16 Nov
Blog

2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid Review: 7 Seats and Great MPG

Front driver's side from an angle of the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid in a meadow.

2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid

RRP $ 33,590.00

"It's not even a close comparison – the Sorento Hybrid is one of the best mid-size SUVs."

advantages

  • Tons of technology

  • Noble design

  • Compact car MPG

  • Spacious first and second row

  • Doesn't feel slow

disadvantage

  • Tight third row

  • Model 2022 has more functions

The three-row midsize SUV segment is one that automakers are slow to electrify. It makes sense – these hulking SUVs tend to have boxy designs that aren't efficient at first. Finding a way to reduce fuel consumption without sacrificing all that space is a huge challenge – so there may be few options to choose from.

With the brand new 2021 Sorento Hybrid, Kia has found a way to make this work. The Sorento name has been around since 2002, but this is the first time you'll find hybrid drive in an SUV. This powertrain not only gives the Sorento its own place in the Kia range, but also in the overall segment. If you are looking for a midsize hybrid SUV, go straight to a Kia dealer to test the Sorento Hybrid before anything else.

The entry-level S starts at $ 34,760, including the target fee of $ 1,170. The EX-Trim we tested starts at $ 37,760. Our tester was painted in Runaway Red Paint, which costs $ 445, bringing the price of our tester to $ 38,205.

Design and interior

The last Sorento had an old-fashioned design – not exactly hideous, but awkward from some angles. In that regard, the new Sorento Hybrid is a massive improvement. It doesn't have the same street presence as the larger Telluride, but it still has its own kind of American boast. Not many midsize SUVs and even fewer hybrids look cool, but that's exactly what the Sorento Hybrid does.

Front end close-up of the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid in a meadow. Joel Patel / Digital Trends

Kia's Tigernose grille gives the Sorento Hybrid a familiar design compared to the automaker's other SUVs, such as the Niro, Seltos and Telluride. Compared to the regular Sorento, the Sorento Hybrid doesn't look drastically different. From our point of view, that is a good thing. The only noticeable difference between the two is the glossier trim on the hybrid.

Not many midsize SUVs and even fewer hybrids look cool, but that's exactly what the Sorento Hybrid does.

The interior design of the Sorento Hybrid is just as beautiful as its exterior with a stylish look that feels just as classy as the exterior. The center console rests in the middle of the vertically aligned air vents and the toggle switches for the HVAC temperature control and the heated seats make the cabin look like the cockpit of an airplane – this is also fully functional. The biggest downside is the select-operated gear shifter, which seems like a good thing on paper but not in the real world.

One of the main advantages of the Sorento Hybrid over other hybrids is that it can accommodate up to seven people. Only a few midsize SUVs can claim the combination of hybrid drive and seating for the whole family. Thanks to clever packaging, the Sorento Hybrid offers just as much cargo space as the Sorento. Unfortunately, it's not as spacious as its competitors. Behind the third row there is 12.6 cubic meters of cargo space. Folding down the rear seats gives 45 cubic feet of cargo space, while the Sorento Hybrid can hold a maximum of 75.5 cubic feet of cargo.

Technology, infotainment and driver assistance

The main disadvantage of the Sorento Hybrid is its infotainment system. Kia does not fit the Sorento Hybrid with the same available 10.25-inch touchscreen of the regular model. Instead, you get a standard 8-inch device for the full range of products. It's not a bad touchscreen, but the extra space that is available in a regular Sorento leads to envy. It's like looking at your neighbor's backyard and then realizing that yours doesn't quite fit. For patient people, Kia made things the same for 2022.

It's not the fanciest list of features, but there's something reassuring about a car with easy-to-use technology.

Close-up of the infotainment system in the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid showing fuel consumption. Joel Patel / Digital Trends

The size of the touchscreen might not impress, but its features will. The EX equipment we tested came with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, satellite radio, a 4.2-inch display in the instrument cluster, eight USB ports, a wireless charging pad and six audio speakers. It's not the most famous list of features, but there is quite a bit to be said about a car that doesn't choke on technology.

The touchscreen's graphics aren't as sharp or as colorful as those of the larger 10.25-inch touchscreen, but they're still really good. It's also nice to be able to use logically placed buttons and knobs. Someone could get into this car and become familiar with it within 10 minutes – this is not the case with many new vehicles.

Kia equips the Sorento Hybrid with its Drive Wise suite of advanced safety functions. The suite includes collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, traffic sign recognition, pedestrian recognition, rear cross traffic warning, exit warning and rear parking sensors. The EX equipment adds adaptive cruise control, cyclist detection, intersection assistant and front parking sensors.

Experience at the wheel

The Sorento Hybrid is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder turbo engine paired with an electric motor and a 1.5 kWh lithium-ion battery. The combined power is 227 hp, while a traditional six-speed automatic transmission handles the shifting. It's a departure from the norm as most other hybrids use a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). If there's a downside to the Sorento Hybrid's powertrain, front-wheel drive is the only configuration available.

Compared to the competitors from Ford and Toyota, the Sorento Hybrid no longer has any power. The Ford Explorer Hybrid has a 3.3 liter V6 engine and an electric motor for a combined 318 hp. Toyota's Highlander Hybrid, on the other hand, comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder and two electric motors that produce 243 hp. Against that crowd, the Sorento Hybrid sounds like it could use a little more punch, but the SUV feels very powerful. There's a bit of a lag off the line, but it's still peppy, just about a second away from the regular Sorento's regular 2.5-liter, four-cylinder turbo engine in a sprint to 60 mph. Overtaking on the autobahn, which is usually a test of patience with a hybrid, is uneventful.

The six-speed automatic transmission is gentler than options with a CVT like the Highlander, but it's not exactly trouble-free. During our week with the SUV, we noticed that it jerked a few times when switching between reverse gear and drive. Downshifts can be slow if you're trying to speed them up using the paddles on the steering wheel, but that's to be expected on a powertrain where fuel economy is paramount.

