2012 Toyota Camry Earns Five-Star NHTSA Rating

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released its first batch of 2012 model year ratings this month. Under the stricter guidelines, only three 2012 models — the Chevrolet Camaro, Cadillac CTS and Toyota Camry — have earned five-star composite scores from the safety agency. In fact, as we previously reported, the Camaro is the only vehicle to earn a perfect rating across the board since the new guidelines took effect for the 2011 model year.

NHTSA’s composite scores are composed of five-star ratings for frontal, rollover and a combined side pole and barrier tests. The side pole test, which is new, simulates a 20-mph side-impact crash into a 10-inch-diameter pole or tree at a 75-degree angle just behind the A-pillar on the driver’s side.

The redesigned 2012 Camry earned a five-star overall rating, getting four stars in the frontal test, five stars in the side-crash test and four stars in the rollover test.

2012 Kia Sorento: Car Seat Check

With seating for seven and a low starting MSRP of $21,250, the 2012 Kia Sorento is on a lot of parents' must-see lists when car shopping. Despite its less-than-ample legroom in the second and third rows, the Sorento did well in our Car Seat Check. One knock against it, though, is it doesn't have any tether anchors in the third row, so a forward-facing convertible car seat can't be installed there. That could frustrate a family with three or more kids.

For the Car Seat Check, we use a Graco SnugRide 30 rear-facing infant-safety seat, a Britax Roundabout convertible child-safety seat and Graco high-back TurboBooster seat.

Cars.com's $37,000 SUV Shootout

Cars.com's editors continue to dissect some of the most popular car segments in the country. We've tackled midsize sedans, compacts and small crossovers, but what about the vehicles of choice for people needing three rows of seats? The three-row crossover/SUV segment is booming with the entry of the redesigned Ford Explorer and Dodge Durango. However, tried-and-true picks like the Mazda CX-9, Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot and Chevy Traverse held their own in our competition. We even threw in the smaller Kia Sorento. Oh, and they all had to be priced under $37,000 as-tested.

See which one wowed our editors and our real-life test family.

Cars.com $37,000 SUV Shootout

Recall Alert: 2007-08 Kia Sorento

Kia is recalling 10,631 2007-08 Kia Sorento SUVs because of a potential defect with the front passenger airbag sensing unit, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

On some models, built between June 12, 2006, and Nov. 27, 2007, the passenger-side airbag sensing system, which turns off or on the airbag deployment depending on the passenger’s weight, may misclassify an adult as a child and turn off the airbags. If the system is turned off during an accident, the front passenger will not have airbag protection in some frontal collisions, increasing the risk of injury.

Kia dealers will update the sensing unit’s programming free of charge. The service update is available immediately. Owners can call Kia at 800-333-4542 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.

Ch-Ch-Changes: 2012 Kia Sorento, Sportage

Kia has made some alterations to its midsize and compact crossovers, the 2012 Kia Sorento and Sportage. The most notable of them is a new 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine for the Sorento.

The Sorento is the brand's best-selling vehicle, so the new engine should be a welcome change. The current 2.4-liter engine returns a respectable 21/29 mpg city/highway with front-wheel drive. We'd expect the direct-injection version to get better mileage. We're unsure if Kia will continue to keep the current 2.4-liter as a bargain model alongside the new engine and the optional V-6. The 2012 Sorento should be reaching dealers now, the Sportage will go on sale in late June. More updates for the Sorento and Sportage are below.

Recall Alert: 2011 Kia Sorento

Kia is recalling 12,690 Sorento crossovers from the 2011 model year because the drivetrain could become damaged, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The affected vehicles are front-wheel-drive models equipped with a 2.4-liter engine and an automatic transmission. In these vehicles, the intermediate shaft may be misaligned with the right-side output gear. This could lead to a whirring or whining noise and excessive wear. Continuing to drive the vehicle in this condition could cause the loss of motive power (steering and braking systems are not affected) and increase the risk of a crash.

The vehicles in the recall were built from the start of production through May 22, 2010. You can check your vehicle’s build date on a sticker located on the driver-side doorjamb.

Owners will be notified this week. Dealers will replace the right-side output gear and intermediate shaft for free. For more info, call Kia at 800-333-4542 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.

Reader Review of the Week: 2011 Kia Sorento

This week’s review is provided by “Dog Lover,” who recently purchased a new 2011 Kia Sorento. After a long road trip from New York to Florida, Dog Lover is impressed by the SUV’s gas mileage, its cargo and passenger capacity and features. To find out more, continue reading her review below. Once you’re done, you can share your own comments with us here.

Holiday Blues? Follow KickingTires on Twitter

Will you be depressed by the dip in car news and notes this holiday season? We won’t be posting as often during the next few days and the few days next week between two long weekends. But if you need more, even if you won’t be tied to a computer, follow KickingTires on Twitter.

I’ve been a dedicated Twitter user since 2007, and even when I’m on vacation, I can’t resist the temptation of a 140-character blurb when the wife’s not watching. I'm testing a 2011 Kia Sorento SX AWD with a V-6 during my entire holiday vacation, and I'll be tweeting about it the whole time, including cool Twitpics like the one above.
 
If you have any questions about the Sorento — or anything, really — send a note to @KickingTires, and I’ll answer it as best I can.

Kia Pushes Incentives on Old Models

Kia seems to be playing second fiddle in the U.S. to its Korean cousin, Hyundai, which sells nearly 50% more vehicles in America than Kia, and the automaker is growing more quickly. So it’s not surprising to see Kia offer plenty of incentives compared with Hyundai’s offers, which we detailed Tuesday.

Kia is offering either big cash or low financing deals across its entire lineup. New vehicles — like the Forte and the Soul, two relatively affordable compacts we’ve praised — see a combination of both. There’s $1,000 cash back on the 2010 Forte, which hasn’t been a sales success. The 2010 Sedona has $3,000 cash back, the largest discount for any minivan right now. Even the revised 2011 Sedona gets up to $2,500 cash back.

Recall Alert: 2011 Kia Sorento

Kia is recalling 7,697 2011 Kia Sorento crossovers because the rear brake calipers were not properly assembled in some vehicles, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
 
In the recalled vehicles, brake fluid can leak from the calipers (especially in cold climates), causing a warning light to illuminate on the instrument panel. Loss of brake fluid can lead to soft or spongy brake pedal feel. If the vehicle is not serviced, drivers will experience reduced braking power, which could increase the risk of a crash.
 
The affected vehicles were built between Sept. 14 and Oct. 4, 2010. You can check your vehicle’s build date on a sticker located on the driver-side doorjamb.
 
Owners will be notified this month. If the brake fluid warning light is illuminated, Kia advises that you do not drive your vehicle and call the automaker at 800-333-4542 to have it towed to the nearest Kia dealer at no charge.
 
Dealers will inspect the calipers and replace them if necessary for free. Owners can call Kia at 800-333-4542 or NHTSA’s hot line at 888-327-4236.