2019 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 2019 Kia Sorento gets a refresh. Models with a 290-horsepower 3.3-liter V6 engine have a new 8-speed automatic transmission to the replace the previous 6-speed auto. The turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder has been dropped and the base 185-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder gets a revised 6-speed automatic. Styling has been tweaked and a driver-attention monitor and lane-keep assist are new safety features. Kia’s crossover midsize SUV has seating for seven with a standard 3rd-row seat. Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is offered for all models except L 2.4. 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. Other available features include heated/ventilated front seats, panoramic sunroof, and surround-sound audio system. 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.