Retaining most of its features from the 2014 model, the 2015 Sorento->ke1321 makes its way to dealerships with just a few subtle upgrades to make it a more appealing option for customers looking to buy a midsize SUV->ke145. The interior and the engine optios of the Sorento received their upgrades last year, so there's really no need to ask for a complete refresh again. But there are some changes to the 2015, enough at least to make it distinguishable from its predecessor, and more importantly, make it more attractive, especially for young buyers. There really are a lot of things to like about the Sorento; it's got a nice design and it offers copious amounts of power that should make it a contender in its segment.

But the best part about Kia's->ke41 midsize SUV is its price. Whereas rival models are close to the $30,000 range for their V-6 trims, while the Sorento's V-6 starts at just a little over $26,000. That's value right there.

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2015 Kia Sorento

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Kia Sorento
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 191 @ 6300
  • Torque: 181 @ 4250
  • Transmission: six speed automatic transmission
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The overall look of the 2015 Sorento is largely similar to the 2014 mode, save for a few subtle additions. With the 2015 model, customers can now choose the finish on the SUV's mesh grille, be it just black or anodized silver metal. In addition to that, the new headlight setup now has LED technology with the option of upgrading to xenon HID headlights for the SX Limited trim. The option to move up to 19-inch wheels with matching red brake calipers also makes it into the 2014 options list.

Other than these minor tweaks, Kia's mid-life refresh of the 2015 Sorento doesn't light up our senses.

2015 Kia Sorento - Exterior Specifications

Trim

LX, VX

SX, LIMITED

Length (Inches)

184.4

184.6

Width (Inches)

74.2

74.2

Height (Inches)

66.9 (without roofrails)

66.9 (without roofrails)

Track (Front/Rear) inches

64.0/63.9

63.8/63.7

Whelbase (Inches)

106.3

106.3


Interior

The interior of the Sorento is one of the SUV's brightest spots, not because its loaded with technology, but because it has more than enough for a vehicle of its class. The huge panoramic sunroof is a nice addition, but its the small touches done on the cabin that really brings up its class.

Leather appointments on the seats and the transmission selector boot are as welcome as they are pleasantly surprising. The center console is neatly arranged and the buttons aren't too flimsy to the point that they clunk out as soon as you start using them. Even the LCD speedometer is a nice touch. While we're talking about nice touches, so are the retractable second-row window shades.

There's a lot to like about the interior of the Sorento but two things that Kia could have improved on are the passenger space and the cargo room. They're not that bad if you consider the market, but it would've been better if Kia had paid more attention to creating just a little bit room, especially for adults sitting in the back.

2015 Kia Sorento - Interior Specifications

Head Room: Front / 2nd / 3rd row (in)

39.2 / 39.2 / 35.7

Shoulder Room: Front / 2nd / 3rd row (in)

59.3 / 58.7 / 53.8

Leg Room: Front / 2nd / 3rd row (in)

41.3 / 38.8 / 31.7

Hip Room: Front / 2nd / 3rd row (in)

56.3 / 55.9 / 44.4

Total Passenger Volume (cu ft) 5-passenger / 7-passenger

144.1 / 151.4

Cargo volume: (cu ft) all rows down / 3rd row down / behind 3rd row

72.5 / 36.9 / 9.1


Drivetrain

Two engine options are offered for the 2015 Sorento, one of which is the 2.4-liter inline-four that produces a steady 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. Theose numbers are ok, but you'd do a lot better if you skipped that and just went straight to the 3.3-liter V-6 and its 290-horsepower and 252 pound-feet output.

Fuel economy is okay, as with front-wheel drive and the four-cylinder engine, the Sedona gets 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined. AWD drops the four-pout down to 19 mpg city, 25 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined. The FWV, V-6 model gets 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined, while the AWD, V-6 model gets 18 mpg, 24 mpg and 20 mpg, respctively.

2015 Kia Sorento - Drivetrain Specifications

Trim

Trim

LX

LX V6, EX, SX, Limited

2.4-Liter I-4

3.3-Liter V-6

Type

Electronically Controlled 6-Speed Automatic Overdrive with Sportmatic

Electronically Controlled 6-Speed Automatic Overdrive with Sportmatic

Transmission

191 @ 6,300

290 @ 6,400

Output (HP @ RPM)

181 @ 4,250

252 @ 5,200


Prices

The 2015 Sorento retails for $24,100 for the base price LX trim. Jump to the cheapest V-6 (the LX V6) and the price also increases to $26,500. But if you want the biggest and most expensive trim of the Sorento, the Limited is the way to go. You'll have to spend $39,900 on it, but it should still be money well spent.

Trim

Trim

Trim

$24,100

MSRP

$26,500

LX

$31,500

LX V6

$36,500

EX

$39,900


Competitors

Toyota Highlander

The new-generation 2014 Highlander offers a compelling rival for the Sorento. The fact that it just made its world debut at the 2013 New York International Auto Show adds to the compelling argument that it makes as a worthy rival to the Kia SUV. Unlike the 2015 Sorento, the new Highlander actually received a series of new features, including an updated exterior look, a refined, premium interior and a new six-speed automatic with sequential shift offered for the V-6 models.

The 2014 Highlander is also offered with a choice of multiple engines options, including a pair of gasoline units and one hybrid powerplant. The model targeting the 2014 Santa Fe is the one powered by a 3.5 liter V-6 engine that delivers a total of 270 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque.

Pricing for the Highlander begins at $29,215 for the standard version and goes all the way up to $47,300 for the hybrid version.

Hyundai Santa Fe

No mention of the Kia Sorento is complete without also mentioning its biggest competitor from its homeland, the Hyundai Santa Fe.

The redesigned Santa Fe looks a little better to the eye than the Sorento, an advantage that could play well into the hands of the Hyundai SUV. It also features a pretty snazzy interior that goes a long way in increasing its luxury credentials. Spacious, tech-savvy, and a huge sun roof. Those are all included in the 2014 Santa Fe.

Under its hood, the Santa Fe only comes in one engine, which could dampen its chances against a Sorento that has more than one engine offering. That being said, the former's 3.3-liter V-6 engine is pretty wonky, capable of producing 290 horsepower and 252 pound-feet of torque, exactly the same one found on the 2015 Sorento -- of course, they are the same engine, so no surprises here..

For all the similarities between the two models, the Santa Fe is a little more expensive at around $28,500.

Conclusion

The Kia Sorento is big on a lot of things, making it one of the most versatile and well-equipped midsize SUVs on the market. It still has its drawbacks, including space for the rear passengers. But if you can let that small detail go, the positives you get from the Sorento far outweigh the negatives.