Of the few hybrid mid-range SUVs on the market, the Sorento Hybrid is the most efficient of the bunch.

Side profile of the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid from the passenger side in a meadow. Joel Patel / Digital Trends

While Kia's driving modes usually result in a noticeable change, the Sorento Hybrid's Comfort, Smart, and Sport modes don't make radical changes to the SUV's performance. So it makes a lot of sense to keep it in eco mode most of the time. Additionally, Kia's Eco mode doesn't suppress the responsiveness of the accelerator pedal, so it feels more like a normal driving mode. The eco mode also matches the compliant driving behavior and easy steering of the Sorento Hybrid for a relaxed driving experience.

Gas mileage and safety

Of the few three-row midsize SUVs on the market with hybrid drive, the Sorento Hybrid is the most efficient of the bunch. The hybrid is rated to get up to 37 mpg combined (39 mpg city, 35 mpg highway). The best the Toyota Highlander Hybrid can get is 36 mpg combined, while the Ford Explorer Hybrid has a paltry 28 mpg combined rating. The Sorento Hybrid is so efficient that it is almost on par with smaller hybrids like the Honda CR-V Hybrid and Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Blue, which have 38 mpg combined ratings.

Engine compartment of the Kia Sorento Hybrid 2021.Joel Patel / Digital Trends

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has not yet subjected the Sorento Hybrid 2021 to crash tests. However, the regular Sorento received the “Top Safety Pick” rating after receiving a “Good” rating in all six crash tests – a “Superior” rating for its front crash prevention technology and headlights, which ranged from “Bad” to “Good” " are sufficient. In testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Sorento Hybrid received an overall safety rating of four stars in 2021.

Kia supports the Sorento Hybrid with a 5-year basic warranty of 60,000 miles and a 10-year warranty for the powertrain of 100,000 miles. The warranty exceeds that offered by Toyota and Ford, which includes a three-year base warranty of 36,000 miles and a five-year powertrain warranty of 60,000 miles.

How DT would configure this car

Skip the $ 3,000 EX trim that doesn't justify the price. The standard Sorento Hybrid has an extensive list of safety functions, two-zone climate control, six audio speakers, wireless smartphone compatibility, synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats and an 8-inch touchscreen, making it well-equipped for most drivers.

Our opinion

Best-in-class fuel economy is just one characteristic that makes the Sorento Hybrid such an impressive vehicle. It also comes with nifty tech features, a relatively spacious cargo area, a peppy drivetrain, and a long warranty. The breathtaking design of the Sorento Hybrid cannot be overlooked either. It's not even a close comparison – the Sorento Hybrid is one of the best mid-size SUVs on offer.

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is available with a larger 12.3 inch touchscreen, although its graphics and menu layout look dated, it can hit up to 36 mpg combined, it has up to 84.3 cubic feet of cargo space, it has 243 horsepower, and it can pull up to 3,500 pounds. The Highlander Hybrid isn't as stylish as the Sorento Hybrid, but it is available with all-wheel drive.

If fuel economy is what you're looking for, the Ford Explorer Hybrid likely won't fit the bill. It's rated at up to 28 mpg combined, which is way behind the Sorento Hybrid's number. On the other hand, its drive train delivers up to 318 hp, well above the Sorento Hybrid. The Explorer Hybrid can also pull the most cargo with a valuation of up to 5,000 pounds. When it comes to cargo space, the Explorer Hybrid has the most space with up to 87.8 cubic feet of cargo space. Ford offers the Explorer Hybrid with rear-wheel and all-wheel drive.

Should you get one?

Yes sir. The 2022 model adds more technology and all-wheel drive available, but the 2021 model is still worth buying.

Editor's recommendations



09 Nov
Blog

2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid Review: 7 Seats and Great MPG

Front driver's side from an angle of the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid in a meadow.

2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid

RRP $ 33,590.00

"It's not even a close comparison – the Sorento Hybrid is one of the best mid-size SUVs."

advantages

  • Tons of technology

  • Noble design

  • Compact car MPG

  • Spacious first and second row

  • Doesn't feel slow

disadvantage

  • Tight third row

  • Model 2022 has more functions

The three-row mid-size SUV segment is one that automakers are slow to electrify. It makes sense – these hulking SUVs tend to have boxy designs that aren't efficient at first. Finding a way to reduce fuel consumption without sacrificing all that space is a huge challenge – so there may be few options to choose from.

With the brand new 2021 Sorento Hybrid, Kia found a way to make this work. The Sorento name has been around since 2002, but this is the first time you'll find hybrid drive in an SUV. This powertrain not only gives the Sorento its own place in the Kia range, but also in the overall segment. If you are looking for a midsize hybrid SUV, go straight to a Kia dealer to test the Sorento Hybrid before anything else.

Entry-level S starts at $ 34,760, including the target fee of $ 1,170. The EX-Trim we tested starts at $ 37,760. Our tester was painted in Runaway Red Paint, which costs $ 445, which brings our tester's price to $ 38,205.

Design and interior

The last Sorento had an old-fashioned design – not exactly hideous, but awkward from some angles. In that regard, the new Sorento Hybrid is a massive improvement. It doesn't have the same street presence as the larger Telluride, but it still has its own kind of American boast. Not many midsize SUVs and even fewer hybrids look cool, but that's exactly what the Sorento Hybrid does.

Front end close-up of the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid in a meadow. Joel Patel / Digital Trends

Kia's Tigernose grille gives the Sorento Hybrid a familiar look compared to the automaker's other SUVs, such as the Niro, Seltos and Telluride. Compared to the regular Sorento, the Sorento Hybrid doesn't look drastically different. From our point of view that is a good thing. The only noticeable difference between the two is the glossier trim on the hybrid.

Not many midsize SUVs and even fewer hybrids look cool, but that's exactly what the Sorento Hybrid does.

The interior design of the Sorento Hybrid is just as beautiful as its exterior with a stylish look that feels just as classy as the exterior. The center console rests in the middle of the vertically aligned air vents and the toggle switches for the HVAC temperature control and seat heating make the cabin look like the cockpit of an airplane – this is also fully functional. The biggest downside is the selector-operated gear shifter, which seems like a good thing on paper but not in the real world.

