2021 Kia Sorento X-Line & Hybrid Launched In U.S.

Initially shown of in Europe earlier this year, the 2021 Kia Sorento has now officially been announced in the U.S. A new look, off-road trim, and new powertrains will help make the Sorento another big hit in the Kia lineup of SUVs.

Perhaps we are a little biased, but we truly believe that the Sorento is one of the sweetest looking 3-row crossover models on the market.

Its broad signature grille with the distinctive tiger nose, character line along the side panel, and excellent array of wheel sizes are fantastic. The new model now has a wheelbase that is almost 1.4 inches longer, which means more space in the interior.

According to Kia, the 2021 model is also 3% lighter than the outgoing model.

2021 Kia Sorento (hybrid) engine specs & MPG

The powertrain lineup is impressive, with four different engines to choose from. The base engine in the 2021 Kia Sorento is a 2.5-liter GDI four-cylinder with 191 horsepower and 182 lb-ft of torque.

That unit comes also with a turbo version that delivers 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque.

For those seeking fuel efficiency, the 1.6-liter GDI four-cylinder powered Kia Sorento hybrid delivers 227 hp and can achieve 39/35/37 mpg across the city/highway/combined.

Next year, the Sorento will also get a 1.6-liter turbo plug-in hybrid unit that cranks out 261 hp and which will run about 30 miles in all-electric mode.

Other than the regular hybrid, all models come with the option for AWD.

As far as transmission go, the base model comes with an 8-speed automatic, while the turbo model has and 8-speed wet dual-clutch. The hybrid and PHEV models get a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Kia Sorento 2021 trim levels & options

The standard trim levels are LX, S, EX, SX and SX-Prestige. You can also get your hands on the X-Line SX-Prestige AWD model, which has a higher ride height by about an inch, custom 20-inch wheels, and an on-demand AWD system with both downhill descent control and a center locking differential.

There are also changes made to the cabin that give the Sorento a decidedly upmarket look. There are available open-pore wood inlays, leather seats with an embossed quilt pattern, and bright satin finishes.

There is also a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, that is appearing in a Kia SUV for the first time. This system complements features such as a 10.25-inch touchscreen, wireless charging, a surround-view monitor, and a Bose sound system. Features are dependent on trim and option availability.

Second row captain’s chairs are available, as is a 4+3 or 5+2 seating setup.

Safety is always important to Kia, and the Drive Wise safety suite is loaded with standard items that include forward collision warning, speed limit assistance, and driver attention warning. Available options include blind-spot collision avoidance, cyclist detection, rear-cross traffic collision avoidance, and a smart cruise control system that is linked to the navigation system. This allows the vehicle to automatically lower the speed when approaching a curve in the road.

A great selection of powertrains, outstanding technology, and a great new look will help the 2021 Kia Sorento become as big a hit as the larger sized Telluride has been for Kia.

2021 Kia Sorento US release date

The all-new 2021 Kia Sorento will be released in US later this year, with pricing set to be announced closer to the release date.