The 2014 Kia Sorento has only received some slight styling updates from 2013 including an updated front fascia with rectangle headlights and an updated roof racks. The underpinnings have been left pretty much untouched, keeping the 2014 Kia Sorento a great ride with a decent value. Lets see how the test drive went.
The 2014 Kia Sorento EX has an all wheel drive chassis powered by a 3.3L Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) GDI CVVT V6 motor. The V6 is mated to a 6 speed Automatic Transmission with Sportmatic. For the EX this is the only engine option. The base model includes a 2.4L 4 cylinder. The V6 offers 290 Horsepower with 252 Feet-Pound of torque. The EX has an Eco mode to help you with the gas savings as the mileage on the EX could be better. Average mileage is 20 MPG with City being 18 MPG and highway being 24Mpg. The 3.3L engine gives the Sorento plenty of power for take off’s and also for passing on the highway. During the week-long test I came in just over those numbers by a half Mile Per Gallon. Most of the driving was done in ECO mode. You could drop those numbers even lower with a heavy foot and using the Sportmatic transmission.
Exterior styling includes an updated front fascia that has squared off fog lights as opposed to round ones from the 2013 model year. The outside mirrors are powered, heated and have turn signal indicators. The rear windows are equipped with privacy glass. The 2014 also has a rear spoiler. Standard is the Panoramic Roof with Power sunshade. This gives you a mostly glass roof with privacy glass. The front half functions as a power sun roof and there is a power sunshade that will roll from the rear to the front. The roof allows a great view of the sky for all 3 rows of seating.
The 2014 KIA Sorento is loaded with safety features. They start with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) to keep your 18 inch tires properly inflated at all times. There is also Traction control and Electronic Stability Control to help keep you on the straight and narrow in inclement weather or going around corners. To help you stop when it is bad out, or you happen to have a small furry creature run out in front of you the Sorento has ABS Brakes. Should an accident occur, Kia has you covered with dual front airbags, front active head restraints and front seat mounted side airbags. Not to be forgotten, you passengers are also well protected with side curtain airbags. The 2014 Kia Sorento was given a 5 Star crash rating per safercar.gov. Both Frontal and Side impact ratings are 5 stars, with the Rollover rating being 4 stars. Other safety features are blind spot detection with visual alerts in the mirrors and audible alerts, and a backup camera to make sure there is nothing in your path when in reverse.
The Interior is feature packed and comfortable for most everyone inside. Both the driver and passenger seats leather and have both heat and ventilated cooling. They are also full power with the driver’s seat including lumber support and passenger getting 4 way power seats. Both seats heating and cooling have 3 level setting each. The second and third row seats are also leather. The driver’s seat is one of the most comfortable seats I’m had the pleasure of putting my behind in. With long distance driving there was no fatigue or adjusting due to becoming uncomfortable. Only downside to the 3rd row seating is that space in limited and makes it very difficult for all but younger children to get in.
The 2014 Sorento features dual climate controls to keep both the driver and passenger comfortable during your journey’s. The settings allow you to set and exact temp. If you are by yourself or have both the driver and passenger agree on the temperature, you can set the auto function that will monitor the temp and adjust the speed and location that the air is coming from. For the rear passengers, there are vents in the B pillars.
One of the nice features from Kia in the Sorento is the “virtual” Speedometer. This is a totally digital speedometer that shows all of your setting and features in the center of it. There are even options to change the size of the speed numbers. In the center you can show everything from that you are streaming bluetooth, to your navigation directions.
To keep you and your family occupied during long trips, the EX model features an Infinity Sound System paired to an 8 inch touch screen that includes AM/FM/CD/SAT radio/Bluetooth . The SAT radio comes with a free 3 month subscription. You can control all of the radio functions from the leather wrapped steering wheel. With the Bluetooth function, you can connect your phone or tablet to listen to music or movies from your device through the cars Infinity Speakers. If you happen to have a non-bluetooth device or just don’t want to sync another device to your radio there is also a USB jack and 3.5mm Aux in to listen to music from pretty much any device. Kia also offers a jack to connect your iPad/iPod/iPhone to give you a direct connection with your device and charge it all from the same plug. You can also make hands free calls with just the touch of a button on the steering wheel. Hands free-calling sound is also some of the clearest of the cars tested. To keep you on the right track, the 8 inch screen has full nav with voice directions. You can manually adjust the volume of the voice navigation separate from the music you are listening too.
The touch screen also includes UVO eServices that gives you and in-depth look into your cars health, your safety, and your location. These services are able to connect you with help with just a touch of a button where it be the Kia roadside assistance or 911. The car will also remind you of upcoming scheduled maintenance and with run vehicle diagnostics for times when you may have a check engine light on. With a connected phone, you can also easily find the location of your car should you forget where you parked at the mall parking lot. The system also gives you the options to control your music via voice commands.
The included warranty provided by Kia is 10 year/100,000 mile Limited Powertrain, 5 year/60,000 Limited Basic Warranty, and a 5 Year/60,000 mile Roadside Assistance.
MSRP for the 2014 Kia Sorento EX AWD is $37,700 with a price as tested at $36,550 that includes the upgraded Touring Package and freight and handling.
