Predictable is good | 2017 Kia Sorento Quick Spin

• We were immediately impressed with the V6, which pumps out 290 horsepower and 252 pound-feet of torque. It offers strong, even acceleration. We took off from a stoplight, revved to 6,000 rpm, and shot past a line of traffic cued up to the left. The Sorento feels a little bit like a sleeper.
• It's strong on the expressway. We had no trouble merging or maneuvering through plodding traffic. Reaching cruising speeds of 75 or 80 miles per hour isn't a chore. We occasionally floored it to stretch things out and weren't disappointed. Response is very acceptable for this segment.
• We noticed the sound of the V6 is basic, and not sporty. Just six cylinders doing their thing.
• Teamed with a six-speed automatic transmission, the V6 was refreshing. So many crossovers come with turbo and/or naturally-aspirated four-cylinders (the Sorento offers both). But a competent engine moving us forward in a linear fashion is kind of nice. Traditional even.
• Yes, the industry is moving toward downsized displacement, and that's a smart tactic. But a turbocharged engine — they all have some degree of lag — is a strange dynamic for some consumers. Add in a dual-clutch or an eight- or nine-speed gearbox, and everyday vehicles can start to feel weird. Accelerate quickly in a turbo crossover with a non-enthusiast and they're not going to like it. The point: the traditional powertrain in the Sorento delivers.
• Once we're cruising, we noticed a little bit of road and wind noise. Conversation is easy.
• The cabin is pretty nice. Lots of plastics and leather. Most of the materials are black, and they're accented by silver trim. There are three gauges right in front of us. The navigation is easy to use. It's an intuitive setup.
• The second row was fine, as we expected. But the third row offers a surprising amount of leg room. Our knees were snug, but not jammed. Our head bumped the top thanks to the sloping roofline. It's a tradeoff for the crossover's aesthetically pleasing silhouette. From the back seats, the panoramic sunroof offers a nice view. Should you find yourself back there, look up.
• The Sorento is good looking. Shapely. There are chrome-colored materials for the greenhouse, door handles, grille, and other accents. It's all tasteful. One complaint: the fog lamps, which have a cube design, look weird.
• We feel some bumps, but it's generally a comfortable suspension setup, as we'd expect.

By Greg Migliore