Two conventional engines, a normally-aspirated, 191 horsepower 2.5L four, and a 281 horsepower 2.5L turbo four, are available. The non-turbo sends power to the wheels via a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission, with the turbo being hooked up to an eight-speed dual clutch automated manual transmission featuring wet clutches. Two hybrids, a regular hybrid and a plug-in, are available. All-wheel drive is standard. Active safety equipment includes standard forward collision warning, including pedestrians, active cruise control and a lane keep assist system. Optional equipment includes blind spot collision avoidance and parallel exit, which alerts the driver about to leave a parallel parking spot when a vehicle is approaching. Also available is Forward Collision Avoidance-Junction turning, which will brake the car if the driver is about to turn left into a path on an on-coming car.

After an elegant Sportage and stunningly beautiful Telluride, the styling of the neat, but derivative new Sorento, is disappointing. The front end of the new Sorento gives more than a nod of thanks to that of the Ford Explorer and the side profile is very similar to that of the Acura MDX that debuted for the 2014 model year. In contrast with the ho-hum exterior, the cabin is a minor triumph. Three-row seating is standard, with second-row captain chairs available for the first time, making for six or seven seat capacity. Entry into the third-row seat looks quite easy. Cargo space is limited with the third-row seat in place. On the top models, the driver faces a configurable digital gauge package, the right side of which leads to a free-standing touch screen at the top centre of the dashboard. Kia doesn’t know whether an alternate gauge package will be offered on mainstream versions of the vehicle in Canada. Except for the audio system knobs, the screen is touch only, which is not as practical to use on the move as actual buttons. Below the screen are very logical climate controls. Cabin style and materials are very attractive, with top models boasting genuine, open-pore wood trim. The Sorento’s cabin features numerous cupholders and U.S.B. ports, two of which are located on the front seat backs.

Available engines include a normally-aspirated 2.5L four and a 2.5L turbo four. The 2.54L is hooked to an eight-speed automatic transmission but the turbo links to an eight-speed dual clutch automated manual.

All-wheel drive is standard on all trims. The LX+ base car, with alloy wheels, L.E.D. headlights, heated front seat, deep-tint glass and the iOS-Android cellphone interface, is nicely equipped. The LX Premium, which adds wireless cellphone charging, blind spot and rear cross traffic monitors, acoustic glass for the front doors and a heated steering wheel, and is a bargain. The X Line adds, in addition to the blacked out trim, roof rails, second-row captain chairs and the turbo enging, making is a good deal if you like the look and the extra power. The EX upgrade includes a power passenger seat, a power tailgate and an auto-dim rearview mirror, is priced to reflect the value of the content. With the EX+, you get a dual-panel sunroof, heated middle-row seats, navigation, active cruise control, active cruise control, junction turning prevention and a number of other features, at a great priced. The SX brings leather seating, ventilated front seats, digital instrumentation, Bose-branded audio system and a head up display system, at a price that reflects the value of the content. The EX hybrid is priced $200 more than an EX with the 2.5L turbo. Moving up from the EX HEV to the EX PHEV costs $3700. The PHEV can generate a $2500 rebate from Quebec and $5000 from the federal government. Roughly 25 percent of Sorento buyers opt for the base 2.5L non-turbo four, about half of Sorento intenders pick the 2.5L turbo, 20 percent find the conventional hybrid to be their sweet spot with 10 percent of buyers keen on the PHEV version. Unlike some other brands, Kia is not particularly restricting certain trims. About 70 percent of buyers finance, with the balance split equally between leasing and paying cash.

Predicted reliability is average to above average for the warranty period.