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NEWS
Kia Sorento delivers more ritz and glitz
Heavily reworked SUV arrives in Australia more capable and refined than everKia's new Sorento is set to throw a scare into the $40K SUV set when it goes on sale locally later this month. The new model remains faithful to the maker's design philosophy for the large-format SUV: give the people the power to tow or go offroad, with packaging for a family of seven and the running costs of a mid-sized five-seater.
While it may not look that different on the surface, the Sorento has adopted the platform and upgraded mechanicals of the new generation Hyundai Santa Fe recently launched in Australia. So what started out as a strong package is now even more accomplished, with a revised body shell, improved dynamics, added refinement and a host of extra comfort and convenience features. Kia claims, for instance, that the higher content of high-tensile-strength steel (up to 25 per cent of the total – more than its peers) has resulted in an 18 per cent improvement in torsional rigidity and the company expects the new Sorento to repeat its predecessor's feat of earning a five-star NCAP rating once it's tested. The Sorento also rings in other changes – including better quality interior fittings and a restyled interior – but for a negligible shift in price. In fact, Kia has actually reduced prices for some variants.
The importer is rolling out the new Sorento range in three levels of trim – Si, SLi and Platinum – and two drivetrain variants. As we reported recently, the 3.5-litre engine is available only with a six-speed automatic transmission, driving to the front wheels exclusively. Kia's R Series diesel powers all-wheel drive models and can be specified with a choice of six-speed transmissions, manual or auto – although the manual is only available in the base-grade Si model.
For the moment at least the 2.4-litre petrol four-cylinder Sorento is discontinued, although Kia is evaluating the business case to bring the previous model's entry-level variant back to the market. In the meantime, the 3.5-litre V6 with front-wheel drive in the Si level of trim is the new base-grade model. At $37,490 it's $1000 steeper than the superseded four or $500 more than the cheapest of the previous V6 Sorento variants.
The V6/auto/front-drive configuration is also available in a new level of trim, the Sorento V6 SLi. This new variant is priced at $40,490, with optional navigation adding $1500 more again to that price. Navigation is also an option on the all-wheel drive diesel/auto SLi model, providing buyers with the ease of navigation without stumping up nearly $5000 for the flagship of the range, the Sorento Platinum, which is only available with diesel power, auto box and all-paw traction. Across the range, all-wheel drive variants are now $1000 cheaper, according to Kia, with the most affordable variant the Sorento Si diesel manual – priced at $38,990. The Sorento Si diesel is the only variant offered with a manual (six-speed) transmission in the range. It's likely to be popular with those who tow, since its towing capacity is 2500kg, versus the 2000kg capacity of every other variant in the Sorento range.
What buyers will get for their money is a stronger body with noise-dampening subframe mounts, recalibrated suspension for Aussie roads, the new look inside and out, new comfort/convenience features and enhanced output and economy from the R Series 2.2-litre diesel four-cylinder.
The petrol engine, carried over from the previous Sorento, is a 3.5-litre V6 developing 204kW and 335Nm. Compliant to Euro 4 emissions standard, the V6 uses 9.8L/100km of fuel in combined-cycle testing, with CO2 emissions rated at 235g/km. Those figures are slightly improved over the previous model's, the new Sorento benefiting from as much as 100kg lower kerb mass, which is the result of adopting high tensile-strength steel throughout the new body. Kia's R Series diesel, which is shared with the Hyundai Santa Fe, is a 2.2-litre common-rail turbodiesel four that produces 145kW and either 421Nm (manual) or 436Nm (auto). Fuel consumption is 6.6L/100km (manual) or 7.3L/100km (auto), with CO2 emissions equating to 174g/km or 192g/km respectively. Acceleration from a standing start to 100km/h takes 8.2 seconds (V6), 9.7 (diesel manual) or 9.9 (diesel auto).
