Kia Sorento GT-Line 2021 Review

The 2021 Kia Sorento is available in four trims – S, Sport, Sport+ and GT-Line. Each variant is offered with either a 3.5-litre petrol V6 with front-wheel drive or a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel with all-wheel drive.

Kia plans to expand the line-up later this year with both hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants too, taking it further ahead of rivals like the Mazda CX-9, outgoing Toyota Kluger, the ageing Nissan Pathfinder and Sorento’s twin under the skin, the recently updated Hyundai Santa Fe.

The Kia Sorento range kicks off at $46,850 plus on-road costs for the entry-level petrol-powered S while the Sport starts at $49,470 plus ORCs, the Sport+ costs from $53,850 plus ORCs and the flagship GT-Line begins at $61,070 plus ORCs.

The diesel, all-wheel drive powertrain is a $3000 premium across the range, meaning our oil-burning GT-Line test vehicle can be had for $64,070 plus ORCs with the only optional extra needing to tick is premium paint for an additional $695.

That price – up by a few grand over its predecessor – may be a little higher than the previous-generation Sorento but, considering the long list of standard equipment it is fitted with, offers amazing value for money that I imagine is the envy of some of its prestige SUV rivals.

Dominating the dash is a very ‘Mercedes-like’ 12.3-inch instrument display screen along with a 10.25-inch infotainment touch-screen that is very well integrated and features a 12-speaker Bose audio system, sat-nav and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with both wireless and USB connections.

A cool feature my kids loved was the intercom system from the first to third rows through the front microphone and rear speakers, and there is a plethora of convenient auxiliary charging outlets across the first two rows.

Dual-zone climate control with separate adjustment and vents available from the third row, heated and cooled front seats (my favourite) along with heated second row outer pews keeps the cabin environment comfortable for all occupants.

The upholstery is clad in Nappa leather with all seven seats sporting very classy Audi-like quilted stitching, making for a very prestigious feel that is only exacerbated by the airiness generated by the full-length glass sunroof.

It looks just as classy on the outside too, standing proud on its 20-inch rims while the LED headlights with daytime running lights and Kia’s new take on its signature tiger nose front grille design lends it a futuristic appearance.

The 2021 Kia Sorento sets a high-water mark for safety for family SUVs with all the latest crash avoidance technologies and the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating.

At its core, the larger body is lighter yet stiffer than its predecessor thanks to greater use of high-strength hot-stamped steel along with aluminium in the frame.

Beyond the inherent strength, occupants are protected by seven airbags that cover all three rows including a new front centre airbag that drops from the roof between the front seat occupants to prevent injuries when clashing heads in a side impact.

On top of that, the driver has a clear head-up display with speed sign recognition and driver attention warning while being supported by autonomous emergency braking (AEB) which can also detect oncoming traffic when making a turn at intersections which Kia calls Junction Assist.

There’s also adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane follow assist with lane change assist, and blind spot collision avoidance.

Our GT-Line also displays a camera view of the adjacent lane on the instrument display when indicating, which is a simple but handy feature to eliminate blind spots, while the parking collision avoidance assist system warns the driver by visual, audible and haptic feedback through the steering wheel and will also apply the brakes if a collision is imminent during the parking process.

Ensuring rear seat occupants don’t run out into traffic, the Sorento’s Safe Exit Assist will keep the rear doors locked if it detects an oncoming vehicle.

Electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes are of course a given these days and, in the case of our GT-Line, its all-wheel drive transmission provides extra security and traction in slippery conditions.

Under the bonnet of our 2021 Kia Sorento GT-Line is a rather fuel-efficient 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder that delivers a decent 148kW of power at 3800rpm and a peak torque figure of 440Nm between 1750-2750rpm. It provides the Sorento with very tractable performance.

Interestingly, the engine block is now made from high-strength aluminium, which brings a 19.5kg weight saving over the cast-iron unit in the outgoing model that contributes to improved dynamics.

It also helps with fuel efficiency too, and Kia claims the Sorento GT-Line has an average consumption of just 6.1L/100km which is amazing when you consider the vehicle weighs 1909kg and can hold its own in an overtaking duel.

