2015 KIA Sorento LX

The 2015 Sorento is Kia's mid-size SUV, a three-row family hauler that competes with the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot. It rides smoothly and handles well for its size, though it can hesitate a bit when you ask for quick acceleration. Inside, the Sorento offers a comfortable, well-made cabin with plenty of cargo space, and the fold-flat seats make hauling bikes or gear easy. The available touchscreen infotainment includes Bluetooth, USB, and SiriusXM, and it connects wirelessly to your phone for calls and music. The LX is the entry trim, so you get the base 2.4L four-cylinder instead of the EX's 3.3L V6, and you skip the touchscreen infotainment and upgraded upholstery. Its 2.4L I4 makes 191 horsepower and pairs with a six-speed automatic and all-wheel drive, which is enough for around-town driving but feels strained on the highway; expect 22 mpg combined. The LX seats five instead of seven, so you lose the third row entirely, but you gain a lower price and simpler maintenance.