One of the main advantages of the Sorento Hybrid over other hybrids is that it can accommodate up to seven people. Only a few midsize SUVs can claim the combination of hybrid drive and seating for the whole family. Thanks to clever packaging, the Sorento Hybrid offers just as much cargo space as the Sorento. Unfortunately, it's not as spacious as its competitors. Behind the third row there is 12.6 cubic meters of cargo space. Folding down the rear seats gives 45 cubic feet of cargo space, while the Sorento Hybrid can hold a maximum of 75.5 cubic feet of cargo.

Technology, infotainment and driver assistance

The main disadvantage of the Sorento Hybrid is its infotainment system. Kia doesn't fit the Sorento Hybrid with the same available 10.25-inch touchscreen of the regular model. Instead, you get a standard 8-inch device for the full range of products. It's not a bad touchscreen, but the extra space that is available in a regular Sorento leads to envy. It's like looking at your neighbor's garden and then realizing that yours doesn't quite fit. For patient people, Kia made things the same for 2022.

It's not the fanciest list of features, but there's something reassuring about a car with easy-to-use technology.

Close-up of the infotainment system in the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid showing fuel consumption. Joel Patel / Digital Trends

The size of the touchscreen might not impress, but its features will. The EX equipment we tested came with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, satellite radio, a 4.2-inch display in the instrument cluster, eight USB ports, a wireless charging pad and six audio speakers. It's not the most famous list of features, but there is quite a bit to be said about a car that doesn't choke on technology.

The touchscreen's graphics aren't as sharp or as colorful as those of the larger 10.25-inch touchscreen, but they're still really good. It's also nice to be able to use logically placed buttons and knobs. Someone could get into this car and become familiar with it within 10 minutes – this is not the case with many new vehicles.

Kia equips the Sorento Hybrid with its Drive Wise suite of advanced safety functions. The suite includes collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, traffic sign recognition, pedestrian recognition, rear cross traffic warning, exit warning and rear parking sensors. The EX equipment adds adaptive cruise control, cyclist detection, intersection assistant and front parking sensors.

Experience at the wheel

The Sorento Hybrid is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder turbo engine paired with an electric motor and a 1.5 kWh lithium-ion battery. The combined power is 227 horsepower, while a traditional six-speed automatic transmission handles the shifting. It's a departure from the norm as most other hybrids use a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). If there's a downside to the Sorento Hybrid's powertrain, front-wheel drive is the only configuration available.

Compared to the competitors from Ford and Toyota, the Sorento Hybrid no longer has any power. The Ford Explorer Hybrid has a 3.3 liter V6 engine and an electric motor for a combined 318 hp. Toyota's Highlander Hybrid, on the other hand, comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder and two electric motors that produce 243 hp. Against that crowd, the Sorento Hybrid sounds like it could use a little more punch, but the SUV feels very powerful. There's a bit of a lag off the line, but it's still peppy, just about a second away from the regular Sorento's regular 2.5-liter, four-cylinder turbo engine in a sprint to 60 mph. Overtaking on the autobahn, which is usually a test of patience with a hybrid, is uneventful.

The six-speed automatic transmission is gentler than options with a CVT like the Highlander, but it's not exactly trouble-free. During our week with the SUV, we noticed that it jerked a few times when switching between reverse gear and drive. Downshifts can be slow if you're trying to speed them up using the paddles on the steering wheel, but that's to be expected on a powertrain where fuel economy is paramount.

Of the few hybrid mid-range SUVs on the market, the Sorento Hybrid is the most efficient of the bunch.

Side profile of the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid from the passenger side in a meadow. Joel Patel / Digital Trends

While Kia's driving modes usually result in a noticeable change, the Sorento Hybrid's Comfort, Smart, and Sport modes don't make radical changes to the SUV's performance. So it makes a lot of sense to keep it in eco mode most of the time. Additionally, Kia's Eco mode doesn't suppress the responsiveness of the accelerator pedal, so it feels more like a normal driving mode. The eco mode also matches the compliant driving behavior and easy steering of the Sorento Hybrid for a relaxed driving experience.

Gas mileage and safety

Of the few three-row midsize SUVs on the market with hybrid drive, the Sorento Hybrid is the most efficient of the bunch. The hybrid is rated to get up to 37 mpg combined (39 mpg city, 35 mpg highway). The best the Toyota Highlander Hybrid can get is 36 mpg combined, while the Ford Explorer Hybrid has a paltry 28 mpg combined rating. The Sorento Hybrid is so efficient that it is almost on par with smaller hybrids like the Honda CR-V Hybrid and Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Blue, which have 38 mpg combined ratings.

Engine compartment of the Kia Sorento Hybrid 2021.Joel Patel / Digital Trends

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has not yet subjected the Sorento Hybrid 2021 to crash tests. However, the regular Sorento received the “Top Safety Pick” rating after receiving a “Good” rating in all six crash tests – a “Superior” rating for its front crash prevention technology and headlights, which ranged from “Bad” to “Good” " are sufficient. In testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Sorento Hybrid received an overall safety rating of four stars in 2021.

Kia supports the Sorento Hybrid with a 5-year basic warranty of 60,000 miles and a 10-year warranty for the powertrain of 100,000 miles. The warranty exceeds that offered by Toyota and Ford, which includes a three-year base warranty of 36,000 miles and a five-year powertrain warranty of 60,000 miles.

How DT would configure this car

Skip the $ 3,000 EX trim that doesn't justify the price. The standard Sorento Hybrid has an extensive list of safety functions, a two-zone automatic climate control, six audio speakers, wireless smartphone compatibility, synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats and an 8-inch touchscreen, making it well-equipped for most drivers.

