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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    Interior light
    CAUTION Do not use the interior lights for extended periods when the engine is not running. It may cause battery discharge. Room lamp Type A (1) Map lamp Push the lens to turn the map lamp o ...

    Brake system
    Power brakes Your vehicle has power-assisted brakes that adjust automatically through normal usage. In the event that the power-assisted brakes lose power because of a stalled engine or some oth ...

    Engine compartment
    2.4L 1. Engine Coolant Reservoir 2. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir 3. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir* 4. Radiator Cap 5. Engine Oil Filler Cap 6. Engine Oil Dipstick 7. Brake Fluid Reservo ...