2021 Kia Sorento Arrives in U.S. with New X-Line

The new Sorento's three powertrains options include a 191-hp four-cylinder, a 227-hp hybrid, and a 281-hp turbo-four.

• Kia has released U.S. details for the new 2021 Sorento mid-size SUV.
• It offers three engines: a 191-hp inline-four, a 227-hp hybrid drivetrain, and a 281-hp turbocharged inline-four.
• The 2021 Sorento will go on sale in the U.S. by the end of the year.

The redesigned 2021 Kia Sorento has finally made its U.S. debut, and we now know all about its engine specs and trim levels for our market. Revealed months ago for global markets, the new Sorento will go on sale in the States by the end of the year, and it adds a hybrid option and an off-road-oriented X-Line model.

The Sorento's base engine is a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter inline-four with 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. It's available with either front- or all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The upgrade engine is a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four with 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, which is also available with front- or all-wheel drive and uses an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The 2.5T can tow an estimated 3500 pounds.

A FWD-only Sorento hybrid joins the lineup and uses a turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four combined with an electric motor for a combined 227 horsepower. Kia claims 37 mpg combined, 1 mpg higher than the Toyota Highlander hybrid. A plug-in hybrid with standard AWD will arrive in 2021; it has a slightly higher combined output of 261 horsepower, and its 13.8-kWh battery pack enables an estimated 30 miles of electric range.

Models and Features

Trim levels include LX, S, EX, SX, and SX-Prestige, and there's an optional X-Line package that comes standard with AWD and offers a 1.0-inch increase in ride height. The X-Line is also dressed up with all manner of rugged trim including different bumpers and wheels and a roof rack.

A third row of seats is standard across the board, with a second-row bench that provides seven-passenger capacity. Captain's chairs are optional for the second row, which reduces the passenger count by one. Most Sorentos have eight USB charging ports, save for the base LX which makes do with six.

The standard infotainment screen measures 8.0-inches, and a 10.3-inch screen is optional. A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster is also optional, as is a 360-degree camera view, various UVO connectivity features, and the expected driver-assistance systems.

Kia has yet to announce pricing, but we'd expect a slight uptick from the current model, which starts at $28,110 and ranges up to $43,010 for a top SX V-6. The 2021 Sorento will start reaching U.S. dealerships by the end of 2020.