Our opinion

Best-in-class fuel economy is just one characteristic that makes the Sorento Hybrid such an impressive vehicle. It also comes with nifty tech features, a relatively spacious cargo area, a peppy drivetrain, and a long warranty. The breathtaking design of the Sorento Hybrid cannot be overlooked either. It's not even a close comparison – the Sorento Hybrid is one of the best mid-size SUVs on offer.

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is available with a larger 12.3 inch touchscreen, although its graphics and menu layout look dated, it can hit up to 36 mpg combined, it has up to 84.3 cubic feet of cargo space, it has 243 horsepower, and it can pull up to 3,500 pounds. The Highlander Hybrid isn't as stylish as the Sorento Hybrid, but it is available with all-wheel drive.

If you're looking for fuel economy, the Ford Explorer Hybrid probably won't fit the bill. It's rated at up to 28 mpg combined, which is way below the Sorento Hybrid's number. On the other hand, its powertrain delivers up to 318 hp, well above the Sorento Hybrid. The Explorer Hybrid can also pull the most cargo with a valuation of up to 5,000 pounds. When it comes to cargo space, the Explorer Hybrid has the most space with up to 87.8 cubic feet of cargo space. Ford offers the Explorer Hybrid with rear-wheel and all-wheel drive.

Should you get one?

Yes sir. The 2022 model adds more technology and all-wheel drive available, but the 2021 model is still worth buying.

Editor's recommendations



07 Apr
Blog

2021 Kia K5 2.5 GT Review: Midsize Sedan Rethink

2021 kia k5 rating front three quarters

2021 Kia K5 2.5 GT review: a new era

"The 2021 Kia K5 focuses on style and sportiness without sacrificing practicality."

  • Attractive styling

  • Powerful engine

  • Nimble chassis

  • Intuitive technology

  • Low standard driver assistant technology

Kia spent two decades transforming the Optima midsize sedan from a joke into a truly desirable car – all so it could rename itself and start over.

The 2021 Kia K5 is the replacement for the Kia Optima. While the name is a sterile alphanumeric combination that car buyers are more likely to associate with a Chevy SUV than anything bearing the Kia badge, the K5 looks pretty good on paper. The last Optima was a good looking car, but Kia chose even more this time around while adding a bigger touchscreen, more driver assistance technology, optional all-wheel drive, and a sporty GT model.

Kia has to pull out all the stops if it is to grab buyers' attention. The K5 has many competitors including the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Mazda 6, Subaru Legacy, and Volkswagen Passat, as well as its sibling – the Hyundai Sonata.

Prices for the 2021 Kia K5 start at $ 24,555 (all prices include a mandatory target fee of $ 965) but only buy an entry-level LX. Our test car was the K5 GT with a more powerful engine and a sporty chassis. The GT starts at $ 31,555, but our test car also had the optional GT1 package, which includes a 10.25-inch touchscreen, Bose premium audio system, and adaptive cruise control, among other things. That brought the MSRP to $ 35,705.

Design and interior

The K5 shares a base platform with the Hyundai Sonata, but the designers made a good distinction between the two. Where the Hyundai has sleek lines that look like it's floating in the street, the K5 is slightly more muscular, with a bulging hood and a front bumper that protrudes forward like the chin of a 1940s cartoon character. This is in line with the personality of both sedans. The Hyundai is a laid-back cruiser, while the K5 is said to be sportier.

However, the main differentiator of the K5 is the lighting. On the front you get straightforward LED daytime running lights, which Kia calls "heartbeat", as well as a horizontal light blade on the back. While the overall shape of the K5 is very slim and attractive, many other sedans these days have a similar shape. The styling is subjective, but the lighting design makes the K5 a lot more distinctive.

Sleek design usually costs the interior, but that's not the case with this Kia. The K5 has more headroom and front legroom than other midsize sedans and just 0.2 cubic feet less rear headroom than the class-leading Toyota Camry. The rear legroom is a bit below average, however.

The styling is subjective, but the lighting design makes the K5 a lot more distinctive.

At 16 cubic feet, the trunk space is above average, but behind the 16.7 cubic feet of the class-leading Honda Accord. The K5's Hyundai Sonata sibling also offers a little more cargo space at 16.3 cubic feet. Kia also offers a 60/40 folding rear seat for longer items, but this feature is not available in the basic K5 LX.

The interior design was clean and functional, although the slope of the roof somewhat obscured the rear view. Our K5 GT test car had special features such as heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a driver storage system for the seat and mirrors, and a panoramic sliding roof, which proves that Kia still takes its reputation as a token seriously. The materials didn't feel very high quality (Kia only offers faux leather instead of real leather upholstery) but were acceptable given the price of the car. However, Kia used a lot of shiny plastic that created an annoying sheen on sunny days.

Technology, infotainment and driver assistance

The standard infotainment system includes an 8.0-inch touchscreen. However, as an upgrade, you get a 10.25-inch touchscreen. Oddly enough, Kia only offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the smaller screen. While you still need to connect to use CarPlay and Android Auto on the bigger screen, it adds natural language speech recognition and Bluetooth with multiple connections.

Our test car had the optional 10.25-inch screen with cool-looking graphics, including old-fashioned tubes for radio stations. We appreciated the keyboard shortcuts for various menus, but the buttons on the right side of the screen were a bit difficult to reach from the driver's seat. The speech recognition system, which recognizes simple sentences like "turn on the air conditioning", had no obvious comprehension problems, but it was a little slow to respond.

It is also possible to charge cell phones. The unusual design involves placing the phone in a vertical slot. That seems like a smart way to save space, but Kia still left a phone-sized room – uncharged – in front of the gear stick.

The larger optional touchscreen contained cool-looking graphics, including old-fashioned radio tubes for radio stations.

A Bose audio system with 12 speakers, subwoofer and external amplifier is also available. When you're tired of listening to music, the Kia also offers "nature sounds" including "lively forest", "calm ocean waves", "rainy day", "warm fireplace" and "open air cafe" in one machine with the K5 white noise on wheels.

