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A Week With: 2021 Kia Sorento Prestige X-Line AWD

2021 Kia Sorento X-Line front

Kia’s fourth-generation Sorento ute is one of the brand’s best sellers and the updates for 2021 are likely to ensure that continues.

After a week piloting the redesigned 2021 Kia Sorento, it’s easy to forget just how far the South Korean automaker has come since first landing on these shores nearly three decades ago. At the time, I had the unfortunate duty of test-driving them. I concluded that some of my most unpleasant automotive experiences had been behind the wheel of Kias.

Of course, no one raised an eyebrow. By then, the company’s value image and low-rent cars made it the Rodney Dangerfield of the automotive world.

But that’s no longer the case, not by a long shot. In fact, it could be argued that decades of self-awareness propelled Kia, and its corporate sibling Hyundai, into the top tier of automakers, producing models that are superior to the Japanese competitors they long sought to surpass. And if cars like the Soul, Stinger, K5, Niro and Telluride don’t prove it, the 2021 Sorento will.

Overview

2021 Kia Sorento X-Line side

The new Sorento gets a new exterior design for 2021 aimed at giving it a more rugged look.

Hot on the heels of the fast-selling Telluride, you might think this slightly smaller three-row SUV is the same thing, except it got shrunk in the dryer. But deeming it a Telluride knockoff sells it short. The Sorento is very much its own flavor, not only is it distinctive from the Telluride, but also its distinct for the first time in its existence. It possesses a likeable persona where it previously had none.

The Sorento comes standard with a normally aspirated 4-cylinder gas engine in base LX and S trims, or with a turbocharged engine in EX, SX, SX Prestige and SX Prestige X-line trims. Both front-wheel and all-wheel drive are available. Kia will soon offer a hybrid and plug-in hybrid as well.

Exterior

While the Sorento shares some styling cues with the Telluride, it’s clearly its own ute, with chiseled lines that offset more design detail than its larger and pricier sibling. The large, chunky taillamps are distinctive, and an inset on the bottom of the rear side window echoes the shape of the window line above it. The grille texture has a sporty, upscale feel. Overall, the Sorento is quite handsome, and has lost the soft appearance of the previous model.

“… Sorento is very much its own flavor, not only is it distinctive from the Telluride, its distinct for the first time in its existence …”

Interior

2021 Kia Sorento X-Line rear

The Sorento X-Line is powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder putting out 281 horsepower.

Climb inside and you’ll be greeted by a spacious interior, and one decked out in quality materials. The first two rows provide plenty of head and legroom. The test vehicle, a top-of-the-line SX Prestige X-Line, had second-row Captain’s Chairs, which are standard on EX and above. The seats had a good balance of comfort and support. But the third row is best left to small children or people you despise; space is in short supply. Better to fold it down and expand the 12.6 cubic-foot cargo bay to 38.5 cubic feet. With second and third rows folded, that grows to 75.5 cubic feet.

The dashboard has a busy look, a feeling exacerbated by the diamond quilted stitching on the leather trimmed seats. But the controls prove easy to understand and use. LX models come with cloth seats. S, and EX get lined with leatherette, while other models come with leather.

Powertrain

Opting for an LX and S Sorento nets you a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission that generates 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. Other models get a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that generates 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The dual clutch uses liquid cooling to enhance durability.

2021 Kia Sorento X-Line interior

The Sorento’s interior also gets a new look for 2021, with the X-Line getting a new color combination.

Technology and Safety

Start driver assurance systems include forward collision warning, forward collision-avoidance assist, pedestrian detection, driver attention warning, lane departure alert, lane centering lane keep assist, lane departure warning, and high-beam assist. Optional systems include cyclist detection, blind spot avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic assist, parking distance warning, parking collision avoidance assist, navigation-based smart cruise control curve control, highway driving assist, and safe exist assist.

The SX, SX Prestige 2.5T and SX Prestige X-Line come with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment screen with navigation, AM/FM Audio system with Satellite Radio, UVO telematics, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Other models get a smaller 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which isn’t installed with larger screen for some inexplicably puzzling reason. A Bose surround sound audio system is standard on the SX Prestige 2.5T and SX Prestige X-Line.

The Sorento comes with eight USB charging ports in all but the LX, which gets six. A wireless smartphone charging pad is optional. An optional 12.3-in. digital instrument cluster includes a Blind View Monitor that displays a live view of adjacent lanes in the instrument cluster when the turn signal is activated.

Driving Impressions

The test vehicle’s turbo engine provides more than enough moxie to move this sweetheart with ease, especially considering it possesses more torque than the larger, heavier Telluride. Given that, it’s best to opt for all-wheel drive since there’s probably more power than the front-wheel-drive model can handle without spinning its wheels.

That said, there is some turbo lag from a standing start, but once up to boil, the Sorento feels extremely responsive, acting instantaneously to your requests. The dual-clutch shifts promptly, and road noise is subdued. The ride is firm, but road impacts never felt harsh. Ingress and egress were particularly good.

