Sneak peek: 2011 Kia Sorento

With the next-generation redesign, the 2011 Kia Sorento makes the transition to a car-based platform. The size increases in the process, making it longer and roomier than the previous version with seating up to seven passengers. This will allow it to better compete against other crossover designs such as the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, and Toyota RAV4. The Sorento’s length grows to 184.4 inches, up from 181 inches and the width expands over an inch to 74.2. Cargo capacity also increases nearly five cubic feet.

The Sorento will have two engine choices—a 2.4-liter four-cylinder producing 172 hp and a 3.5-liter V6 producing 273 hp. Both engines are matched to a six-speed automatic transmission and are available in either front- or all-wheel drive.

Standard features include a AM/FM/Sirius/CD/MP3 audio system with a USB input and Bluetooth connectivity. Also available is a push-button start, voice-activated navigation, and back-up camera. Pricing information has not yet been revealed.

The new unibody design may help address the stiff ride and clumsy handling problems we found in our tests of the current Sorento, which scores too low to be recommended.

The Sorento is the first Kia produced at the newly built West Point, Georgia, plant, and it will hit showrooms in January 2010.

For more on the Kia Sorento and other new vehicles coming soon, see our New Car Preview section.

—Liza Barth