Good-looking Kia Sorento could use more safety features

Kia's first U.S.-built vehicle, the Sorento sport utility vehicle, offers a third row of seats and appealing looks to compete with popular small SUVs like the Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Escape, Dodge Journey and Toyota RAV4.

The sleek Sorento has two rows of seating for five people and a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine in base trim. Three-row seating for seven passengers and a 3.5-liter V6 are optional.

Seven-person capacity and V6 power are relatively uncommon features among small crossover SUVs.

Sorento prices start at $19,995 for a front-wheel drive model with a 175-hp., 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed manual transmission.

The least-expensive model with an automatic transmission is a $22,395 front-drive model with a six-speed mated to the four-cylinder engine. The optional 276-hp. 3.5-liter V6 goes for $25,395 in front-drive and $27,095 with all-wheel drive. The six-speed automatic is standard equipment with the V6.

I tested a very well-equipped V6 all-wheel drive Sorento EX that stickered at $34,045. All prices exclude destination charges. The base Sorento has a substantial price advantage over its competitors, but the difference dwindles as you add options for well-equipped models.

The Sorento's sleek exterior design features a forward-leaning stance, sharply raked windshield, creased lines sweeping upward along its sides, and a rounded nose adorned with wraparound headlights and a bowtie-shaped grille. It's a refined and expensive-looking vehicle. The headlights and grille design are common to Kia's Forte compact. The Sorento's attractive shape creates large blind spots. Visibility is a major weakness that should have been addressed with blind-spot mirrors or alerts, smaller D-pillars and bigger windows.

The interior provides good room for the front two rows of seats. The optional third row is best left to small children.

Access to the third row is acceptable. There's very little cargo space when the third-row seat is in use.

The interior of the Sorento I tested was trimmed in dark colors and attractive materials. The controls are legible and easy to use. Fits were generally good, though some trim pieces were not aligned.

While the Sorento has anti-lock brakes, stability control and front-seat side air bags, it's missing one major piece of safety equipment. The curtain air bags protect passengers in the first and second rows of seats but leave those in the third row exposed to injury.

The Sorento has a comfortable ride. There is little wind or road noise at highway speeds. The V6 provides peppy acceleration. The automatic transmission shifts smoothly and decisively. The steering effort felt high at parking-lot speeds.