The 2021 Kia Sorento SX Prestige is an Upscale 3-Row SUV

The Kia Sorento is all-new for 2021 and it's a very nice improvement over the old Sorento. It's roomier and more luxurious than before, and like all recent Kia interiors, it's much nicer overall than you may be expecting. It's somewhat in a class of its own as a 3-row SUV that's smaller than all the established players but is priced like all the mid-size 2-row SUVs with an as-tested price of $43,960. While it's 3rd row and trunk are definitely smaller than the Telluride, the third row should be fine for occasional uses. The main competitor to the Sorento may just be its Kia sibling, the Telluride. For only a couple thousand more you can get a comparably equipped Telluride with more space, and in the top trims, more luxuries too like heated and cooled second row seats. What do you think of the 2021 Kia Sorento? Thanks to Kia for providing these Sorentos for us to review!
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[@miguelircontar]

Sometimes Kia and Hyundai embarrass some luxury brands when it comes to interiors

[@autonewstv86]

Now this is how you make a midsize crossover

[@seancooper9765]

Beth's hair is close to the interior color! Can't believe she does not like it... :-)

[@Ezero8]

I was about to say lol

[@sao007]

Seriously kia is a solid product now if you put a audi badge with the same price everybody will drive this car😉 thx for the nice review

[@MAXIMATTZ]

Actually no..Kia is a Kia no comparison to the Germans

[@andrespatino2761]

KIA aren't reliable for shit!

[@MAXIMATTZ]

@@andrespatino2761 I agree 100 percent whats your story with Kia, I had a 16 Sorento the worst car I've ever had like most Kia electrical issues the car battery would die every 24hrs just horrible & never again! oh yeah the friggin moon roof couldn't close u needed to manually pull the roof to close it horrible..

[@Ezero8]

I see so many Tellurides on the road. Yeah, I would just get that too.

[@JDsHouseofHobbies]

I drove a Sorento SX yesterday and even though it wasn't a Prestige, I liked it a LOT, Sadly, I want the Sapphire Blue AWD and you can't get that color in Prestige and AWD.

[@Billy_Kluth96]

I feel the same way. Plus, I don’t think you can get the brown leather in any trim with Sapphire Blue. Makes no sense to me

[@jonathangoldberg7423]

@@Billy_Kluth96 That would be a beautiful combo. Makes no sense at all.

[@robertb.4202]

Looks great, but HUGE miss with the lack of memory seating, no HUD, and no Harman Kardon system.

[@bradkaiser2086]

I test drove many different car brands in the past few months. Honda, Mazda, Ford, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Subaru. I was set on a Subaru Outback Onyx... Saw a telluride on the road a few weeks ago and it looked so sharp so I had to look into Kia. The Sorento blew me away. It was the only car that made me smile test driving the thing. Such a nice car. I would have never looked into Kia had I not seen that Telluride.

[@shanedigby]

Cold and snowy where they are. Meanwhile I'm in Auckland, New Zealand in shorts and a t-shirt haha. A nice 20c here today.

[@harsiese]

Love hearing the opinions of Beth, who seems to echo my partner's likes/dislikes when it comes to vehicles. I always appreciate your driver-focused reviews, but we often forget about the folks that have to ride shotgun.

[@stephenr115]

Haven’t been watching these interior reviews until your year end summary mentioned. Good double coverage and I’ll watch out for the nature sounds!

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

Alright now I'm waiting for the driving impressions.

[@hanswurst6742]

I mean it's an SUV. They all drive the same more or less. It's not like these are direct sports cars

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

@@hanswurst6742 I heard the 2.5L Turbo together with FWD is a bad match.

[@FierceSmurfN8r]

@@imnotusingmyrealname4566 kinda pointless buying a SUV without AWD to be honest lol

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

@@FierceSmurfN8r Some people know they won't ever need it and just want to sit higher.

[@gurvaaz1703]

i love the interior reviews pleez dont stop

[@qdood]

Thanks again Matt n Beth always interesting to see these informative reviews

[@chefchrissmith]

Thanks for the review..this is one of vehicles I'm looking at

[@andrespatino2761]

Dont get a Kia..... Get a body on frame SUV toyota.

[@AllenMutia]

Appreciate the fresh and practical perspective that you and your wife offer in this crowded market. Keep up the great work!!