The standard driver assistance technology under the Kia Drive Wise banner includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, a monitor for the driver's attention and automatic lane centering for the lane following assistant. Optional functions include blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alarm, automatic reverse braking and adaptive cruise control. The latter can use the navigation system to preventively reduce the speed for motorway curves or changes to the speed limit.

On the freeway, adaptive cruise control accelerated and braked smoothly, even though we didn't get a chance to test the automatic speed limit setting. The system also has a stop-and-go function, which is useful in heavy traffic. It's worth noting, however, that several competitors – including the Honda Accord, Subaru Legacy, and Toyota Camry – offer adaptive cruise control as standard, but without some of the features of the Kia system. We also found that Kia's lane tracking assistant is less competent than the lane-centering feature of Subaru's EyeSight system – which isn't exactly perfect either.

Experience at the wheel

The standard powertrain is a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder, turbocharged engine that produces 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. The engine is coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission with front-wheel drive as standard or optional all-wheel drive. These are respectable specs for an entry-level powertrain in a midsize sedan, and the availability of all-wheel drive is a benefit for new car buyers in colder climates. Note that you can also get all-wheel drive on the Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry. This is standard with the Subaru Legacy.

Kia K5 GT models like our test car get a 2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder with 290 hp and 311 lb-ft and an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission for faster gear changes. The GT is only available with front-wheel drive, but Kia claims it will do zero to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. For a mainstream sedan, that's pretty quick.

Most midsize sedans will make you look like an adult. This one makes you look like a hooligan.

However, Kia packed more than just strength. The GT receives a model-specific chassis for better handling and 19-inch wheels with non-slip Pirelli P-Zero tires. Despite these tires, the GT was strong enough to spin its wheels on command. The "Sport +" driving mode also deactivates the traction control and lets the engine stay at its boiling point without shifting up. This is not the behavior you would normally expect from a car like this. Most midsize sedans will make you look like an adult. This one makes you look like a hooligan.

However, things are not going to get completely out of hand. The K5 is more than just a theater; It has the necessary steps to show its bravery. Many modern cars feel like they're breaking the laws of physics when cornering, but the K5 felt light and eager, as if it actually wanted to move. The excellent chassis tuning was disappointed by numb steering, but the K5 is far from the only sporty car with this problem. The ride was a bit tough too, but reasonable given the handling of this chassis.

Fuel economy and safety

The most fuel-efficient model of the 2021 Kia K5 is the base 1.6-liter, front-wheel drive LX that together achieves 32 mpg (29 mpg city, 38 mpg highway) fuel economy. Other models with the 1.6 liter engine get 31 mpg combined (27 mpg city, 37 mpg highway) with front-wheel drive and 29 mpg combined (26 mpg city, 34 mpg highway) with all-wheel drive. The 2.5-liter GT has an overall output of 27 mpg (24 mpg city, 32 mpg highway), and we hit 26.4 mpg according to the car's on-board computer.

The fuel economy figures are respectable for a midsize sedan, but it's worth noting that the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, and Toyota Camry are all available with more efficient hybrids. Kia previously offered an Optima Hybrid but has not discussed any plans for a Hybrid K5.

The K5 received the “Top Safety Pick +” rating from the Insurance Institute for Road Safety (IIHS) with the top rating “Good” in all crash tests and the top rating “Superior” for the technology used to prevent frontal crashes. The headlight values, however, ranged from “good” to “bad” depending on the equipment variant.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2021 K5 a five-star overall safety rating with four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests and five stars in side crash tests.

Kia offers a 10 year powertrain warranty of 100,000 miles and a five year limited warranty of 60,000 miles. These remain the longest warranty terms in the business. They're unmatched by rivals, except of course the Hyundai Sonata from Kia's sibling brand.

How DT would configure this car

The driving experience is really what sets the K5 apart from other midsize sedans. That's why we'd opt for a GT model like our test car. While the GT is a huge step up from the base spec on the LX, it is still great value for money considering how much gear you get, including a 290 horsepower engine, a well-tuned chassis, and loads of comfort.

However, Kia poses a dilemma for tech-savvy buyers. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are only available with the smaller 8.0-inch touchscreen, while the optional 10.25-inch touchscreen offers multi-phone Bluetooth pairing and natural language speech recognition. So buyers have to decide which features they think are more important.

We couldn't test the smaller screen, but given that the bigger screen is bundled with a $ 4,100 option pack, we'd think long and hard about skipping it and saving a large chunk of the changes. While we liked the voice recognition system, ditching cables seems like a bigger comfort boost.

Our opinion

The 2021 Kia K5 is built on the solid foundation of the Optima and offers an extra dose of style and performance. It's a well-executed midsize sedan, but it faces stiff competition too.

The Honda Accord, Mazda 6, and even the once boring Toyota Camry all offer satisfying driving experiences, while the Subaru Legacy has more standard driver assistance technology and a larger touchscreen available than the Kia, as well as standard all-wheel drive. However, Kia continues to boast a longer warranty and impressive value. Even when an option package was tackled, our K5 GT test car was less than $ 40,000.

It's also about the Kia's sibling – the Hyundai Sonata. The Hyundai has technologies not available on the Kia, including automatic parking with Remote Smart Parking Assist, a digital key feature that allows you to use a smartphone as a key, and a hybrid powertrain. The Sonata isn't as fun to drive as the Kia, however. Hyundai may have a Sonata N-Line performance model, but a prototype drive from 2019 did not challenge us.

Should you get one

Yes. The K5 proves that ordinary, practical cars can be fun too.

Editor's recommendations




05 Apr
Blog

2020 Kia Soul GT-Line Review: Budget Box With An Attitude

Kia Soul 2020

2020 Kia Soul GT-Line: This budget box has one setting

"The 2020 Kia Soul remains a practical, attractive and affordable CUV that everyone can love."

  • Outstanding styling

  • Design forward cabin

  • Lots of space

  • High-tech functions available

  • Turbo drivetrain is a failure

  • Advanced security features are optional

Last generation Kia Soul hamsters ran out of town. Why? The new soul frightened her. These cute rodents aimed to get younger drivers into the box-shaped vehicle.

