Few manufacturers have ascended from around oblivion as convincingly as h-AS Kia. Run your eyes down the flanks of the re-sculpted 2016 Sorento and it is tough to see goods that have been once lure for sub-prime customers purchasing for reduced monthly premiums. Kia's 10-yr/100,000-mile power-train guarantee launched more than 10 years ago helped erase some recollections of bottom-of-the-barrel quality and sub-par resale values in previous years. However, the arrival of Peter Schreyer's layout place a face on the high-speed progress to driving dynamics, attribute content, and construct quality that actually began coming together in the 2011 Sorento. Unexpectedly Kia merchandises transitioned from usedcar stand ins with great bang-for-dollar worth into something a little more tasteful and aspirational.

The 2016 Sorento continues that tendency. The tiger nostrils in the crossover's grille flare more broadly now on what's the third-best selling Kia behind the Optima sedan and Soul hatchback. The appearance is decidedly upscale with sophistication and balanced percentages in and outside and a preponderance of superior-appearance and -feel stuff encouraging the cottage that--we'll only say it--would do an Audi or Lexus crossover happy. A three-inch reach in total length this year requires the Sorento to about exactly the same size nose-to-tail as the 2015 Lexus RX350. But the Sorento provides three rows of seats (common on V6 versions) to the RX350's 2. Surely, the aft seats of the Kia are for small people, however the Sorento manages to provide four more inches of third-row leg-room compared to 3.7-inch-lengthier Toyota Highlander.

Along with the foundation 185-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder and a 290-hp 3.3-liter V6 for upper trim levels, Kia provides a new 2.0-liter turbo-four with 240 horsepower on-tap and 260 lb-feet of torque in a wide swath beginning at 1-450 rpm. The turbo-four probably will substitute the V6 in future iterations as Kia moves to satisfy tougher fuel economy goals. But for now the direct-injected 3.3-liter V6 is the finest option for all around efficiency and drivability, particularly in the all-wheel-push 4313-pound SX version we examined. It is additionally an excellent fit for the Sorento's easy style. It's considerable torque, a pleasant sound, and pulls enthusiastically to its 6500-rpm red-line. The six-speed automatic offers clear, sharp shifts.

This cross over isn't a slouch, both. Our $40,595 Sorento V6 AWD evaluation vehicle reeled off a 7.2-2nd zero-to-60 time, edging out both a Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.6-liter V6 4x4 and a Toyota Highlander 3.5-liter V6 AWD we had formerly examined. As well as though the Sorento prioritizes ride comfort over large-limit handling, the Kia's 0.80 grams of lateral handle was much tackier than the Grand Cherokee's 0.73 grams. Shod with 235/55-19 Michelin Leading LTX all-season rubber, the Sorento ceased from 70 miles per hour in 179 toes, 6 toes shorter than a 2016 Acura MDX, 7 briefer than the Highlander, and 1 2 shorter than the Grand Cherokee.

Nevertheless, the 2016 Sorento--in V6, turbo-four, or another guise--will not be difficult the Germans for fastlane or twisty-street domination. Instead, the created-in-the-U.S.A. 2016 Kia Sorento is a cross over that is quite comfortable in its own skin. Despite using column-mounted electrical-steering increase, the Sorento is nevertheless perhaps not quite as talkative as the most effective German methods, even though weighting has become fairly great. Nevertheless, the Korean is peaceful, extremely well made in, has comfy and supportive front seats, is steady and composed at speed, and feels quite sturdy. While the foundation L and mid-level LX and EX trims provide plenty of typical gear for the dollar, the SX and Restricted dunk over a toe in to premium land--for 1000s of bucks less than premium-manufacturer entries. We had phone a victor.