[@stephenhendricks103]

I'm not a fan of orange interiors, either. But KIA calls that color "rust" and I was surprised to hear Beth say she didn't like it. On my monitor (which of course may be inaccurate) the color of the upholstery seems to match the color of her hair rather closely. Both are quite attractive. :)

[@marilynnscorner345]

I must say I agree w/u about the ambient lightning. This trim level is like the top line and you'll think they would have it. totally agree w/u on that

[@anydaynow01]

Awesome review as always, and you should let Beth do a little more talking through the reviews maybe making a bit more of a back and forth discussion. Just an enhancement!

[@jazzbeau507]

I would like a darker brown to the leather also, even if just a little. South Korean cars do seem to give you more for the money, especially in the past. I never liked the front grille of Korean cars though this Kia looks pretty good. .....this video....notice snow background out the back window, side window pretty view of snow on trees. Graphics are nice in infotainment and instrument cluster. No socket up front is bad....for lots of reasons, e.g. radar detectors, and other devices. I really don't like not having a socket up front. I was wondering how much longer cars would have them and when a vehicle would stop having them and here it is. Beth and I think it was funny 9:30 when Matt said there is a socket in the trunk.....like who cares if there is one in the trunk as a consolation for none up front.....ridiculous/funny?........ snowing in the back seat when door open at 9:35? 14:49 beautiful view of car with snowscape in background. Good price for this vehicle. Maybe it's mean however who could give Matt and Beth a thumbs down, I see there are 3 thumbs down as of now; I say thumbs up.

[@sheriakey4821]

LOVE my 21 Sorento SX Prestige! Drives like a dream. Hated to get rid of my 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee with a Hemi but needed to "act my age" and have something comfy to drive.

[@deoxysx1657]

Great review guys 😁

[@brianholland77]

Tiguan R-line SEL Premium have a third row and that would be in the same segment I believe. Great review👍

[@MVF2024]

Going to go look at one this weekend. Upgrading from a 2016 Sorento SXL AWD V6

[@marcel-koks]

Funny how different the trim is across the globe. I drive a Sorento Premium model which is the highest spec available here in New Zealand. That does have a bench backseat, which is heated but not cooled. I don't even think we can order captains chairs.

[@tommymas1]

How come some have the speedometer on the right and not the left?

[@jonathangoldberg7423]

Kia did a really nice job with the new Sorrento but I ultimately would chose its Santa Fe brother because it includes memory seats, heads up display and heated rear seats at the top trim and is slightly less expensive.

[@johnmontes3049]

The ambient lighting was probably off unless they only offer the lighting in the Korean market

[@kniccole]

In the US models, Kia doesn't offer the ambient lighting at all for any trim level for the 2021 Sorentos. Only the interior light kit which lights up the driver + passenger footwells & the front cupholder spot.

[@kp.p.5100]

You forgot to mention, no memory seats. How could they not have memory seats? So odd.

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

Wait do you mean height adjustment in general (manual and electric) or just electric adjustment?

[@MattMaranMotoring]

Just height adjustment in general is rare for passenger seats these days.

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

@@MattMaranMotoring I didn't know that. They should at least have it manual.

[@werethemickels5583]

Quick question... does the SX Line come standard with auto rain sensing wipers???

[@BOSSYtexasCHICK]

Hi! Is this a USA Prestige? I cannot get a center display of MPH like u did @ 4:15 on my 2021 X Line Prestige- Tried everything... Thanks! BTC

[@sieurbzo2858]

Great review. I'd like to hear more from Beth though!

[@Didi78180x]

Strange to see height adjustment for passenger seat is very rare in North America. Here in Europe from compact cars like Golf we have this feature. Because Northern europe customers are tall. But it's the same in the US you have taller and bigger people so difficult to understand...

[@thereissomecoolstuff]

Ah Beth this is baby poop brown...you'll get used to it. Love the channel. One more thing. Matt please annunciate "Telluride". I thought you were saying Toyota Supra. Thanks.

[@dave5633]

Hey Matt, your girlfriend has the pregnant glow :) she's looking great. Regarding the Sorento, that's my next car, no doubt about it. Thanks for the great review. You guys are awesome. David from Montreal Canada.

[@MattMaranMotoring]

Thanks David!

[@komit73]

Here in Canada Kia's Warranty is only 5 years / 62k miles...

[@RilRil]

" I am not crazy about this leather color..." Hair color is exactly the same.🤔🤣😁

[@nicksantanen9923]

That panoramic sunroof is going to be a night mare in 4ish years my 2016 doesn't even work and when it does it gets stuck open oh and to fix it that will cost you $4000 canadian. This has been an ongoing problem with all sorentos. By the way warranty doesn't cover that either its normal wear and tear apparently.

