| Model year | 2011 |
| Make | Kia |
| Model | Sorento |
| Style | EX 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A) |
| Base MSRP | $27,990 |
| Options on test vehicle | Premium Package PK2 (includes roof rails; leather-trimmed seats; heated front seats; rearview back-up camera, panorama moonroof) although our pre-production unit was minus roof rails, leather seats and moonroof |
| As-tested MSRP | $30,690 |
| Drive type | Front-wheel drive |
| Engine type | Front-mounted transverse V6 |
| Displacement (cc/cu-in) | 3,470cc (212 cu-in) |
| Block/head material | Aluminum |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
| Compression ratio (x:1) | 10.6 |
| Redline (rpm) | 6,750 indicated |
| Horsepower (hp @ rpm) | 276 @ 6,300 |
| Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) | 248 @ 5,000 |
| Transmission type | Six-speed automatic |
| Transmission and axle ratios (x:1) | 1st = 4.651, 2nd = 2.831, 3rd = 1.842, 4th = 1.386, 5th = 1.000, 6th = 0.772, FD = 3.195, R = 3.393 |
| Suspension, front | Independent, MacPherson struts, coil springs and stabilizer bar |
| Suspension, rear | Independent, multilink, coil springs and stabilizer bar |
| Steering type | Hydraulic-assist rack-and-pinion power steering |
| Steering ratio (x:1) | 15.4:1 |
| Tire brand | Kumho |
| Tire model | Solus KL21 |
| Tire type | All-season |
| Tire size, front | 235/60R18 102H (33 psi) |
| Tire size, rear | 235/60R18 102H (33 psi) |
| Wheel size | 18-by-7 inches |
| Wheel material | Aluminum alloy |
| Brakes, front | 11.8-inch ventilated disc with single-piston sliding caliper |
| Brakes, rear | 11.9-inch solid disc with single-piston sliding caliper |
| 0-45 mph (sec.) | 4.8 |
| 0-60 mph (sec.) | 7.4 |
| 0-75 mph (sec.) | 10.8 |
| 1/4-mile (sec. @ mph) | 15.4 @ 91.4 |
| 0-60 with 1 foot of rollout (sec.) | 7.1 |
| Braking, 30-0 mph (ft.) | 30 |
| 60-0 mph (ft.) | 120 |
| Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) | 61.8 (60.3 ESP on) |
| Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) | 0.79 (0.73 ESP on) |
| Sound level @ idle (dB) | 34.1 |
| @ Full throttle (dB) | 66.9 |
| @ 70 mph cruise (dB) | 59.0 |
| Acceleration comments | As long as you avoid (when the stability control is disengaged) time-sapping wheelspin, the Sorento is very consistent. No dead spots, and the power trails off only a little nearing redline. Upshifts are smooth; engine/exhaust noise and vibration are well isolated. |
| Braking rating | Good |
| Braking comments | Some dive, but it's well damped and controlled (e.g. no bobbing). Straight and slightly noisy (tires and ABS pump). Little to no fade during braking runs, and only a little odor and soft-ish pedal after six acceleration runs. Good power and good fade resistance. |
| Handling rating | Good |
| Handling comments | Skid pad: With stability control disengaged, the inside front tire lifts, causing wheelspin and limiting its ability to put the power down. More body roll than I expected considering the otherwise firm springs. Slalom: Again, more body motion than expected, and the Sorento picks up its front wheels in the slalom, as well -- a little disconcerting. I managed to get it to work in this outta-shape condition, but I have no doubt that I pushed it beyond its intended limit. Steering is direct and a little heavy-for-heavy sake, too. With stability control engaged, all tires maintained contact with terra firma, but the system is a little heavy-handed with brake and throttle manipulation. |
| Elevation (ft.) | 1,121 |
| Temperature (°F) | 59.1 |
| Wind (mph, direction) | 2.0-mph crosswind |
| EPA fuel economy (mpg) | 20 city/26 highway/22 combined |
| Edmunds observed (mpg) | 20 worst/21 best/21 average over 1,026 miles |
| Fuel tank capacity (U.S. gal.) | 18.0 |
| Curb weight, mfr. claim (lbs.) | 3,896 |
| Curb weight, as tested (lbs.) | 3,843 |
| Weight distribution, as tested, f/r (%) | 58/42 |
| Length (in.) | 183.9 |
| Width (in.) | 74.2 |
| Height (in.) | 67.3 |
| Wheelbase (in.) | 106.3 |
| Track, front (in.) | 63.7 |
| Track, rear (in.) | 63.8 |
| Turning circle (ft.) | 35.7 |
| Legroom, front (in.) | 41.3 |
| Legroom, rear (in.) | 37.6 |
| Legroom, 3rd row (in.) | 31.3 |
| Headroom, front (in.) | 39.2 |
| Headroom, rear (in.) | 39.2 |
| Headroom, 3rd row (in.) | 36.6 |
| Shoulder room, front (in.) | 59.3 |
| Shoulder room, rear (in.) | 58.7 |
| Shoulder room, 3rd row (in.) | 53.8 |
| Seating capacity | 7 |
| Cargo volume (cu-ft) | 9.1 (all seats occupied), 37.0 (third row stowed) |
| Max. cargo volume, seats folded (cu-ft) | 72.5 (second and third rows stowed) |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Powertrain | 10 years/100,000 miles |
| Corrosion | 5 years/100,000 miles |
| Roadside assistance | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Free scheduled maintenance | Not available |
| Front airbags | Standard |
| Side airbags | Standard dual front |
| Head airbags | Standard front and rear |
| Knee airbags | Not available |
| Antilock brakes | Four-wheel ABS |
| Electronic brake enhancements | Braking assist, electronic brakeforce distribution, hill-start assist, downhill brake control |
| Traction control | Standard |
| Stability control | Standard |
| Rollover protection | Not available |
| Tire-pressure monitoring system | Standard |
| Emergency assistance system | Not available |
| NHTSA crash test, driver | Not tested |
| NHTSA crash test, passenger | Not tested |
| NHTSA crash test, side front | Not tested |
| NHTSA crash test, side rear | Not tested |
| NHTSA rollover resistance | Not tested |
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