Wrap Up

There’s something about the 2021 Kia Sorento that makes me want to call it Goldilocks. Neither too big nor too small, the Sorento is a perfect size, with a pleasing personality that makes it an easy vehicle to love, a perfect dance partner for the drudgery of daily driving.

2021 Kia Sorento X-Line seats2021 Kia Sorento X-Line panoramic roof2021 Kia Sorento X-Line cargo


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A Week With: 2021 Ford F-150 Limited SuperCrew

2021 Ford F-150 Limited front

The 2021 Ford F-150 Limited SuperCrew is the best iteration of the truck thus far.

Gawwwwddd I miss my truck.

Actually, I’ve had two in my lifetime a 1992 Ford Ranger “powered” by an anemic 4-cylinder engine that I bought not long after graduating from college and a 2004 Ford F-150 XLT motivated by the 5.4-liter V-8 engine that so many associate with the company’s full-size pickups.

My F-150 was a slight better than middle of the road model. It was an extended cab with shift-on-the-fly 4-wheel drive, power windows and locks, air conditioning and a bench set just big enough to haul my three children, who were then a teenager, a four-year-old and a toddler.

No leather. No satellite radio. No wi-fi. Just room for five to be comfortable inside and enough room to haul my son’s invisible motorcycle in the bed. Now that I’m old, er, older. I’ve gained an appreciation for things like … leather recliners, vehicles that are easy to get in and out of and technology that both entertains and makes my life easier.

Enter the 2021 Ford F-150 Limited SuperCrew.

2021 Ford F-150 Limited side

The new F-150 is the most aerodynamic version of the truck ever offered.

Overview

The newest generation of Ford full-size truck is undoubtedly the best yet, especially from my perspective. It offers all of the functionality and capability that young me loved about my 2004 F-150 while catering to old, uh, older me and my admiration for a comfortable leather chair and impressive technology.

Exterior

The exterior of the 2021 F-150 is clearly an evolution from the one that rests fondly in my memory – but bigger. The new truck with its massive grille and boxy fenders and cab looks like it could take on a tank and win. Instead its taking on the Chevy Silverado and Ram 1500 and, in my mind, it wins that battle too – although the Ram should make Ford designers sweat a little.

The F-150 Limited provides capability and utility with three different size beds.

Despite its brick-on-wheel shape, it’s the most aerodynamic offering ever. The truck employs active grille shutters and automatic air dam to help reduce drag and improve fuel economy. More importantly, it’s big and brawny without looking over the top or gaudy – think Superman instead of Batman.

Interior

Climbing inside the new F-150 is easy and it’s almost like entering a different world. While today’s pickups are larger and more fuel efficient that the generations that precede them, it’s the interior cabin where the biggest difference is, and Ford may be the best of the group … and not just for trucks.

Since the first thing you touch when you get in the vehicle is likely the seat, let’s start there. The two-town leather is supple and comfortable. The front seats are both heated and cooled, while the back seats are just heated – talk about a first-world problem. Additionally, they recline nearly flat, in case you need to pull over for a nap. During an extended drive, I found them to be supportive without making you want to, well, pull over for a nap.

“… it’s big and brawny without looking over the top or gaudy – think Superman instead of Batman …”

The F-150 Limited’s driver cockpit is well designed with controls that are easily accessed and read.

Once seated, the next order of business is the dashboard, which features large gauges that are manipulated using steering wheel-mounted controls that are simple and intuitive. The eye catcher is the 12-inch touchscreen on the center console. It’s bright and clear, making it very usable without feeling like you need to put on a pair of sunglasses to cut down on the glare. The truck comes with Sync 4 and while I’d like to tell you all about it, it also comes with Apple CarPlay and I use it exclusively. That sald it paired nicely and worked as expected.

It also features a massive center console that not only offers cupholders and plenty of storage, it also offers wireless charging. I use an iPhone 12 Pro Max and it charged without problem. It’s not as fast as plugging it in, but it was pretty good.

However, Ford recognizes that while trucks are oftentimes the family vehicle, they are also at the same time someone’s work vehicle. The Limited makes it awfully convenient to get some work done in the vehicle. The center console folds flat while the gear-shift lever folds down flat as well giving the user a space big enough to hold a 15-inch laptop – or fast food for two.

Powertrain

The interior is comfortable and upscale without being gaudy. Perfect for a high-end pickup.

For the 2021 model year, the F-150 can be ordered with one of six engine offerings. The Limited comes with the 3.5-liter two-turbocharged EcoBoost V-6. It puts out 400 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque. Towing a boat? No problem. Need to merge with traffic? No problem. Need to merge with traffic while towing a boat? No problem.

