Kia’s latest Sorento is great value

THIS third-generation Kia Sorento looks to have the finish and engineering to put the frighteners on the SUV-class high fliers.

Kia cars are launched, facelifted and replaced in half the time of many manufacturers. It first appeared way back in 2002 and hung around for seven years.

The second generation car — a far slicker thing — was introduced in 2010. It motored straight on to the fast track, was facelifted in 2012 and then replaced in 2015 with the third generation car we’re looking at today, which itself was facelifted this autumn.

As before, this Sorento comes only with the same 197bhp 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine. What’s changed is that this unit is now mated to a much more sophisticated eightspeed automatic transmission, replacing a clunky six-speeder.

This auto gearbox offers four different drive modes — Eco, Comfort, Sport and Smart — and drivers can select their preferred mode with an electronic select system.

The 2.2-litre diesel powers this Kia to 62mph in nine seconds en route to 124mph. Like most of its rivals, this Sorento isn’t really intended for off-road use, though rutted tracks are easily within its remit should you want to make use of the selectable four-wheel drive system. Refinement is impressive, thanks to a torsionally stiff bodyshell, plenty of soundproofing, acoustic shields built into the engine bay, and a thick dashboard.

Updates to the exterior include revised front and rear bumpers, smarter LED headlamps, revised tail lights and a slicker dark metallic finish for the “tiger-nose” front grille.

Otherwise, it’s as you were, which means that the Sorento’s hallmark long bonnet and trademark chunky D-pillar have been retained, along with the lowish roofline, high beltline and swept-back muscular shape.

Inside, the cabin features a redesigned steering wheel and driver instrument cluster, as well as a classier climate control LCD display and Kia’s latest eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system incorporating a new audio visual navigation set-up.

Prices start in the region of about £30,000, which is still excellent value for money.

To put that figure into perspective, the similarly-sized Volvo XC90 will require you to dig in for another £20,000. The Sorento looks a good deal more expensive than it is and — even in a notoriously badge-conscious sector — it would, in many ways, appear to be just too much of a bargain to overlook.