2019 Kia Sorento First Drive Review

The mid-size SUV gains significant tweaks ahead of a full redesign. And say good-bye to the turbo.

Lake Rosseau, Ont. — Kia’s 7-seater gets a late-cycle refresh ahead of an upcoming full redesign. In the meantime, the 2019 Sorento mid-size SUV drops the turbo, soldiering on with just the four & the V6, paired with a new 8-sped transmission. So Kia’s crossover doesn’t get a full redesign this year, but the significant tweaks keep it relevant for families looking to haul the whole clan. But if you’re shopping for something smaller, there’s the all-new Kia Niro EV subcompact SUV available in hybrid, hybrid plug-in, and now all-electric models.

2019 Kia Sorento parked outside by the lake
2019 Kia Sorento. Photo: Kelly Taylor

2019 Kia Sorento Trims and Price

The available trims across North America are different. Here are the variations, including MSRP, excluding fees/charges, for both the United States and Canada.

United States:

  • L – $25,990
  • LX – $27,490
  • LX V6 – $31,290
  • EX V6 – $35,590
  • SX – $39,990
  • SX LIMITED – $44,690

Canada:

  • LX FWD – $27,995
  • LX – $30,295
  • LX V6 – $34,795
  • EX – $38,365
  • EX PREMIUM – $40,865
  • SX – $44,865
  • SXL – $48,865
2019 Kia Sorento driving fast on the street
2019 Kia Sorento. Photo: Kia

2019 Kia Sorento Performance: No More Turbo

Engine Options2.4L 4-cylinder, 3.3L V6
Horsepower185 to 290 hp
Torque178 to 252 lb-ft
Transmission6-speed automatic, 8-speed automatic (V6)
Drivetrain OptionsFront-wheel drive, all-wheel drive
Towing Capacity (Max)Up to 5,000 lbs (V6)

The turbo is dead. That may be the most noticeable difference between the 2018 and 2019 Kia Sorento.

For many manufacturers these days, adding power means slapping on a turbo, not an extra pair of cylinders, but Kia, which until 2018 offered three engine choices — 2.4-litre four, 2.0-litre turbo, and 3.3-litre V6 — is going the other direction, dropping the turbo and soldiering on with just the four and the V6.

“We’ve always had the V6, and if you’re talking fuel economy and emissions, a turbo is probably not the way to go,” said Ted Lancaster, vice president of Kia Canada. “What do you do when you have a turbo? You put your foot in it because you want to get that turbo going.”

Add to that a 60 percent take rate on the V6, “and there was just not a need to maintain a turbo.”

This isn’t a vehicle to just get to and from work. This is a vehicle for people to get off their asses and have fun.

It’s not the only change, as 2019 gets what Kia calls a late-cycle refresh. Lancaster said the new model is about a year away, but the advent of new Kia tech, including the next generation of UVO, including internet-based remote features, LED lighting, and a new transmission, meant the company wanted to get them into production right away.

2019 Kia Sorento SXL V6 rear view parked on road
2019 Kia Sorento SXL V6. Photo: Kia

Looking like he was about to go hiking — with a backpack, camera, Tilley hat, shorts, and untucked short-sleeve shirt, Lancaster wanted to set the tone early.

“This isn’t a vehicle to just get to and from work,” he said. “This is a vehicle for people to get off their asses and have fun.”

Such is the reality of automotive marketing: present to your customers how they want to be perceived, not necessarily as they are. At a time when obesity is still a leading health concern, carmakers still seem to think there’s a huge populace just waiting to be active. Whatever. It works, and so does the Sorento.

2019 Kia Sorento SXL V6 driving past a house
2019 Kia Sorento SXL V6. Photo: Kia

2019 Sorento Power & Handling

Smooth engines, even if the four isn’t overwhelmingly powerful, all-wheel drive and a 5,000-pound tow rating (for V6 models), and its slightly bigger size gives the Sorento a considerable edge on its key competitors Toyota RAV-4, Honda CR-V or Mazda CX-5. Of those, the CX-5 comes closest at 2,000 pounds.

