"The 2017 Kia Sorento is one of our top-ranked used midsize SUVs." - Cars.USnews

Priced between a range of $25,600 for the basic L trim and up to $45,900 for the Limited trim, the 2017 Kia Sorento offers five trims. The Trims are L, LX, SX, EX, and Limited. All five trims offer a drivetrain choice of AWD or FWD, except for the L trim that is offered only with an FWD configuration.

The features offered in each trim improves as you climb the trim ladder and pay a higher price that closes in at $45,900 for the Limited trim, it comes with all top-end specs, features, and configurations. The Mid-range trims come with decent features such as a sound-reducing windshield and cabin, rapid-charging USB ports, and more. some features that the high-end trims get are fog lights, leather and wood-trimmed steering wheel, heated seats at the second row, and more.

We Recommend

Of the 5 trims and 13 configurations available, we would recommend you to go in for the LX trim. Comes priced at $26,900 and offers performance specs and comfort features, enough to meet the needs of one seeking them.

"Offering no fewer than three engines, the Sorento maintains a presence on the value-oriented end of the spectrum with its base 2.4-liter four-cylinder." - Edmunds

Engine and Transmission of the 2017 Kia Sorento

Across the five trims that the 2017 Kia Sorento offers it has three engine configurations to choose from, it comes priced between $25,600-$45,900. A 2.0L turbo engine with a power generation of 240 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Secondly, a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine generates 185 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque. And lastly, a 3.3L 6-cylinder engine that is capable of putting out 290hp and 252 lb-ft of torque.

In comparison to its competition, the Kia Sorento ranks second after the 2017 Toyota Highlander, which generates 295 HP and 263 lb-ft of torque. Despite its higher power output, the Toyota is priced lower than the Sorento, at $32,680.

Acceleration of the 2017 Kia Sorento

Moving on to the acceleration aspect, the 2017 Kia Sorento goes from 0 to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds. This record is shared with the 2017 Ford explorer. However, when it comes to driving experience the latter is better.

The Chevrolet Traverse ranks in the second position and loses by a split second, recording 6.7 seconds for it to go from 0-60 mph. The 2017 Toyota highlander comes last in terms of acceleration as it measures 7 seconds for the 0-60 mph sprint.

Ride and Handling of the 2017 Kia Sorento

All 3 engine offerings of the 2017 Kia Sorento deliver a decent amount of power and torque. Moreover, they all come with drivetrain options to choose from. It goes without saying that the AWD drivetrain would be suitable for a car such as the Sorrento, especially when it goes through hilly terrain, slush, and snow. Additionally, the Sorento has a firm build and superior suspension that enhances the drive experience along with its power steering integrated with soft brakes that are extremely efficient.

Braking of the 2017 Kia Sorento

Weighing 3968 pounds, the 2017 Kia Sorento is the lightest in its class. This adds to its advantage in the aspect of brake performance, and the advantage is clearly visible as it takes just 120 feet to come to a standstill from 60 mph.

Against its competition, the Kia Sorento is the best in class, despite it being equipped with the smallest rotors in class. The 2017 Toyota Highlander comes to a stop in 126 feet and ranks second, it is followed by the Ford Explorer with a record of 127 feet and the Chevrolet Traverse takes 135 feet for the same.

"The base Sorento’s 185-horsepower four-cylinder engine has an EPA rating of 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, which are good numbers for the class." - Cars.USnews

In the aspect of fuel efficiency, the 2017 Kia Sorento delivers an average gas mileage. It runs 18 miles in the city per gallon, 25 miles to a gallon on the highway, and a combined reading of 20 miles per gallon.

As compared to its competition we have the Toyota highlander with the highest gas mileage in class. It delivers 20 miles to a gallon in the city, 26 miles to a gallon for highway cruises, and a combined reading of 22 miles to a gallon.

 "The front-row and 2nd-row seats are comfortable, but the third row is reserved for the smallest of adults and children."- KBB

Seating and Comfort of the 2017 Kia Sorento

The 2017 Kia Sorento can accommodate 7 individuals just as its competitor the 2017 Ford explorer does. The cabin space offered is average for its segment, but Kia does deliver in terms of interior features offered. The other two competitors can accommodate 8 individuals each.

The competitors offer a more spacious passenger cabin. The 2017 Ford Explorer offers the best in class, the headroom of which measures 41.4 cubic feet for the front row, 61.5 cubic feet for its front shoulder space, and 42.9 as its front foot room.

