Australian New Car Buyer – June 2019

84 | AUSTRALIAN NEW CAR & SUV BUYER’S GUIDE

K

ia’s Sorento is comparable
in size with Toyota’s Kluger
and the Nissan Pathfi nder, with
vast interior space for seven.
Petrol-powered models are
front-wheel drive. The range
opens with the 206kW 3.5-litre
V6/eight-speed automatic Si at
$42,990; Sport is $44,990, SLi is
$46,990 and GT-Line is $55,490.
Sorento’s 147kW 2.2-litre
turbodiesel is a superb engine,
as strong, frugal and refi ned.
It’s also matched with an eight-
speed automatic. The all-wheel
drivetrain includes a lockable
centre differential.
Prices start at $45,490 for the
Si, tested here. Sport is $48,490,
SLi is $50,490 and GT Line is
priced at $58,990.
Sorento’s 2.2-litre turbodiesel
can be hard to pick as a diesel
because it is so smooth and quiet.
It’s also frugal, returning
7–8L/100km on the highway and
10–11L/100km in town. Not bad
for a big, heavy seven-seater. Eco,

Normal and Sport modes adjust

the eight-speed’s shift points but it

never has to work the engine hard.

Kia’s local suspension tuning

program pays dividends here

in Sorento’s excellent ride/

handling compromise, tailor-

made for our poor roads.

It’s not pretending to be a sports

car so the emphasis is on comfort,

compliance and quietness, and in

this regard Sorento Si, which rolls

on 17-inch wheels with 235/65

tyres, is absolutely luxurious.

Handling is secure and

predictable. The electric steering

is pretty lifeless and imprecise.

Sorento’s claimed maximum

towing capacity is 2000kg. Its

maximum towball download,

though, is only 100kg, so most

caravans aren’t viable because

you’re effectively limited to a

1000kg trailer.

The driver faces a bulky, high

dash. Illuminated instruments

are clear and informative and

generous storage includes a

huge centre console box.

Eight-inch touchscreen

infotainment includes Apple

CarPlay and Android Auto, plus

Harman Kardon sound in SLI

and GT grades. Navigation,

a camera, seatbelt warning

chimes for all seats, parking

sensors and tyre pressure

monitoring are standard.

Safety features include lane

keeping assist and automatic

emergency braking; GT adds a

360 degree camera, blind spot

and rear cross traffi c alert.

The base Si driver’s seat,

though, has a saggy and

uncomfortable cushion,

inadequate lumbar support and

imprecise manual adjustment.

Row two is a fi rm, supportive

60/40 split-fold bench on sliding

tracks so legroom is adjustable,

as are backrest angles. Air

vents, USB and 12-volt sockets

are provided, plus two Isofi x

and three Australian Standard

restraint anchor points.

Access to the two fold-up

rear seats is tight and via the

passenger’s side only. Legroom

is reasonable but the cushions

are almost on the fl oor. Still,

they’re OK for small kids and

there’s a vent plus adjustable

fan speed control on the right

side. Curtain airbags extend to

the rear seats.

With all seats in use, there’s

enough space in the Sorento for

a couple of school bags and a bit

of shopping. Five-seater mode

gives you a big space and you

can move house with the row two

seats folded forward.

Whether you call it an SUV or

a people mover, the Kia Sorento

Si 2.2 turbodiesel is an A-grade

family wagon and excellent value

for money, especially at regularly

advertised drive away prices. A

seven-years/unlimited kilometres

warranty — the best in the

business — is the icing on the deal.

THINGS WE LIKE

Good value

One of the best turbodiesels around

Spacious cabin

Comfortable ride and secure

handling

Market-leading warranty

THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE

Uncomfortable driver’s seat

Tight rear-seat access

Remote-control steering

Can tow only a light trailer

SPEX (Si CRD)

Made in South Korea

2.2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel/

eight-speed automatic/all-wheel

drive

147kW of power at 3800rpm/441Nm

of torque from 1750-2750rpm

0–100km/h N/A

Warranty: Seven years/unlimited

kilometres

Max towing weight: 2000kg

6.1L/100km highway; 9.2L/100km

city; CO 2 emissions are 190g/km;

fuel tank is 71 litres

Standard: Six airbags, stability

control, automatic emergency

braking, camera, navigation, tyre

pressure monitoring, parking

sensors, Bluetooth, 17-inch alloy

wheels, alarm, three 12-volt and

two USB sockets, full-size spare

Redbook future values: 3yr: 56%;

5yr: 40%

Safety

Green Vehicle Guide

Performance

Handling

Quality and reliability

Comfort and refi nement

Value for money

Overall

STARS

compare with ...

Hyundai Santa Fe, Mazda CX9,

Skoda Kodiaq, Toyota Kluger

 S