Me too but fear they will be RAV4 Prime 2.0 - high demand and virtually no supply. You will also have to live in/near a ZEV state unless you want to buy it from afar…

@@trevormeyers1157 Even in ZEV states like California, many dealerships are still charging a markup of $5-10k over MSRP citing long waiting list and other bs reasons. No wonder Scotty Kilmer calls them "stealerships"!

@@CumBrianFries I looks like the PHEV Santa Fe will do 0-60 in 8.8 sec and that is in sport mode. Probably due to the 6 speed trans, wish it would be 8 speed.Charging will be 3.3 KW, don't know if it can be increased via a software update.

I like how thoughtfully they equip these vehicles. Need two rows only, here's a Santa Fe. Want the option of sometimes carrying two more, we have a Sorento for you. Need to regularly carry six or seven, take a look at a Telluride or Palisade. It's possible to find something for just about any family in their lineup.

The 2022 models have been spied with the new logo.

@@ZapFlashD Thanks, glad to see them hopefully soon.

Yep, checking on the daily!

I think that's underrating the third row. It may only be for adults for short trips, but there's plenty of room for kids back there, and that's who is likely to end up there. The lack of cargo space makes the third row unusable on a vacation, but for many families being able to haul a couple of extra kids sometimes is a definite plus.

@@markmiller3279 Spot on, Mark. I'm sure we don't deploy the third row of our Sorento as much as 10% of the time. But it's perfectly adequate for a couple of average size adults (5'9" or less) for an hour or two. And it's worth noting that the 29.6" of default legroom (without adjusting the 2nd row) is 2" more than a Toyota Highlander. On occasions when we take 6 or 7 passengers on a local outing it's a huge convenience compared to driving two vehicles.

True, it's Kia's entry against the above SUVs you mentioned. However none of them except the Hyundai Santa Fe sell well today. The Edge and Murano are likely going to be discontinued in 1-2 years.

@@anandecy3035 The Grand Cherokee outsells both, easily.

But some would argue that it’s worth the extra money A good example is nx vs gv70 or RX vs gv80.

Not a case of "masking" the price. The Korean brands retain an advantage in features offered at the same (or slightly lower) MSRPs.

I am a 6" father of 2 boys aged 4 and 1 and another is on the way in Jan. I have crv currently and am looking for a 3 row. Minivans are too expensive and I really don't want to drive one...from your experience, would it be feasible to put half the 3rd row down with my 4 year old in his car seat on the remaining 3rd row seat and the 2 babies seats in 2nd row and still have room for a collapsed stroller on folded half 3rd row?

@@k.w.2275 I believe you guys will fit fine and the stroller will also fit but now it just becomes a thing about if you need or want a lot more space aside from that because I believe you will still have some space left to fit a couple more things behind the seat that is still up and also some space next to the stroller and it also comes with some storage space underneath the floor at the end of the trunk. It’s 2 separate decent size spaces but one side comes with the tire jack that comes with the vehicle to change the tire if needed but you can take that out and in my case I took it out so I use both sides for storage. Congrats on your new baby. Me and my partner are also expecting another son in a couple of months so I’m also going to see if it still works good because like I said with 4 it’s perfect but with 5 it can be a bit more tight because of the limited trunk space but honestly I love it man it’s just a great buy IMO. You should definitely check it out and make sure you take your stroller but if you think you might need more space you can also check out a telluride at the same time. I personally loved everything about the Sorento and specially the engine choices because I like the telluride too but the engine in the Sorento is just so much more fun and feel like the telluride is kinda under powered or just not as fun as the Sorento. Long story short I recommend it and you should check it out.

Can you provide an update? I test drove and the transmission felt weird. Have you had any issues?

Wow! Very helpful! Thanks a Ton!

30 minute review has been out for 6 minutes. You posted 3 minutes ago it’s a great review. 🤔 Are you from the future?