Things are different now. Everyone knows the soul, but it knows the cute version. The all-new 2020 Kia Soul is here to show a new side of the machine – a sharper, more aggressive edge to prove that it's good to go against the grain.

Hatchback? SUV? CUV? You could technically argue that the soul is all of this. The classification is not important because you get the best of all worlds. Due to the size of the small car, the price of the basic LX fairing starts at an affordable $ 17,490. Switch to the GT-Line Turbo, the vehicle we tested for a week, and you'll see a starting price of $ 27,490. That is still affordable by today's standards.

It is obvious that American consumers are sticking to their crossovers. But unlike CUVs, which stick to a recipe, the Soul, especially in the GT Line equipment, breaks the mold to give buyers an idea of ​​how fun, cheap and versatile it looks. From this point of view, it's great, but not perfect.

Interior and exterior design

The old soul was a box on wheels, and the new one too. A look at the soul can take you back to elementary school when you had to deal with these horrible square milk cartons. Just add four wheels.

While the overall silhouette has not changed, almost everything else has changed. The headlights have moved down on the front fairing, while slim daytime running lights are now connected to each other via a wafer-thin grille. On the back, the taillights have a hockey stick shape that is connected at the top.

Kia Soul 2020Joel Patel / Digital Trends

The 2020 Soul has a more muscular aesthetic that contrasts sharply with the enchanting look of the last generation model. You can also specify the soul with a two-tone color scheme for additional character.

Choose either the X-Line or one of the GT-Line panels, and your Subcompact CUV comes with a unique body kit. The X-Line gives the impression of an off-road CUV with special 18-inch wheels, roof rails and body panels. The two GT Line claddings are characterized by a sporty design. The GT-Line Turbo has different wheels, red emblems, black trim parts and an exhaust with a central exit.

Kia Soul 2020Joel Patel / Digital Trends

People may be split over the outer design of the soul, but this box brings the warmth inside. Legroom and headroom are plentiful in both rows, with even the largest passengers forgetting that they have descended to the rear. The benefits are equally impressive as the Soul can carry 24.2 cubic feet of cargo behind the rear seats and can hold a total of 62.1 cubic feet of cargo. These numbers make the Soul one of the more spacious options in this segment, beating the Hyundai Kona, Nissan Kicks and Honda HR-V.

Besides all of this utility, there is still a fun element. From the triangular ventilation slots to the room-like paneling that surrounds the door handle and loudspeakers, the Soul's cabin is chic and yet functional. Our Soul GT-Line Turbo was supplied with mood lighting that corresponds to the rhythm of the music in different colors or themes such as "Midnight City", "Café" and "Romance".

Kia Soul 2020Joel Patel / Digital Trends

Though spacious, the Soul is an affordable way to get around, so it has a fair proportion of hard plastics and rough materials. Still, nothing feels cheap. The Soul GT-Line Turbo feels and looks good for a car that costs less than $ 29,000. The leather and fabric seats are robust, yet comfortable. The heated seats heat your back faster than a whirlpool.

Tire and wind noise can disturb calm at highway speeds, and the seats feel quite high in their lowest position. Of course, this may not be a disadvantage for consumers who yearn for this CUV feeling.

Technical functions

With Kia you can reach far into your pocket to use the best technical functions, but this economy box offers a lot of technical standard. Most panels have a 7-inch touchscreen that includes both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, this is nothing unusual since almost every competitor can keep up with it.

Where the soul really flexes its muscles is when you start to get higher in the food chain. The EX and GT-Line Turbo models feature a massive 10.25-inch touchscreen and Kia's sophisticated UVO infotainment system. This is one of the largest screens in this segment, clearly outperforming the available 8-inch screen of the Hyundai Kona and the 7-inch touch screens of the Nissan Kicks and Honda HR-V. As an added benefit, you get wireless charging with the larger screen.

Kia Soul 2020Joel Patel / Digital Trends

After spending time with both systems, this is an easy decision. Get the bigger 10.25-inch screen. The standard 7-inch device is Basic – iPhone 6 Basic Level. The 10.25-inch screen with the UVO system is a gem and offers clear, crisp images in an intuitive layout. The extra wide length brings three really helpful things – navigation, audio and weather – to the foreground and to the center. If one of them doesn't sound important, there are numerous customization options that you can use to set priorities as you wish.

The soul's security features follow the same trajectory as their infotainment systems. All you get with the base panel is a rear view camera. The higher the ladder you climb, the more you get. The GT-Line Turbo is filled with almost everything under the sun, including blind spot monitoring, pedestrian detection, and lane departure warning. A retractable head-up display is also included in the security cocktail.

Most of the driver assistance functions work as desired – with the exception of Lane Keeping Assist. This fool will pull the wheel out of your hands to keep you from drifting on another trail. Some nitpickers may think that the head-up screen looks cheap too. That may be true, but it works and it's a feature you won't find on Honda HR-V and Nissan Kicks.

Experience behind the wheel

Two drive trains are available for the soul. Five of the six fairings are equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 147 hp and 132 pound-feet of torque. The engine is coupled to a continuously variable transmission, which Kia calls "intelligent variable transmission" or IVT.

Only the GT-Line Turbo has a different grinder. This equipment is equipped with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 201 hp and 195 lb.-ft. accomplishes. of the torque. The engine also has a unique transmission in the form of a seven-speed double clutch.

Kia Soul 2020Joel Patel / Digital Trends

With 54 additional horses and a dual clutch transmission, you can expect the GT-Line Turbo to bring performance to the fore. And you would be right. However, the drivetrain has some serious shortcomings that make it clear how unathletic the small car CUV really is.

The peppy engine doesn't lack grunts, but the way it breaks down power in one massive pull instead of a gentle swallow is staggering. The problem is exacerbated by the dual clutch transmission, which shifts slowly and is chunky. Low speeds and fast, unexpected performance gains. Pushing the throttle from a standstill does not result in immediate power supply, which makes parking a difficult situation.

