Kia made its move in the midsize crossover field a year ago with a redesign of the Sorento, and the company ups the ante even higher with the 2012 Kia Sorento. No longer, it appears, is the South Korea-based company – the 2010 Sorento was the first Kia built in the manufacturer’s U.S. plant in Georgia – content to compete as just another entry in the midsize crossover SUV world.

These days when the 2012 Kia Sorento takes on the big boys of the division, the likes of the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, it’s not just in price. Another engine option and a couple of Kia innovations lead the list of changes for this year, all tacked on to the 2011 makeover to help the Sorento take aim at a bigger piece of the pie.

Kia presents the 2012 Sorento in four trim levels, the Base, LX, EX and SX. The Base and LX get a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder at 175 hp and 169 lb-ft of torque. A 6-speed manual transmission comes standard in the Base version, and the LX and EX get 6-speed automatics. The 4-cylinder gets an estimated 21 mpg city/29 highway in front-wheel drive (FWD) and 21/27 with all-wheel drive (AWD).

The 2012 engine upgrade comes in the form of a direct injection 4-cylinder that’s good for 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. That engine is standard in the EX and available in the LX. The SX features a 3.5-liter V6 at 276 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic. The V6 is also available in the LX and EX trims and rates 20 mpg city/26 highway with FWD and 18/24 with AWD.

FWD is standard in the Sorento, and the LX and EX models can opt for AWD. An optional locking center differential helps AWD versions better deal with icy and off-road conditions.

The 2012 Kia Sorento adds a couple of the automaker’s new features - a hands-free infotainment system it calls UVO, similar to Ford’s Sync, and its YES Essential seat treatment - as options. Drivers can control assorted functions, including MP3 players and cell phones, by using UVO. The seat product contains an anti-bacterial chemical that makes the seat material resistant to stains and static electricity.

The 2012 Sorento features a few other changes as well: 3-position heated seats are standard in the SX and optional in the LX and EX; the EX and SX get a standard backup warning and sonar system that's available for the LX; and cooled seats are standard in the SX and available in the EX. On the flip side, third-row seating no longer comes standard in the LX V6 version, though it is still available.

The 2011 makeover, in part because of a switch to carlike unibody construction, helped the Sorento close the gap on its rivals, and it now provides a more comfortable ride and better handling than before, reviewers say. It has become, they note, fun to drive compared to many crossovers. Some find the 2.4-liter engine peppy enough for around town, but tend to recommend the upgrade 4-cylinder or V6 for longer journeys and for those inclined to load their rig up with people or cargo.

The cabin gets good marks from the experts not only for its design and classy look, but also for the quality of materials and gauges that are easy to use.

A full array of airbags, antilock disc brakes, stability control and assists for starting on hills and control on hill descents are all part of the safety package for the 2012 Kia Sorento.