2013 Kia Sorento review

This is a guest review written by my husband, Will.

It’s hard to imagine a scenario where test driving a brand new 2013 Kia Sorento with a free tank of gas for a week could result in anything less than rave reviews. Let the raving begin…

First things first: this well-apportioned vehicle was delivered to our front door with a full tank of gas and perfectly clean – that is, no sticky sugar residue, empty Starbucks cups, or cold French fries as is typical in our 2004 Mazda MPV. Absent also was the musty odor of smoke with each new rain as is found in my new-to-me 2005 Kia Optima. First impression: 5 out of 5 stars in my undefined grading scale.

This Kia Sorento boasted every possible option including leather, Bluetooth phone connectivity, heated or chilled front seats, key-less ignition and commercial-free Sirius satellite radio.

Also included was the dreaded automatic climate control with temperature display rather than the time-honored blue-for-cold, red-for-hot system, but it was easy enough to keep it comfortable once we got used to the dials.

The real treat was the screen that controls all, and when placed in reverse offered a live color feed from a back-up camera! Since the kids are constantly grounded from  screens, they really thought they were getting away with something.

Most memorable moment of the week: determined to drive the Sorento as often as possible, we skillfully loaded our family of seven and drove to a friend’s house for dinner. Upon arriving at our destination, rapid un-strapping and kids kicking doors open nearly drowned out the faint, helpless query that floated forth from the six-year-old in the back seat, “How do we get out?” The high backs of the center row of seats now locked in place by various car seats formed a seemingly impassable wall. Good thing they’re part monkey, or they would never have gotten out. Especially in these days when the government requires car seats for kids until they qualify to draw social  security, the Sorento is far too small for a family of seven. For those who have produced less off-spring, you’ll have plenty of room.

I had no trouble fitting 60 gallons of paint in the back and thoroughly enjoyed driving to construction sites and plunging through the large muddy field next to the parking lot of the abandoned Albertson’s.

I have no clue how much this vehicle costs so obviously I can not mention “value.” If money was no object and I had to buy a brand new small SUV, you can keep your BMW and your Lexus, I’m taking the Kia Sorento!

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