The expensive GT-Line turbo fairing is a simple pass.

In addition to the engine, the GT-Line Turbo has a firmer suspension. The ride is stiff, but the soul doesn't feel smooth in corners because the box-shaped design limits its true performance potential. Around the corner, the Soul shows a body roll that fits a small car CUV, and the Goodyear Eagle Touring tires of the GT-Line Turbo do not inspire confidence.

Ironically, the front-wheel drive layout of the Soul is not a deal breaker. Other small cars like the Nissan Kicks and the Toyota C-HR are also only equipped with front-wheel drive. They still have 6.7 inches of ground clearance, which is a decent amount to deal with snow. However, if you want real off-road skills, you have to look at the Jeep Renegade.

With the problems of the powertrain and the particularly bumpy ride, which does not offer any real sporting potential, the expensive GT-Line turbo fairing is an easy pass.

Fuel consumption and security

The Environmental Protection Agency rates the 2020 Kia Soul up to 31 mpg (29 mpg city, 35 mpg highway) when it is equipped with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and the CVT. If you choose the sportier GT-Line turbo fairing with the turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder and seven-speed dual clutch transmission, you will see 29 MPG combined (27 MPG City, 32 MPG Highway).

These are not bad numbers for the small car segment, but they bring the soul behind the Nissan Kicks, which are rated at 33 mpg, and the new Hyundai Venue, which is rated at 32 mpg. But the Soul is a bit more efficient than the Honda HR-V and Hyundai Kona, both of which have a fuel consumption of 30 mpg.

Since the Soul is completely new for the 2020 model year, it is difficult to say how reliable the vehicle will be on the road. The CUV compact car has one of the longest warranties on the market: a 10-year powertrain warranty of 100,000 miles and a five-year warranty of 60,000 miles. This is better than Nissan or Honda cars.

As a new vehicle, the Soul has not yet undergone a crash test by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In the tests carried out by the Insurance Institute for Road Safety (IIHS), the soul did well enough to be recognized as a top safety trick.

How DT would configure this car

Due to the problems with the drivetrain and driving behavior, we recommend skipping the GT-Line turbo fairing. Nevertheless, we like the EX trim best. It has the same 10.25-inch touchscreen, the same UVO infotainment system, and the same wireless charger as the top model, but has a more efficient powertrain.

The 2020 Soul has a more muscular aesthetic that stands out from the enchanting look of the last generation model.

If you want a two-tone color scheme, it's part of the $ 1,500 EX Designer Collection package.

Our opinion

Despite testing the probably worst option in the lineup, the 2020 Kia Soul is a great CUV. Its appearance isn't for everyone, but it stands out in a segment that's filled with boring options. It's also practical with one of the largest holds, lots of technical features, and an efficient powertrain. All of this is packaged in one of the fanciest designs and comes with one of the longest guarantees.

If you are looking for a suitable off-road suitability, you have to choose the Jeep Renegade. For those looking for a vehicle with a design that doesn't stand out, check out the Nissan Kicks, Hyundai Kona, or Honda HR-V.

The kicks don't have all-wheel drive as an option, but the other two. Neither the Kicks nor the HR-V are equipped with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto as standard, but both have safety suites in the middle of their respective lineups instead of random functions that are sporadically distributed. As usual, Kia has offered the Soul at a competitive price, and between these rivals, it's the cheapest option.

With so many options in the subcompact segment, there is bound to be an option that does something better than the soul. As a complete package, however, it is a rounded CUV that does a lot of good at a low price and makes it one of the better options on the market.

Should you get one?

Yes. The soul is a great value with a funky, functional design. Just stay away from the GT Line.

Editor's recommendations




02 Mar
Blog

2021 Kia Seltos First Drive Review: Great Tech, Great Value

2021 Kia Seltos

2021 Kia Seltos

"The 2021 Kia Seltos offers functionality and technology alike."

  • Spacious interior

  • Capable all-wheel drive

  • Peppy turbo engine

  • Great technical value

  • Control elements for driver assistance buried in the touchscreen

  • Mediocre handling

Variety can be the spice of life, right? But too much spice can cause heartburn.

In the media campaign for the Seltos 2021, Kia listed no fewer than 17 vehicles as potential competitors for its new subcompact crossover. This list includes prestigious models such as the Honda HR-V and the Hyundai Kona, the latter from Kia's parent brand. What did Kia do to differentiate the Seltos from this large group of rivals?

Shoppers may think they'll get sturdy SUVs, but vehicles in this class are essentially hatchbacks on stilts. Nevertheless, Kia made the Seltos as SUV-like as possible and gave it a more sophisticated all-wheel drive system than many of its competitors. Kia also emphasized the value and gave the Seltos a long list of driver aids and technical features.

Kia offers buyers a unique selection. The base price of $ 23,110 buys either an LX model with all-wheel drive or an S model without all-wheel drive (with more technical functions). Kia provided a four-wheel drive SX model with all-wheel drive for testing that starts at $ 29,010.

2021 Kia Seltos

Design & interior

The Seltos shares a base platform with the Hyundai Kona, but the two crossovers couldn't be more different when it comes to the exterior design. Where the Hyundai consists only of science fiction curves, the Kia looks more traditional and angular. It may be more like a compact hatchback, but the Seltos looks like an SUV.

It also offers more SUV-like benefits than many of its competitors. The Seltos offers significantly more space in the rear seats than its Kona platform mate and more cargo space than any direct competitor. However, the "Magic" folding mechanism of the Honda HR-V in the rear seat makes it easier to use the available cargo space. The Honda also offers more legroom in the rear seats than the Kia, while the Jeep Renegade offers more headroom in the front and rear. Regardless, the Seltos offers enough additional benefits to justify buying a car of comparable size – which is not always the case in this segment.

The interior of the Selto is also a nice place. It's not exactly fancy, but the materials feel reasonable for this price range. The upright roof leaves plenty of space for glass, offers a good view to the outside and gives the interior an airy feeling. The front seats felt decently comfortable in one day, and the back seats lean back.

