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2021 Kia Sorento unveiled with new look, more tech, and two hybrid options

We've seen the all-new, fourth-generation 2021 Kia Sorento before, as Kia unveiled it online earlier in 2020, but this is our first glimpse at the American-spec model and with that glimpse comes a full set of details. Included is a longer list of technology features, more all-terrain capability, and an available plug-in hybrid powertrain. While the American market version looks a lot like the variant that will be sold in global markets, the range will include an outdoorsy equipment package named X-Line, offered as the AWD version of SX Prestige model, which adds an inch of ground clearance, specific 20-inch alloy wheels, a bridge-type roof rack, and a handful of rugged-looking exterior accents. It also brings a center locking differential and electronic hill descent control. While it won't be giving a Jeep Grand Cherokee fits, it sounds like it will be more capable over rough terrain than your average family crossover. Besides the X-Line's extra ground clearance (a decent 8.3 inches), every 2021 Sorento gains 1.4 inches of wheelbase. Total length remains the same, though, and third-row legroom has actually gone down by 2 inches. As such, the Sorento maintains its unusual in-betweener position: it's bigger and has more seats than a Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4, but it isn't as spacious or cumbersome as bigger three-row crossovers. This positioning makes even more sense now that Kia sells the Telluride. The 2021 Sorento comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen and six USB charging ports. Buyers willing and able to move up the trim hierarchy and tick a few boxes on the list of options unlock a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 360-degree camera, eight USB ports, a 10.25-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, cloud-based navigation, plus multi-connection Bluetooth technology that lets the passengers simultaneously connect two phones. Owners can also use an Amazon Alexa- or Google Assistant-enabled smart speaker to remotely start the engine, among other functions.  The 2021 Sorento range will ultimately include four powertrains. Entry-level models come with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that develops 191 horsepower and 182 pound-feet of torque. The upgrade engine option is now a turbocharged version of the 2.5-liter making 281 horsepower and a stout 311 pound-feet of torque. The old Sorento's V6 is no more. Front-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission come standard on both, and all-wheel drive is offered at an extra cost.

Kia Sorento and Pierce Brosnan make The Perfect Getaway for the Super Bowl

Automakers keep rolling out their Super Bowl ads online days ahead of the actual game, but the extended cut of Kia's commercial for the 2016 Sorento is probably the best of the batch released so far. The spot does a great job of combining action and humor into a tight package, while showing off the CUV in the snow. The ad, titled The Perfect Getaway Vehicle, stars former James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan as he is pitched for the Kia commercial. Brosnan tries to imagine it all, but given a career mostly as a suave action star, he misunderstands the slightly more realistic style that the brand is going for.

Lower gas prices mean there are excellent deals on green cars right now

The phenomenon was big enough to make news in 2006, then in 2008, in 2011, in 2012, in 2013, and again last year: a big move in gas prices means a big move in alternative-fuel-vehicle sales. True Car's TrueSavings report, which averages transaction prices across the country to figure out what people are paying compared to MSRP, shows that electric cars and hybrids are ripe for excellent savings right now. The Ford Focus Electric presents the greatest disparity, with the average transaction price of $25,168 representing a 16.1-percent saving off its $29,995 MSRP. The Kia Optima Hybrid and Toyota Prius also snagged spots in the top five, with the Kia offering a 10.7-percent discount and the Toyota a 10.1-percent discount. One hybrid managed to show up among the top five lease offers, too: the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is just $315 a month for 36 months after $3,875 down in some markets. Alt-energy vehicles got bumped out of the top five finance deals, however. That was dominated by light trucks and, oddly, two subcompacts. The press release below has more details. TrueCar finds hybrids, EVs top list of best savings in January Gasoline price plunge = savings for consumers on alternative fuel vehicles SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Ford's Focus Electric hatchback, which sells at an average of 16 percent off MSRP, tops January's list of best savings on new vehicles, according to TrueCar, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRUE), the negotiation-free car buying and selling platform. The "TrueSavings" monthly report analyzes current transaction prices and identifies opportunities for consumer savings. "Fuel savings are not top of mind to many consumers right now, and that makes this a great time to buy a hybrid or electric vehicle," said John Krafcik, president of TrueCar. "With gasoline prices now averaging just $2.10 per gallon, and vehicle preferences tied so closely to short-term gasoline prices, automakers are heavily discounting their most fuel-efficient cars to clear inventories." Toyota's Prius, the world's best-selling alternative fuel vehicle for more than a decade, also makes January's list of best savings. Customers who purchase a Prius Two model this month can save 10 percent off the hybrid car's $25,025 MSRP. "Gasoline prices and vehicle type preferences are strongly related, and this relationship is cyclical in nature," said Krafcik.