@@mlosuno402 yes😅

Agreed about the looks of the Sorento vs the Santa Fe. Hyundai designs tend to look like there's a committee charged with taking a design and adding creases and bulges all over the vehicle. As for the similarity to the Cutlass, you're likely nearly as old as I am. 😜

@@stephenhendricks103 hahaha. agree on all points

Like many KIA owners I was somewhat leery about build quality and reliability when I bought our family's first Sorento in 2013. I was somewhat reassured the KIA's long bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties. I shouldn't have worried. After 80,000 miles the warranties could have been for 50 miles and 90 minutes and I wouldn't have spent any more to deal with reliability issues. Zero dollars. Same story with the 50,000 plus miles on our 2018 model.

"midsize" BRUH

@@carlosandleon Yes. I have a 3-row, chosen because of the large cargo space for my dogs.

@@SheilaR.08 BRUH

Zero chance of that. The Grand Cherokee easily outsells this..

The new model's third row seat is much roomier than the old one, compromised mainly by the very low seat bottom. There's no shortage of headroom or legroom except for taller men. Anyhow, kids aren't as fussy about seating as adults and teens, and that's who this is made for, not teens or adults. Many of us grew up sitting in station wagon third rows that were far less comfortable than this. The bigger problem to my mind is the lack of cargo space with the third row in use. That makes it effectively a part-time third row, not one for a family with a bunch of kids. It's good enough for carrying a couple of extra kids around town, to school or home from soccer, but not four kids on a vacation.

I'm annoyed by those changes, as well. I suspect it's a combination of protecting the sales of the Telluride by eliminating some features the Sorento shared and compensating for the cost of replacing the old V6 with the new turbo 4. The features you mention as well as a number of others are available on the Sorento sold in Korea but the Telluride isn't available there.

@@stephenhendricks103 Makes sense, though not sure buyers cross shop the Sorento and Telluride. For instance, the Telluride is far to large for my family and the Sorento was/is the perfect size for our needs. In my opinion, there’s no reason they couldn’t offer those features on the top Sorento trim. Second time Sorento buyers like I might have otherwise been, will likely notice those changes and feel they would be stepping down into a lesser car. One of the top selling points for KIA as they’ve struggled to move on from their past earned reputation for crap cars, was to pack in technology and features like the thigh extension, along with the rear heated seats. Also, we really like the naturally aspirated V6, because it shifts gears so effortlessly and the cabin is quiet. KIA’s turbo engines don’t have a stellar track record, so that’s another reason I’d pass on the new Sorento. KIA needs to decide on a brand identity and stick with it. Right now that seems in flux.

@@stevewise1656 As an owner of a 2018 Sorento I share you frustration to some extent. And like you, I think the Sorento is a "Goldilocks" size for our family of four (two adults, a teenage daughter, and a big dog.) Personally, I'd pay nearly the same price for a fully loaded top trim Sorento as that of a Telluride or another larger 3 row SUV. But I think we're exceptions, not the rule. Consider the MSRP of the top trim Sorento versus the Telluride. The difference is over $5000. (And that difference remains or increases when actual transaction prices, many above MSRP, are taken into account.) That's a substantial price advantage for the Sorento. Conversely, if KIA offered the same content/features on the Sorento its price would inevitably increase. If the $5K+ difference were, say, $3000 or less would most potential Sorento customers stick with it or opt for the roomier Telluride? KIA believes, and I think they're correct, that a large portion of potential Sorento buyers would opt for a Telluride. You're certainly correct that "there's no reason (KIA) couldn't (more and better) features on the top Sorento trim." After all, they've offered many of those features on the previous generation and they're offered on Sorentos in other national markets. But doing so would inevitably either diminish the price difference between the Sorento and the Telluride and hurt sales of the Sorento or cannibalize sales of the more expensive, higher profit Telluride. Neither is an especially appealing result from KIA's point of view. There are other factors involved, as well. The new generation Sorento with a significantly modified external design, new engines, transmission, and platform inevitably means higher production costs compared to the last generation initially introduced in 2012. Yet KIA has barely nudged the MSRP of the top trim Sorento. With that in mind reducing features is inevitable. And the factors determining those decisions don't end there. Not only are there complaints about a reduced set of amenities compared to the last generation, some complain about features offered on the Sorento in other national markets that are missing in the US. But what those complaints don't take into account is that the Sorento is the flagship and largest unibody SUV offered in most national markets. The Telluride is built and offered almost exclusively in the US and Canada. (It's not even offered in Korea.) In those international markets the Sorento is seen as a "large" SUV and competes primarily with similar size luxury SUVs from European manufacturers. The larger mainstream midsize SUV rivals sold in the US are either nonexistent or have minuscule sales in those markets. The Sorento, loaded with features, can be marketed as a "budget" luxury vehicle not offered in the US and still enjoy a substantial price advantage compared to models from BMW, Audi, MB, and Volvo. Even in Canada where both the Sorento and Telluride are sold, KIA offers some features not available in the US. But Canadian Sorentos are all AWD models with the built-in greater profitability of the vehicle compared to the US where AWD is an option on all trims and FWD models provide additional sales, albeit with less profit. Bottom line? As I said, I understand the frustration with some of KIA's choices in deleting content from the new Sorento compared to the previous model. But initial sales certainly don't suggest KIA has made an error in their design and marketing strategies. The absence of a second row bench seat in all but the lowest trims prevents me from replacing my 2018 Sorento with a new model. It's a deal breaker for our dog. But I suspect I'm in a small minority.

