Yahoo Autos The 2021 Kia Sorento Finally Makes its U.S. Debut
The Kia Sorento has been a staple of Kia’s lineup since the crossover debuted in 2002. The Sorento has chugged along through three generations, with the most recent variant rolling in 2015. Kia planned for the global reveal of the new Sorento to be at the 2020 Geneva motor show, which, obviously, had its problems. Now, we're finally seeing the U.S.-spec Sorento in all of its three-row glory.
The new Sorento rides, predictably, on a new platform that is lighter than what underpins the previous generation. The 2021 Sorento also will come with several powertrains (including two hybrid variants), new safety tech, a new top-of-the-line trim, and new consumer tech to make your life easier.
When you pop the hood, you’ll see one of three engines: a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four, a 1.6-liter turbocharged four, or the top-level a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four. The 1.6-liter four-pot powers the Sorento models that bear hybrid badges. Both of these engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and make 227 hp in standard hybrid form or 261 hp in plug-in hybrid models.
The non-hybrid models get the 2.5-liter and make 191 hp and 182 lb-ft of torque when naturally aspirated and 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft with a turbocharger. Both engines are mated to eight-speed automatic transmissions. If you’re wondering where about the V6’s numbers, well, you might be disappointed to hear that the 3.3-liter V6 didn’t make the jump to the 2021 model.
As you might imagine, the Sorento can be configured with just the front wheels pulling you along, or with all-wheels doing the work. Both non-hybrids are available both ways. The hybrid is only available in front-wheel-drive trim. And the more powerful, plug-in-hybrid comes standard with all-wheel-drive.
The big question with hybrids always revolves around fuel savings, and Kia has some estimates. Kia claims that the standard hybrid Sorento should get 39 mpg in the city, with 35 mpg on the highway. Kia has yet to release fuel economy on the plug-in version but does mention that it can drive for 30 miles just on its 13.8 kWh battery.
