BEST USED LARGE SUV KIA SORENTO
OUR PICK Kia Sorento 2015 (65) KX-2 auto, 60,000 mimiles, £18,495
VALUE for money has always been at the core of what Kia stands for, but while some models have started to challenge that ethos, the Korean brand’s Sorento large SUV still represents a lot of car for a reasonable amount of cash – particularly as a used buy.
For the price of a new small crossover you can buy a two-year-old, mid-spec Sorento which still has another five years of warranty left thanks to Kia’s generous standard seven-year package of cover.
The seven-seat Sorento’s design is stylish, while the interior is full of soft-touch plastics and smart, solid-feeling switchgear – a world away from previous generations – and this should still be true of a used car, so check for wear and tear from daily family life.
Kit levels are generous on all cars except the base model, so we’d recommend KX-2 trim, as it includes features to sweeten the deal, such as a seven-inch touchscreen sat-nav and heated leather seats.
With seven seats, lots of storage spaces and a massive 1,662-litre boot when the seats are folded, practicality is great. Even if you’re not looking to carry lots of kids there’s plenty to like, thanks to a soft ride and strong refinement. The 197bhp 2.2-litre diesel, which works well with the smooth six-speed auto box, offers far stronger performance than you might expect from a car of this size, even if efficiency could be better.
All models are fitted with permanent four-wheel drive for reassurance on road and some off-road ability, too, and while the handling stops short of being fun, it still feels composed. With prices from around £17,300, lower-spec models are tempting, but we’d spend the extra; for around £18,500 the mid-spec models and above will be nicer to live with thanks to their additional equipment.
“Kia’s Sorento large SUV still represents a lot of car for a reasonable amount of cash – particularly as a used buy”