@@stephenhendricks103 Do you work for KIA Americas?😉 You’ve explained that all exceedingly well! Prior to your message, I ‘d thought I knew more than most buyers. Hmm…trying to put my finger on what you do for a living…engineer or head of corporate marketing come to mind, though not for KIA. We also have a family of four and the Sorento has served us well over the years. Your 2018 model offers virtually all the same safety features offered within the latest generation, so in my humble opinion, there’s no need to buy a new Sorento. The new turbo engine will have some hiccups like many of the other KIA turbos. The naturally aspirated engine in both your Sorento and mine work well, cabins are quiet, gears shift smoothly, and infotainment controls are intuitive. For instance, My 2019 Stinger GT2 with only 4200 miles is going on four weeks at the dealership for a total engine and transmission teardown and replacement. Many other Stinger owners are dealing with these same issues on low mileage Stingers. The issues are in part related to the twin turbos. The car has also had three battery replacements, because KIA didn’t engineer those batteries to handle the technology parasitic drain. So, my frustrations with KIA are just a tad bit high at this time. For decades I’d been a Honda/Acura buyer and switched to KIA, however after battling KIA over these issues that should’ve been covered under their alleged excellent warranty coverage, I’m looking to make a change.

Yup, to void competition to the Telluride. No more V6 either.

VERY Helpful!

And just why would KIA seek to compete with the Santa Fe with sales going into the same corporate pot? In the case of the Palisade and the Telluride, the latter is built and sold only in North America while the Palisade is designed to appeal to international markets.

Lol true no wonder why there everywhere 😅

If I were going to look at an Sorento SX or Santa Fe Calligraphy I’d have a hard time not just looking at a Palisade Calligraphy for about $6k more. The one thing that would probably hold me back would be the fuel economy.

Not everyone needs or wants a bigger vehicle.

@@markmiller3279 Bingo. Our 2018 Sorento is my wife's daily driver and the vacation "truckster" with ample cargo space for our family of four (3 humans and a big dog.) Furthermore, at 189" long we can hang a hitch mounted bike rack for 3 bikes on the Sorento and close the garage door. That wouldn't be possible with the larger Telluride or more other 3 row SUVs. For us, the Sorento is a true Goldilocks size.

He clearly really hates his MIL...

Same here but I wouldn't hold your breath. The fact that KIA is viewing captain chairs as a sign of a premium vehicle means, I think, that they'll put them on the PHEV version just as they have on the hyrid and every trim level above the very lowest in the gas model.

How do you like it so far? Is there any possibility of fitting a large check in size bag, in any orientation, in the trunk, with the third row occupied?

