and hybrid models proved to be quiet on the road, easy to operate and offer refined drives when up against the competition. As many say it does, the Sorento feels much more premium a vehicle than the price tag lets on, and the move into full electrification will continue with the coming of the PHEV model soon to be announced. The Edmunds.com review team also reflected that the competition like the Ford Escape, Hybrid Honda CR-V, and Toyota Venza cannot match the luxury and fuel economy numbers it boasts.

If you like what you hear and you're ready to take a test drive of the all-new 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid, give us a call! We'll help you lease or purchase this all-new hybrid SUV.

Kia Telluride and Sorento Both Rank in Top Four of Car and Driver's “Best Mid-Size SUV” Roundup

Three-row crossovers may not be the vehicles out there that have the planet's ultimate environmental salvation or frequent off-road trips up their sleeve, but they are the ideal solution for buyers with large families and a fair amount of stuff. Here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis and other dealerships nationwide, these are useful haulers that can carry around at least 8 passengers, a fair amount of sporting and recreational equipment, and still deliver superior fuel economy than their close relatives in the form of full-size SUVs. 

The Car and Driver staff puts together some of the most useful top-lists in the industry, as a new buyer can quickly scan one over and get an idea of a vehicle that could be best suited for their needs. For the past year's offerings, they provided a down-to-earth ranking of mid-size SUVs ranked from worst to best, and we were thrilled to see that the Kia Sorento and Telluride were both present in the top 4, with the Telluride perched triumphantly at #1. 

The 2021 Kia Sorento enjoyed a complete redesign this year and has exciting changes to offer both inside and outside. Engine options are the base and step-up turbo four-cylinder variants, as well as a brand-new hybrid version. An 8.0-inch touchscreen comes as standard, with the step up to a 13-inch model as an option on higher trims. The upscale materials used in the cabin have helped make it a natural home-run with consumers and reviewers alike, and the second-row bench seats can also be switched over to the captain's chairs to provide easy access for the third row. 

The standard navigation system on SX models will now include an integrated model that allows for vehicle function controls to be handled remotely and notify you quickly if any passengers are left behind. There is the choice of Normal, Eco, and Sport modes to provide intense adjustment for steering effort, throttle response, and transmission fluidity. 

The 2021 Telluride won such distinguishable and high honors for boasting top-tier luxury while possessing a price point in the middle of the segment. Also snagging a spot on the 10Best List that Car and Driver dole out annually, outperforming the competition every time in the most crucial categories. For 2021 there is the addition of the Nightfall appearance package, offering blacked-out accents and a perfectly sinister look. 

The EX trim acquires LED headlights when included in the Premium package, and Sangria along with Black Copper are awesome new paint options for select models. One great way to enhance this spectacular and award-winning vehicle is with the SX Prestige package, which adds a head-up display, heated and ventilated second-row seats, and nappa leather upholstery. Thinking of escaping suburbia for some action on jet skis or the pontoon? The tow package's hitch and self-leveling rear suspension take things up a notch to prepare for an adventurous departure!

2021 Kia K5 And Sorento Both Enjoy Abundant Winter's Recognition Via 2020 Good Design Awards

Awards and achievements are auto-industry accolades that we love to inform our customers about here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis, as they provide a great benchmark and means of performance measurement for the vehicle best ready to suit you! The third-generation K5 sedan and fourth-generation Kia Sorento SUV recently claimed two very notable design prizes for its latest models, as they teamed up to claim a hard-earned victory in the transportation category of the yearly Good Design Awards. 

The Kia Telluride and Soul have also been named as the top honors pics for these awards previously, as stunning attention to detail and class-leading appeal have inspired drivers to pay attention. This year marked a milestone for these prestigious awards as they blew out 70 bright candles on a virtual cake, remaining strong as one of the oldest design competitions still in existence worldwide. Every year they set to the task of finding the hottest and most innovative manufacturing greats, and hone in on those who are consistently pushing the outer limits of automotive excellence. 

The Third-Generation K5 comes in strong to snag even more prestigious awards this winter as one of our brand's most powerful mid-size sedans ever, offering drivers a fresh and modern alternative to rivals that are beginning to show their age. It's not just the characteristic “tiger-nose” you can spot coming from quite a distance: the perfect touches from the future and 12-inch digital instrument cluster make this family sedan one that is going to also be destined for plentiful no-lag solo runs. This vehicle that Car and Driver also deemed “quite the legitimate head-turner” simply rocks, especially when equipped with the all-wheel-drive system. With a very straightforward and sophisticated layout, you can also opt for the 12-speaker Bose system for a premium step-up in audio experience. 

The New Kia Sorento boasts an appealing and comfortable cabin, brand-new design, and perfect handling abilities for anyone looking for an SUV on the slightly smaller side of things. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine was ranked after a few test drives by the Edmunds review staff as “precisely responsive and amazingly fast”, allowing for an optimally athletic and modern stance during the daily drive. Comfortable and controlled, noise from the road and wind does not have nearly the impact as it does from competition such as the Honda CR-V. 

With six useful charging ports even on the entry-level LX, you'll have plenty of means to keep the tablets in tip-top charging status, with 8 on-board on the SX Prestige level. Towing rating is 3,500 lobs when equipped with the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine and the towing package, and every single powertrain in the Sorento lineup is able to tow 2,000 pounds.