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!

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!

Motortrend Doles out Thumbs Up For the Dark Touch: Kia Telluride Nightfall Edition

As our sights are set on the coming of fall but we are still fully enjoying the long and warm days of summer here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis, we all agree that it is one of the best seasons to get out and drive! It may be the newest crossover, SUV, or sedan that you have your eyes set on for a brand new car, and there are so many great features on every type that you may even change your mind. The staff on hand at Motor Trend has had much praise for the high-altitude and lakeside-ready Kia Telluride already, and this week they took a close-up look at the Nightfall Edition.   

Now available on the mid-and upper-level SX and EX trims for the Telluride, this package gives a darker vibe and looks cheerfully formal, stealth, and fantastic. The grille painted black now features a pattern unique to the Nightfall Edition, and it's rounded off perfectly with 20-inch black wheels and LED headlamps and fog lamps sporting black inner bezels. Most of the competition's after-hours hued packages only come in the signature black, and from Kia, you can also opt for white, silver, gray, dark red, or dark green.

Similar to last year's model, the 2021 Telluride is powered by a 3.8-liter V-6 engine that doles out 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. We would expect the all-important fuel economy numbers to stay around the same, averaging around 20/26/23 mpg city/highway/combined for front-wheel drive and 19/24/21 mpg for the all-wheel-drive variants. A remote engine start button has now been added to the key fob and LED headlamps are also included in the EX Premium package. There is now the choice of Black Copper for S and EX trims, and Sangria can also be chosen for the SX.

The harness for the towing trailer has also seen an upgrade from a four-pin connector to a seven-pin setup. The Car and Driver crew had plenty of great things to say about the Telluride including the fact that this number simply “provides unrivaled levels of luxury and remarkable utility,” and all at an incredibly reasonable price. In the top-of-the-line SX, this testing team reached 60 mph is just 7.1 seconds and attributed the ideal firmness of the ride as a solidly valuable component in the perfect setup for a daily driver.