Like what I suspect is the overwhelming majority of Sorento owners my family seldom deploy the third row. Have to say, however, that when the need arises to chauffeur a gaggle of teenagers or any local trip with 6 or 7 passengers the third row is a huge convenience compared to using two vehicles. As for the trend toward captain chairs in the second row of upper trim mainstream and luxury 3 row crossovers stems from brands' market research that suggest customers with more disposable income (and related smaller families) see captain chairs as a sign of luxury. Unfortunately our family of four (Three humans and a big dog) has one member whose body isn't designed for a captain chair. (Guess which one.) And KIA's decision to offer a bench second row only on the lowest trims is a potential deal breaker for us.

@@stephenhendricks103 I think you're right on the money there, prior Sorento had ideal setup of bench (with more practical 40/20/40 split!) and occasional-use 3rd row. But as you say, market research dominates all and captain's chairs sure are popular nowadays

Actually, the Sorento has slightly more cargo space behind the 2nd row and equal cargo space behind the first row. The difference, of course, is that the Sorento provides a choice between 3rd row seating and cargo capacity while the Outback doesn't offer that choice. The Outback, on the other hand, though not as capable as a Wrangler or Bronco, is considerably more versatile in an off-road environment than the Sorento (even the more rugged looking X-Line version.)

Any of the standard CUV models should be able to carry camping gear for two, including the Sorento, if that's what you're asking. Beyond that, what matters is simply how good a vehicle it is, considering where you will drive it. If you're not going off-road you can buy almost anything, so concentrate on reliability, price, comfort, features - just as you would when buying any car. One note: at high elevations turbocharged engines don't lose as much power as naturally aspirated engines. That can matter if your vehicle is carrying a heavy load.

The Sorento's third row is hardly generous but it's worth noting that the default legroom in the KIA is 2" more than a Toyota Highlander and even with the capability to adjust the legroom in the first two rows in both the Sorento and the Highlander, the KIA comes out ahead overall. Then there is Toyota's cruel joke of claiming to seat 3 in the third row simply because the Highlander comes with three seatbelts.

what are you buying?

I have the same 2018 top trim Sorento and would echo your points and add a couple more. No thigh extension for the driver. And most importantly, no second row bench seat for any but the lowest trim levels. That last item is a deal breaker for our family of four (two adults, a teenage daughter, and a big dog.) I understand the trend to offer captain chairs in the second row of top trim mainstream and luxury 3 row SUVs. It stems from market research that suggests a preference for them as a "luxury" feature coupled with the smaller families and greater disposable income of those who opt for more expensive trim levels and brands. Unfortunately, our dog's second home is the back seat of our 2018 Sorento and he simply doesn't have the body shape suitable for a captain chair. I also understand KIA's decision to "de-content" the Sorento in some ways to keep the price of the Sorento from creeping closer to that of the Telluride. And the lower towing limit is understandable as well considering the replacement of the last generation's V6 with the 2.5L turbo 4. Unfortunately, some of the cost cutting significantly impacts our family's needs, especially considering that the closely related Santa Fe continues to several of those features. (e.g. memory seats, 2nd row bench). If we considered replacing our 2018 Sorento I think we'd have to think seriously about giving up the third row seating and opt for the Hyundai.

I've wondered that, too. By now I hope he has emptied that jug.

Alex would say their reliability is identical to Toyota

@Ayush Malpeddi That is good to know, with the complexity of newer cars, they seem to be a little more intricate to repair. Reliability is important for me. I appreciate the input.

Consumer Reports currently rates Kia and Hyundai reliability as right about average. That puts it below Toyota, Mazda, and Subaru, but not much different from Honda, which has had some iffy models in recent years, and above most domestic and European brands. Buick rates unexpectedly well, but that may say more about how Buick buyers use and maintain their cars than about the cars themselves.

@@markmiller3279 Reliability "rankings" of new cars regardless of brand frequently say more about how owners "use and maintain their cars than about the cars themselves." Furthermore, rankings tell you no more about the relative reliability of vehicles than "win/place/show" in a horse race tells you whether the winner was 17 lengths ahead at the finish line or wins by a nose. The fact is that over 90% of new car buyers in 2021 will drive their cars for 100K miles without a single serious reliability issue.

