- Kia announces a new SX trim level for the 2011 Sorento.
- The new Sorento SX exhibits "a more muscular stance."
- Front and rear fascias are also revised.
ATLANTA — Saying it is aiming for an "edgier attitude," Kia has announced the debut of the 2011 Sorento SX, a trim level that helps to flesh out the Sorento lineup.
But key details are scarce. When contacted by Inside Line on Tuesday, Kia's U.S. spokesman Alex Fedorak in an e-mailed message said the automaker is "a long way away from pricing" the SX model. He was also unable to pinpoint when the Sorento SX will arrive in dealerships. Even photos of the new trim level are scarce. Fedorak was only able to provide a single image and said it would not be until next week at the earliest that more would become available.
The SX joins the Sorento LX and EX models.
In a statement, Kia said the new SX model offers "a more muscular stance." It gets revised front and rear fascias, more chrome on the exhaust outlet, LED taillamps and redesigned 18-inch alloy wheels with a "hyper silver" paint finish. Standard features on the SX include leather-trimmed seats, heated front seats, electrochromatic mirror with HomeLink and a voice-activated navigation system with back-up camera.
The SX also gets a standard Infinity Audio surround-sound system with 10 speakers. A panoramic sunroof is optional.
The SX gets DFD (dual flow damper) shock absorbers. It is equipped with the 276-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 linked to a six-speed automatic transmission.
Inside Line says: Sounds like an excellent move to generate more interest in the 2011 Sorento, but we'll have to wait and see what this "edgier attitude" will cost. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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heyofficer says:
06:06 PM, 03/11/2011
My wife and I were looking to a new vehicle to replace our Mazda5, which is a terrific minivan that seats 6. My college age daughter is getting it now. We don't really need a 3rd row seat anymore, altho on occassion it would be handy, so we were shopping for a 3rd row 6 or 7 passenger SUV.
Ford Flex, Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Chevy Traverse, etc. Test drove and researched them all. Compared features and prices, options and extras, quality and safety...and fuel economy too!
We honestly didn't even have the KIA on our radar! But one morning I stopped by the KIA dealer to pick up a brochure on the brand new 2011 KIA Sorento. I saw them parked over by a wall, and no salesmen were around, so I strolled over to look at one. The first thing I noticed is "that wasn't the KIA that I've seen around before." They had a new, edgier, european look to them that was really that was really nice! You could tell that it was a Sorento, some of the style cues the 2009 Sorento (KIA skipped the 2010 year Sorento and went straight to a 2011!) were still there, the slightly buldged front fenders for example, but everything else had been an effort by Ex-Audi/Volkswagon design Chief Peter Schreyer and KIA's USA Design center in Irvine California Tom Kearn coming up with some seriously impressive new cars!
And this SX model has the body painted front and rear bumpers and spoiler on the rear hatch. And "Chrome" 18" alloy wheels , and just a touch of extra chrome..the door handles, roof rails and front and rear bumper "skid plates".
The Sorento was unlocked, so I got in. "Sniff, Sniff" ... that new car smell, and the smell of Leather! This was a Snow White Pearl Sorento SX, which joined the LX and the EX recently as the "sport model" among the new Sorentos.
This SUV was seriousily loaded with a bunch of what I viewed as high end extras. This SX has a Navigation screen with backup camera viewing, with voice controlled UVO (Microsoft system!) that allows you to speak what radio channel you want to listen to (an Infinity 10 speaker 550 watt system with woofer!), where you want the navigator to send you, and who you want to call with bluetooth! And leather seats, steering wheel, shift knob...even the hood over the instuments included stiching! And a Infinity Stereo system with 10 speakers, heated front seats, dual zone air conditioning (with 2nd and 3rd row seperate controls!), a huge full black glass roof with opening sunroof, a best in class horse power modern 276 hp all aluminum twin cam V6, smooth intellegent 6 speed automatic, powerful predictive brakes that stop you from 60 mph in a class leading 120 ft. Big bright rear LED tail lights, side rear view mirror turn signals AND heated mittors! And powerful, bright headlights.
And the safety stuff is unbelievable, side curtain airbags, seat mounted airbags, active front head rests that move forward to support your neck in an accident, electrionic stability control, traction control systems, hill assist control AND downhill brake control, electronic brake distribution and tire pressure warning systems. WHEW!
I brought the wife back later for some test drives, and we were hooked! Bought it and it's been a month now, and I'm still completely satisfied with our choice! And the 100,000 mile warranty and 5 year roadside assist is just icing on the cake!
Best of all perhaps, is the fact that the 2011 Sorento is made by Americans in an all new West Point Georgia USA KIA factory, with this KIA selling so well that there are now 3 full shifts building them! Outselling even the RAV4! And KIA spend $1 billion on the factory which can build up to 300,000 KIA's a year with over 8,000 workers involved in the production! And KIA also built a $130 million brand new 21.7 acre giant design and testing center in Irvine, California. More jobs!
To sum up, if a guy like me can switch from all Fords and a few Toyota's and Honda cars to a KIA...then you know that KIA is getting it right! Best overall quality I've ever seen in a new vehicle, paint is perfect, all seams are perfect, stitching on the leather is spot on, the engine compartment is a work of art, everything precisly where it should be (and for you DIY folks...the oil filter is right on top of the engine where you can get to it easily!), it drives extremely well, with an unexpected roar of power from the engine, corners and handles great (KIA switched during production recently to a dual damper design shock absorber for a better ride and lower...more sporty handling), it has a great view out with a taller cabin, and the envious looks you get from the more common SUV drivers that see the KIA!
And P.S., I believe the dealers are being motivated by KIA to sell as many as they can to continue to break records on sales of KIA's...we got nearly $4500.00 off the MSRP of a loaded (and I mean everything but the heated window washer nozzles!) 2011 KIA Sorento SX in the georgeous Snow White Pearl!
rlyon says:
12:00 PM, 06/11/2010
No black plastic underbody!!! Whoohooo!!!
lzks says:
07:37 AM, 03/24/2010
Did he say "voice-activated navigation system with back-up camera" will come standard? Huh... that's new. No car makers ever make navigation and backup camera standard in any trim. And frank908, go troll in youtube. This is not the place.
frank908 says:
07:13 AM, 03/24/2010
That thing has depreciated value written all over it. BAD.
jtom4 says:
07:47 PM, 03/23/2010
Unfortunate but true: very few US suv's have manual options. I knew right away that it would only come in automatic without reading the specs. I understand why car makers do this but it is still annoying.
calspecial68 says:
06:38 PM, 03/23/2010
What the heck? Basically, it's a Sorento with a body kit, bigger rims, and a slighty upgraded suspension right? Whats the purpose(aside from sparking interest)? It's like the old Equinox Sport. Pointless.
colorado1974 says:
06:24 PM, 03/23/2010
Looks like a $19,000 Saturn Vue.
ed124c says:
02:38 PM, 03/23/2010
I had to read almost to the end before I learned (surprise, surprise) that it will only come with an automatic.
Is the Subaru Outback the only AWD SUV available with a manual transmission and decent options (power seat, sunroof, etc.)?