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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APRIL 2020 CR.ORG 67