2018 Kia Sorento

Pros: Well-designed control layout and infotainment features; quiet cabin; good 2nd-row room; comfortable ride

Cons: Cramped, hard-to-access 3rd-row seats; pricey option packages drive up prices in a hurry; base 4-cylinder engine strains to provide adequate performance

CG Says: The 2018 Kia Sorento has only minor changes. All models get upgraded headlights and improved headrests. The base L 2.4 now has a standard rearview camera. Kia’s crossover midsize SUV seats five or seven when equipped with the available 3rd-row seat. The base engine is a 185-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder. A 240-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine powers 2.0T models. A 290-hp 3.3-liter V6 tops the engine range. All engines are mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive is offered for all models. Available safety features include forward-collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot- and cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera. Sorento is refined SUV with a spacious 2nd-row seat. It also has several well-executed available technology features, such as an excellent 360-degree camera system. However, choosing lots of options and/or higher trim levels pushes up the bottom line to sobering levels. Sorento is a worthy competitor to class rivals such as the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot.