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New Car Reviews

Kia Motors has been a leader in the automotive market when it comes to value and warranty, but its vehicles have always looked the part of affordable, economical transportation. Starting with the 2010 Kia Soul, the South Korean automaker is finally starting to incorporate inspiring, attractive designs into its new vehicles which appears to be an ongoing trend. Kia followed up the Soul with the stylish Kia Forte sedan and Kia Forte Koup, and its new design language is now moving into the more lucrative midsize crossover segment with the 2011 Kia Sorento. While the Soul and Forte are both new names to Kia, it decided to keep the Sorento name due to the ruggedness of the previous model, but as a sign of the major overhaul, there will be no 2010 model Sorento (the current 2009 model is pictured far right).

Set to hit dealership showrooms in January 2010, the second-generation Kia Sorento will go up against popular crossovers ranging from the five-passenger Chevrolet Equinox, Nissan Murano and Ford Edge up to seven-passenger crossovers like the Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot and Dodge Journey. The all-new Kia Sorento will come in three trim levels (LX, EX and EX V-6), but Kia hasn’t announced official pricing yet. According to Kia’s vice president of marketing, Michael Sprague, the 2011 Sorento’s expected volume seller will be the five-passenger Sorento LX FWD, and while the starting MSRP has yet to be announced, he said that the base LX will start under $20,000 while a fully loaded EX V-6 will break into the $30,000 range. From the refreshingly attractive styling of the interior and exterior up the factory where it’s built, the only thing that this new crossover carries over from its predecessor is the Sorento nameplate.

2011 Kia Sorento Exterior

While the face of the first Sorento was seemingly inspired by the popular first-generation Lexus RX, the 2011 Kia Sorento uses Kia’s signature grille and headlight treatment that debuted on the Kia Soul and Kia Forte. Not to say that the exterior styling is any less “play-it-safe” than the previous Sorento, but the bold new face, the larger greenhouse and the bigger overall size help give it a more athletic stance to stand apart from the numerous cookie-cutter crossovers that are currently on the market. Like the first-generation Sorento, all 2011 Sorento models continue to use gray plastic cladding around the lower edges for a more rugged appearance, but the texturing, coloring and styling of the lower plastic adds a more upscale look. One of the design elements I liked the most on the 2011 Kia Sorento was the beveled edges around the greenhouse, taillights and rear liftgate window to help give the overall design more depth.

Despite its bigger size, the 2011 Kia Sorento has less ground clearance and worse approach and departure angles than its predecessor, which were most likely key changes needed to add the third-row bench seat. Ground clearance drops an inch to 7.2 inches allowing for easier ingress and egress, while the 25.1 degree approach angle and 23.1 departure angle mean that the Sorento’s off-roading abilities will be somewhat less than the outgoing model, but still relatively on par for this segment.

2011 Kia Sorento Interior

As much as the exterior gives the Sorento a look that is more upscale, it is the style, quality and materials used inside the cabin that will help make it a major player in the crossover market. With a stylish layout and surprising standard equipment, the new Kia Sorento delivers an elegant and comfortable atmosphere that is refreshing for a vehicle with a sub-$20,000 starting MSRP. Three different interior trims will be available from the mesh-like cloth in the Sorento LX to the two-tone leatherette in the EX, but my favorite was the optional perforated leather seats available on the EX. The model I drove had the optional leather seats in a dark gray hue with subtle accents from the dark wood grain on the instrument panel and door panels. Attention to detail was apparent inside the new Sorento as every surface intersected with surprising fit and finish. High-end options such as GPS navigation and a panoramic sunroof are also available on the new Sorento.

New for 2011, the Kia Sorento joins the growing list of seven-passenger crossovers with the three-row configuration standard on the EX V-6 and optional on the lesser trim levels. While the small third row will likely appeal to families with small kids that can fit in the confining rearmost seat, all Sorento owners will appreciate the impressive cargo capacities of this crossover. With all three rows in place, the Sorento can accommodate 9.1 cubic feet of cargo, but without the third row in place, cargo capacity improves to 37 cubic feet. Fold both rear rows down and the Sorento can swallow up to 72.5 cubic feet. If more space is needed, the Sorento has the optional availability of roof racks as well as a towing capacity that maxes out at 3,500 pounds.

