Kia SUVs Are Surprisingly Capable in Extreme Winter Weather

Kia is defying expectations on the showroom floor and beyond. Not only was 2023 Kia's best sales year ever, the company is pushing ahead with a sport utility vehicle (SUV) strategy that moves Kia from the suburban go-to for Sunshine Belt customers to models that are capable of handling trails and some of the worst weather Mother Nature throws at drivers.

Kia America Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President Steven Center told Newsweek that developing more capable vehicles will strengthen the company's image in North America, and increase sales.

Kia's SUV family includes the small Seltos, compact Sportage and three-row Telluride, EV9 and Sorento. Sportage and Sorento are available in numerous electrified configurations. EV9 is a battery-electric SUV.

Over the last two years, Kia has introduced either refreshed or new versions of each of their SUVs. Seltos, the most cost-effective model, had its powertrain, fascia, technology and interior significantly updated. Sportage has gotten updates as well, including the new Sorento X-Pro grade.

Sorento X-Pro wears all-terrain tires wrapped around 17-inch matte black wheels, and it has a 4,500-pound towing capacity (up 1,000 pounds over the Sorento X-Line trim level).

To test Kia's newfound winter weather prowess, Newsweek tested the Seltos in Vermont's snowy and icy winter weather, and drove into the Sorento X-Pro into the heart of this months' Colorado blizzard where upwards of 30 inches of snow fell in the Winter Park region.

2024 Kia Seltos AWD Review

The all-wheel drive 2024 Seltos was picked up in Boston and packed full of a week's worth of ski gear (boots, skis, poles, luggage) and groceries for a family of three. To fit in the skis and poles, the second-row seat needed to fold down, but they easily fit, resting right down the center without touching the center console.

Groceries packed tightly into the spots where the large luggage wasn't. There was enough space to keep full rear view out the back glass thanks to the SUV's best-in-class interior space.

Even when packed full, the all-wheel drive (AWD) Seltos did not struggle to have enough power to keep up with the zippy, aggressive drivers Boston is notoriously known for. It's 195 horsepower was plenty and fuel efficiency was around 30 miles per gallon (mpg) for the entire week of travel.

In Vermont's Green Mountains, as the snow came down harder and covered already icy roads with packed powder, the Seltos held its own as well as any Subaru. There was no need to put it in a specific drive mode to conquer the conditions.

It was simply the little SUV that could.

As the falling snow subsided throughout the week, and plows got to work, Seltos was equally as proficient in the slush, and rode smoothly (or as smoothly as it was able given Burlington's frost-impacted streets).

With a starting MSRP of $24,490, and as equipped at $32,665 (including a $1,395 destination fee and $1,200 sunroof package), the top-tier 2024 Kia Seltos SX is a winter weather champ worthy of consideration.

2024 Kia Sorento X-Pro Review

When Kia developed it's Sorento X-Line, it gave the SUV off-road-ready looks but not the prowess it needed to truly be a trail-ready friend to a family. With 60 to 65 percent of Sorento buyers opting for AWD models, the team at Kia determined there was a market for more capable Sorento. Enter: Sorento X-Pro.

Essentially the X-Pro is a duty-ready Sorento X-Line. It comes equipped with 17-inch wheels wrapped in BF Goodrich all-terrain tires, a different radiator which allows for 4,500 pounds of towing capacity and an upgraded interior. Buyers can opt for the model in a trim level-specific Jungle Green or Roadrider Brown paint job.

Picking up the SUV upon landing at the windy Denver International Airport was the easiest thing about the test days in the model last week. Leaving airport property and heading out onto the highway proper, the snow started to come down and it wouldn't stop for three days.

The highways were a mess. Flooding was rampant and overly-cautious and not-at-all-cautious drivers battled to maintain their lanes. A wall of clouds was ahead and daylight was waning.

The forecast called for up to 30 inches of snow over the next two days, and it happened. Interstate 70 closed shortly after we exited to head up U.S. 40. That road would close by nightfall.

Saying U.S. 40 was slow going is an underestimation. Climbing the 3,000 feet to Berthoud Pass took over an hour with the roads completely covered, visibility limited, and large work trucks mixed in with capable SUVs and vehicles ill-equipped for the wet snow that was falling. It took another 90 minutes to get down the other side.

The Sorento's seats proved reasonably comfortable and climbing into the cargo area to reach the boots that needed to be put on before getting out of the car to clean off the wipers was a hilariously easy task thanks to the Sorento's impressively spacious cabin.

Kia has outfitted the Sorento with the best finery it has. Intricately stitched seats, a single frame-housed screen display and premium materials fill the cabin. It has just enough tech for a vehicle of this caliber and that technology does not prove intrusive in any way.

Sorento's HVAC system couldn't keep up with the snowfall. Even with the vents blasting air at the windshield, it grew increasingly covered with snow and crust, requiring use of most of the washer fluid to stay reasonably clear.

The lack of winter wiper blades also did not help.

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That said, the Sorento was a champ. Up and down the mountains for four hours in inclement weather, where the roads were never not covered, it only got wiggly when pushed on purpose to test it.

Snow drive mode was engaged for part of the trip to increase grip, but that was more for due diligence than absolutely needing the traction assist.

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Acoustic window glass kept the sounds of passing plows at bay and the suspension did a heck of a job keeping the cabin stable over frost heaves and unimproved roads.

It took over four hours to reach Tabernash, Colorado, a drive that takes less than two hours in good weather, and for every bit of the journey the Sorento proved hospitable.

On clearer, flat roads, the Sorento was able to handle the task of on-road driving just as well. Its powertrain proved smooth and reactive to throttle inputs, but without the overt torque that inspires the most passing confidence.

The X-Pro is the priciest Sorento, coming in at just under $50,000 all in. That's not cheap. But, if you want a three-row SUV that checks the boxes of elegance, style and capability without being a premium model, the Sorento should be on your test drive list.