Kia Sorento SLi CRDi 2011 Review

Price Guide (recommended price before statutory and delivery charges): $46,190
Options fitted to test car (not included in above price): Nil
Crash rating: Five-star ANCAP
Fuel: Diesel
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 7.4
CO2 emissions (g/km): 194
Also consider: Ford Territory, Holden Captiva, Hyundai Santa Fe, Mazda CX-9, Toyota Kluger

It's been about 18 months since the Carsales Network last took a close look at the Sorento, and in that time the latest version of Kia's mid-size SUV (or CUV -- cross-over utility vehicle -- as the Korean manufacturer likes to call it) has been steadily if unspectacularly climbing the medium SUV sales charts in Australia.

Since launching here in late-2009, the all-new Sorento has increased its market share in the crowded medium SUV segment, to 2.5 per cent (or 2099 sales) in 2010. Although trailing well behind segment leaders including Toyota Kluger, Ford Territory and the seven-seat Holden Captiva, this does represent a 66.6 per cent increase year-on-year for the Sorento.

The discovery of Sorento's relatively lackluster sales Down Under came as a surprise after spending a few enjoyable days driving an mid-spec version of the mildly-upgraded 2011 model, which presented as an impressively competent all-rounder equally at home on the daily commute, family day trip or light off-road sojourn.

Given our test vehicle was a fitted with a six-speed auto, four-wheel drive, mid-grade SLi trim and 2.2-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine (second only in price to the range-topping, sun-roofed $49,190 Platinum), it wasn't lacking much in comfort or convenience.

Priced at $46,190, you get plenty for the money in the way of standard features including dual-zone climate control air conditioning, six-speaker audio with MP3, USB and iPod connectivity, six airbags, stability control, leather trim, rear parking sensors, reversing camera, and HID headlamps, to name a few highlights.

The Sorento was also fitted with 2011 model tech upgrades which for an additional $200 include steering wheel-operated Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and media streaming, coming/leaving home headlamp illumination delay, leather-clad instrument cluster surround, auto up and down passenger side windows and an upgraded in-mirror reversing camera display with guidance lines.

While the Bluetooth and headlamp illumination features are welcome additions for the tech-savvy -- and keep the Sorento on par with the competition -- the extra cow hide on the dash isn't, when if not for the subtle stitching, you wouldn't pick it from the surrounding leather-look plastic trim.

We liked the improved reversing camera display in the left half side of the rear view mirror (it's full colour and razor-sharp) and, once you get used to the usual depth perception issues, provides a complete picture of what's behind when reversing or parking.

But what impresses most about the Sorento, apart from the stylish, functional design inside and out (more on that later) is the drive experience. Many mid- to large-sized SUVs struggle in the bends, but compared to the wallowy ride of the Toyota Kluger we drove recently, the Sorento's composure in corners was a revelation, no doubt aided by its monocoque construction and self-leveling, multilink rear suspension.

The Sorento's lack of body roll and ability to soak up the bumps was more akin to the Ford Territory's and Mazda CX-9's, exhibiting a sedan-like connection to the road that belies its jacked-up appearance and elevated driving position. The seats help too: contoured and comfortable they offered useful lateral support.

Also confidence inspiring is the hydraulic steering, providing enough feel and weight to encourage tackling tight twisties at speed, assisted by a nice, grippy, leather-wrapped steering wheel. And with the 'on demand' four-wheel-drive, there was no evidence of torque steer or wheelspin as previously experienced on 4x2 versions.

The 4WD diesel is the heaviest Sorento, at 1884kg, but the torquey engine copes easily with the extra bulk. It's an impressive unit -- quiet and refined, even when revved hard, with none of the usual diesel clatter intruding into the cabin, unless you open a window.

With 145kW at 3800rpm and 436Nm available between 1800 and 2500rpm, there's plenty on tap for a range of situations and enough torque, when combined with the responsive six-speed auto, to hold onto fourth gear even during overtaking.

That said, there's some turbo lag off the line and it's certainly no rocket ship (just over 10 seconds for 0-100km/h), but should be sprightly enough for most.

Given its size and grunt Sorento was impressively frugal, achieving 8.5L/100km during mostly city driving; not far off the official 7.4L/100km combined cycle figure, and ensuring good range from the 70-litre tank.

