2021 Kia Sorento X-Line SX Prestige AWD

The Sorento is one of Kia’s best-selling nameplates.  It arrived in 2002 and has since grown into a 3-row segment heavy hitter, battling the likes of the Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot and Nissan Pathfinder.  But with this all-new 4th generation model, Kia is giving the Sorento a fresh perspective.  The V6 is gone, a pair of hybrids is in and this hero model takes the Sorento in a more premium yet rugged direction.   

This X-Line SX-Prestige gets the “off-road look” with exclusive bumpers, unique 20” wheels and a bridge-type roof rack.  There’s also a 1” increase in ride height, standard all-wheel drive with a center locking differential and hill decent control.  So this is the Sorento you want if you have a more adventurous family.

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FIRST-EVER GENESIS GV70 DEBUTED

The new Genesis GV70 represents an athletic, yet versatile option in Genesis’ emerging lineup of SUVs
Inspired by the design philosophy of “Athletic Elegance”, GV70 features a sporty and dynamic appearance
First-ever GV70 U.S. deliveries in calendar year 2021
Genesis launched GV70, a dynamic SUV, representing the fifth model and second SUV in the Genesis lineup. The debut was conducted via worldwide broadcast of its cinematic launch film entitled “GV70: A Travelogue”.

“Genesis has been striving to build a strong product lineup complemented by a curated purchase and ownership experience, focusing on design, product development, service, all centered on our customers’ lifestyles,” said Jay Chang, Global Head of the Genesis brand. “With the debut of GV70 today, Genesis will continue to provide models aimed at connoisseurs around the globe, delivering a tailored mobility experience based on our customer-centric philosophy.”

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2021 BENTLEY BENTAYGA V8 TEST DRIVE

At some point you’ve fantasized, like me, about owning a car you can’t afford. Perhaps a Bentley. Thanks to my job, I’m lucky to have driven many of these British-born beauties over the past 20 years, but never did I imagine way back at the beginning while driving around in an Arnage that Bentley would ever be involved in the SUV game. But here’s the Bentayga — on the market for 5 years, but have you ever seen one in the wild? With a starting MSRP of $180,000, they are rare but Bentley has sold more than 20,000 of them during that span. And now for the 2021, it’s been given the once over inside and out and this one with nearly $60,000 in options is tagged at $238,870.

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KIA UNVEILS SORENTO YOSEMITE AND ZION EDITIONS

KIA UNVEILS SORENTO YOSEMITE AND ZION EDITIONS. Since the arrival of the award-winning Telluride last year and the head-turning Seltos in early 2020, Kia Motors America (KMA) has had its sights on building a robust and reimagined SUV line-up. As the next step in this capability-focused product strategy, the all-new 2021 Sorento is poised to bring customers a new level of trail-ready toughness not yet seen from the brand. To celebrate this rugged personality, KMA unveiled a pair of custom-built Sorento SUVs – the Yosemite Edition and the Zion Edition – during the brand’s virtual national dealer meeting this week. The two wilderness-themed SUVs build upon the production Sorento X-Line model, a variant that highlights off-road prowess with unique 20-inch wheels, increased ride height to 8.3-in., improved approach/departure angles, more advanced AWD with snow-mode, and a more robust roof rack than the outgoing Sorento.
Customized by LGE-CTE Motorsports of San Dimas, CA, each vehicle receives its namesake and inspiration from the outdoor environments found in America’s great national parks. The Sorento Yosemite Edition is a dream build for high elevation adventuring and mountain living, painted in “Pine Green” in a matte finish with gloss and matte black accents. The Sorento Zion Edition is a desert escape vehicle made for stomping dunes, painted in “Desert Sand” in a gloss finish with gloss black accents.
Both feature custom fender flares that sit atop 20-inch wheels and 32-inch all-terrain tires. Body armor includes custom skid plates and brush guards in a satin chrome finish. For packing gear, the Yosemite edition wears a brawny roof rack, while the Zion Edition comes equipped with a full-length cargo top. The duo will be making special appearances around the country to capture the imagination of adventurers and enthusiasts, alike.
While most customers will not take their Sorento to the level of customization seen on the Yosemite and Zion Editions, many have shown a penchant for personalizing their Kia SUVs. To satisfy that desire, Kia will offer an exciting range of port-installed and dealer-installed accessories. Customers can tailor their Sorento to their lifestyle and needs with attachments such as roof rack crossbars, tow hitches for trailers, and side steps for easier load-in of toys.
The 2021 Kia Sorento will arrive in showrooms beginning in November.

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2022 INFINITI QX55 FIRST LOOK

2022 INFINITI QX55 FIRST LOOK BY CAR CRITIC STEVE HAMMES.
When it arrived 3 years ago, the QX50 small SUV was supposed to be the centerpiece of an Infiniti revival. Instead, sales have been extremely disappointing and now parent company Nissan is planning on steering the brand away from its luxury aspirations and more towards, what their COO has described, as a Nissan-plus brand.  That brings us to the just revealed 2022 QX55 – a coupe-styled derivative of the QX50.  The pair fleshes out the small end of Infiniti’s trifecta of SUVs and share much in common.  The new 55 is powered by the brand’s innovative variable compression turbocharged 4-cylinder producing the same 268 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque.  And no surprise, the CVT remains as the only transmission.  The biggest difference between the two is that this one comes with all-wheel drive and 20” wheels as standard.  Bolder in its design, the QX55 is for the owner who is willing to sacrifice some cargo room for greater style.  Other than a reduction in luggage volume, the 2 are nearly identical dimensionally.  Available in Luxe, Essential, and Sensory trim levels, details regarding pricing and fuel economy will be announced closer to launch in the spring of 2021. 

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