The hugely successful Kia Sorento has developed rapidly over the past five or six years from something good to something really impressive.
The all new Kia Sorento was launched less than three years after the outgoing model went on sale.
And little has changed behind it, but that shouldn't impede this good looking crossover's ability to remain one of the top sellers in its class. Despite using the same doors, roof, bonnet and windscreen, Kia says that this is otherwise an all new car.
Also available in a diesel variant which we tested a week ago, we get our hands on the petrol version this time round to see how it fares.
Exterior
From the outside, the look of the updated front and rear ends sharpen the Sorento's appeal and Kia has taken the bold move of going for vertically-styled fog lights that help to improve visibility with their cornering illumination ability.
The all new Kia Sorento was launched less than three years after the outgoing model went on sale.
And little has changed behind it, but that shouldn't impede this good looking crossover's ability to remain one of the top sellers in its class. Despite using the same doors, roof, bonnet and windscreen, Kia says that this is otherwise an all new car.
Also available in a diesel variant which we tested a week ago, we get our hands on the petrol version this time round to see how it fares.
Exterior
From the outside, the look of the updated front and rear ends sharpen the Sorento's appeal and Kia has taken the bold move of going for vertically-styled fog lights that help to improve visibility with their cornering illumination ability.
Unlike the new Santa Fe - its cousin from Hyundai that shares the same platform - Kia has ticked the box for LED daytime running lights for the entire Sorento range, which adds that extra element of visual appeal the company is becoming well known for.
Overall, squatting at 4,685mm x 1,885mm x 1,710mm, (L x W x H), the Sorento has a likeable and unintimidating look with sizeable proportions that do not look out of place for an SUV.
Interior
Compared to its rather glamorous cousin, the Sorento has a more down to earth interior. Although the new dash design loses the flair of the previous Sorento, the cabin is very wide and spacious.
Even with seven aboard, there's adequate room, although seats six and seven are probably suited for small sized adults over short journeys. The vehicle makes light work of carrying this load yet having decent space in the back for some luggage.
The boot is huge in five seater mode and the carrying potential is impressive with a convincingly spacious and conspicuously well shaped load area, created by having the rear seats folded, which is capable of holding up to 1,047 litres of gear.
Compared to its rather glamorous cousin, the Sorento has a more down to earth interior. Although the new dash design loses the flair of the previous Sorento, the cabin is very wide and spacious.
Even with seven aboard, there's adequate room, although seats six and seven are probably suited for small sized adults over short journeys. The vehicle makes light work of carrying this load yet having decent space in the back for some luggage.
The boot is huge in five seater mode and the carrying potential is impressive with a convincingly spacious and conspicuously well shaped load area, created by having the rear seats folded, which is capable of holding up to 1,047 litres of gear.
The centre console sports a new leather wrapped gear lever with straight-gate selector, in place of the old step pattern. There's also a new 4.3-inch LCD touch screen integrated media system with a reverse camera, providing assistance during parking manoeuvres - something that drivers will be appreciative for with a car of its size.
Manually retractable sunshades come as standard on the middle row's windows which provide protection from the harsh glare of the Sun. But, unfortunately, they do not provide a full cover.
Another new feature of the Sorento is a digitalised instrument panel with graphic animation upon entering or exiting the car, ensuring high visibility of important information and providing a visual treat for the driver at the same time.
Manually retractable sunshades come as standard on the middle row's windows which provide protection from the harsh glare of the Sun. But, unfortunately, they do not provide a full cover.
Another new feature of the Sorento is a digitalised instrument panel with graphic animation upon entering or exiting the car, ensuring high visibility of important information and providing a visual treat for the driver at the same time.
The Drive
Despite sporting a bigger displacement capacity of 2.4-litres over its diesel brethren, the petrol variant of the Sorento churns out 189bhp and 242Nm of torque - lesser horses and torque figures compared to its 2.2-litre diesel brethren. And because it doesn't have mountain-moving torque figures like its diesel counterpart, this pertrol powered Sorento here loses the century sprint by a mere 0.3 seconds.
Compared to the diesel variant, there is a significant amount of delay in pickup and gearshifts are a little lazy - probably due to the absence of a turbocharger. Nonetheless, in most driving situations, this is a power train that gets the job done in a fuss free manner.
The drive in the petrol variant of the Sorento is also more refined due to the quietness of the GDi powerplant as compared to the diesel clatter of its sibling. Plus, complemented by the classy design and layout of the cabin, it's not hard to realise that the overall luxurious feel of the car is a notch higher than its industrial-sounding brethren.
On the go, the Sorento rides with adequate competence. Its suspension soaks up road imperfections well while remaining composed around bends.
Despite sporting a bigger displacement capacity of 2.4-litres over its diesel brethren, the petrol variant of the Sorento churns out 189bhp and 242Nm of torque - lesser horses and torque figures compared to its 2.2-litre diesel brethren. And because it doesn't have mountain-moving torque figures like its diesel counterpart, this pertrol powered Sorento here loses the century sprint by a mere 0.3 seconds.
Compared to the diesel variant, there is a significant amount of delay in pickup and gearshifts are a little lazy - probably due to the absence of a turbocharger. Nonetheless, in most driving situations, this is a power train that gets the job done in a fuss free manner.
The drive in the petrol variant of the Sorento is also more refined due to the quietness of the GDi powerplant as compared to the diesel clatter of its sibling. Plus, complemented by the classy design and layout of the cabin, it's not hard to realise that the overall luxurious feel of the car is a notch higher than its industrial-sounding brethren.
On the go, the Sorento rides with adequate competence. Its suspension soaks up road imperfections well while remaining composed around bends.
While some may reckon that the petrol variant of the Sorento here should be blessed with an all-wheel drive for better driveability, we beg to differ. Considering the lack of space in Singapore, this SUV will not lose out to its peers as it's the urban jungle where it'll spend most of its time in.
Conclusion
Overall, the new Kia Sorento further enhances an already competent and well equipped package. It is a vehicle that will look good when its parked and likely to serve you well on your daily rounds.
The Sorento strengthens the fact that Korean carmakers have become a force to be reckoned with. All the car needs is a little touch-up to smooth off its rough edges and it'll convince on all fronts.
Conclusion
Overall, the new Kia Sorento further enhances an already competent and well equipped package. It is a vehicle that will look good when its parked and likely to serve you well on your daily rounds.
The Sorento strengthens the fact that Korean carmakers have become a force to be reckoned with. All the car needs is a little touch-up to smooth off its rough edges and it'll convince on all fronts.