The Sorento's internal dimensions are not class leading, with Kluger, Territory and CX-9 beating it in overall space and seating functionality, particularly in second and third row legroom. But then at 4600mm long and 1880mm wide, it's smaller than many of its rivals, making it less wieldy in traffic and slightly easier to park.

That said, it's a true, family focused seven-seater, although the two, 50:50 split fold seats in the third row are really only suited to small children especially on longer trips, with restricted head and legroom.

Second row legroom is quite ample unless a six-foot-plus adult sits behind a similarly proportioned front seat occupant. Unlike the Kluger's, for example, the second row of seats on the Sorento won't slide forward or back to assist with legroom.

Instead, the backrests can be reclined to a 45-degree angle, for mid-afternoon naps or to create a little more knee room in the third row. Another plus is that the centre, second row passenger is treated to a proper seat, unlike the token, rock-hard pew found in the Kluger.

The dual-zone climate control air-conditioning has adjustable vents for second and third rows, which were appreciated on a couple of 30-plus degree days especially with six on board. It blew like an arctic wind almost from the get-go, so there was no need to wind down windows for the first five minutes of a trip, despite the heat-absorbing all-black interior and Spicy Red paint. Very cool indeed.

There are plenty of drink holders and storage spots for odds and ends, including a particularly deep centre console bin with removable tray.

Talking about audio, the rich sound from the six-speaker CD tuner is a class above the Kluger's, and there's a handy receptacle below the MP3 and USB sockets in the centre console for placing iPods, iPhones, etc.

Rear load space seemed about standard for this class of vehicle; meaning enough for a family beach outing including boogie boards, umbrella, bags, towels, and the rest. Flipping up the third row seats eats into most of the load space, leaving enough room for a few supermarket bags.

While the Sorento is undoubtedly tarmac focused, its 184mm ground clearance, 'bush bash' lower body protection, and off-road aids like Hill Descent
Control and 4WD 'lock' for low-speed crawling, endow it with reasonable off-road ability.

But those looking to undertake serious offroad excursions should probably look elsewhere as apart from inadequate approach and departure angles and lack of true low-range 4WD, it's limited by the road-biased, Kumho 235/60 R18 rubber fitted, which lacks the aggressive tread and durability required for rugged terrain.

Given its off-road ambitions, a third, 12V socket in the rear load space would be handy too.

If towing a reasonably large caravan or boat trailer is an important consideration, the six-speed manual diesel with a braked towing capacity up to 2500kg might be a better option, given the auto diesel's reduced 2000kg capacity.

The Sorento ticks most of the safety boxes, with a good combination of active and passive measures including six airbags, stability control, HID headlights, and strong disc brakes (with good pedal feel) plus the all-important five-star safety rating.

Styling in the mid-size SUV segment is not particularly adventurous, and the Sorento's doesn't stray too far from the current formula. Externally there's some minor bling in the form of chrome-look door handles and grille surround, LED-flashing side mirrors, smart 18-inch alloy wheels and nighttime illumination in the cabin, to break the monotony.

Internally, the Sorento benefits from its modern, 'clean sheet' design, with dials, controls and switches simply and clearly laid out and easy to use. Ergonomically it's spot on, making you feel instantly at ease.

The Sorento barely put a foot wrong during our few days together. Our test vehicle had just over 8000km on the odometer, but felt brand new with no discernible creaks or rattles. Everything from the doors to the switch gear, had a solid feel about it, even the weighty rear tailgate which required some muscle to close.

The latest hi-tech add-ons improve on an already strong value proposition, but it's evident the mechanically similar Hyundai Santa Fe (which outsells Sorento by more than double) that does the Sorento no favours in buyer-land, as does the fact many of its major rivals are bigger… but also more costly in some cases.

But not all offer diesel powerplants, and the Sorento's is a particularly good one for those wanting the benefits an efficient oil burner can provide, with the additional reassurance of a five year warranty.

While there are cheaper variants to consider, the diesel 4x4, seven seat Sorento shines as an easy-on-the-eye, easy-to-live-with family hauler that for sub-$50K, does most of the important things well.

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