If your thoughts of an SUV are of a vehicle that can handle off-road driving, the 2021 Kia Sorento will be an SUV you want to drive.
Adding off-road equipment with the new X-Line trim isn’t the only way Kia is making improvements to the Sorento. This small but active three-row SUV can be the one for you to have a hybrid drive with two new options that will make driving more efficient for you.
Changes for the Entire 2021 Kia Sorento Lineup
Not only will you see new forms of the Kia Sorento to give you the drive you want, but you’ll see an SUV that is longer than it was while being 119 pounds lighter than the previous version. This new model of the Sorento is also made to reduce road noise and give you a quieter experience in the cabin when you’re behind the wheel.
No V6 Engine in this 2021 Kia Sorento
The 2021 version of the Kia Sorento will not see any V6 engines at all. The standard engine will be a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 191 horsepower and 182 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. If you want to turbocharge, you can get it and enjoy an increase of 90 horsepower to 281 and more torque to a level that reaches 311 lb.-ft. This turbo engine is rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds if needed.
The Hybrid Powertrains of the Kia Sorento
The two hybrid models are going to use a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine as the base power plant with a 44-kW electric motor attached for the regular hybrid. This will give you 227 horsepower which is delivered to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. The goal is for this hybrid model to reach 39 city/37 hwy mpg.
The plug-in hybrid model will arrive later in the year and it will use the same engine but have a 66.9-kW electric motor for the hybrid portion. You’ll also have a larger battery for this model and a standard AWD. Together, this gives you 261 horsepower and a 30-mile all-electric range to give you some driving without the need to use gasoline at all when you’re in town.
An Off-Road Version of this Kia
Another new addition to the Kia Sorento lineup is the X-Line package which will be the right way to have the off-road stuff you’re looking for. This package adds a center locking differential, hill-descent control, a higher ride height, a set of 20-inch alloy wheels, and a unique roof rack. Right now, this package is only offered on the top-shelf SX-Prestige AWD trim, but that might be the perfect trim for you to have the drive you want.
Look for These New Sorento Models Today
If you’re ready to have a vehicle that can give you the driving pleasure and features you want, the new 2021 Kia Sorento could be what you’re looking for. With a new off-road package and two hybrid powertrains, you’ll see more options for you to have the drive you want in this SUV.
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