2011 Kia Sorento Performance & Handling

Although two engines will still be available on the 2011 Sorento, the range between the two will now be broader including the addition of a four-cylinder which has been a glaring omission in previous Sorento model years. The Sorento LX and EX will come base with 2.4-liter inline-4 that produces 172 horsepower and 166 lb-ft of torque, while the Sorento EX V-6 uses a 3.5-liter V-6 that puts out 273 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. Despite a gain of 11 horsepower compared to the current Sorento, the new engine will offer impressive EPA fuel economy estimates of up to 20 miles per gallon in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, while the inline-4 gets up to 21 miles per gallon in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

While the first-generation Sorento was a true SUV with a body-on-frame design, the all-new Sorento aims for a more refined ride with a unibody layout and four-wheel independent suspension. On the first leg of the trip, I drove a base Sorento LX FWD, and on the return trip I drove a fully loaded EX V-6 AWD. When it comes to the new Sorento’s powertrain, the biggest complaint I had was the amount of noise coming from the V-6 when accelerating. Generally speaking, the four-cylinder engine is usually the loudest and roughest engine option in toady’s cars, but the Sorento surprisingly bucks that trend as this powerful, fuel-efficient engine just seems overworked at times. As for the Sorento’s handling, the switch to unibody results in a smoother, more confident driving dynamic. The whole day was spent driving through steady rain, and both models felt stable in navigating the slick roads. All 2011 Kia Sorento models come standard with electronic stability control and four-wheel disc brakes with ABS so they both handled quite well in slick conditions. Other standard safety features include hill start assist control, downhill brake control, electronic brake distribution, six airbags and active front head restraints.

2011 Kia Sorento Production

Not only will the 2011 Kia Sorento continue to offer impressive value and efficiency, but it is now built in a new factory in West Point, Ga. giving it the status of “Made in the U.S.A.” In addition to the assembly taking place in Georgia, the Kia-designed six-speed automatic are also produced in the state while the engines are produced nearby in Alabama. With the site announced in March 2006 and the first units rolling off the assembly line in November 2009, the factory is just 80 miles from Hyundai’s Montgomery, Ala. plant allowing the two sister companies to save money by sharing suppliers. The 2,200 acre site will have the ability to produce 300,000 units annually, and every unit will be tested on a two-mile test track which is also located on the site. Looking ahead to the future, Kia’s new facility has the capacity and flexibility to produce up to three separate models, and Kia is looking at two other models to join the 2011 Sorento’s production line.

Summary

Call it luck, good timing or plain old-fashioned skill, but Kia Motors has put itself in a position to be one of the most successful automakers in 2009 thanks to a great warranty, excellent value and stylish new vehicle designs. Redesigned for 2011 and assembled in a brand new plant here in the United States, the all-new Kia Sorento should appeal to just about any consumer who bases a new car purchase on reliability, versatility, styling, luxury or American-made. Not only will the 2011 Kia Sorento help Kia continue to build its market share in North America, but it will also help improve the automaker’s image in the eyes of consumers.

Select photos via Kia Motors
Lodging, travel and vehicles provided by Kia Motors.

Since the luxury crossover segment was created back in 1998, it has been divided into two categories of vehicles: the Lexus RX and everything else. For Cadillac, the first-generation SRX helped bring the luxury automaker into the crossover segment, but with its bland, station wagon styling, it never amounted to much competition for the dominant Lexus RX. With its all-new 2010 SRX, Cadillac finally has a vehicle that matches, and even surpasses in some regards, the Lexus when it comes to luxury, technology and sportiness.

Having introduced the segment and continuing to be a segment benchmark, the Lexus RX has the biggest target on it, but competition for the 2010 Cadillac SRX continues to expand with vehicles such as the Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class and Infiniti EX all sprouting up since the SRX’s 2004 introduction. While the 2004-2009 SRX was assembled in Lansing, Michigan, the second-generation model is now produced in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico where the Saturn VUE was built. Available in four trim levels (base, luxury, performance and premium), one of the biggest advantages the 2010 Cadillac SRX has over the Lexus RX is a starting MSRP that is almost $4,000 lower than the RX starting at $33,330. The model I tested was the all-wheel drive Performance SRX that has a base MSRP of $44,995, but the optional features and destination charge bumped the final as-tested price up to $47,115.

2010 Cadillac SRX Exterior

While the original SRX resembled a tall station wagon, the 2010 Cadillac SRX finally gets a more ideal crossover design which was inspired by the 2008 Cadillac Provoq Concept. Replacing the slab-sided, straight-edged first-generation design, the 2010 model gets a more attractive design thanks to its swept roofline, wide stance and angular body creases and beltline. Although the new SRX has a shorter length and wheelbase than its predecessor, it is almost three inches wider giving it an athletic stance similar to the Infiniti FX. Using many elements of Cadillac’s Art & Science design language, the 2010 Cadillac SRX has a more modern look than the previous SRX, but one of the best aspects of the luxury crossover is a nod to historical Caddy models: tailfins. Like the CTS, the SRX has vertical headlights and taillights, but the trailing edge of the tall taillights extends back from the sheet metal creating small, noticeable tailfins that pays homage to past Cadillac models including the iconic 1959 Cadillac Eldorado. In addition to adaptive, high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps and LED taillights, both also use Cadillac’s stylish light pipe technology for a more unique look. Completing its modern look, this Cadillac SRX came in a dark Imperial Blue with 20-inch, seven-spoke alloy wheels and tasteful amounts of chrome surrounding the exterior.

