The all-new fourth-generation Kia Sorento debuted earlier this year and is now in dealerships nationwide. The South Korean automaker's midsize crossover remains a vital player not only within the lineup but also in the highly competitive segment. With its rugged new exterior design inspired in part by the wildly popular Telluride, the 2021 Sorento is not only more luxurious than before but also larger. It's also the ideal cross-country vehicle.

As the official sponsor of the 2021 New Year's Eve Countdown in Times Square, Kia decided to send its new Sorento on a coast-to-coast mission to help ring in the New Year.

Beginning at Kia's headquarters in Irvine, California, the chosen Sorento drove through 15 states while covering more than 5,500 miles. Throughout the entire journey, the Sorento towed the "2021" numerals. When the clock strikes midnight on January 1, 2021, this Sorento will be on hand, though celebrations will be greatly scaled back this year for an obvious and unfortunate reason.

One of the new Sorento's key selling points is that it's the only vehicle in its segment with a third-row as standard. Competitors like the Chevy Blazer and the Ford Edge are two-row only. However, the Sorento is slotted below the other three-row midsize offerings, such as the Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer, and Volkswagen Atlas.

Motivating the SUV is a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, matched to an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Another Sorento selling point is the available hybrid powertrain, consisting of a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder paired to an electric motor for a total output of 227 hp and 258 lb-ft, linked to a six-speed automatic. A plug-in hybrid powertrain is due for 2022.

Buyers will also be happy to know the Sorento offers the most standard safety features in its class. Pricing begins at $29,390 and exceeds $42,000 fully-loaded.