[@stephenhendricks103]

The new Sorento is undeniably an upgrade from the previous generation in a host of ways. And with a new platform, and a new engine lineup it's not surprising to see KIA balance the upgrades with some cost cutting measures to prevent the MSRP from impinging on the Telluride in the US. Most are probably unimportant to potential Sorento customers. For example, I would miss the driver's extending thigh support from my 2018 Sorento but I suspect most consumers won't notice or care. On the other hand, I'm surprised that Matt and Beth didn't notice one cost cutting measure that I suspect KIA dealers and consumers will find more than a little annoying: the elimination of memory settings for two drivers that has been dropped from all Sorento trim levels sold in the US. For a "family" crossover with an obvious appeal to couples who share driving responsibilities, driver seat memory settings can be a BIG deal. And the fact that the nearly identical Hyundai Santa Fe retains the option makes it even more problematic for dealers.

[@MattMaranMotoring]

Are you sure they’ve dropped memory seats? I figured it was incorporated in with the user profiles which adjust everything, but I didn’t set up a profile to confirm this. If they did remove it then this is an important point for sure.

[@stephenhendricks103]

@@MattMaranMotoring According to Alex Dykes (Alex on Autos) the US version of the Sorento has two way rather than 4 way lumbar support, no extending thigh cushion, and most importantly no driver seat memory. The first two items are probably minor issues for many consumers especially considering that few rivals offer them but the absence of seat memory is a notable deletion compared to rivals in the US, the Sorento sold in other world markets, and to the previous version of the Sorento in America. (I have all three features on my 2018 model.) It's understandable that KIA would engage in some cost cutting for the Sorento in the US for several reasons. The new engines and platform and other upgrades impose additional costs and KIA obviously wants to prevent the MSRP from impinging on the Telluride. Keep in mind that KIA sells the Telluride almost exclusively in North America; it's not offered in Asia, even in Korea. In many of those markets, the Sorento is the top of the line KIA crossover. (The Mohave offered in Asian markets is a body-on-frame SUV.) Furthermore, in Korea and several other national markets the Sorento faces little competition from mainstream Japanese and American rivals. Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, and Ford, for example sell virtually no vehicles in Korea. In short, the price ceiling for the Sorento in the US is considerably lower than it is in other national markets. In Korea, for example, the Sorento likely to be seen as a budget alternative to an Audi, a Volvo, or a BMW rather than a similar size Passport, a Ford Edge, or even a slightly larger Highlander. Furthermore, KIA obviously wanted the new generation Sorento to have only a small MSRP premium compared to last year's model. As it stands the top trim X-Line SX-Prestige has an MSRP of $43,960 (including destination). That's less than $1000 more than last year's top trim fully loaded Sorento. The comparable top trim Telluride (the SX-Prestige Nightfall edition) has an MSRP of $48,855, a difference of almost $5,000, considerably more than the $2500 difference cited in the review. All of these factors have led KIA to some cost cutting measures in the US version of the Sorento. And for the most part the Sorento retains a strong value proposition both as a base model with an MSRP that rivals smaller compact crossovers and with a top trim where KIA makes a compelling argument for the Sorento compared to a top trim Highlander with an MSRP of $6000-$8000 more. Unfortunately, I think KIA dealers and customers will find dropping driver seat memory to contain costs to be a mistake. Considering that the near identical 2021 Santa Fe has retained the feature I wouldn't be surprised to see KIA reverse course and restore the feature for 2022 if not before.

[@blackedout5.0fan39]

Hi Matt and Beth! Awesome review as always :) do you mind if I can ask if the base trims have keyed ignition with the AWD models? Can keyed ignition and AWD come with the better turbo engine as well?

[@MattMaranMotoring]

I will look at the full spec sheet tomorrow and let you know 👍

[@blackedout5.0fan39]

@@MattMaranMotoring thank you! :)

[@MattMaranMotoring]

So only the base LX trim doesn't have push button start and has a normal key. AWD is optional on it. All the turbo engine vehicles (EX and SX) come with push button start.

[@blackedout5.0fan39]

@@MattMaranMotoring thank you for the clarification! :)

[@yal08]

If you swap the first letter of each of your names, the thumbnail would be better 👌

[@sandstarrentertainment]

I've seen ambient lighting on this vehicle in other reviews. Is it possible that this model just didn't have it, or that the setting was hiding somewhere?

[@kniccole]

In the US models, Kia doesn't offer the ambient lighting at all for any trim level for the 2021 Sorentos. Only the interior light kit which lights up the driver + passenger footwells & the front cupholder spot. It is very possible that you were watching a review that was filmed in another country which has features such as ambient lighting and memory seating settings.

