Driving Experience
Includes acceleration and handling
What Owners Say
"Poor acceleration. The transmission downshifts too quickly on minor inclines. Same as before, I only have one Kia."
Daniel N., VA (2011 Kia Sorento)"Handling is okay. Drives solid. Good acceleration."
Fred H., VA (2011 Kia Sorento)"Great gas milage in City and Highway and the power it has."
Anonymous, NC (2011 Kia Sorento)"Great handling! Accelerates fast and stops fast! Important to be aware of speed because it doesn't feel like you're going has fast as you are going. Fun to drive!!!"
Anonymous, TX (2011 Kia Sorento)"Poser engine very acceleration"
G F., QC (2011 Kia Sorento)"The Kia handles beautifully, corners well, and accelerates well. It is a 6-cylinder vehicle."
Anonymous, NJ (2011 Kia Sorento)"Have the V6 and it is very quick acceleration which requires serious handling to maintain control. Good traction even when wet."
Dorice R., TX (2011 Kia Sorento)"It rides like a truck"
Robert S., TN (2011 Kia Sorento)"All wheel drive, accelerates well"
Anonymous, CO (2011 Kia Sorento)"suspension is very rough"
Anonymous, CO (2011 Kia Sorento)"Four cylinder engine not powerful enough, transmission shifts too frequently"
PAUL S., VA (2011 Kia Sorento)"Awesome handling. Involved in head on collision at 45 miles per hour. Slight injury to myself."
Anonymous, VA (2011 Kia Sorento)"Technically this is an SUV with all wheel drive but it is really useless. Even though is has a dashboard "Lock" for all wheel drive, the reality is that one front wheel and the opposite rear wheel will spin so the vehicle become stuck very easily, like on my own wet grass lawn. It is rediculous."
HARRY B., NC (2011 Kia Sorento)"Not great in states with mountains and only a 4 cylinder."
P K., IL (2011 Kia Sorento)"I am very pleased with the acceleration and steering. It has the v-6 engine and is very peppy. The steering is very responsive and has a very close turning circle."
Anonymous, GA (2011 Kia Sorento)"Does not feel stable on snow and ice."
TODD S., PA (2011 Kia Sorento)"I really enjoy the acceleration of the bigger v6 engine, it's very smooth but delivers a very powerful ride. The suspension and handling on the other hand, especially on windy/curvy roads is very ...jiggly. The suspension sort of feels like it's jelly and there seems to be a lot of cabin movement at moderate speeds through winding roads."
Anonymous, VA (2011 Kia Sorento)"There is a good bit of road noise and the ride is rough."
Anonymous, CA (2011 Kia Sorento)"i feel it is very peppy and handles very well and the gas mileage at 75 mph is just as advertised."
Anonymous, AZ (2011 Kia Sorento)"the ride is so bumpy never would have bought if testdrive was on an unsmooth road"
LINDA F., PA (2011 Kia Sorento)"In today's world of expressways where acceleration is required to merge safely, the standard 4 cylinder is under powered."
Anonymous, FL (2011 Kia Sorento)"Great: acceleration and handling. Smooth and quiet ride"
Anonymous, MD (2011 Kia Sorento)"Rough ride"
D W., IL (2011 Kia Sorento)"Handles really well - in the winter also (once better tires were put on since the all weather tires that come with the vehicle don't do well in snow)"
Anonymous, MN (2011 Kia Sorento)"V6 has power to spare. AWD has never left me stuck in the deep Manitoba, Canada snow."
ALLAN O., MB (2011 Kia Sorento)"The 4 cylinder engine does not deliver enough power."
MICHAEL G., SC (2011 Kia Sorento)"quick acceleration and smooth handling"
Anonymous, GA (2011 Kia Sorento)"Excellent acceleration"
Anonymous, GA (2011 Kia Sorento)"very good acceleration for passing. takes corners well."
Mike W., ON (2011 Kia Sorento)"Handles great. Excellent acceleration for a 4 cylinder"
Lonnie B., NC (2011 Kia Sorento)"Rates HIGH in my 65 years of owning & diving worldwide. Someone will get a great vehicle when I trade it for handicap one next month."
Victor D., TX (2011 Kia Sorento)"Amazing acceleration, stays in eco mode even at higher cruising speeds, very quiet engine and drivetrain"
Vic M., CA (2011 Kia Sorento)"Once on the highway, it runs well, has a solid feel to it, and has stood up to road trips and family use. The car has great handling especially in traffic and can turn and park as well as just about any car I've had. You forget you're in an SUV. I would get the 6 cyl. if I were to buy this car again, although the engine is strong and the transmission works well, with the A/C on there is a noticeable lack of excelleration"
Michael B., VA (2011 Kia Sorento)"It's a 4-cylinder and always feels under-powered. Accelerating from a stop or accelerating to reach highway speed it seems to work too hard. It also felt slow to decelerate, although replacing the suspension improved deceleration greatly. During acceleration it up-shifts at the right time but during deceleration it sometimes downshifts but then changes its mind and reverts. Handling is solid and the small turn radius is great."
Joe, MO (2011 Kia Sorento)"I find that the steering is very easy and not stiff. When I turn I barely have to turn wheel to turn right or left. The speed is well adjusted and I can handle the SuV on the highway and see from the mirrors"
Anonymous, OH (2011 Kia Sorento)"strong 6 cylinder engine. handles well."
Tom M., NY (2011 Kia Sorento)"Handling is good but occasionally, when starting from a dead stop, like at a traffic light, there is a hesitation before the car moves forward."
Russ G., SC (2011 Kia Sorento)"It handles so well and is so predictable to drive. The acceleration with the V6 is very satisfying. The braking system (for a large vehicle) is excellent. As a daily-driver, it really checks all the boxes."
Ricardo D., CA (2011 Kia Sorento)"The handling and acceleration is phenomenal. I can stop suddenly if needed and judge with precision how much time I have to stop. I can move between lanes with ease, due to the vehicle having good center of gravity."
Anonymous, TX (2011 Kia Sorento)"Should have gotten the 6 cylinder instead of the 4. The engine is too small for when the car is loaded or towing small trailer."
M Z., NC (2011 Kia Sorento)"Four cylinders are extremely responsive. First engine died at 98k, but was under recall and was replaced without cost."
Cheryl C., TX (2011 Kia Sorento)
"Everything is great with this car."
James H., NC (2011 Kia Sorento)