When most SUVs do their best to compete within their own vehicle segments, there is one crossover that consistently blurs the lines between classes. The 2021 Kia Sorento just won’t be boxed in and launches with the bragging independence of a 13-year-old who doesn’t want to zip his coat in January. This small, maybe midsize, SUV knows how to compete and does so in more than one crossover segment. Straddling the class lines is what the Kia Sorento does best, and it may be why so many consumers are becoming loyal fans. Before you buy a crossover, you might want to test-drive the latest Sorento model. It isn’t afraid to take on any competition, perhaps even more than your favorite SUV.

What MotorTrend claims about the 2021 Kia Sorento

The Kia Sorento has always aimed to be an over-achiever in whatever category it falls, and MotorTrend says the 2021 model is primed to compete in three different SUV segments. It’s loaded with amenities and extras, making it a top contender in any class, but its versatility lies within the Sorento’s size and value.

It may be a midsize SUV, but it can also compete in the compact SUV market in price. The Sorento also offers a standard third row, allowing it to run with the large SUV class. If the 2021 Kia Sorento had a middle name, it would definitely be “versatile.” And everything about this SUV says, “feel free to color outside the lines.”

Competing in three SUV segments

The 2021 Kia Sorento comes in with a loaded list of standard equipment, even at the base level trims. Its price tag makes it affordable and competitive with the compact SUVs. But it also competes with midsize and three-row segments and does so with ease, in part due to the hefty roster of standard features, including the third-row seating capability. With an MSRP range of from $29,390 to $42,590, the 2021 Kia Sorento is a high-value proposition in all of the SUV classes according to Car and Driver.

Not to be mistaken for a Telluride

While there is tremendous excitement around Kia’s full-size SUV, the Telluride, the 2021 Kia Sorento comes out of the gate with a look and feel all of its own. You won’t mistake this SUV for a mini-Telluride, even with its third-row seating. The Sorento offers a more chiseled look and even more torque than its larger cousin. There are several engine configurations available for the Sorento, including the 2.5-liter turbocharged I-4 that hits 311 lb-ft of torque, 49 lb-ft more than the Telluride’s V6.

What else is new for the 2021 Kia Sorento?

The 2021 Kia Sorento is also positioned to compete on the hybrid stage, offering its hybrid and plug-in hybrid variations this year. The LX is the entry-level trim, and even with its $1,300 increase from last year, it’s still one of the most valuable third-row crossovers out there. The Sorento is slightly wider this year and jam-packed with safety tech and must-have driver assistance features. With each of the four engine options, Kia manages to increase fuel efficiency, too. In a sense, this 2021 model is bigger, leaner, more powerful, more efficient, and more affordable than ever.

Whether you want a compact crossover, midsize SUV, or need a third row, there’s one model that deserves a look this year. The 2021 Kia Sorento is ready to step up and compete across all three segments and even among the hybrid options. With that kind of competitive confidence, you may want to give the Sorento some consideration. And with its super-affordable price range, you can expect significant bang for your Sorento buck, as well.