Business Class Motoring

Classy Kia

The new Kia Sorento is a genuine seven-seater SUV, writes James Stinson.

There was a time not that long ago when we bought Kias because they were cheap and reliable even if they weren’t terribly desirable… With this new Kia Sorento, the brand has truly come of age. It’s not so cheap anymore but it’s very high tech, quite luxurious and really easy on the eye.

It’s a big, practical, comfortable sevenseater SUV to rival the likes of the Peugeot 5008, Volvo’s XC90 and the Land Rover Discovery.

And here’s another sign that things are changing… where once diesel was king in the land of the SUVs, that’s no longer the case. There’s still an oil burner in the line-up but the big news is the additions of a new hybrid petrol and a plug-in hybrid versions.

With a towing capacity of 2500kg, the diesel makes most sense if you plan to pull a boat, caravan or horsebox. The petrol hybrid isn’t as strong but is a good all-rounder, offering more refinement and better green credentials. The plug-in hybrid is a little more expensive but is a good company car bet thanks to the low benefit-in-kind tax perks.

Whichever one you choose, you are sure to be impressed with this, the biggest Kia yet. The fourth generation Sorento is longer than its predecessor with the extra inches helping to make this one of the most spacious cars in its class. The cabin is wide and tall with plenty of head and shoulder room front and back. And it’s a proper seven-seater, with the rearmost seats able to accommodate reasonably tall adults in some comfort.

The new Sorento is also a lot more stylish than previous versions, with a purposeful grille backed up with sharper lines and a much meaner stance. The interior is neat, well equipped and filled with an air of quality.

For the time being, the petrol hybrid looks like being the best seller. On its own, the 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine would struggle to haul around such a big car, but mated to a 44.2 kW electric motor it pumps out a respectable 226bhp. 0-60mph is doable in 8.7 secs while fuel economy is around 40mpg.

What’s more, Kia has managed to stow the batteries needed to power the electric motor beneath the passenger compartment, meaning there’s no space lost elsewhere. There’s a very sizeable boot and some usable space even when all seven seats are in use.

All versions come with four-wheel drive so it feels assured on and off road while there’s little body roll you often associate with high riding SUVs.

There are three trim levels to choose from – ‘2’, ‘3’, and ‘4’. The entry-level ‘2’ version in standard petrol electric hybrid form looks pricey compared to rivals but it comes stacked with kit.

Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloys, LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats and steering wheel, parking sensors, rear-view camera as well as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration.

All versions also have a 12.3-inch digital display behind the steering wheel, featuring sharp graphics. This complements an easyto-use 8.0-inch touchscreen in the centre of the dash which is your window into the car’s other settings. And, in a sign of the times, every seat gets a USB charging port.

Kia does well in reliability studies but there’s always an industry-leading sevenyear / 100,000-mile warranty to fall back on.

The entry-level petrol hybrid costs from £38,845 in standard ‘2’ trim, rising to £46,945 for the range-topping ‘4’. The diesel, which comes in ‘3’ trim only, costs from £41,425 while the plug-in hybrid is the priciest of the lot, starting from £44,995.

MAZDA TWEAKS ITS CX-5

The Mazda CX-5 has been a favourite of ours and of buyers for a number of years, thanks to its practicality, stylish looks and impressive engineering. And Mazda keeps tweaking its mid-sized SUV.

The latest 2021 model improvements have seen a new highly efficient 2.5-litre Skyactiv-G petrol engine added to the range. All models also feature a new, larger, faster and clearer 10.25-inch centre display screen, more intuitive Mazda Connect Commander operation and an expanded range of Connected Services operable by the latest MyMazda App.

The 18-model 2021 Mazda CX-5 range offers a broad choice of petrol and diesel engines with options for both manual and automatic transmission, plus with a line-up that includes both Mazda’s i-Activ AWD system or front-wheel drive there’s plenty of drivetrain choice.

Available in front-wheel drive only, the 163bhp 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G engine continues to be the mainstay of the range and is available in all trim levels – SE-L, Sport and GT Sport – with a choice of manual or automatic transmission. Mazda’s Skyactiv petrol motors deserve special mention, boosting economy and lowering emissions.

The new 2.5-litre Skyactiv-G motor, available exclusively in GT trim, is similarly impressive. Thanks to cylinder deactivation, this 192bhp direct-injection four-cylinder engine seamlessly switches between four and two-cylinder operation to improve real-world fuel economy at no cost to performance.

There are no electric or hybrid versions as yet but if that’s a route you want to go down, watch out for the new MX-30 due out in March – Mazda’s first battery-electric vehicle.

Prices for the refreshed CX-5 range begin at £28,830 for entry-level SE-L trim and top out at £32,730 for GT Sport.

DON’T PANIC – YOU DON’T HAVE TO BUY AN ELECTRIC CAR JUST YET

You’d be forgiven for being a little confused about what your next car should be, after the UK government brought forward the ban on new petrol and diesel cars to 2030.

It’s a bold move that will prompt many buyers to ponder what should power their next car; battery, petrol, diesel or maybe a petrol hybrid or plug-in electric hybrid?

It’s important to understand just what the UK government has decided. From 2030, there will be a ban on the sale of all new petrol and diesel-only powered cars.

That doesn’t mean that you need to decommission your existing car on that date. Indeed, for years after and probably until the late 2030s there will be a strong second-hand market for these cars.

Don’t be put off buying a new petrol or diesel car now either. Resale values should remain solid and, it should be pointed out, these cars provide tremendous range and flexibility compared to most of the present-day all-electric offerings.

Also, when it comes to 2030, you won’t be restricted to just buying an all-electric car. Hybrids, which use a mix of battery and petroldriven power, can still be sold up until 2035.

Again, these have a significant advantage over current pure electric vehicles in having far better range while still providing the capability for battery-driven power for shorter journeys.

Plug-in hybrids too can be sold up until 2035. These are increasingly popular because, like conventional hybrids, they use a petrol motor to provide range flexibility. However, they also have an electric motor, which can be charged at home or from a public charge point, which means it can travel on battery power alone on short or medium-length journeys.

You could think of hybrids and plug-in hybrids as a stepping stone from petrol and diesel cars to fully electric cars.

Presently, electric cars make up a small but growing number of overall sales. If you aren’t completely wedded to the idea of owning one, then don’t feel you have to buy one just yet. Range, though improving, is still an issue, especially if you drive long distances.

Battery technology is evolving and that will give future electric cars better range and bring down prices. Currently, you pay a hefty premium for electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrids and experts reckon the point at which they cost the same is still a few years off.

So the message is: take your time, don’t panic. Don’t be put off buying a diesel or petrol car by the ban on sales of new models, which is still nine years away.