Sleek Sorento

Date Published: 29-Jul-2010

When the car market and particularly the large SUV sector hit the buffers Kia Motors were in the throes of replacing their biggest model, the Sorento. At that time Kia Motors Ireland were holding a large stock of the old model, which to their credit they managed to move before the arrival of the new Sorento. Just as well, the old model now looks so out-of-date compared to its replacement.

Before you start running down large SUV’s, it is important to put them in context. Of course they were never suitable for some of the uses they were put to in the recent past. As a school-run vehicle they were ridiculous. As a daily run-around they were equally silly. But don’t knock the car companies for selling them. We, the driving community were demanding them, and the bigger and more packed with the gadgetry the better. Thankfully much has changed since those heady days.

Now those who need these working vehicles are the ones that they are aimed at, and they will often buy commercial versions. Large families that need seven seats and use their SUV’s to tow trailers, caravans and sports equipment are also legitimate targets. This new Kia model is a sleek modern machine. Kia has bolstered the all-round quality of the exterior and the interior and as you would expect there is lots of space, substantial leg and elbow room in the cabin and space in the boot too. The third row pair of seats are essentially for smaller passengers, but row two is impressive for the amount of space there too.

Kia has fitted an all-new modern 2.2-litre CRDi 197ps diesel engine the packs a big punch when asked and offers smooth motoring when cruising along. CO2 emissions are 171 g/km which puts it just in to Tax Band E and annual road tax of €630. Mated to a well-spaced, six-speed manual gearbox the Sorento offers a range of torque for easy driving and tough work with equal ease. Kia Motors Ireland offer two trim levels for the new Sorento – EX and GSE. Standard spec for both models includes: 17” Alloy Wheels, Dual Air Con, Full Size Temporary Tyre, Cruise Control, Audio Remote Control plus iPod and USB connection, Roof Rack, Cargo Screen, ESP and HAC.

The Kia Sorento, which I have been testing this week, is the top-of-the-range 4×2 GSE version. Some of the extras above the more basic specification include: 18’’ Alloy Wheels, Privacy Glass, Door Scuff and Mood Lamp, Heated Front Leather Seats, Drivers Seat Electrically Adjustable, Rear Spoiler, Alloy Pedals, LED Rear Lights and Rear Warning Sensors.

One of the great dilemmas with these big bulky vehicles is that they are a handful to drive. You don’t expect sporty dynamics. You expect lots of roll in the corners and on roundabouts, and you get a fair share of it from this car. Some manufacturers spend huge sums of money trying to reduce this aspect of their SUV’s.

This Kia is a more back-to-basics SUV. It handles and drives like a traditional SUV, yet in the right environment it is not overly awkward. However you’ve got to keep wits about you. It behaves smoothly on the motorway and gobbles up the kilometres with ease, but it must be respected and driven with caution especially on bumpier country roads.

Essentially, this is a car for a very specific user. It is a workhorse with stylish intent. It will fill your driveway with a lot of metal and cut a dash on the high street. But, it is not for the school run, the shopping or going to church. In its segment it is well placed and well priced. Kia knows this and so do other big SUV manufacturer. So too do their customers and as an out and out SUV it is a decent effort especially compared to the old one and against many more expensive model.