Fuel economy isn’t bad considering it’s a nearly 5,000-pound vehicle with a powerful engine that encourages a bit of lead-footed driving. It gets 18 mpg city, 23 highway which is good for a combined 20 mpg. I found that to be a pretty accurate representation for my week in the truck. Overall, it’s pretty good for a full-size pickup and if you can afford to buy or lease an F-150 Limited, you’re likely not counting the change in the cupholder to put gas in it.

Technology and Safety


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Auto Sales Gain Traction as Americans Avoid Mass Transit

Fewer and fewer people are relying on taxis to get them around town due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Taxi business in New York City has dropped by 90% since the start of the pandemic, even as mass transit ridership has fallen precipitously.

The situation, repeated across the country, reflects a variety of factors, including a huge increase among those working from home and a sharp decline in business travel. But even among those who must commute, there’s been a sizable shift away from mass transit and ride-hailing services to the use of personal vehicles. And that is leading not only to a surge in car sales, both new and used, but also in the type of vehicles American motorists are purchasing.

Among new car buyers, in particular, motorists are ordering vehicles loaded with the latest in high-tech features, from smart safety devices to infotainment systems, as well as in-car WiFi and other technology, members of an expert panel agreed during a session at the virtual CES 2021.

(Pandemic may not have changed car buying habits of consumers.)

Workers who had previously taken public transportation are now shifting to driving themselves in large numbers.

“COVID is probably going to change commuting patterns permanently,” said Carla Bailo, the CEO of the Center for Automotive Research, noting research that finds only 20% of Americans expect to go back to their offices full-time, while 90% expect to go to an office less frequently. Americans “won’t revert back,” stressed Bailo, “even when we get through the COVID pandemic.”

It’s not just the way Americans travel for work that’s changing, added Bailo. Though tens of millions wound up traveling during the Christmas and New Year holidays, AAA found a significantly higher percentage took the family car, rather than flying or traveling by train, compared to pre-pandemic holidays.

“We’ll see for some time people reverting back to their cars for social holidays,” said Bailo.

The pandemic has not only made people more reliant on their cars for traveling, but seen people use their vehicles as places to work and even to get a break from family members after extensive isolation, said Christiane Zorn, a senior marketing executive with Audi. And the pattern is playing out in other global markets, as well, she added.

The car, suggested Zorn, is becoming “a personal device,” one increasingly loaded up with even more technology than the typical home or office, echoed Andrew Poliak, an executive with Panasonic Automotive.

Due to the pandemic, travel during the holidays was be down slightly, but most of those trekking to see friends and family were driving.

“We’re coming to this point of convergence,” Poliak said, where many of the things a person could do at home or office can be done in the car. Indeed, he added, it’s becoming increasingly common to have a better audio system in the family vehicle than in the typical living room.

(Auto industry “in much better place,” but price surge likely to continue.)

“Technology will play a big part in the design of the automotive interior in the future,” according to Poliak, and that’s reflected by some of the latest automobiles, such as the Cadillac Escalade, with its 39 inches of video screens. The new Mercedes-Benz EQS due out next year will have a “pillar-to-pillar” Hyperscreen display, the automaker announced during a separate CES event.

Tellingly, when Ford redesigned its F-150 for the 2021 model year it developed a retractable gearshift lever that opens up a large workspace that can be used for a motorist’s laptop computer.

While much of the new wave of technology is designed for passenger comfort and convenience, there’s also been significant growth in the use of advanced driver assistance systems, such as forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking. Some new models offers dozens of these smart safety features.

New and used car sales are on the rise as people move away from public transportation and back into personal vehicles for their commute.

And the first semi-autonomous driving systems, such as Tesla’s Autopilot and General Motors’ Super Cruise, are receiving warm public receptions. Stefan Buerkle, a senior vice president at mega-supplier Robert Bosch, expects to see the growth of auto-parking technologies that could allow a motorist to exit at their destination and then send their vehicle off to find a parking spot on its own. A press of a keyfob or a tap on a smartphone app would summon the vehicle later.

“You won’t have to park your car anymore, or go looking for a spot,” something that adds to urban congestion, said Buerkle. But there’s another advantage, he added. “That will also make much better use of the infrastructure, especially in cities, where space is at a premium.”

Self-parking technology could allow cities to shift to remote parking locations and reduce the need for lots to be set up in dense urban centers, the CES panelists agreed.

While such technology is likely still a few years from production, it will simply add to the trend that has seen new car prices rise rapidly in the last several years. At a separate conference last week, analysts from Cox Automotive noted that the typical new vehicle sold in the U.S. is now rolling off the dealer lot for a record price of around $40,000.

(Commuting may have changed forever, finds new study.)

But the new technologies showing up in the latest vehicles also seem likely to change the basic business model of the auto industry, Bailo and her fellow panelists said. The push to add 4G and even 5G connectivity will allow automakers to not only sell new vehicles but also develop new revenue streams. That will include providing in-vehicle entertainment and using smartphone-style over-the-air updates to add additional features, said Zorn, much as Tesla plans to do with the next major update of Autopilot.


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