Kia Sorento
Revamped Korean model has new auto gearbox and Gt-line trim
MODELTESTED: Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDI Gt-line PRICE: £36,495 ENGINE: 2.2-litre 4cyl, 197bhp
A LONG-TIME Auto Expresss favourite, the Kia Sorento is no longer the new kid on the seven-seat SUV block, so the Korean brand is hoping that this updated model – tested here in a new Gt-line trim level and with a new eight-speed automatic gearbox – can topple the Kodiaq.
Design & engineering
THAT new trim and powertrain combination costs £36,495, with the higher-spec Gt-line S pushing the Sorento past £40,000. But the notion of a Kia costing this much is nothing new, because the previous version and the recently launched Stinger GT-S sports saloon have both taken the brand into this territory.
The latest Sorento justifies its price tag with a healthy level of kit. The Gt-line gets 19-inch alloys and different bumpers to the KX models. Apple Carplay, Android Auto and sat-nav are included, as are keyless entry and go, DAB radio, a reversing camera, heated leather seats and cruise control.
On the whole, quality is acceptable, but the Sorento just trails in the VW’S wake. That’s because some of the touch points feel particularly cheap, undermining the rest of the otherwise fairly nicely trimmed interior. However, the Sorento’s packaging is impressive. At 4,800mm it’s the longest vehicle on test, and that’s reflected inside.
It’s an evolution of the previous model, so there’s independent suspension at both ends: Macpherson struts at the front and double wishbones at the rear, with revised geometry to improve ride comfort and handling stability, according to Kia. A self-levelling system is also fitted as standard to the Sorento.
The 197bhp 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel is carried over from the old car, while four-wheel drive is standard. The eight-speed auto is a new addition to the range. It’s Kia’s own transmission, which the brand has added to help improve refinement, efficiency and performance; so does it work?
Driving
THE answer is mixed. There’s no doubt that at higher speeds, two more ratios in the gearbox compared with its predecessor mean it’s a quieter cruiser. But put your foot down and the vocal engine is hard to ignore; the VW suffers from a similar problem.
There’s lots of torque from the larger 2.2 unit, with a peak of 441Nm from just 1,750rpm. Yet the 1,953kg Kia has more mass to shift, so performance was the most sluggish on test; it took 9.6 seconds to accelerate from 0-60mph. It feels laboured, too, but with more ratios fitted, the Sorento’s in-gear performance surpassed both its VW Group rivals’. The 10.6-second time from 50 to 70mph in seventh was a highlight compared with the VW and Skoda’s respective efforts of 17.9 and 18.0 seconds in that test.
While the new transmission shifts smoothly, it can’t match the speed of its rivals’ DSG units. This is frustrating if you need a dose of acceleration, because the box takes a while to kick down, which delays performance. There’s little point in using the shift paddles that are specific to Gt-line and Gt-line S because the gearbox still feels lethargic. The ride is equally as relaxed, but more welcome here. Helped by its weight, the Sorento smooths out less jagged road surfaces, which means progress is calm.
Yet sharper bumps cause those 19-inch wheels to thump as the Kia loses control over its unsprung mass. It’s clear that cruising round sedately in relative comfort is where the Sorento’s focus lies.
Practicality
THE size and weight mean it’s not the sharpest SUV, but they do at least ensure the Sorento is massive inside. Of the three cars here there’s the most space, while it’s relatively easy to get to the very back seats thanks to the simple seat-folding mechanism that angles the backrest and slides the base forward to reveal a good-sized aperture. The drawback is that the mechanism only works on the kerbside seats, so it loses a little flexibility here.
Legroom in the third row is better than in the VW and Skoda, and with the middle bench slid forward it’s the only car you can sit in without your knees touching the seat in front. This doesn’t compromise room in the second row too much, either, and if you’re not using all seven seats you can slide these back to create even more passenger space.
Boot room in seven-seat mode is more limited than in its rivals, at just 142 litres. However, in five-seat configuration there’s a respectable 605 litres available. This increases to 1,662 litres with both back rows folded down – significantly less than in the Skoda, but usable and helped by good storage and practical touches.
Ownership
WITH a third place finish in our Driver Power 2017 maker’s chart, Kia delivers strong owner satisfaction. The seven-year/ 100,000-mile warranty will be a big draw for many.
However, the Sorento undoes this hard work because it’s not available with autonomous braking, even as an option, except on the top Gt-line S trim level, which seems like an oversight on a family car. You do at least get six airbags, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition and trailer stability assist, because many owners will tow with their Sorentos.
Running costs
FUEL economy wasn’t the six-speed auto Kia’s strongest attribute, but the eight-speed box seems to have improved things as the Sorento returned 43.0mpg on test.
This means you’ll spend £1,586 on fuel per year, and while that’s £36 more than drivers running the Allspace (44.0mpg) and £60 over those choosing the Kodiaq (44.7mpg), the gap between them isn’t great.