[@sandstarrentertainment]

@@kniccole thank you!

[@kniccole]

@@sandstarrentertainment you're welcome!

[@jeremykemmerer7743]

One important reason to buy this car instead of a Telluride - you don’t want 19 mpg. Plug-in hybrid is in a different league if you care about fuel efficiency.

[@kaplantor]

Good to know you don't like orange. By the way, your hair is orange (pretty much the same as the seats, in fact).

[@klasseact6663]

Still WAAAAY too much gloss black finish, when are they going to learn 😋 Its a great looking interior that will look used and abused 6 months after you get it!

[@TheChosenYuan]

The 2021 Kia Sorento unfortunately doesn’t have ambient lighting in the US. In almost every other market (Canada, EU, Korea, etc.), the new 2021 Kia Sorento does get ambient lighting. In other markets, the new Sorento also gets features such as Heads Up Display, Heated second row seats, and second row sunshades. The “new” 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe seems to include a lot of the missing features not found in the redesigned Sorento.

[@evilload]

That is a sad fact. Would love to get a Canadian spec Sorento here in the U.S.

[@TheChosenYuan]

I agree, I just took delivery of a Sorento SX Prestige X-Line and it really is almost a perfect car. If the US model got all the features from the other markets with the same current pricing, I have no doubt that the Sorento X-Line would sell over MSRP at every Kia dealership. Right now in Massachusetts, the Telluride is still selling for several thousand over MSRP.

[@evilload]

@@TheChosenYuan Congratulations! I test drove the SX Prestige X-Line a couple weeks ago. Very nice vehicle. However, I read the Canadian owner manual thinking it was the U.S. version so a bit surprised with the missing features😢. Going to take a look at the Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy edition now. Don't need a third row or fog lights but like additional features that the U.S. Sorento does not offer. No markups on the Telluride or Sorento here in Minnesota. MSRP minus any current incentives.

[@TheChosenYuan]

@@evilload Please let me know what your thoughts are if you get a chance to test drive the new Santa Fe Calligraphy. I also have no use for the third row and the second row captains chairs are a nice upgrade since I rarely drive with more than four people in the car. I’m sure I would get buyers remorse if I were able to try out either the Santa Fe or Palisade Calligraphy :/

[@Tully3674]

The BIG question is... With baby Maran coming, would the Sorento be a good option when Matt has to trade in his Bullet? :-)

[@MattMaranMotoring]

Haha the Bullitt stays! We'll be using Beth's Mercedes C300 and press cars as the baby carriers.

[@sadeqalashqersadeqalashqer3634]

Wow kia sorento Top up goooood

[@IgnatiusCaelestis]

I hate that you can't get a turbo for a family of 5.

[@plawson91]

VW Tiguan has a 3rd row and is 4" shorter than the Sorento

[@tommymas1]

No memory seats for $45K? What an omission. Major mistake. 🤦‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@BobThe9534]

Review a 2021 Ford Edge

[@arthurguillaume5977]

no power outlet in front, no driver's memory seat... = no sale for me. Over $40K without these items...???

[@shimoncohen95]

Can you have only a 2 row?

[@MattMaranMotoring]

No, they're all 3 row as standard.

[@jimsss222]

your wife is stunning, 💪🏻💪🏻

[@nas8938]

This thing is beautiful, looks foreign

[@egonpax]

Or if the Telluride has a markup of $6-10k in your area...

[@christophertyacke6019]

I think Beth found her new Baby hauler.

[@braetonwilson4296]

Terrific video Matt. I must say, you look very much like Greta Thunberg. Is she your twin sister?

[@MattMaranMotoring]

Haha nope.

[@kellyaustin7487]

Funny her hair matches the interior color shes not a fan of 🤪

[@MAXIMATTZ]

The last generation Sorentos moon roof was a horrible design the motor was too weak & the tracks were so cheap...in the future can u open & close the roof to see if its the same design..merci

[@MattMaranMotoring]

Unfortunately these vehicles are already gone, but if I happen to get another one in sometime in the future I'll try to remember to check it out.

[@AntLive29]

Lol upscale KIA!!!!

[@meatbeansandcheese]

The seats are the same color as her hair and she's still complaining 🤯

[@hanswurst6742]

Her hair.. i know it's supposed to be brown...but it is a little too orange for me

[@paulmelnychuk5477]

So is she getting any dialogue.or wishes there as your plumper?

[@officialyasir]

420k subs 😂