2016 Kia Sorento Pros and Cons: What To Know When Weighing Your Decision
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The Kia Sorento, a beloved mid-size SUV, has undergone a significant evolution throughout its model history, and it’s made a name for itself in the space by being a fan favorite, leading to many people searching out the 2016 Kia Sorento as a used vehicle. That’s why we’ve created this list of the 2022 Kia Sorento pros and cons.
Anyone considering buying a new SUV should be aware not only of the great things that everyone says but also of the negatives that have surfaced over the years. For cars, trucks, and SUVs that have been out for several years, there is no reason to not be informed about the ups and downs. Check out our list of 2016 Kia Sorento pros and cons, and make sure you’ve got all of the information you need to make a solid decision.
What We Love: 2016 Kia Sorento Pros
Every list of pros and cons will have good and bad, but we always prefer to start with the good, here. That said, here are the leading things people love about the 2016 Kia Sorento.
Gorgeous Design & Curb Appeal
The 2016 Kia Sorento has a unique look that has garnered a lot of love for its design, most notably the exotic “tiger nose” grille and general visual appeal. Enthusiasts regard it as one of the best-looking SUVs in the mid-size class, with the available SX trim bringing 19-inch wheels to the table.
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Fuel-Efficient Base Engine
Even on the base model, the 2016 Kia Sorento comes with a 2.4L, 4-cylinder engine that makes this mid-size SUV feel sporty with 185 HP, while still getting a respectable 27 MPG. This is a great base engine for those seeking power and economy, like those in urban settings where drives are short and fuel is costly.
Powerful Upgrades Available
While the base engine is nice, another big benefit is the number of upgrade options there are for the 2016 Kia Sorento engine. There are variants out there that have turbocharged 4-cylinder as well as a V6 option. The turbo engine created a very quick Sorento, the V6 was a better option for owners who needed to tow things regularly.
Sport Trim Options
Earlier we mentioned the SX trim added nicer, 19-inch performance wheels. The package, however, also added an upgraded steering system to handle the increased forces of more sporty driving styles. There is a potential downside to these sport trim options, which we’ll cover in our ‘cons’ section below.
AWD Capability
One of the things many people are looking for in their used SUV purchase is versatility, and the 2016 Kia Sorento has incredible levels of versatility. The Dynamax AWD system creates easier driving in just about any situation but improves stability and traction in snow, mud, and other challenging conditions. This makes the 2016 Sorento a rugged option for a used SUV.
More Interior Space
The 2016 Kia Sorento finds the model benefitting from increased interior space compared to previous years. This increased interior space translates directly to more usable space for passengers and cargo. The second-row seats are more comfortable than in a lot of similar SUVs, where the second row tends to be “cozy”.
Excellent Safety Features & Rating
The 2016 Kia Sorento comes with tons of safety features, like ABS, traction and stability control, front side airbags for the front row, and curtain airbags for first and second. All these and more come together to result in a 5-star rating from the NHTSA.
HOW LONG DO KIA SORENTOS LAST?
If you’re interested in this midsize SUV in the used car market, you’re likely asking: how long do Kia Sorentos last? A clear understanding of your Sorento’s lifespan can help you budget.
Value-Targeted Base Trim
One final thing that we loved, is that while there are tons of options to choose from, the base model specifically is designed to create significant value for the owner. With common options like LED running lights, satellite radio, and Bluetooth as standard, many people forget they’re not in a luxury vehicle.
What We Don’t Like: 2016 Kia Sorento Cons
Alright, now that we’ve covered all the really good stuff, here’s where we cover some of the not-so-good stuff. Below are a few of the things that owners have said were drawbacks, or otherwise things that should or could be changed.
No Off-Road Trim Package
This is a big one for a lot of people. Kia offers an SUV without a dedicated off-road package, and that just doesn’t sit well with a lot of people. They state that it can handle “light trails” but that highly rugged terrain isn’t recommended due to the risk of potential undercarriage damage.
Limited Suspension Options
This is another thing that just doesn’t make a lot of sense. The 2016 Kia Sorento doesn’t have any option for upgrading the suspension to something sportier, even though there’s the option to upgrade the steering to something sportier.
Limited Third-Row Space
On one hand, third-row seating is something you more or less expect to be kind of cramped or uncomfortable. On the other, this one is particularly cramped, and generally only suitable for kids, young adults, or otherwise, very short trips.
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Should You Buy a 2016 Kia Sorento?
In short, the 2016 Kia Sorento does bring a powerful choice to the table for anyone considering a mid-size SUV. Not only does it have efficient and powerful engine options, but it touts a relatively spacious interior with a list of advanced safety features that come standard.
While the 2016 Kia Sorento excels as urban and light-trail navigation, the painful lack of an off-road package, or even an upgraded suspension system to match the sport upgrades are factors to consider. Not only that, but you are going to be depending on that third-row seat for anyone other than a child, you may want to upgrade to something bigger for a long-term solution.
Overall, if you balance the bad with the good, the 2016 Kia Sorento represents a solid value if you’re looking for a used SUV, and we hope that our list of 2016 Kia Sorento pros and cons helped you to become more informed about your next potential vehicle purchase.
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