Sorento looks to diesel upside

Kia is hoping to reap the benefits of the Aussie medium SUV segment's growing love affair with diesel via the latest update of its Sorento four-wheel drive.

Boasting a new 125kW 392Nm 2.5-litre common-rail direct-injected four-cylinder turbodiesel powerplant matched to a choice of five speed manual and automatic gearboxes, the new Sorento CRDi arrives in dealers this month priced from $34,990.

The five-seat two-row Sorento boasts ADR 81/01 fuel economy of 8.5lt/100km in its manual variant. The automatic version (add $2000) returns 9.4lt/100km.

The 'body-on-frame' Sorento was substantially upgraded for the 2007 model year. Then, along with a mild facelift, suspension and other componentry were overhauled to improve ride and handling. This time around, the majority of changes are under the bonnet with the CRDi engine coming Down Under for the first time.

The outgoing Sorento's 3.5 and 3.8-litre V6 petrol engines have been replaced by a single 3.3-litre V6 rated at 180kW. Mated to a five-speed autobox only, Kia says the new petrol engine delivers improved refinement as well as fuel economy benefits. The outgoing 3.8 and 3.5-litre engines had official figures of 12.0 and 11.9lt/100km respectively. The new 309Nm 3.3 returns a combined economy figure of 10.9lt/100km.

According to Kia's own figures 0-100km/h times have slipped from 8.5 to 9.5sec in the changeover. The CRDi acclerates to the metric ton in 12.4sec (auto).

Both diesel and petrol Sorentos retain a shift-on-the-fly part-time four-wheel drive system -- torque is a fixed 50:50 split. In two-wheel drive mode drive is to the rear wheels. Unlike most road-oriented medium SUVs, the Kia retains a transfer case and offers a decent 2.48:1 low range reduction.

Three trim levels will be offered in the new model. The base model LX kicks off at $34,990 (as noted above) with manual box and diesel power. The auto-only petrol LX is priced from $33,990.

Standard equipment includes manual aircon, power windows et al, trip computer, five 16-inch alloys and a limited slip rear differential. Standard safety equipment includes ABS brakes (with EBD) front airbags and active front headrests. The centre rear seatbelt is now a lap sash across the range.

No seven seat option is offered.

The mid-range EX level adds cruise control, ESP (only active in two-wheel drive mode), traction control and 17-inch alloys. It is priced from $36,490 for the 3.3 V6, with the CRDi $3000 more.

The new top-of-the-range Sorento is the leather-pewed EX-L (Limited) at $41,490/$44,490 petrol/CRDi. As well as an electric tilt-slide sunroof, the new premium trim grade adds side curtain airbags, cabin upgrades including woodgrain-style inserts and dual-zone climate control air. Side curtain airbags are also standard.

First unveiled in 2002 and debuted in Australia in early 2003, the Sorento was Kia's top-selling model worldwide in 2004 and 2005. In January 2007, the maker sold its 700,000th Sorento.

While Kia Motors Australia is not expecting the medium SUV to outsell the likes of its Rio light car Down Under, it is looking to the model to make a stronger contribution to the company's overall fortunes Down Under. Year-to-date, Kia's local sales are down 7.9 per cent against an overall market that is up over eight per cent.

Director of Sales and Marketing Bill Gillespie told The Carsales Network that at around 110 units per month the current Sorento had performed well in a market that has trended down in terms of petrol-powered volume.

With diesel's share of the medium SUV market up 38 per cent year-to-date, the maker is looking for a substantial increase in its Sorento volume.

Gillespie says 200 Sorentos per month is "an entirely achievable goal." He says Kia expects around 80 per cent of Sorento customers will opt for the CRDi-engine models.

One cloud on the Sorento's horizon, however, is Toyota's new Kluger (more here). Though the Toyo eschews diesel for a new 3.5-litre petrol engine, the seven-seater is very competitively priced.

Look for the Carsales Network's launch review of the new Sorento soon.

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