Kia SORENTO RANGE
The Sorento Is Compelling Evidence That
Kia Are Fast Getting The Hang Of Building Appealing Product. Andy Enright Reports
If contemporary automotive history has taught us anything, its that we shouldnt be surprised that cars like Kias Sorento are really rather good. The Korean companys Magentis stunned many with its slickness and the Sedona has shown that Kia understands the big MPV market better than anybody else. The 4x4 market is a quite different nut to crack and one that has defeated many without the benefit of a premium badge on the nose.
Kias Sportage 4x4 tried to put a lick on a few compact 4x4s but the asset that made the Sedona such a hit its super low pricing often has a counterproductive effect in a market as style conscious as this. Its somewhat like turning up at Oscar night in an outfit supplied by Top Man. Up to a certain point, the price tag becomes as constituent a part of the message as the hardware itself. The only way to counter such a notion is to produce a fiercely competitive product that turns such badge snobbery on its head.
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Hyundai have managed it with their latest Coupe and
Kia look set to follow with the Sorento. Those familiar with the Amalfi coast may feel the Sorento to be starting at something of a disadvantage in being bereft of an R but after the slightly odd name, things get a lot better. For a start, the Sorento looks the part, which is the next big battle won. In certain respects, it shamelessly apes the Mercedes M-Class but when youre set to be paying around £19,000, this is no bad thing.
Walk around the car and theres not one duff angle, no botched panel fits, no awkward juxtaposition of detailing, although one cant help but feel this is a car that would look far happier on Santa Monica Boulevard than Streatham High Street.
"This 4x4 would probably register as the most pleasant automotive surprise of the year."
Beneath the well-executed lines lies something of a hardcore philosophy. Rather than adopt the current Trend for more car-like monocoque chassis, the Kia has a ladder-framed separate chassis and a solid rear axle instead of independent rear suspension. Those tempted to dismiss the Sorento as just another in a long line of effete Barbie trucks are now starting to eat their words. The heavy-duty chassis and suspension set up mean that the Sorento can tow far heavier loads than a
Land Rover Freelander or a
Nissan X-Trail but it cant hope to rival their on-road nimbleness.
Having said that, it doesnt make a bad fist of things on the blacktop. The suspension has been fettled by
Porsche and whilst you wont be clamouring to part-exchange your Porsche Boxster after a spin round the block, the Sorento is far from agricultural. Big transverse ridges can still send tremors through the bodyshell but its a decent showing. It certainly corners harder than youd at first give it credit for and without the oscillating steering response that many such 4x4s are plagued with.
Two engines are offered - a 192bhp 3.5-litre V6 petrol range-topper and one that may be more pertinent to UK buyers, the 2.5-litre CRD common-rail diesel. This engine is new to Kia and features fuel injection technology from Bosch to promote smoothness and efficiency.
Any 138bhp engine that has to propel something the size of a Sorento isnt going to generate headline-grabbing performance figures and this one is no exception, but quoting sprints to 60mph seems vaguely churlish when it comes to this market. Of more importance is the chunky 343Nm of torque and the fact that the Sorento CRD will return an average of 36.2mpg with a manual gearbox or 33.6mpg in H-Matic automatic form.
Of the two gearboxes, the automatic is probably the better bet you can change gears yourself with a flick of the lever or leave the car to do the hardwork. Its worth sacrificing a couple of miles per gallon and a few zeppelins worth of CO2 per year in order to access the self-shifters relaxed nature and effortless way of plugging you right into the meat of the torque curve. Opt for the V6 and the auto is standard. Equipment levels are good, with all models being fitted with anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, twin front and side airbags, air conditioning, electric windows and self-levelling rear suspension.
As well as a limited slip differential, there are neatly integrated front fog lamps, some respectable alloy wheel designs and blade-profile roof rails. Top end models feature some quality electronic options such as in-car DVD and satellite navigation. Two different 4x4 systems are offered, depending on which of the three trim levels are chosen. Upspec models get a full-time all-wheel drive system whilst budget models feature a system whereby drive to the front wheels can be selected manually.
Either way both have a proper low ratio gearset for serious off-roading. Its the interior quality of the Sorento that sets it apart from so many wannabes in this tough corner of the market. We expected brittle elephant-hued plastics and chintzy trim but instead got soft touch materials and a quality feel. Only the slightly cheesy veneer trim fitted to some luxury models can be called into question and even then, the clean overall feel of the rest of the cabin design redeems it.
Were it not for the fact that the Magentis had already tipped us that Kia could pull an ace like the Sorento out of its hat, this 4x4 would probably register as the most pleasant automotive surprise of the year. The Koreans may not be so hot at spelling but it looks as if they may be able to teach many established 4x4 manufacturers a thing or two about marketing.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Kia Sorento range
PRICES: £18,995£25,095 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 12-14
CO2 EMISSIONS: 226-299g/km
PERFORMANCE: [CRD] 0-60mph 14s Top Speed 106mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [CRD] (urban) 28.2mpg/ (extra urban) 43.5/ (combined) 36.2mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, ABS with EBD WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE? Length/Width/Height, 4567/1884/1804mm
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