Speaking of enjoyable, the EX-Luxury model does offer quite a nice interior. Cleanly finished, there are woodgrain accents on
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| The EX-Luxury model offers quite a nice interior, accented with plenty of woodgrain trim. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) |
the steering wheel, gear shift knob, console, door switch plates and rear door handles to go along with the leather most everywhere else. The wood is a nice touch, and is neither tacky nor overdone. The power tilt and sliding glass sunroof, complete with sunshade adds that extra premium element. In addition, the Sorento features air conditioning, steering wheel-mounted cruise control and audio controls, an AM/FM/CD/cassette player with 10 speakers, cupholders, trip computer with compass, altitude and barometer displays, and more.
The EX-Luxury Sorento shares the same powertrain with its LX and EX siblings, which is a 3.5-liter, DOHC, 24-valve, V6 engine
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| A 192-hp 3.5-liter, DOHC, 24-valve, V6 engine powers the EX-Luxury Sorento. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) |
producing 192 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 217 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm. The engine is coupled with a standard (on the EX-L model) 4-speed automatic transmission, which is responsive and smooth. I particularly liked the grunt of the V6 engine while ascending uphill. Not only does it sound beefy, it is beefy. While descending, I had another opportunity to listen to the engine purr. Its 217 lb-ft of torque makes for excellent engine braking, but of course the 4-wheel disc brakes with 4-wheel ABS are also there to help. Braking distances, whether in the wet or dry, are commendable, aided by the standard P245/70R16 all-season tires on 16-inch alloy wheels.