@@markmiller3279 Hmm, that's somewhat disconcerting. I've have also heard that about modern Honda's, that some weren't as reliable. Something with oil dilution, and their turbo engines being iffy. I've never been big on CVT's but it seems like may are except Mazda. I appreciate your info.

only thing going for that car is the styling... if it was called anything but a blazer. should just be called HandicapParkingBlazer

@@Matt-vw9nd that's cool

KIAs are no longer a "cheap" brand alternative but they remain a "value brand." And that means aiming for a price point that's largely determined by the competition in a particular national market. The top trim Sorento SXL X-Line has an MSRP only very slightly more than last year's top trim. And it comes with a new engine rather than the long-in-the-tooth V6 and a major redesign, all of which has to be paid for.

The Hyundai/Kia infotainment system is quite good, and almost always gets decent reviews. It's very straightforward and easy to learn.

All the missing features and more are in the Santa Fe Calligraphy but it lacks a 3rd row. If you don't need it, get a Santa Fe (all have 8.2" ground clearance).

I have a feeling the Sorrento was decontented so it does step on the Tellurides toes. Although, any vehicle over $40000 without memory seats is inexcusable.

The 2022 reviews is on rati ride

ugh, I have no desire for a pano roof, dont want or need all that extra weight in glass above my head.

There are many other vehicles he could have compared it with. His choices are some of the best known and most popular. I suspect when the PHEV Sorento and Santa Fe come out he will compare them with other PHEV competitors.

Yeah, but all Hyundais and Kias are rated at the top today by Consumer Reports and recommended. The Ascent got it's recommendation dropped recently.

@@normt430 Consumer Reports recommends a large number of cars. Reliability has to be average or better and the road test score likewise. It's meaningful, but not a very exclusive club.

I leased a Santa Fe Calligraphy (admittedly, ordered in February) for $565. This includes ALL costs: taxes, fees, tags, etc and zero down. Now dealers are simply ripping people off because....... they can!

@@markmiller3279 CR's data reporting has improved over the years and their detailed reviews about ergonomics and living with a car seem to be spot on as we average one new car every 18 months or so. We don't agree on price/ value as the cost to purchase the Korean's and domestics are much less than the Japanese. The quality gap has a closed to the point it is moot.

@@axion8788 did you pay MSRP? Trade-in?

Agreed. I think this should have been compared with both the larger two-row crossovers like the Passport, Atlas Cross Sport, Edge, Murano and Blazer, as well as the smaller three-rows like the Highlander and Acadia

@@mark_u he does compare it to all of them in the drive and discussion section. I think for the full pricing and spec comparison section at the end, he probably narrowed it for video time efficiency

Not really. It's narrower and lighter, more like the compacts than the mid-size Passport. And, of course, it has the third-row seat, so that pushes it closer to the Pilot. Honda doesn't really have a direct competitor. It's like a CR-V with a third row.

@@markmiller3279 In terms of size the Sorento is very close to the Passport. (189" vs 190" in length.) As well as the Ford Edge (188") and the Sorento's sibling, the Santa Fe (188"). The CR-V is considerably smaller (182.1") In fact, the Sorento is a smidgen closer in size to the Highlander than to the CR-V.

Or Kia just makes better use of space

@@brandon6541 Toyota used to do that too. The 11th gen corolla especially was very impressive in legroom

The Rav4 does not have 7 seats anywhere. The CR-V I believe did, but no longer. The LWB Tiguan Allspace does though.

No. Not really

A disappointment I agree (and I own a 2018 Sorento with each of those features along with others no longer available.) But a "deal breaker?" I think not.

You can get a Palisade without the dealer markup, and styling aside they are very much alike. Yeah, it still costs, but you get what you pay for.

My dealer in the Seattle area sells Tellurides at MSRP. No "market adjustment" period. The downside of that practice is a long waiting list for the top trim Telluride that has barely shrunk since its introduction. Pick your poison.

