2011 Kia Sorento EX AWD

The Sorento's interior might look nice and fit together well, but some of the materials are as cheap or cheaper than you would find in a $16,000 Kia Soul. At the Sorento's starting price of $22,395 that might not be such a big deal, but it's unforgivable in our $34,840 test car. Fortunately, the driving experience is quite good, more than making up for the cheap interior. The 3.5-liter V-6 pulls strong from any point in the tachometer. The ride is composed and the body is well controlled. And I like the ability to lock the center differential of the otherwise part-time all-wheel drive. The third row (standard in the V-6, optional in the I-4) provides comically little legroom and the seat sits mere inches off the floor. It does, however, fold perfectly into the floor with the pull straps being the only indication that this Sorento has (theoretical) room for seven. Eric Tingwall, Associate Editor