Infotainment System of the 2017 Kia Sorento

A voice-command enabled 4.3-inch touch screen display is the access point to the infotainment system in the 2017 Kia Sorento. Sorento also gets a 6-speaker stereo sound system with Bluetooth and Sirius XM Satellite radio as standard. The high-end trims also offer Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as a standard feature along with an 8-inch infotainment system screen.

Interior Features of the 2017 Kia Sorento

Looking inside the 2017 Kia Sorento, it has various features to offer that are listed as follows:

• Steering mounted cruise control buttons
• Drive mode selector control
• Fuel efficiency indicator
• One-touch power windows
• Centre console with armrest
• Front and rear door bottle holders
• Dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors
• 2^nd-row adjustable headrests
• Height adjustable front-seat anchors

Cargo Capacity of the 2017 Kia Sorento

The 2017 Kia Sorento offers a standard cargo room of 11.3 cubic feet. This is probably the least in class. With the third row of seats folded down, you get 38.0 cubic feet of space. At a maximum, the 2017 Kia Sorento can offer you a cargo space of 73.0 cubic feet, but it can only seat 2 people when it offers this space.

When compared with its competition, the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse offers the maximum cargo room of 116.3 cubic feet. Its standard offering is 24.4 cubic feet. The 2017 Toyota Highlander offers a maximum capacity of 83.7 cubic feet and ranks second for the same. The 2017 Ford Explorer and the 2017 Kia Sorento rank subsequently in that order.

"Is this Sorento the best-looking SUV in its class? Maybe. We like the blunt nose, and Kia's "tiger nose" grille treatment looks exceptionally good here." - KBB

Dimension and Weight of the 2017 Kia Sorento

The 2017 Kia Sorento measures 187.4 inches in length, 74.4 inches in width, and 66.3 inches in height. After analyzing the dimensions of the rivaling SUVs, the Sorento is found to be the smallest of them all. It is clearly also the lightest SUV in class and this adds a lot of advantage to it.

The ground clearance offered by the Sorento is 7.3 inches, it is only better than the Chevrolet Traverse and that too with a margin of just 0.1 inches. Traverse on the other hand has 118.9 inches as its wheelbase and this gives it wonderful drives, especially on highways.

Exterior Features of the 2017 Kia Sorento

Some exciting exterior features of the 2017 Kia Sorento are:

• Chrome tip exhaust and door handles
• Heated side-view mirrors with turn signal indicators
• Liftgate rear cargo door
• Trailer hitch
• Rear spoiler

"The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named the 2017 Sorento a Top Safety Pick." - Cars.USnews

The 2017 Kia Sorento scored an impressive 5 stars in the NHTSA safety rating tests, apart from a four-star rating in the rollover aspect, Sorrento scored five stars in everything else. In the IIHS safety ratings, the 2017 Sorento delivers average performance. It scores"Acceptable" for the front passenger-side safety. "Superior" for its front crash prevention, "Good" for the other aspects.

The 2017 Kia Sorento offers several safety features, some of the basic ones are:

• Dual front airbags, 
• Curtain airbags in the first two rows, Side-impact door beams, 
• Child door locks, 
• Rollover sensors, 
• Traction control,
• Brake assist 
• Hill-start assist system

2017 Kia Sorento vs 2017 Toyota Highlander

Up against the 2017 Toyota Highlander that comes at a price of $32,680 and features a more powerful 3.5-liter V6, the Kia Sorento falls short by 5hp. However, it is the Kia Sorento that proves to be better in terms of acceleration and brake performance. However, in the aspects of fuel efficiency, interior room, cargo space, and pricing, it is the Toyota Highlander that outperforms the Kia Sorento.

2017 Kia Sorento vs 2017 Ford Explorer

The 2017 Ford Explorer is priced at $31,160, lower than the Kia Sorento. Both the cars have similar engine outputs despite the fact that the Explorer comes with a larger engine even in terms of fuel efficiency both are identical while the Kia has an advantage in terms of the interiors, exteriors, and premium features offered.

2017 Kia Sorento vs 2017 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2017 Chevrolet Traverse is priced almost five grand less than the Kia Sorento and yet makes a capable competitor against it. While the Kia Sorento outperforms it in terms of performance braking and fuel efficiency The story goes upside down when we talk about the vehicle dimensions, interior room, and cargo space available.

With sufficient power and fine acceleration performance to its name, we do find the 2017 Kia Sorento priced a little above its competitors, and we do feel it is worth it. It delivers phenomenal brak performance has average fuel efficiency and offers extremely comforting interior, pretty much nothing to complain about.