KIA SORENTO '4

1.6 HEV T-GDi Auto AWD

What is it?

Now in its fourth generation, the Sorento, Kia’s range-topping SUV, has evolved to meet the demands of the modern family, as well as environmental challenges.

Using their expertise in the field of electrification, the new Sorento range includes a self-charging hybrid and plug-in hybrid power options.

The former combines a 1.6 litre petrol engine with a small battery pack and electric motor to drive down CO2 emissions and fuel consumption, while the latter's larger battery can be charged by plugging the car in to give a pure electric range of around 35 miles.

On The Road

It was around 6 years ago when I first had a Sorento on test, I remember it well.

Muddy Madam and I took and Queen size Tempur mattress down to Wales for Muddy Madam Senior. It easily slotted into its cavernous boot. But that wasn’t what I remember the most about it. It was driving home from Mynytho, past Caernarfon, onto the A55 and home towards South Lancashire. It was just after midnight when we left, the roads where empty, and it was raining quite heavily. After a long and hectic day, Muddy Madam had already nodded off to the rhythmic patter of the rain on the windscreen, and I had a playlist gently on in the background. A bit of Anita Baker, if you must know. As we cruised home in comfort and serenity, a couple of mood lights gently shone down from the roof panel onto the centre console, and all was good with the world, because the Sorento was everything it was meant to be that night, and more.

I’ve driven that same route countless times in countless cars over the years, but for some reason, that stands out as special. That’s why I have a soft spot for the Sorento, in fact, the Kia range as a whole. I like how they build their vehicles.

Anyway, this ‘ere new version. I obviously couldn’t do the same amount miles this time ‘round due to lockdown, neither could I drive to Wales, but I still managed to put a good few hundred miles on the clock and almost emptying the tank.

Initially I was surprised by its firmness, but I suspect the 19” alloys will be to blame for that. A bit ‘thumpy’ around town it might be, but it smooths out on motorways. If you’re concerned about the ride, lower models have 17” alloys that should prove comfier. Higher-spec versions also get self-levelling rear suspension, which is handy if you’re planning to fill the 7 seats with bodies, or thinking of towing.

Out on the open road the Sorento feels reassuringly stable, and although not a sports SUV, with 0-60mph time of 8.7 seconds, it’s nippy enough, and the 1.6 litre petrol 'self-charging' hybrid (HEV), never feels like a slouch.

On a couple of late night runs, the new Sorento proved to be just as comfortable and as easy to drive as I remember, only this time there’s a lot more tech and it’s more frugal. Throughout the week the trip told me that I had averaged just under 40mpg, which was quite remarkable, really.

Off Road

Whichever model you go for, four-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox come as standard, and I’ve always said that the PR team at Kia should make more of a song and dance about their AWD abilities, they’re really quite good.

Whilst balance the Sorento on three, and two wheels, in my experience it’ll drive away without a fuss, and it’s pretty decent on wet grass, too, though you may need to take a closer look at you tyre choice if you’re going to make a habit of driving on fields.

The new Sorento has a Terrain Mode that makes it more capable in mud, snow and sand. With each mode selectable from a dial on the centre console, Terrain Mode carefully controls the car’s standard electronic stability control (ESC), as well as the distribution of torque to all four wheels. It also adapts transmission shift times to help the car find and maintain traction in a range of driving environments - clever stuff.

I didn’t go daft ‘off-road’, but where ever I took it, the AWD system and automatic gearbox made it light work of it.

When it comes to towing there’s little surprise that the 2.2 litre diesel, producing 199bhp and 440Nm of torque, is the one to go for with a 2500kg load-lugging capacity. Next is the HEV at 1650kg and the PHEV drops down to 1500kg.

Interior

Upfront it’s all a bit high-tech, and the spec sheet reads like a novel, but once you get used to it it’s all very intuitive.

You sit quite high, so the view all ‘round is pretty impressive - and just in case you’re struggling, all versions get front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera. Opt for the top-spec 4 models and you get a 360º bird's eye-view camera and a blind-spot camera.

When you indicate, a feed from the rear-facing cameras located in the door mirrors is shown on the digital instrument screen. Obviously you should be looking at your mirrors when you indicate, but having them is an extra safety feature that I actually quite appreciated, especially when you’re stationary and about to turn right and a cyclist decides to overtake you!

Our test car benefited from the larger 10.25” touchscreen (8” comes as standard), and all Sorentos run Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The new Sorento is a big car, not just on the outside, either. All passengers will feel at home with comfortable seats loads of elbow and headroom, and plenty of stowage space.

Middle seat passengers won’t complain, either, they have air con and two USB charging sockets that are integrated into the backs of the two front seats, with a third found at the rear of the front-row centre console. Both third-row passengers also have their own charging points, meaning all seven passengers can keep their mobiles charged, maintaining harmony in a full car during longer journeys!

On the subject of third-row passengers, unlike most 7-seaters, the rear most seats aren’t just for primary for kids or oompa lumpas, you can actually get an adult back there, and access to them is relatively easy, even for a 20 stone lump like me!

Lifting stuff in the boot is easy as there isn’t much of a lip, and all versions have switches in the boot to fold down the second row of seats remotely, which is good.

Despite the Sorento Hybrid’s battery pack being located under the floor of the boot it still manages to offer one of the largest luggage capacities in its class. There’s up to 616 litres (608 litres on hybrid), and with all seven seats in place, boot space is 187 litres, which is still pretty decent.

Kia offer three trim levels, simply named 2, 3 and 4.

Engines'n'Transmission

As mentioned previously, four-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox come as standard whichever of the 3 engines you choose.

The Hybrid (HEV) is powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a 1.49kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack and 44.2kW (59bhp) electric motor. It produces 226bhp and 350Nm torque and has a six-speed automatic, and depending on trim, Kia reckon it’ll achieve between 38 and 40mpg with CO2 g/km between 158 and 169.

Sharing the same engine, but with a 90bhp electric motor and 13.8kWh lithium ion battery, the Plug-in Hybrid produces a combined maximum output of 261bhp and 258 lb ft of torque. Officially, the Plug-in Hybrid can run for up to 35 miles on electric power alone and achieve over 176mpg.

The Sorento’s new four-cylinder 2.2 litre diesel produces 199bhp and 440Nm torque, has an eight-speed automatic and achieves 42mpg with CO2 g/km of 176.

Conclusion

Kia have given the Sorento a more bold design that’s quite imposing, but the Sorento remains an excellent mode of transport - quiet, stylish and very practical, and with Kia’s 7 year, 100,000 mile warranty, you can have as much confidence in your new Sorento as Kia do.

price - £46,945 (as tested) more at » https://www.kia.com/uk/new-cars/sorento/showcase/