The latest Kia Sorento is a big step forward for the Korean firm.
For the first time, Sorento is available in Ireland as a seven-seater, so it makes more sense as a family car. There is a new diesel for Ireland, too. The R2.2 litre four-cylinder engine pushes out 197bhp, which is adequate, in what is a pretty big car.
Sorento is now built like a car using a unitary body, whereas before it had a separate chassis (like more traditional work vehicles and four-wheel drives) with a body attached to it. Sorento is quieter, more refined and overall feels tighter than before. Sorento has also lost weight - shedding a very respectable 215kg.
Outside, Sorento is now a good looking car and does without any unnecessary styling curves and bumps that can date so quickly. The car is longer, a touch lower and has a wider track front and rear that allows the wheels to sit further out on the car's extremities. The chunky exterior styling is now up there with the best Japan can offer and hot on the heels of the Europeans.
The fact that Sorento looks quite European is due to Kia employing a very famous designer as their styling chief: Peter Schreyer. Schreyer is most famous for designing the first Audi TT - and that was a beautiful looking car. The new Sorento is also more aerodynamic (Cd 0.38), and this helps reduce fuel consumption.
Inside, the cabin is spacious and visibility is good for all seven occupants. Seating is set out in the classic 2-3-2 formation. The rear two seats are best used by kids as getting into them requires a bit of dexterity. The seats fold and slide so Sorento is clearly very versatile. I was able to get some 1.9m-long wooden fencing into the back, and close the boot, without having to move my seat forward! The driving position of the 5 Star NCAP SUV is very good.
Steering was never a strong point and is still a little vague. Like most full-size SUVs, at times you can find yourself 'guiding' rather than 'precision steering' the vehicle. The 'live rear axle' is gone and the whole suspension set up is now more conventional and the results are impressive. Sorento feels weighty and rides well. It is a great improvement on the outgoing car.
My test car was the two-wheel drive GSE model. EX and GSE are the two trim levels. EX gets a decent level of kit like that includes 17” alloys, dual air con, cruise control, iPod and USB connections, roof rack, ESP and HAC. GSE adds 18" alloys, privacy glass, heated front leather seats, driver's seat electric adjustment, spoilers, LED rear lights and reversing sensors.
The only downside is the price, as the 2.2 litre produces 171g/km of CO2, so €39,895 gets you the entry level 2WD in EX trim. A price of €41,995 adds GSE specification. The 2WD GSE Auto is €45,495, while the GSE four-wheel drive is €43,995.
The upside is that Kia has introduced its industry-leading, seven-year/150,000km warranty on all Kias bought in Ireland.
Sorento has always been popular worldwide due to its affordable price, and it is no surprise that almost 900,000 have found homes since its 2002 launch. In 2010 Kia expects to sell 140,000 Sorentos globally. A 2-litre diesel is due next year, plus a Sorento Hybrid has been revealed that uses a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine connected to a 40bhp electric motor and a dual-clutch transmission - the engine only produces 119g of CO2 per kilometre.
The new car is a touch pricey when you consider rival two-wheel drive, seven-seat MPVs. With the recent snow, a two-wheel drive Sorento doesn't make much sense, but a four-wheel drive version does and that is the one I'd choose.
Michael Sheridan