Ryan Yu, product planning manager for Sorento in Canada, said a number of improvements include tuning the electric power steering system for a better response and better feedback. In addition, for perhaps the best feedback, the SX models have the power-steering motor mounted on the steering rack instead of the steering column. 

Such a change was evident during our drive from Toronto’s airport to the Muskoka region. The steering response and on-centre feel were both noticeably improved from the previous model.

2019 Kia Sorento review exterior white
In Normal and particularly Eco — which Kia says can save 10 percent in fuel when driven correctly — it’s a bit slow to downshift when the throttle is poked. Photo: Kelly Taylor

New 8-speed Transmission

The new eight-speed transmission for V-6 engines works very well, but on twisty roads, it is helped immeasurably by selecting Sport mode, which holds upshifts a little later and hastens downshifts when needed. In Normal and particularly Eco — which Kia says can save 10 percent in fuel when driven correctly — it’s a bit slow to downshift when the throttle is poked.

2019 Kia Sorento Exterior Redesign

As well, LEDs come in a variety of places on all models of the Sorento, with LEDs also appearing in the headlights of SX and higher models. LEDs are the daytime running lights and positioning lights on all models, as well as the taillights of higher models. 

A few tweaks to the front fascia and rear fascia streamline the look a bit, too, including new fog lights that look a bit like four ice cubes comprise the lights on each side.

Kia let slip that the next model, the full redesign, will include a head-up display on higher-end models. Odd, since carmakers are often loath to discuss future products. I won’t tell them I told you if you won’t.

2019 Kia Sorento review interior
Since the Sorento is smaller than a midsize and only a bit bigger than a compact, the third row probably won’t get much use except when absolutely needed. It’s a bit tight. Second-row legroom is competitive between the RAV-4 and CR-V. Photo: Kelly Taylor

2019 Kia Sorento Interior

New also for 2019 is the ability to get three rows of seats even with the smaller engine. Not sure I’d want to load it up that much with only 185 horsepower on tap, but in a pinch. You can also get all-wheel drive with the 2.4, too.

The 3.3-litre V6 comes standard with three rows of seats, which might be too bad. I think I’d prefer a third-row delete option and gain the extra hidden storage space instead. If you do get a three-row model, the folks sitting it get control of their heating and ventilation as standard equipment.

Since the Sorento is smaller than a midsize and only a bit bigger than a compact, the third row probably won’t get much use except when absolutely needed. It’s a bit tight. Second-row legroom is competitive between the RAV-4 and CR-V.

Nifty pull handles allow you to fold the second row from the tailgate, and the cargo cover has its own stowage location under the cargo floor. When it’s not being used, it’s not getting in the way or being left in the garage.

2019 Kia Sorento interior centre stack
2019 Kia Sorento. Photo: Kia

2019 Kia Sorento Specs:

  • Engine: 2.4-litre normally aspirated four; 3.3-litre V6
  • Power: 185 hp @ 6,000 r.p.m. (2.4); 290 hp @ 6,400 r.p.m. (3.3)
  • Torque: 178 lb-ft. @ 4,000 r.p.m. (2.4); 252 lb-ft. @ 5,200 r.p.m.
  • Transmission: six-speed automatic, eight-speed automatic, optional
  • Brakes: four-wheel discs
  • Suspension: MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar (front); multilink with stabilizer bar (rear)
  • Fuel economy (l/100 km, city/highway): 10.7/8.2 (LX FWD); 11.2/9.0 (LX AWD); 12.5/9.7 (V-6 AWD).
  • Fuel economy (average, observed): 9.4 l/100km (V-6 AWD)
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Author:
Kelly Taylor
Kelly Taylor
Kelly Taylor has been writing about cars since 2000. His favourite ride has been the Audi R8 from Thunder Bay to Winnipeg, where he nearly traded the car for a Ford Ranger, a Greyhound Bus and the Blue Heron Gift Store in Kenora, Ont.