Kia Sorento : CROSSOVER THE ROAD

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Kia's Sorento is looking to change with the times. Steve Walker reports.

How times change. When the original Kia Sorento was launched in 2003, it was just in the nick of time to book a box seat for the 4x4 boom. It rode the crest of the wave right through the market's expansion years as a value for money alternative to the other family-sized Sports Utility Vehicles and did very nicely out of it. Then things took a turn for the worse with environmental concerns turning legislation and public opinion against large 4x4 vehicles. By the time Kia announced this latest Sorento as a replacement, SUV had become something of a dirty word. That led to some quick thinking from the Kia marketing department and a new designation for the Sorento. We're told this model is a CUV or Crossover Utility Vehicle.

The concept of the `crossover' vehicle isn't a new one. What it actually means rather depends on what the vehicle is crossing over from and to but in common automotive industry parlance, it's used to refer to 4x4 vehicles that are designed primarily for road-going duties. The idea of a 4x4 that can't do the business off-road might seem redundant but even the ones that are equipped to cross swamps and mountain ranges hardly ever do - in the UK at least. The key appeal of the SUV revolves around its chunky looks, high driving position, interior space and feeling of safety. The crossover vehicle sets out to deliver these qualities without the expensive and heavy-duty off-road mechanicals. That's the basic thinking behind the Kia Sorento `CUV' as well as other notables like Nissan's Murano and Mazda's CX-7. The crossover status assigned to the Sorento by Kia suggests a greater emphasis on road-going ability and that's how things pan out. The car uses the same MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension as the old model but it's 10mm lower and the one-piece bodyshell of the latest car produces a centre of gravity that's 54mm closer to terra firma. Engineers have worked to produce a more direct steering set-up with fewer turns lock to lock which should also help on the tarmac but Kia still claims that a decent level of off-road ability has been retained.

"The subtle retargeting of the Sorento 4x4 by Kia is a move that should serve the car well."

If you plan on putting the Sorento to the test in the rough, you'll be wanting a 4x4 version. There are both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions offered but for off-road driving, towing or coping with slippery on-road conditions, the 4x4 will be the way to go. The engine options for the European market are comprised of a 2.4-litre petrol unit with a four-cylinder layout and 172bhp or a more desirable 2.2-litre diesel with four pots and 194bhp. In terms of torque, there's even less of a contest between these two power options. The petrol unit generates 244Nm at 4,000rpm while the diesel has 435Nm available from 1,800 to 2,500 rpm. Models that tow the crossover line tend to be lower and sleeker in appearance than their rough and ready SUV counterparts. The Sorento follows this convention with a more elongated shape than the previous model, a larger front overhang and a more steeply raked windscreen. The clamshell bonnet that curves around the nose above the integrated headlights and grille gives a dynamic look but there is the suspicion that Saab may have got there first with this treatment. A body that's 95mm longer than the old Sorento at 4,685mm suggests in increase in interior space and sure enough, rear legroom is increased along with headroom. The Sorento can seat seven passengers and even with the third row of seats occupied, there's 258 litres of luggage space. Fold those rearmost seats down and a huge 1,047 litres of carrying capacity is available. The Sorento lacks the low range gearbox that would mark it out as a serious off road tool. In the 4x4 models, 100 per cent of torque is directed to the front wheels under normal driving conditions with drive directed rearwards as slippage is detected by the computer. There is, however, a Lock Mode which will split power equally between the front and rear axles to help in slippery conditions at speeds of up to 40km/h. The vehicle also comes with DBC, Kia's version of hill descent control, which controls speed on steep descents and HAC hill start assist which prevents the Sorento rolling back when pulling away up hill. Kia is known for its generosity when it comes to specifications and the Sorento is unlikely to be a disappointment in this respect. From a safety point of view, there's ESC stability control, tyre pressure monitoring, rear parking assist and an advanced braking system. Customers will get a choice of five or six speed manual gearboxes plus five or six-speed automatics depending on the engine choice. The 2.2-litre diesel engine will be the one that Sorento buyers looking to minimise running costs will gravitate towards. It's a third generation common-rail injection unit that promises impressive economy and emissions figures considering its hefty power output. Kia's generous warranty package will also be a factor in minimising running costs. The subtle retargeting of the Sorento 4x4 by Kia is a move that should serve the car well. The previous generation model was a simple, unapologetic SUV with lots of size and space for the price. The latest car offers many of the same qualities but takes a slightly more nuanced approach that's flagged up by Kia's insistence that it's a CUV or Crossover Utility Vehicle. Sleeker, prettier, more composed on the road, cleaner and with loads of room inside, it sounds like a 4x4 well suited to the modern world.

Facts At A Glance
CAR: Kia Sorento
PRICES: £22,000-£28,000 - on the road [est]
INSURANCE GROUPS: 13-14 [est]
CO2 EMISSIONS: 170-200g/km [est]
PERFORMANCE: [2.2D] 0-62mph 9s / Max Speed 120mph [est]
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [2.2D] (combined) 40mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE? Length/Width/Height, 4685/1885/1710mm