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3.6 3.8

DESIGN & ENGINEERING

3.6THERE’S no getting away from the fact that in KX-3 trim, the Kia is approaching Land Rover levels of cost. However, the Sorento has been a big driver in Kia’s aspirations to move upmarket, with the seven-seat 4x4 helping it achieve its ambitions to some degree.

In Issue 1,452, the Sorento lost out to the Land Rover Discovery Sport and Skoda Kodiaq because both cars felt more upmarket. In this company, the Kia fares much better. While it shares many components with the Hyundai, it feels like a more expensive product, with a more tactile interior. The layout is slick and logical, and the materials feel as robust, but softer and more delicate to touch.

Despite the similarities under the skin, the Sorento is longer, taller and wider than the Santa Fe, as well as the Outlander, and it’s more spacious inside. The suspension layout is the same as its rivals’, but a little extra length in the wheelbase provides more space for occupants in the third row.

As with the Hyundai, there’s only one engine available – a 2. 2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel – while all models get four-wheel drive. Our KX-3 test car has plenty of kit, so the equipment is easily on par with the Mitsubishi and Hyundai.

Xenon lights, heated leather seats, climate and cruise control are all included, along with DAB radio, Bluetooth, sat-nav, parking sensors and a reversing camera, so you won’t need to add much else. In fact, metallic paint is the only other desirable option.

PRACTICALITY score

LARGER dimensions mean the Kia is easily the most spacious choice here. In seven and five-seat mode, there is 142 litres and 605 litres of luggage space on offer respectively, while it’s also the largest with all the rear seats folded, serving up 1,662 litres.

If you’ll be carrying people instead of luggage, the Sorento is also the most practical car. Climbing into the third row still isn’t very easy, but once you’re back there, this is the roomiest choice. In addition, there’s ventilation for passengers sat in the back.

Just like the Hyundai, the middle seats slide to maximise space in the rear or luggage room, while storage is also good, with plenty of trinket trays and cup-holders to stow your loose items.