2011 KIA Sorento Stronger Body And Performance

The new-generation 2011 KIA Sorento is the fruit of a radical redesign: this crossover utility vehicle has gone from rear-wheel drive and a body-on-frame design to a front-wheel-drive and unibody construction. The Sorento now shares the same platform as the Hyundai Santa Fe, with LX and EX trim lines, which are also available in four-wheel-drive. Inside, there�s room for five to seven people, depending on the trim line. Standard equipment is quite generous, and includes air conditioning, heated mirrors and seats, a tilt-and-telescoping steering column, front wiper defroster, Bluetooth connectivity, a trip computer, and more. The top-line EX Luxury version adds such conveniences as leather seats and electric controls (for the driver), reversing camera, and dual-zone automatic climate control.

2011 KIA Sorento

Under the hood, two different power plants are available: the 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine puts out 175 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque, while the 3.5-litre V6 is good for 276 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque. Both engines are paired with a new six-speed automatic transmission, the distinguishing feature of which is its ability to shift itself into neutral when the vehicle comes to a stop (e.g., at a traffic light), easing the load on the engine and in turn improving fuel economy.

2011 KIA Sorento

Only the four-cylinder Sorento comes with optional six-speed manual transmission, and this version is two-wheel drive only. For normal driving situations, the torque-on-demand all-wheel drive system is split 95/5 front-to-rear. If front wheel spin is detected, up to 50% of torque is distributed to the rear. The driver also has a 50/50 lock option; the system shifts back to automatic mode once the vehicle reaches 30 km/h.

The 2011 KIA Sorento is equipped with four-wheel independent suspension MacPhersonstrut up front; multi-link in the rear. It features 17-inch (235/65R17l) or 18-inch alloy wheels (235/60R18). Hill Start Assist Control, which keeps the vehicle from rolling backward on an incline, and Downhill Brake Control, which ensures a straight and steady trajectory down steep grades, are standard on all models. All four wheels feature anti-lock disc brakes. On the safety front, the Sorento has six airbags, active headrests on the front seats, Electronic Stability Control, and a hood that crumples, protecting a pedestrian in case of a collision, among other features.

2011 KIA Sorento

The new 2011 KIA Sorento is being built in a recently inaugurated, state-of-the-art plant that cost a whopping $1 billion US and is designed to help Kia reach the Hyundai Motor Company�s global quality objective, dubbed GQ 3355. The aim is to become one of the top three automakers as measured by actual product quality within three years, and achieve a top-five ranking for perceived quality within five years.

2011 KIA Sorento Interior

Driving the silky-smooth roads of Georgia, we were able to appreciate the Sorento�s superior roadability, comfortable seats and efficient soundproofing. Of course, the V6 is more muscular, but the four-cylinder version is a good fit for drivers who don�t place aggressive performance at the top of their priority list. The base-model Sorento is priced at $23,998, and the luxury version sells for $39,195.

The 2011 Sorento, the first vehicle to roll off the line at Kia�s new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia*, encompasses both the brand�s signature design cues as well as its distinct combination of value, safety and style. The 2011 Sorento, which has been Kia�s best-selling vehicle each month since going on sale in early January, offers consumers a well-equipped, wellappointed CUV, suited perfectly for the fun, dynamic and discerning driver. Available in LX, EX and SX trim levels, the 2011 Sorento features a starting MSRP of $22,3954.