Kia Sorento FX excels during a test run through Southern Utah

Kia has tackled the sport utility vehicle market with vengeance as evidenced by the all-wheel drive 2011 Sorento SX recently provided by Findlay Kia for a test drive.

In the case of a test drive on any vehicle, there can be no better challenge than Southern Utah and more specifically, state Route 14 which stretches east from Cedar City to U.S. Highway 89. The road is undoubtedly one of the most treacherous of its kind, especially during the winter months.

Even during the worst of conditions, trucks commonly take the route between Highway 89 and Cedar City making matters even more dangerous.

A two-lane route is bad enough, and when you combine 8 percent grades with icy conditions and a roadside with no barriers for much of the 40-mile route, it is easy to see this destination should only be traveled with a good set of wheels.

A giant snowstorm had covered the area only days before our trip, so the Kia Sorento FX was destined for a great workout.

Once we had reached the 10,000-foot mark on state Route 14, there was several miles of flatter pavement. However, there always concerns about rocks on the road.

Then, too, there is a dicey area at the 17-mile marker where road crews have repaired the road consistently several times each year. A spring runs under the road thereby creating never-ending problems and to make matters worse, the road has no barrier at the mile marker giving the driver one more reason to be worried.

Once in the area of Duck Creek, we put the Sorento SX through yet another workout on back roads that are left unattended for the most part. Even in icy conditions, the Sorento FX sure-footed its way without missing a step.

Then, when it was time to come home -- down state Route 14 -- the Kia Sorento handled that challenge easily, too. Truthfully, the only thing worse than going up state Route 14 is going down it during the winter.

However, it was long before the trip up the mountain from Cedar City that we also discovered something else about the Kia Sorento: The vehicle drives like a dream on the highway cruising breathlessly behind a six-speed automatic transmission and a 285-horsepower six-cylinder while getting more than 25 miles to the gallon.

Driving 75 miles an hour is both effortless and comfortable. And when needed, the Kia power plant responds quickly whether it's negotiating the drag race pace of Interstate 15 or attempting to avoid one of Southern Utah's foot-to-the-floor truck drivers.

The Kia Sorento SX comes with a long list of standard amenities including a rearview back-up camera, cruise control, rear air conditioning and navigation with Sirius Traffic.

Perhaps the biggest evidence that Kia believes in the product it builds is by the 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty.

Among the many happy buyers of the Kia Sorento is Chrissy Paradiso, a guidance counselor with the Clark County School District.

"I love my Sorrento SX," said Paradiso, who owns a 2011 Sorento. "I got it at the end of September. I have loved everything about this car. It has everything you could possibly want.

"I drove all kinds of cars over the summer and kept coming back to the Sorrento. The warranty is awesome. I keep my cars for a long time, and my other cars didn't have the warranty that Kia offers now. When you consider the bang for the buck that you get with the Kia, you can't beat it. I feel like I'm driving a much more expensive car. I feel like a million bucks when I drive my Kia."

Further information regarding Findlay Kia or Findlay Automotive Group can be found at www.findlaykia.com, www.findlayauto.com or by calling 252-8900. The dealership is headed by General Manager Byron Klemaske.