As Americans turn to the New Year, Kia Motors America goes one better with the arrival of the 2011 Kia Sorento crossover utility vehicle.
Kia Sorento is built at the South Korean automaker’s new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia. The assembly plant is Kia’s first in the U.S.
The auto factory has brought jobs to the west-central Georgia region with over 2,500 workers and as many as 4,200 employees of Kia’s suppliers.
All-new from the ground up, Sorento is the next-generation compact crossover aimed straight at young families and a group Kia calls, “The new adventurers.” Sorento marks the third Kia vehicle introduction this year, preceded by the 2010 Kia Soul and 2010 Kia Forte subcompact cars.
The 2011 Sorento is offered in base, LX or EX trim with a foot print that is over three inches longer and one inch wider than its predecessor. Its wheelbase is stretched to 106.3 inches with an overall length of 184 inches.
Seven-passenger seating is now available with the addition of a third row. However, that seat is best reserved for youthful types as leg, knee and toe room is minimized.
Front and second row seats are very comfortable with ample head and legroom to accommodate four adult riders— five in a cross-town pinch.
Kia’s first panoramic sunroof gives all Sorento riders an equal share of top-side sunlight.
Need to haul cargo more than people? Sorento’s larger size yields 15 percent more carrying capacity with the second and third rows folded flat. The second row conveniently splits in a 60/40 fashion for greater versatility.
Sorento’s drivetrains are also split with choice of a 2.4 liter 172-horsepower four-cylinder engine or a 3.5L V-6 that builds 273 hp. Both are governed by a new 6-speed automatic transmission in standard front- or optional full-time all-wheel drive (AWD).
A 5-speed manual transmission is available on the front-wheel drive (FWD) base model.
The V-6 musters towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. Models with AWD come with a ‘low’ mode for added traction in snow. A hill-start feature accompanies the four-wheel grip.
Fuel economy for the 2.4L with FWD reaches 21 miles per gallon in town and 29 mpg on the highway. The AWD four-cylinder version achieves 21 mpg/city and 27/highway.
Kia’s peppy 3.5L V-6 gains respectable mileage with 20 mpg city and 28 mpg on the open road. AWD lowers the V-6 fuel economy to 19/26 respectively.
The 2011 Kia Sorento goes on sale January 2, 2010, at a base price under $20,000. Sorento LX tops out under $24,000 while a fully-loaded Sorento EX with a V-6 and AWD takes to the road around $30,000.