All-wheel drive models operate mostly through the front wheels, with torque supplied to the rear wheels automatically, once the vehicle's traction control system detects slip through the front wheels. As much as 50 per cent of the available torque can be directed to the rear wheels at speeds up to 40km/h. Of the three drivetrain variants, the manual (diesel) tows most – up to 2500kg – while the petrol and diesel auto variants are limited to 2000kg.
The Sorento rides on MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link independent system at the rear. All variants now come with dual-flow dampers. According to Kia the IRS system is more compact than the previous model's. It allows more legroom in the second-row seat because the shorter mounting points have freed up space for the new floorpan to accommodate the additional legroom measure.
The electrically-assisted rack-and-pinion steering is new to the Sorento and offers three-mode (adjustable assistance) FlexSteer in the SLi and Platinum grades. Irrespective of front or all-wheel drive configuration, the Sorento turns through a 10.9m diameter and 2.95 turns, lock to lock.
Brakes are ventilated discs at the front, measuring 320x28mm, and solid discs at the rear, measuring 302x11mm. In addition to antilock, brake assist and Electronic brakeforce distribution, the Sorento has adopted Kia's VSM (Vehicle Stability Management) in the latest generation.
Sitting on a 2.7m wheelbase, the new Sorento is 4685mm long and 1885mm wide. Only the height has changed in the transition from previous generation to new model, coming down 10mm to an even 1700mm. That is the direct result of the new model's lower ride height – 185mm. Approach, departure and breakover angles are 19.7 degrees, 22.4 degrees and 17.1 degrees, respectively.
Safety equipment features fitted across all variants in the range include: dual front airbags, side-curtain airbags and active headrests.
As the entry-level grade, the Sorento Si comes as standard with: 17-inch alloy wheels, projector-beam headlights, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, multi-function steering wheel (four-spoke design, leather bound with switchgear for phone/audio/cruise), electric mirrors/windows, trip computer, remote central locking and two auxiliary power outlets.
In addition, the Sorento Si is trimmed in black cloth upholstery and features chrome door handles inside. The CD/MP3-compatible audio system feeds through six speakers and can stream music by Bluetooth or via USB/iPod cables. Externally the Sorento Si boasts front fog lights, static cornering lights and front and rear ultrasonic parking sensors. The parking sensors and the LED daytime running lights are new to the Sorento range.
Equipment for the Sorento SLi builds on the base model's kit with the following additional features: 18-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, third-row ventilation, LED tail light clusters, auto-on/off headlights, rear spoiler, leather seat trim, 'Supervision cluster' digital instrument readout, 4.3-inch infotainment touch screen, reversing camera, sports pedals, eight-way electrically-adjustable driver's seat and FlexSteer.
At this level, the Sorento also gains aero wiper blades, cloth-trimmed A pillars, metal-look decorative trim pieces, 'mood' lighting, alloy door scuff plates with footwell illumination in the front row, leather-trimmed instrument hood, seven-inch TFT instrument cluster and UV-resisting glass.
Over and above the SLi specification, the Sorento Platinum adds 19-inch alloy wheels, panoramic sunroof with powered roller blind, xenon headlights, satellite navigation, privacy glass and a wash fluid level sensor. New features in the flagship model that include: upgraded audio system, memory function on powered driver's seat, four-way electrically-adjustable front passenger's seat, front-seat heating/ventilation, second-row seat window blinds, active headlights and lighting inside front door handle pockets.
Kia sold 265 units last month, according to VFACTS, but Steve Watt, the company's national marketing manager, forecasts the new Sorento can sell around 400 a month.
Prices for new-generation Sorento
3.5-litre V6 auto (FWD)
Sorento Si – $37,490
Sorento SLi – $40,490
Sorento SLi with navigation – $41,990
2.2-litre diesel (AWD)
Sorento Si (manual) – $38,990
Sorento Si (auto) – $40,990
Sorento SLi (auto) – $43,990
Sorento SLi (auto) with navigation – $45,490
Sorento Platinum (auto) – $50,390
Pictures show Sorento Platinum (red and blue), Sorento Si (green) and Sorento SLi (silver).
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Written byKen Gratton
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