While I wasn’t able to match Kia’s claim, I did get a lot closer to it (at 6.9L/100km) than most other vehicles I’ve tested.

Turbo lag is something that has largely been eradicated in modern engines, but I would have thought a small-capacity four-cylinder diesel trying to move a large SUV would be a good scenario in order to experience it again.

But it wasn’t the case at all, as the engine pulls away nicely under high-load conditions without fuss and holds tall gears without unnecessarily down-shifting when speed comes off or when driving it up hills.

That is helped by the silky-smooth eight-speed dual-clutch transmission that almost behaves like a conventional torque-converter automatic without the clunkiness you often find in similar gearboxes, even in the likes of a Mercedes-Benz.

One can be excused for forgetting the main purpose of the 2021 Kia Sorento is to be a seven-seat family SUV and the practicality and flexibility of its cabin should be front of mind when describing this type of vehicle.

And, yes, that’s just another box the GT-Line ticks.

To start with, there’s a heap of space on offer inside the cabin with a generous amount headroom and legroom across all three rows.

Up front, the seating position, bolster support and placement of controls is very good, as is the pedal feel and steering weight.

And the basic ergonomics and quality of the dash is excellent, with the same rotary gear selection knob found in its luxury Genesis SUV sibling along with many of the same technology features.    

As you’d expect, the front and middle rows are super-comfortable, but I was most surprised by the roominess of the third row where I could easily fit my six-foot frame – for a short trip at least – making the Sorento the most accessible seven-seater I have tested so far.

Even better, you don’t feel like a second-class citizen back there either, with high-quality Nappa leather trim, cup holders, charging ports and air-conditioning vents and controls.

The 60/40-split second-row seats can recline, slide fore and aft and also lock in place when folded, providing a flat floor for large loads or even a mattress.

By the numbers, the boot space is pretty small with the third row in place, with only 187 litres of cargo-carrying capacity. But when using the Sorento only as a five-seater it has a capacious 616L and is genuinely cavernous with both the second and third row stowed at 2011L.

All Sorento variants come equipped with a full-size spare wheel and tyre under the rear floor and can tow up to 2000kg with a 200kg tow ball weight. 

The 2021 Kia Sorento GT-Line surprises on so many levels.

Firstly, to have luxurious features like heated and cooled seats (and in particular heated second-row seats), high-quality leather trim and a barrage of advanced safety tech as standard in a vehicle that costs less than $70K should definitely have traditional prestige brands looking over their shoulders.

I’ve been in a lot of high-end SUVs that don’t have half the features of the Sorento. Sure, it doesn’t have a thumping 300kW turbocharged V8 engine and does not quite have the same level of handling or braking dynamics as, say, a Mercedes-AMG GLE 53. But for who’s taking a family SUV to a track day anyway?

The level of refinement, comfort and technology in the cabin of the Sorento GT-Line is outstanding and the little diesel engine in combination with the silky-smooth dual-clutch transmission is more than enough for Aussie families – and our speed limits.

It still has that unmistakeable diesel noise (yes, I’ll call it noise), which is hardly an enjoyable experience, but it is less intrusive than before thanks to an increase in sound-deadening material and hydro bushes in the subframe that ensures peaceful long-distance cruising.

And any shortcomings are well compensated by the way the Sorento drives. It is comfortable and handles well due to the bespoke Australian-tuned suspension and I couldn’t fault it over any of the tests I threw at it.

I know it’s a cliche, but the Kia Sorento GT-Line genuinely offers a champagne experience on a beer budget.

Disclaimer: Luke Youlden is a Bathurst 1000 champion, 2021 Porsche Carrera Cup series competitor, Tekworkx Motorsport mentor and chief driving coach, deputy chief instructor for the Porsche Experience and also works for Pilota Sportiva, whose clients include Audi Driving Experience and Volkswagen Group Australia.

How much does the 2021 Kia Sorento GT-Line diesel cost?
Price: $64,070 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 148kW/440Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 6.1L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 159g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2020)