The Kia Sorento may have escaped your notice until now, but if you’re looking for a new family vehicle, you may want to search for a Kia Sorento for sale near you. While there are other family vehicles like minivans or compact SUVs, the Sorento is the best of both worlds, with enough room for the entire family and the comforts of a hi-tech SUV without being difficult to navigate in smaller spaces. With improvements and upgrades continually being made to the Kia lineup, the Sorento benefits from this regular checkup and remains one of the most popular models from the South Korean automotive company. Interested in what has changed? Take a peek at what makes the Sorento a perfect choice for your next family vehicle.
#1: Comfort, Space, and Cargo Options
The older Kia Sorentos only had seating for five, but the newer Sorentos come standard with seven seats, though if you need an extra, you can swap out the middle row’s captain’s chairs for a bench seat. The cabin is spacious enough so that everyone can stretch or wiggle, and the seats are comfortable enough for a quiet nap. If you have a smaller family, the back row can be folded down to provide even more storage space, which means you can bring all the camping equipment, tennis gear, and the cooler for those weekend getaways.
The newer Sorentos have ambient lighting, several small storage areas throughout the cabin, and enough cup holders for the entire family. You’ll enjoy the lower light and never need to dig for your phone under your seat again. The cloth upholstery is easy to clean, soft to the touch, and creates a chic interior to match the sleek exterior. The infotainment center is big enough that you won’t have to squint at the screen, and the digital gauge cluster will always provide you with the information you need while on the road. If you and yours are looking for a high-quality ride with plenty of space and seating, the Sorento should be at the top of your list.
#2: Fuel Economy and Multiple Engine Options
Now that many car companies have dedicated at least a portion of their development to more eco-friendly options, you don’t have to feel that bad about upgrading to an SUV. The newest Sorento is available with a variety of engines or as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid. Whether you’re worried about gas prices or just want to squeeze a few extra miles into the family holiday, you won’t have to dig any extra cash out of your pocket. Even if you go with the regular engine, the four-cylinder won’t drink up as much gas and still has enough power to make you feel like you’ve got the Sport version of an SUV.
The plug-in hybrid model gets around 79 MPGe, while the 2.5L four-cylinder gets an estimated 24 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway, which means you’ll have to stop less often and can get to where you want to be in less time. Our Kia Sorento had a four-cylinder engine, and we managed to get quite a few miles on it before having to stop at the pump. What we paid was less than other SUV owners, and we were happy to be able to worry less about finances and instead enjoy our time together as a family.
#3: Entertainment and Technology Features
If you’ve been part of a large family, you know that when you’re all shoved into a car together, you need some form of entertainment, personally or in a group, to keep yourselves from asking, “Are we there yet?” every fifteen minutes (or seconds, depending on the kid). Luckily, Kia has anticipated this need and has several intriguing options. If you’re more of an audiobook family, the twelve-speaker Bose stereo system might be worth an upgrade. Are your kids more interested in something visual? You can opt for a rear-seat entertainment system, which provides two touch screens on the backs of the front seats so that the kids can watch cartoons, YouTube videos, or whatever else their little hearts desire.
The front seats have an eight-inch infotainment center unless you want to shell out a bit more for the 10.25-inch screen, and there’s also an available wireless charging pad to quickly and easily charge up phones. I know how road trips are, especially with teenagers scrolling through TikTok, checking their Instagram feed, or taking Snapchat photos and videos to share with friends. Phone batteries are sucked dry, and then it’s back to complaining and making the trip (however long or short) feel like an eternity.
#4: Extra Protection and Safety Features
The “Baby On Board” bumper sticker can only do so much for you when the roads can be hazardous, even without any other vehicles nearby. Inclement weather, wild animals, and poor road conditions can all contribute to worrying about the safety of your family. Kia, however, has a multitude of standard safety features that offer not only extra protection but a helping hand (or eye) when things get stressful. There are plenty of airbags surrounding each family member in case of an accident. Front, side, overhead, and knee airbags are installed inside the Kia, and the pretensioner on the seatbelt puts the driver and passengers in the best position should the unthinkable happen.
With the Kia Drive Wise suite of driver assist technology, Kia ensures you are as safe as humanly possible whenever you get inside, put on your seatbelt, and start the car. Features include Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, and Lane Following Assist, all of which are helpful assets when navigating a crowded parking lot, a narrow lane, or an evening of sleet.
#5: It’s a Chic Family Option
I know this isn’t always the main consideration for many family drivers, but to some, having a good-looking car that can handle your needs makes a huge difference. Many people look at family-size vehicles and are unhappy with how they look. They need a big vehicle to chauffeur their family of five to school, work, and fun family places, but they also want something that looks stylish and fun, hence the decision to purchase a Kia Sorento.
If you don’t want to be stuck with a dumpy, cumbersome vehicle, the Sorento is an exceptional choice in the opposite direction. With its elegant lines, regal stature, and ability to tough it out on more than one terrain type, the Sorento is a standout and, as such, allows parents to have a vehicle that’s fun and family-oriented. Whether you’re a mom of three boys or a dad to four little girls, you’ll be glad you don’t have to wince when you look at your family hauler because it doesn’t look as cool as you want it to.
The Kia Sorento: Family Fun for All
Whether you’re looking to supplement your driving options or you’re in need of something that will seat the entire family because you’ve added one or two more, the Kia Sorento promises to be what you need. It’s comfortable, spacious, comes with more eco-friendly options than before, and has up-to-date technology when it comes to both entertainment and safety. If you’re looking to buy a vehicle that will last and be loved by the whole family, the Kia Sorento is the SUV for you.