2010 Cadillac SRX Interior

As is the case with any luxury vehicle, the SRX features a cabin that is filled with soft-touch materials and is laid out in an elegant and attractive manor. While the angular center stack and pop-up navigation display may seem like the obvious high points of the cabin, it’s the small details and surprising standard equipment that end up garnering the most attention. Finely detailed, hand-sewn leather coverings are found all throughout the interior including the instrument panel, door panels and steering wheel, while wood and faux aluminum trim accent most of the interior. The instrument gauge cluster also features some unique elements that include jewel-like inserts at the top of the speedometer pod that glow green with the turn signals, a blue-backlit multifunction display within the speedometer gauge that shows information such as local speed limits, navigation directions and vehicle speed. My only complaint about the interior of the Cadillac SRX is the lack of a high-tech interface system (such as Audi’s MMI, Lexus’ Remote Touch Control and Mercedes-Benz’s COMAND) despite the fact that GM’s touch-screen navigation screen may feature one of the clearest displays and is one of the easiest to use in the industry.

The new SRX may be considerably smaller than its predecessor, but the fact that it switches from a seven-passenger layout to a five-passenger layout helps to open up space inside the cabin. Rear legroom is smaller than the RX and even the previous model, but the 2010 SRX is still comfortable for all five passengers. Unlike the Equinox I recently drove, the rear seat is able to fold completely flat and allows for a total cargo volume of just over 61 cubic feet (with the rear seat up, cargo volume is 29.2 cubic feet).

Some of the more impressive standard features on the SRX AWD Performance Collection include the panoramic roof, navigation system with 40 gigabyte hard drive, illuminated door sills and heated front seats. The only option that came on this particular test vehicle was the optional ($1,295) rear seat entertainment system. In addition to playing DVD movies on the front screen (when in park) there are also two flip up screens available behind each front seat headrest. Since the only available DVD slot is mounted in the center stack, the rear seat entertainment system uses wireless headphones and a remote control to reduce distractions for front-seat occupants. Sound quality from any one of the audio inputs (AM/FM/CD/DVD with auxiliary and USB port inputs) is crisp from the Bose 10-speaker audio system.

2010 Cadillac SRX Performance & Handling

Borrowing its base engine from the Cadillac CTS lineup, the 2010 Cadillac SRX uses a 3.0-liter direct-injected V-6 paired with a front-wheel drive six-speed automatic transmission. While this engine is one of the most refined among its competitors, it is also one of the smallest in its class with one of the weakest outputs producing 265 horsepower and 223 lb-ft of torque (compared to 275 hp and 257 lb-ft for the 2010 Lexus RX 350 and 297 hp and 253 lb-ft for the 2010 Infiniti EX35). For those looking for a boost in power, Cadillac will offer a turbocharged 2.8-liter V-6 later in the 2010 model year which produces best-in-class output with 300 horsepower and 297 lb-ft of torque. As for fuel economy, the 2010 Cadillac SRX FWD gets an EPA estimated 18 miles per gallon in the city and 25 mpg on the highway, while our all-wheel drive test model is rated at 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. When the turbocharged V-6 arrives sometime next year, GM estimates that it will get 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway. When it comes to towing, the 2010 SRX can handle up to 3,500 pounds (with the towing package) and a payload of 1,243 pounds.

Despite its power disadvantage, this 4,307-pound SRX never felt underpowered during acceleration and provided a smooth, well-balanced suspension that could either absorb Michigan potholes without excessive kidney damage or quickly maneuver to avoid them in the first place. Labeled the Theta Premium platform, the SRX uses a combination of chassis components from the Theta platform (2010 Chevrolet Equinox) and Epsilon II platform (2010 Buick LaCrosse), and it features a four-wheel, sport-tuned suspension. As for handling (in both wet and dry conditions), the SRX uses a Haldex-based all-wheel drive system with an electronic limited-slip differential that not only enables full torque split front-to-rear, but it also enables torque distribution side-to-side across the rear axle. During my week behind the wheel the 2010 SRX, a couple intense rain storms popped up while driving, but the all-wheel drive system kept the SRX under control and firmly planted to the road.

2010 Cadillac SRX Safety

Although the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has yet to test the 2010 Cadillac SRX for crash safety, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has already given the new crossover a full complement of Good ratings and its coveted status as a Top Safety Pick. Standard safety features on the new SRX includes four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, six airbags, StabiliTrak electronic stability control with traction control, tire pressure monitoring system and, of course, GM’s OnStar system with automatic crash response and stolen vehicle assistance.

Summary

After taking on the Lexus ES with the Buick LaCrosse sedan, General Motors seems to have come up with the perfect answer for one of Lexus’ best-selling vehicle, the RX. Looking to knock the Lexus crossover off its pedestal, the second-generation Cadillac SRX complements its unique design and luxurious interior with a sporty, smooth chassis and an incredible value compared to the competition. With styling and quality similar to the Cadillac CTS, the 2010 Cadillac SRX continues to improve the exemplary brand image that Cadillac has built for itself.

Select photos by Jeffrey N. Ross