Kia Sorento Offers More Upscale Ride, Expanded Features

As a part of its move to increase the image of the brand, Kia has rolled out its new 2016 Sorento, a crossover that offers increased towing capacity, more passenger room and a newly available turbocharged engine.

The new, larger Sorento is clearly pulling a little further away from its entry-level sibling the Sportage. For Pittsburgh area Kia dealers, it’s the bread and butter of brand’s new lineup.

“The all-new Sorento has been passionately designed and obsessively crafted, delivering class-up premium materials and features in a more capable package,” says Orth Hedrick, vice president, Product Planning, of Kia Motors America. “Increased use of advanced high-strength steel and additional structural reinforcement have resulted in improved torsional rigidity, which pays dividends behind the wheel in the form of better ride comfort and driving dynamics.”

Already in Pittsburgh area Kia showrooms, the new Sorento owes many of its design inspirations to the highly regarded Cross GT concept that was unveiled in 2013. Kia’s design and engineering teams focused on a stronger body structure, delivering premium-grade noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) reduction and providing the driving confidence to enable the active lifestyle many CUV owners demand.

Available in front- or all-wheels drive, standard premium features and luxurious amenities are available across five trim levels, which include: L, LX, EX, SX and SXL.

Under the hood you get your choice of three engines, including a new 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder, a 3.3-liter V6 and an improved 2.4-liter normally aspirated inline-four. The 2.4-liter puts out 185 horsepower, while the V6 gallops up to 290 horses. The new inline turbocharged four-cylinder splits the difference between the two, putting out 240 horsepower. All three powerplants are mated to an electronically controlled six speed automatic gearbox.

The real change in the all-new 2016 Sorento is its significantly modified and improved platform, which gives the vehicle a heavier, high quality feel. The enhanced structure increases torsional rigidity by 14 percent over the previous generation.

Fifty-three percent of the unit-body consists of advanced high-strength steel, a 115 percent increase over the outgoing model. Liberal application of industrial strength adhesives, the use of dual-seal lip joints as well as large diameter and laser welding techniques combine to make the 2016 model the most robust Sorento ever. Additional design improvements in its structure reduce NVH to provide a comfortable and quiet interior environment.

In addition, the ride has been improved over the outgoing model. Updates to the rear suspension include a redesigned rear cross-member span that’s longer than the outgoing model for improved wheel travel over harsh roads and revised bushings to help reduce road noise. Vertically mounted rear shocks contribute to a comfortable ride no matter what the driving conditions.

Up front, the Sorento’s revised suspension geometry and responsive steering system result in a quick and nimble behind-the-wheel feel. Ride and handling are optimized with the application of an "H" shaped subframe, four-point bushing mountings, and hydraulic rebound stopper-type shock absorbers.

The available Rack-mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (R-MDPS) features direct mounting of the electric motor on the steering rack, enhancing steering response and improving handling.

For safer winter driving, Sorento continues to offer an advanced AWD system that automatically routes power to the wheel with the most traction. When conditions call for more sure-footed capability, the 4WD Lock Mode splits engine power evenly between the front and rear drive shafts. The system also provides drivers the added stability of Torque Vector Cornering Control (TVCC). The TVCC system is activated when yaw and steering sensors detect unwanted understeer.

The new Sorento also offers a complete selection of new available driver’s aid technologies, including vehicle stability management, a forward collision warning system, smart cruise control, blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert and a surround view monitor. There are also several new family friendly UVO eServies available this year, including Geo-Fencing, Speed Alert, Curfew Alert and Driving Score, which are great if you have a teen that uses the family car.

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