There are a number of deletions on the US Spec Sorento vs the previous model and the version available in Korea and some other international markets. For the most part the cost cutting is designed to reduce the likelihood of cannibalizing sales of the Telluride, a vehicle that isn't even sold in Korea.

Exactly the question that goes through my head every time I consider a Hyundai/Kia.

@@mynameIan there’s a reason frugal taxi and Uber drivers buy Toyota hybrids. A consensus favorite was the second generation Prius, or the Prius V.

@@MechayaAlta True, a Prius is ideal for an Uber driver. The Highlander is a very different vehicle. It should be reasonably reliable, but the things that fail most often on modern cars are all the electronic gizmos, and a Highlander has a lot more of those than the much simpler Prius. To address the question directly, few cars have major problems within five years. Consumer Reports rates Kia reliability as right about average. It is below Toyota, but close to Honda. That rating mostly reflects minor problems, irritating, but not the sort that kill a vehicle. CR says regularly that major engine problems are very rare now until cars have a lot of miles on them. You're not going to drive that far in five years, even if you take a lot of trips. A Highlander might have fewer repairs, but the Kia warranty is better.

@@markmiller3279 good points. Another from CR is the first year of a redesign can be problematic. Our other car is a 2014 Subaru Legacy, the last year before the 2015 redesign. It has been flawless.

You should try actual negotiating rather than asking a dealer to give you his bottom line price without a negotiation. Nevertheless, demand for the Sorento makes it a seller's market.

@@stephenhendricks103 I like to make it plain and simple. I know with the chip shortage, it’s the dealer’s advantage on what they want to sell it at. I’ve been flexible with negotiating, but they all want markups with additional useless addendums/options. I don’t like to sit for hours 4 hours average with them playing the the 4 square routine. I hate leaving a dealership mentally burned out. If they have a selling point, and it’s out of my budget, there’s no point in negotiating. A salesman tried selling me a demo 2021 Sorento SX Prestige X-Line with 5,542 miles that his manager used. Vehicle had pet hair all over the carpet. And seats are obviously a little worn out. He was trying to get me to buy it with $6,000 on top of MSRP, and another $1,100 options (VIN etching, Nitrogen, Tint).

My wife and I are willing to pay MSRP for it, with our trade in.

@@WKaznartist I"d say you should look for another dealer. My KIA dealer (Seattle metro area) sells all vehicles at MSRP or less. Period. And I've bought many, many cars over the years and never paid over MSRP. There's no question that the current economic conditions and supply chain issues give sellers an advantage but I've found very few dealers willing to let a serious offer walk out the door in the hopes of improving on a potential deal with someone else. If you're someone who hates negotiations as you suggest, you might try working through a broker who does the negotiations for you. You won't get as good a deal as doing it on your own but you'll avoid the hassle of dealing and the time you can spend more productively. If nothing else, you might try purchasing services such as Costco that will give you a fixed price, typically less than MSRP that you can execute with multiple dealers.

Trying to maintain a significant MSRP gap between the Sorento and the Telluride is hardly a sign of selling to "misers." Every automaker aims at a price point in a particular national market according to the competition. The Telluride is not even sold outside North America and the Sorento is seen in most markets as a "large" SUV and vehicles like the Ford Explorer, the Honda Pilot, and even the Toyotoa Highlander are either non-existent or command minuscule sales.

Why would you not buy a vehicle based on wear items like tire brand... you can easily change that lol.

@@zoe7657 it's not on the tire Brand I buy!. I have bought over 30+ vehicles since 1981. All new...Ford Cobras to communter cars. I said OEM tires on the wehicles that were equipped from the factory. Many times manufactures don't install the best tires for that vehicle. I purchase on horsepower and comfort!

@ good thing it's an easy fix.

Brand and model are not meaningful to most viewers. Most brands make a pretty broad range of qualities, so just knowing that it's a Hankook instead of a Kumho isn't going to tell most people much at all. Only geeks will know what the specific model designation means, and they can easily look up that info online if they want to.