Consumer_Reports_-_April_2020

Kia Sorento
!

The Sorento is a refined

and strong competitor

among midsized SUVs. All

versions come standard

with seating for seven

passengers, though the third row

is best for kids. There are two

power trains available: a 185-hp,

2.4-liter four-cylinder and a smooth,

quiet 290-hp, 3.3-liter V6 that is paired

with an eight-speed automatic. Our tested V6 Sorento got 22 mpg overall,

which is average for a three-row SUV. The cabin is quiet, the first- and second-

row seats are comfortable and supportive, and the ride is composed. We found

the handling to be responsive in everyday driving. The controls are among the

easiest to use in the industry. Forward collision warning, automatic emergency

braking, and blind spot warning are standard on the higher trims.



OVERALL

SCORE

74

$26,690-$41,790

RELIABILITY

4

SATISFACTION

3

ROAD-TEST SCORE 78 MPG 22

Kia Soul
!

The redesigned 2020 Kia

Soul retains the blend of

personality and versatility

with its familiar boxy shape

and cheerful character.

Although it looks familiar, the new

Soul is based on a more substantial

platform and gets a continuously

variable transmission that contributes

to better fuel economy. Handling is

quite nimble. But the ride remains stiff, and engine noise is rather pronounced.

Easy access and good visibility continue to be strengths. The EX comes with a

power driver's seat, which has more range of adjustments. Controls are easy

to use, including the optional 10.25-inch center touch screen. Android Auto

and Apple CarPlay compatibility are standard. Advanced safety and driver

assistance features are standard on most trims, but none are available on the

base LX trim.



OVERALL

SCORE

81

$17,490-$27,490

RELIABILITY

5

SATISFACTION

4

ROAD-TEST SCORE 76 MPG 28

Kia Sportage!

The stylish Sportage

is a mildly sporty small

SUV. While the 2.4-liter

four-cylinder and smooth

six-speed automatic

provide adequate acceleration,

its 23 mpg overall is not particularly

good. The SX trim gets a more

powerful turbo four-cylinder.

Though the ride is a touch firm,

it's composed and handling is responsive. The controls, including the

touch-screen infotainment system, are easy to use. Note that visibility to

the rear and side is hampered by the thick rear roof pillars. The rear seat

is roomy, and passengers benefit from a flat floor. New for 2020, standard

advanced safety features include forward collision warning with automatic

emergency braking and pedestrian detection. Blind spot warning and rear

cross traffic warning are standard on all except the base trim.



OVERALL

SCORE

75

$23,990-$34,990

RELIABILITY

3

SATISFACTION

3

ROAD-TEST SCORE 78 MPG 23

Kia Stinger

Kia, a car brand better

known for practical

transportation and value,

has branched into sports

sedan territory with the

Stinger, a low-slung, four-door hatch-

back. The Stinger is a rear-wheel-drive

car (all-wheel drive is available), and

it has nimble handling that can be

playful on a track. On the downside,

the ride is stiff and a bit unsettled. Two engines are offered: a standard 255-hp,

2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder and a punchy 365-hp, 3.3-liter turbo V6. The car

sits low, which makes getting in and out difficult, limits rear headroom, and

severely hurts visibility. Most of the controls are fairly easy to use, but drivers

may find it a long reach to the touch screen. Advanced safety systems, such as

automatic emergency braking and lane keeping assistance, are available, but

only blind spot and rear cross traffic warning are standard.



OVERALL

SCORE

68

$33,090-$52,500

RELIABILITY

3

SATISFACTION

5

ROAD-TEST SCORE 75 MPG 23

Kia Telluride

!

Kia's Telluride three-row

midsized SUV offers

seating for up to eight

people and is one of

the best in the category,

competing against the Chevrolet

Traverse, Honda Pilot, and Subaru

Ascent. The Telluride has a slick

291-hp V6 paired with a smooth-

shifting eight-speed automatic

transmission. It rides comfortably, and the cabin is quiet. The interior is

roomy and comes with several well-thought-out details, such as one-touch

fold/slide second-row seats. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive

is available. Towing capacity is 5,000 pounds. Standard advanced safety

systems include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with

pedestrian detection, and blind spot warning.



OVERALL

SCORE

92

$31,690-$43,490

RELIABILITY

4

SATISFACTION

5

ROAD-TEST SCORE 97 MPG 21

Land Rover Defender

The new Defender SUV

evokes the original

utilitarian classic. It comes

with a choice of four- or

six-cylinder engines, two-

or four-door body styles, a number

of seating configurations from five to

seven passengers, and a comprehen-

sive list of off-road-ready features.

The two engines are a 296-hp, 2.0-liter

turbocharged four-cylinder and a 395-hp six-cylinder engine with a 48-volt mild

hybrid setup. Both engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

It also has Land Rover's new infotainment system, accessed through a 10-inch

touch screen, that is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Forward

collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning, and lane

keeping assistance are standard. Adaptive cruise control and rear cross traffic

warning are optional. The four-door Defender goes on sale in the spring.



OVERALL

SCORE

NA

$49,900-$80,900

RELIABILITY

1

SATISFACTION

4

ROAD-TEST SCORE NA MPG NA

Land Rover Discovery

The Discovery is a luxury

three-row SUV that blends

on-road refinement with

off-road and towing

prowess. We found that

the 340-hp, 3.0-liter supercharged

V6 engine produces plenty of power

and the eight-speed automatic

transmission shifts smoothly, but

this combo returned a mere 17 mpg

overall in our tests. A 254-hp, 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 is also available. The

second row can fit three adults, but it is too low for optimal comfort, and

accessing the tight third-row seat is a slow, awkward process. Though the

optional air suspension makes the ride mostly steady, the Discovery is a bit

lumbering in corners. Controls can be confusing, but the front seats are very

comfortable and the quiet cabin is nicely furnished. Blind spot warning is

standard for 2020.



OVERALL

SCORE

51

$52,300-$69,200

RELIABILITY

1

SATISFACTION

2

ROAD-TEST SCORE 71 MPG 17

Land Rover

Discovery Sport

Land Rover's entry into

the luxury compact SUV

market segment struggles

against even mass-market

small SUVs. Power delivery

from the turbo four-cylinder is spiky,

with either too little or too much

acceleration, and the transmission is

neither smooth nor responsive. The

Sport proved capable off-road, commendably ascending our rock hill even

without low-range gearing. But the on-road ride is stiff, and handling is far from

nimble. A freshening spiffed up the previously austere cabin. The infotainment

system looks glossy and high-tech, but it's unintuitive and slow to respond. To its

credit, the SUV's rear seat is roomy. Updates for 2020 include standard forward

collision warning, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection.



OVERALL

SCORE

44

$37,800-$52,800

RELIABILITY

1

SATISFACTION

1

ROAD-TEST SCORE 58 MPG 21

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