The
South Korean manufacturer's flagship SUV has more gear than anything else in
its range, forming the ultimate expression of Kia's transformation from
cut-price alternative to genuine value contender.
This
new model is bigger than before, having grown longer and wider in hope of
becoming more attractive to buyers, though it looks more like the Carnival
people mover than anything else on the road.
Kia's efforts to gentrify the
Sorento are immediately apparent on the inside, where the brand has no doubt turned
to luxury marques for inspiration. The Sorento features a sweeping line
from the doors that meets in a hoop at the bottom of the windscreen that will
feel immediately familiar to anyone with time in Audi's A6.
Similarly,
a new three-spoke steering wheel with a compact circular airbag could have been
plucked from the Porsche Cayenne, and an impressive digital gauge cluster in
premium models feels very Lexus.
It's
the most polished interior Kia has offered in
Australia, one home to soft-touch plastics and nifty metal-look brightwork.
There's
plenty of space up front along with an impressive range of adjustment for the
driver's seat and steering wheel, and the back seat has plenty of room for
adult occupants. We didn't climb through to a third row intended for smaller
passengers, though the standard fitment of seats for seven people will no doubt
be a boon for many buyers.
Sorento customers receive a
downsized 199kW and 318Nm 3.3-litre V6 as standard, taking the place of a more
powerful 3.5 litre unit from the previous model.
A
2.2-litre diesel version costs an additional $3500, but brings improvements in
fuel efficiency as well as the benefit of all-wheel-drive as the petrol variant
only drives the front wheels.
Both
models are available exclusively with a six-speed automatic transmission.
The
engines are upgraded variants of drivelines used in the previous model, so the
similar characteristics are no surprise. The V6 sounds purposeful and has
plenty of go, but it's a little thirsty and can easily overwhelm front tyres
that scrabble for traction.
The
petrol motor enjoys a rev and responds well to throttle inputs, though Kia expects 80 per
cent of customers to spend a little more and take home the diesel version.
They
would be well advised to do so, as the diesel's additional all-wheel-drive
traction offers a significant advantage at low speed and on low grip surfaces.
It's
also significantly more efficient – the diesel returned less than 8L/100km on
our test route, while the thirstier petrol used more than 12L/100km.
Kia engineers worked to make
the 2.2-litre unit easier to live with by using additional sound deadening,
under-bonnet shielding and underbody cladding to successfully minimise cabin
noise in the top-end Platinum model.
Diesel
variants receive special attention from Kia's local engineering team, which
introduced firmer suspension to counter the oil-burner's extra weight over the
nose.
Australian
Sorento models benefit from a
specific suspension tune that includes firmer springs at the front and rear
along with thicker anti-roll bars at both ends, revised shock absorbers and a
new steering tune.
The
changes are intended to make the Sorento a capable towing rig, as well as
meeting the demands of motorists who prefer a more engaging drive than American
or South Korean counterparts.
It's
hard to evaluate their work without driving foreign and local models back to
back, though it is immediately clear that the Sorento is no dynamic star. A
slow steering rack results in languid responses to driver inputs, and a new
power steering system offers little feel to help drivers understand what is
happening under their tyres. The big SUV does not display excessive body roll,
though its pliant suspension takes a moment to settle on its outside tyres,
further clouding the link between car and driver.
Having
championed a variable-weight FlexSteer system that altered steering motor
assistance without any real effect on the car's dynamics, Kia has built on that unit
with new Drive Mode Select settings that offer Normal, Eco and Sport maps that
affect steering weight, transmission behaviour and throttle response. Once
again, the system has a minor affect on how the car behaves, adding artificial
steering weight and more energetic driveline behaviour that may please
enthusiastic drivers.
But
it's no problem that the Sorento is built
for comfort rather than speed. It rides well, has plenty of room and a
practical streak that will serve it well as a mum's taxi or weekend escape
wagon.
With
extra gear, more space, five-star safety and a suave new look, it's easy to see
the new Sorento is a bigger deal than ever before.
2015 Kia Sorento pricing and specifications
Price: From $40,990 to $55,990 plus on-road costs
On sale: June 7, 2015
Engine: 3.3-litre petrol V6 or 2.2-litre 4cyl turbo
diesel
Power: 199kW at 6400rpm (V6) or 147kW at 3800rpm
(diesel)
Torque: 318Nm at 5300rpm (V6) or 441Nm at
1750-2750rpm (diesel)
Transmission: Six-speed auto,
front wheel drive (V6) or all wheel drive (diesel).
Fuel use: 9.9L/100km (V6), 7.8L/100km (diesel)
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