Motoring

M

MOTORING

Jim Barnett

Safety Seven airbags including front centre airbag, around-view monitor, blind-spot camera view when indicating left or right, a full suite of crash-avoidance and driver-assistance technologies. Tech Twelve-speaker Bose audio, seven USB ports, mood lighting, wireless smartphone charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Economy Combined test 9.7 litres/100km (V6), 6.1 litres/100km (diesel). Warranty servicing Seven-year unlimited-kilometre warranty, seven-year capped servicing and seven-year roadside assistance.

Kia Sorento SUV

DESIGN AND FUNCTION

The fourth-generation seven-seat Kia Sorento SUV scores a bigger body sitting on a new platform with a longer wheelbase. The result is sharper looks, increased passenger comfort, easier access to third-row seats and more cargo space.

Four spec levels (S, Sport, Sport+ and GT-Line) come with a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine, FWD and eight-speed automatic, priced between $48,290 and $63,290 (drive away). Choosing the new 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel, with eightspeed dual-clutch auto and AWD, adds just $3,000.

A bold new grille with larger lower air intake, new “tiger-eye” LED daytime running lights, roof rails and shark-fin antenna add to Sorento’s external appeal.

Seating for seven in three rows is comfortable. Second-row 60/40 seats slide, recline and drop flat individually. Third-row seats are best suited to kids but provide sufficient room for adults with the second row slid forward.

Cargo space varies between 187 litres (all seven seats in use) and 2,011 litres (rows two and three folded). A tray features under the rear floor where the cargo blind is stored, and all models have a full-size spare wheel.

DRIVING

Top-spec GT-Line diesel is an absolute pleasure to drive. Its level of standard equipment and fit-out is so comprehensive that it’s hard to imagine anything better for the price.

Drivers get a power-operated seat trimmed in quilted Nappa leather (as is the rest of the cabin). It’s heated and cooled and offers adjustable lumbar and thigh support.

The steering wheel is heated, has a range of function buttons, and gently vibrates for several driverassistance warnings.

GT-Line’s 12.3-inch digital display replaces the standard gauge layout and offers a myriad of information, including left and right blind-spot camera views when indicating. A central 10.25-inch touchscreen features sat nav, a good reversing camera and a surround-view monitor. A handy head-up display provides drivers essential information.

The four-cylinder diesel is one of the quietest the Police Journal has ever tested. It‘s 148kW of power and impressive 440Nm of torque provide smooth, effortless power in any situation. The engine works seamlessly with the smooth, fast-changing dual-clutch auto.

The longer wheelbase and fully independent suspension provide good ride comfort levels.

One of GT-Line’s coolest features is the ability, using the key fob, to drive the car autonomously (forward or backward) out of a tight park – without anyone on board.

Nothing better for the price?

Ford Escape

DESIGN AND FUNCTION

The revamped Ford Escape introduces new flagship and plug-in variants along with a bigger interior and a suite of driver-assistance and safety technologies across the entire range.

Entry Escape comes with FWD only while ST-Line and Vignale come with FWD or AWD (adds $3,000). All, except ST-Line PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) feature a powerful 2.0-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder turbo petrol engine coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

ST-Line PHEV (FWD only) gets a 2.5-litre petrol four combined with an electric motor/generator and 14.4kWh lithium-ion battery to produce 167kW (combined power). Ford claims Escape PHEV can travel more than 50 kilometres on battery power before the petrol engine kicks in.

In addition to its driver-assistance and safety technologies, entry Escape features traffic-sign recognition, adaptive cruise control with speed limiter, push-button start, wireless phone charging and DAB+ radio.

Central in the dash is an eight-inch touchscreen with voice-activated satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard across all models.

Interior space abounds. Front seats provide good support and plenty of adjustment. Rear seats provide ample room for adults and feature slide and recline functions which improve cargo flexibility. Pricing Escape (FWD) $35,990, ST-Line $37,990, ST-Line PHEV $52,940, Vignale $46,590. (AWD option adds $3,000 to ST-Line and Vignale. All prices plus ORC). Safety Five-star ANCAP, six airbags, comprehensive suite of driver-assistance and crash-avoidance technology, reverse camera, front and rear parking sensors. Best options Technology pack adds adaptive LED headlights and configurable head-up display to Escape FWD for $1,000. (These, plus power tailgate and heated front seats, add $2,800 to ST-Line.)

Economy Combined testing 8.6 litres/100km all models except PHEV, which is claimed to be 1.5 litres/100km. Cargo space Between 412 and 1,478 litres. (Emergency spare under the floor.)

Effortless up hills, on highway

Cargo space varies between 412 and 526 litres, depending on where second-row seats are positioned, and up to 1,478 with rear seats folded.

DRIVING

Escape’s powerful 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbo four is an impressively smooth engine belting out 183kw of power and 387Nm of torque. This provides Escape with a substantial power advantage over many rivals but torque steer under harsh acceleration might, according to some, be an issue with FWD variants.

There are two ways to solve that: don’t floor it off the line or spend $3,000 more for the AWD system on ST-Line and Vignale.

ST-Line AWD offers effortless power on the steepest of Adelaide’s hills, effortless highway cruising and quick, safe overtaking. The eight-speed auto, operated from a rotary dial on the console, works in perfect harmony with this slick engine as its paddle shifters provide ultimate manual control.

With ST-Line, the sport variant, ride quality is on the firm side but not uncomfortable. It remains flat and corners with confidence.

ST-Line and Vignale feature a driverprogrammable 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster behind the small flat-bottom steering wheel.

All models feature five programmable driving modes (Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery and Snow/Sand).

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