The Kia Sorento has been winning customers at a record rate lately, and it’s no surprise why. The fun-to-drive crossover offers an ideal mix of style, versatility and efficiency. And now it can offer something else: Certification as a “Top Safety Pick” from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS). The honor is given only to vehicles that get the highest possible ratings in IIHS crash testing for front, side, rollover and rear-impact protection. while also offering electronic stability control.
Helping to achieve that recognition is a full complement of standard Sorento safety equipment, including front, front-side and side-curtain airbags, front active headrests, antilock brakes, electronic stability control, and electronic brake-force distribution, which automatically optimizes the Sorento’s braking capabilities based on road conditions, vehicle speed and vehicle load.
It’s all further evidence of Kia’s commitment to delivering “an affordable, well-equipped and attractive CUV without sacrificing impressive levels of crash protection,” according to Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing for Kia America.
Charlotte Kia points out there aren’t many sacrifices anywhere with Kia’s crossover. Take the Sorento powertrain, guaranteed by an amazing 10-year, 100,000-mile limited warranty. First, there are two different engine choices available: A potent V6 providing best-in-class horsepower and torque, and an efficient I4 that achieves 21 mpg city/29 mpg highway/24 mpg combined according to EPA ratings. Then, both engines are mated to an advanced six-speed automatic transmission that’s designed in-house by Kia and built specifically for use with the automaker’s products. It’s also worth pointing out that Kia is one of just three automakers offering entirely proprietary transmissions like this.
Which makes it an interesting coincidence that the Sorento also happens to be one of just three Kia’s to earn “Top Safety Pick” status in 2010.
The fact that the Sorento is Kia’s best-selling product so far this year, on the other hand, is no coincidence at all.
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