Though its handling is far from sporty, Kia's midsize crossover SUV offers plenty of interior room as well as a smooth, controlled ride.

Pros

Nicely-appointed interior
Smooth, comfortable ride
Improved steering response

Cons

Steering feedback on the numb side
Handling is sure, but hardly sporty
Poor rear sightlines

2017 Kia Sorento EX front 3/4 view

2017 Kia Sorento

The third generation Sorento was all-new for 2016 with a completely restyled exterior as well as an all-new interior. As such, we didn't expect much in the way of major changes from Kia for the 2017 model year. Nevertheless, there are a few, so let's get to it.

2017 Kia Sorento EX rear 3/4 view

Exterior

The third-generation model added three inches in length to the Sorento. Up front, the signature "tiger nose" grille remains larger, wider and more upright. The headlamp enclosures were also narrowed, the fog light bezels more squared-off and at the bottom of the front fascia it now sports a large lower air intake.

The sides remain unchanged from last year with a soft upper character line and deep sculpting along the lower doors that break up what would otherwise be a slab-sided look. EX models receive 18-inch alloy wheels – a step up from the 17-inchers found on the LX, but smaller than the 19-inch polished alloys that are standard on the SX.

The rear fascia, meanwhile, retains its wrap-around tail lamps while the lower valance features a silver brushed metal trim plate and a single, bright, tailpipe extension.

2017 Kia Sorento EX dashboard

Interior

Kia's self-described "class-up" interior in the Sorento give it a decidedly luxurious look and feel. Here you'll find soft touches surfaces everywhere you might place your hands. This includes everything from the door trim panels and upper dash – surfaces where you would normally expect it – as well as sides of the center console that separate the two front seats – where you normally wouldn't.

Keeping things simple is an infotainment touch screen that, on EX and SX trim levels, measures either 7- or 8-inches. For 2017, both screen sizes feature standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Around either one you'll find redundant buttons for all the major entertainment and communications functions. Below it and extending to both doors is a stitched, horizontal dash that's softly padded to minimize scratching if the front seat occupants hit it with their shoes.

2017 Kia Sorento EX front seats

The backlit instrumentation is clear and easy to read. In addition to the requisite controls for cruise and Bluetooth phone, the steering wheel, which tilts and telescopes, also features both buttons and rollers to pick and scroll through the various menu functions within the central gauge cluster.

The front seats are nicely bolstered with plenty of leg, hip, shoulder and headroom for adults of all sizes. There's also plenty of room for three adults in the middle row. Our EX tester, because it was equipped with the turbo four, lacked the third row found in V6 models. But this shouldn't be looked upon as necessarily a bad thing. Although the third row in the Sorento is more than adequate for children, we felt that in models equipped with one the cushions were too close to the floor. This meant that adults, once they managed to work their way back there, would typically find themselves staring at their knees – a situation hardly conducive to comfortable road trips.

2017 Kia Sorento EX cargo volume behind the second row

Cargo volume behind the second row is 38.8 cubic feet. Folding it increases capacity to a fairly commodious 73.5 cubic feet. Sorentos with no third row also feature a useful covered storage compartment below the cargo deck and accessed via a carpeted, hinged cover.

Thanks to a low beltline and vast expanses of glass, views out the front sides are excellent. The view out the rear three quarters, however, is hindered by a thick C-pillar. Helping to alleviate that problem, a rear view camera is standard equipment on all but the base L model (where it isn't even offered as an option).

2017 Kia Sorento EX 2.0-liter GDI Turbo

Under the hood

A direct injection Theta 2.4-liter normally aspirated 4-cylinder generating 185 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque is standard on the base L and FWD LX. Standard on the EX trim is Hyundai's Theta 2.0-liter turbo that produces 240 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and maximum torque of 260 lb.-ft. between 1,450 and 3,500 rpm.

Optional on the LX and EX and standard on the SX and SXL trims is Kia's 3.3-liter Lambda V6 that generates 290 horsepower and 252 lb.-ft. of torque.

2017 Kia Sorento EX transmission selector lever

All three engines are mated to a 6-speed automatic, although transmission gear ratios are tailored to each engine's output characteristics.

EPA estimates range from 21/28/24 city/highway/combined mpg for a front-wheel-drive Sorento equipped with the 2.4-liter engine to 17/23/19 city/highway/combined miles per gallon for an all-wheel-drive model equipped with the 3.3-liter V6. Our own observed fuel economy was a vehicle-measured 19.4 miles per gallon in city driving.

2017 Kia Sorento EX front fascia

On the road

The Sorento's handling feels secure, although it's skewed towards comfort over sporty handling. Despite its size and soft suspension, body motions are well controlled with very little body lean in corners for a two ton vehicle. And while its power steering system isn't the best we've encountered with its numb on-center feel, the amount of feedback picks up as you move it off-center, making maneuvering in tight spaces fairly easy and long drives more relaxing.

Although the pads don't exhibit much of an initial bite, braking is very linear, there's decent feedback to the driver and it's easy to modulate the brake pedal.

2017 Kia Sorento EX 18-inch alloy wheel

At freeway speeds the Sorento feels well planted, handling both minor and larger road imperfections with ease. It's unaffected by either crosswinds or grooved pavement. Despite its smaller displacement, there was always plenty of power for merging and passing from the turbo 4 and we were always able to do both with confidence.

Interior noise is another high point. It's fairly subdued for a vehicle in this class, especially in around-town driving where very little road, wind or tire noise enters the cabin. At freeway speeds, wind and engine noise remains fairly low-key, making longer trips comfortable. But we did note that when traveling over certain types of concrete as well as roads with expansion joints, both tire and tire slap noise entered the cabin.

2017 Kia Sorento EX 7-inch infotainment system

2017 Kia Sorento prices

2017 Kia Sorento pricing starts at $26,495 for the entry-level FWD L trim level and can top out at over $501,000 for a fully optioned-and-accessorized, V6-equipped AWD in Limited trim.

Our Blaze Blue AWD EX tester had a base price of $33,300 and a laundry list of standard luxury touches including leather seats, dual zone automatic climate control, proximity key with push-button start, heated front seats, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and Bluetooth.

2017 Kia Sorento EX rear under floor storage

A Premium Package which added power folding side mirrors, passenger auto up/down safety windows, blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert and a hands free power liftgate added $1,600 to the price.

The EX Advanced Touring Package, a $2,500 option, included chrome roof rails, autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, smart cruise control, an electronic parking brake, LED interior lighting, and a panoramic sunroof.

Along with carpeted floor mats ($130) and an $895 inland freight and handling charge, that brought the total manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) to $38,425.

2017 Kia Sorento EX rear console detail

The Bottom Line

After spending yet another week in the latest Kia Sorento, we found that there remains a lot to like about it. It comes with an interior that exudes luxury and its styling, though somewhat derivative, is still handsome. It also has a smooth ride, fairly responsive steering and a quiet cabin both in town and on the highway.

But at the same time, its handling is far from sporty, its steering is not nearly as communicative as the best in the class, and, like many vehicles this size, the rear sightlines could be better.

But the fact is that the 2017 Kia Sorento represents a great offering for the Korean brand. Those who haven’t visited a Kia dealer lately will probably be surprised by the window sticker prices, but keep in mind they represent lot of luxury for the buck. Buyers looking for a secure handling, handsomely-styled, luxuriously-appointed midsize crossover would do well to put the 2017 Kia Sorento at or near the top of their lists.

2017 Kia Sorento EX rear fascia