Best Sorento yet!

Like Topsy – or is it Jack’s beanstalk, the Kia Sorento just keeps growing, and the latest third generation version is even longer than the one it succeeds. John Oxley reviews the top-of-the-range 2.2 Ltd

With on-demand all-wheel drive the Sorento has always had decent road holding, but this latest version benefits from new electronics which make it even better, as well as improving the general handling. Whereas many AWD systems control wheel spin in hard cornering my merely cutting the power, the Kia Advanced Traction Cornering Control system takes a different tack, and transfers torque to the wheels which have most grip, acting before ESC cuts in, and stabilising the vehicle much more quickly and smoothly. We found the Sorento quite stable and easy to drive even on our backroads route, with the electric power steering giving fairly precise input. The Sorento is powered by the same 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel as the previous models, and it’s a smooth and lusty unit, albeit a bit noisy at times. It’s mated to a superb six-speed auto with sequential manual shift where required, and it gives super economy, although we couldn’t quite match the claimed figures. All-in-all, a great alternative for those who want a comfortable seven-seater that’s tenacious on the tarmac, and still able to go on more challenging roads thanks to its all-wheel drive – although its relatively low ride height, for an SUV, will prohibit bushbashing! Easy on the eye, easy on the pocket.