2018 KIA Sorento LX

The Sorento is Kia's mid-size three-row SUV, the one you'd cross-shop with a Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander if you need room for seven. It drives easily and feels stable on the highway, though the base engine can feel a bit short on power when you're fully loaded. The cabin is roomier than you'd expect, with comfortable seats and a nicely styled interior that doesn't feel like a budget SUV. Most trims include useful safety tech like blind spot detection, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control to make long drives easier. The LX is the entry trim, so you skip the EX's larger touchscreen and extra USB ports, but you still get a strong V6 and seven seats for thousands less. This LX has the 3.3L V6 making 290 horsepower and 252 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic and all-wheel drive, which gives it confident highway passing power even when loaded. Expect a firm ride on this trim's standard 17-inch wheels, which is the trade-off for the LX's lower price and good fuel economy at 21 mpg combined.