2021 Kia Seltos

Tech, infotainment & driver assistant

The standard infotainment system includes an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. SX models receive a 10.25-inch touchscreen as well as integrated navigation and satellite radio. While the systems have Kia's Uvo branding, they have the same graphics as the BlueLink systems we saw in the last Hyundai models.

It is not a bad thing. It is typical for Kia (and Hyundai) that the infotainment interface is not a problem, but is still easy to use. The only big mistake is that Kia forces the driver to dive deep into the on-screen menus to turn the driver aids on and off. It's not exactly easy to drive while driving, and we'd like Kia to have some hard buttons instead.

Speaking of driver aids: The Seltos offers more than its sibling Hyundai Kona. The LX equipment variant is equipped as standard with autonomous emergency braking (including pedestrian and cyclist detection) and a driver's attention monitor. For the same basic price, the S equipment variant offers a lane departure warning system and an automatic high beam. However, you have to do without the all-wheel drive to get it.

The infotainment interface is a bit uncomplicated, but still easy to use.

The adaptive cruise control is available, but only in the upper SX equipment variant. This function is not available on the Kona at all, but is available on some competitors and on the Honda HR-V standard. The Nissan Rogue Sport is available with the automaker's ProPilot Assist system, which combines adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering.

The Seltos also has a lane keeping assistant, which gives the lane keeping assistant a little more functionality. As standard, equipment variant S shows the center of the lane and not the lane markings in order to keep the vehicle on the right track. This means that the system steers proactively instead of waiting for the car to get off track. You can feel how the tracking support works, almost as if there are another pair of hands on the steering wheel. However, the inputs are relatively gentle, unlike some of the more basic lane keeping assistants we've come across.

2021 Kia Seltos

Experience behind the wheel

The Seltos comes standard with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine that delivers 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. This engine is connected to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which Kia calls the intelligent variable transmission (IVT). Our test car had the optional 1.6-liter four-cylinder with turbocharger. Thanks to turbocharging, this smaller engine delivers 175 hp and 195 lb-ft. Kia paired it with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission for a sportier driving experience.

The turbocharged powertrain is a winner. The engine offers a lot of grunt and the fast gear changes of the double clutch transmission help to form the post. This is basically the same as the Hyundai Kona Ultimate, and it was also a standout feature of this car.

However, the Kia lacks the sporty handling of the Hyundai. There's nothing wrong with handling the Selto, but it's not as sharp and precise as the Kona. However, the Seltos is more comfortable to drive than the Kona, and the target buyer is more concerned with it than with the ability to carve corners. If you want your little crossover to feel like a sports car, buy the Hyundai or even better the Mazda CX-30.

The turbocharged powertrain is a winner.

The Seltos is available with front or four-wheel drive, the latter offering more functions than many systems in this segment. It allows the driver to manually lock the torque in a 50/50 split front / rear to ensure that the car doesn't drive front-wheel as standard. Torque vectoring directs performance from side to side to turn the seltos into corners. Hill start assist and hill descent control are standard. The four-wheel drive system even has a cool name: Dynamax.

These functions should increase confidence in bad weather or on unpaved roads, but do not make the Seltos an off-roader. Kia quickly pointed out that the Seltos has a better approach angle than a Jeep Renegade or Subaru Crosstrek, which means you're less likely to smash the front end into something when driving over uneven terrain.

But the Seltos has less ground clearance than the Crosstrek or Renegade. On a dirt road that was part of the route, something scratched the floor of the car. It is therefore hard to imagine that you feel safe when driving the Seltos on an actual off-road trail. The Renegade remains the only vehicle in this segment with real off-road capabilities.

2021 Kia Seltos

Fuel consumption and security

The fuel consumption values ​​for the 2.0-liter / CVT combination are 31 mpg (29 mpg city, 34 mpg motorway) with front-wheel drive and 29 mpg (27 mpg city, 31 mpg motorway) with all-wheel drive. The 1.6-liter turbo engine and the dual clutch transmission are only available with all-wheel drive and have a total output of 27 mpg (25 mpg city, 30 mpg highway).

Fuel consumption is quite competitive compared to other vehicles in this segment, not to mention some conventional cars. Less aerodynamic body and extra weight usually result in crossovers being penalized for mileage, but this is not very serious.

The Seltos delivers the things that distinguish crossovers from ordinary cars.

The Seltos is a new model, so it is difficult to predict future reliability. However, Kia has an overall good reputation for reliability and offers generous warranty coverage. The Kia 10-year warranty on the drivetrain and the five-year warranty of 60,000 miles on the drivetrain are only covered by the parent company Hyundai.

Crash test assessments by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) are currently not available.

How DT would configure this car

The SX trim level seems to be the best option. It not only receives the livelier turbo engine and the fast-switching dual clutch transmission, but is also the only equipment variant from Seltos with adaptive cruise control. Since the SX is the top equipment variant, it also contains the technical features of the bottom equipment variants such as autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning and charging the mobile phone. Even with a base price that's about $ 6,000 higher than the cheapest Seltos, the long list of features of the SX is a good value.

Our opinion

Many crossovers in this price range claim to offer SUV robustness, but are really just glorified hatchback models. The 2021 Kia Seltos is the real deal.

The Seltos delivers the things that distinguish crossovers from ordinary cars. It offers impressive cargo space for a vehicle of this size and an all-wheel drive system that makes a real difference in bad weather. This is in contrast to the platform colleague of the Selto, the Hyundai Kona. While the Kona is a good vehicle, its lack of cargo space and car-like behavior make it difficult to buy a vehicle instead of a conventional hatchback.

In such a crowded field, competitors inevitably do certain things better than the Seltos. The Kia lacks the off-road capability of the Jeep Renegade or the off-road capability of the Mazda CX-30. While Seltos is available with many driver aids, the Honda HR-V offers more of them as standard. Although it may not be the best in some areas, the Seltos does everything well.

Should you get one?

Yes. The Seltos is an impressive value.

Editor's recommendations