Driving Impressions

With either V6 under the hood, the 2009 Kia Sorento has plenty of power for both city traffic and swift highway cruising. The suspension provides a pleasant ride and adequate handling on smooth pavement, but when the road gets rough, the ride gets bouncy, with a good deal of the bumps transmitted directly into the cabin. The Sorento's brakes might also be a cause for concern; in previous testing, we noticed significant brake fade after just two panic stops from 60 mph. Drivers who plan on any traversing of mountainous roads should keep this in mind.

The Sorento's steering feel, however, is satisfying and there's a minimum of body roll when cornering. Thanks to the Sorento's low-range transfer case and truck-based origins, off-road excursions can be tackled with relative ease, but the Sorento's capabilities still fall short of those possessed by more competent vehicles like the Xterra and FJ Cruiser.

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    Battery
    WARNING - Battery dangers Always read the following instructions carefully when handling a battery. Keep lighted cigarettes and all other flames or sparks away from the battery. Hydrogen, whic ...

    Interior lights
    CAUTION Do not use the interior lights for extended periods when the engine is not running. It may cause battery discharge. Automatic turn off function (if equipped) The interior lights automat ...

    Audio remote control
    The steering wheel audio remote control button is installed to promote safe driving. CAUTION Do not operate the audio remote control buttons simultaneously. VOLUME ( / ) (1) • Push up the le ...