Kia Sorento buyer’s guide

FROM £7,500 SUV stands out with its simplicity, and is a tempting used buy

Second-generation SUV looks a bargain from £ 7,500

WHEN the original Kia Sorento was launched in 2003, it was ideal for anybody wanting a reliable SUV who put value and reliability ahead of hi-tech kit and a posh badge. It was a bit rough around the edges, and slightly awkwardly styled, but this offroader attracted an enthusiastic following.

By the time the second-generation Sorento arrived in 2010, Kia’s stature had grown markedly; it still wasn’t on par with Volkswagen or Land Rover, but the brand had proven it could build desirable cars.

Designed more for road use, the Mk2 Sorento was a smart buy, especially for those keen to tow. Now that the SUV has been superseded, nothing has changed.

History

THE second-generation Sorento arrived at the start of 2010. Buyers could choose between 2.4-litre petrol and 194bhp 2.2litre diesel engines, the latter coming with either a manual or auto gearbox and front or four-wheel drive. Trim choices comprised 1, KX-1, KX-2 and KX-3, with the KX prefix denoting the fitment of four-wheel drive.

By spring 2011 there was a 147bhp 2.0 CRDI engine option with front-wheel drive. In August 2012 a revised Sorento arrived with four-wheel drive only. More efficient engines, tweaked suspension, improved refinement, extra standard equipment and refreshed exterior styling featured.

A range-topping KX-4 version was also added, bringing Park Assist, electrically adjustable front seats and 19-inch wheels.

Which one?

KIA has a tendency to keep things simple with its model ranges, and slow sales for the cheaper variants meant the line-up was quickly simplified even further.

By the time the Sorento was facelifted in autumn 2012, the 2.0 CRDI and 2.4 petrol engines and 1 trim level had gone, so you’re likely to be buying a 2.2 CRDI with fourwheel drive and a manual or auto gearbox.

Entry-level Sorentos had alloy wheels (including a full-size spare), electrically adjustable heated door mirrors, air-con and a six-speaker hi-fi. KX-2 spec adds privacy glass, leather, Bluetooth, dual-zone climate control, folding door mirrors and cruise control, while the KX-3 features xenon headlights and a panoramic sunroof.

Alternatives

BUDGET seven-seater road-biased SUVS aren’t all that common. If seven seats are key, you can consider the more agricultural Mitsubishi Shogun or Toyota Land Cruiser, while the pricier Land Rover Discovery is the most accomplished all-rounder, but doesn’t have the reliability of the Kia.

The VW Touareg is excellent with its sixcylinder diesel engine, especially if you’re towing, but can be costly to buy and run.

You could also consider the Hyundai Santa Fe, which is related to the Kia and shares many of its attributes, including a very good reliability record, affordable purchase prices and relatively low running costs thanks to its sheer dependability.

Verdict

THE Sorento isn’t the most sophisticated car around, but there’s still plenty to like about it. Although the model range isn’t wide, the 2.2-litre diesel fitted to virtually all secondgeneration Sorentos is strong and frugal; it’s just beaten on refinement by many rivals, especially those with a V6 engine.

Buy one of the last Mk2s made and it’ll come with five years’ warranty still to run – which is two years more than most new cars offer. Some rivals are more accomplished, but you’ll pay thousands more for those. Kia competes where it matters: providing tough, reliable, practical and affordable transport.

“Designed more for road use, the Mk2 Sorento was a smart buy, especially for those keen to tow”