Kia Sorento 2.2 TDCi 197 CV, test drive

As you can imagine from reading the title, we were able to try the few hours, though very intense, with the new Kia Sorento, undoubtedly the crown jewel of Kia, which has undergone a certain change of direction.

As you can see from the photos, it is a crossover, not an off-roader, since its wheelbase and dimensions do not allow it to tackle many of the obstacles we might find in the countryside and, above all, due to the absence of a reduction gear. Even so, its behaviour is excellent as long as we stick to tracks or paths with ruts, clay mud or any other terrain. Let’s go step by step.

Dynamic behaviour

The engine it fits is inherited from the Hyundai Santa Fe, since they share the same infrastructure and the strengths of one brand are shared with the other and vice versa. It is a 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel engine that delivers 197 CV and 420 Nm of torque at 1,800 rpm. The price is around 30,000 euros, slightly more expensive for the 4×4 traction.

We carried out the test almost entirely in a 6-speed automatic gearbox vehicle (the manual uses the same gearbox) and all-wheel drive and, although there was not much time to try it on the road, I was surprised by the instant fuel consumption indicator, which is digital but similar to that of the BMW, where it is shown by a bar rather than numerically. The display itself is numerical. It also includes a keyless start button, standard on the top trim.

The test circuit was quite complete. We had a first uphill slope with mud (it was raining) where most of the 2WD cars got stuck and had to climb along one side, where traction was greater due to the branches and grass. The 4×4 climbed without any trouble and in one go, a real pleasure.

The second obstacle was a very steep descent to test the hill descent control. It works well, it does not let the car go faster than 6-8 km/h and brakes automatically, so we only need to worry about keeping the car on the desired line. The third part was designed to see the diagonal ditch crossing in action, commonly known as bridge crossing. In between, some stretches with already defined and marked ruts in clay mud. The complete route without major complications.

The engine performs very well, it is calm when it needs to be and lively when the pedal is pressed harder, but as it weighs around 2 tonnes it does not feel excessively heavy. Its official combined consumption is 6.4 for the 4×2 manual, 6.5 for the 4×4 manual and 7.4 litres for the 4×4 automatic.

What we did not like so much was the chassis. It is true that for travelling and driving on asphalt the best option is a monocoque chassis like the one it has, but for off-road behaviour it is somewhat compromised. It did not perform badly, but we noticed that body noises were very present. It is the price, though not an expensive one, to pay for turning an off-roader into an SUV.

The exterior has been modified compared with its predecessor. Outside, we see greater adaptation of the vehicle to asphalt surfaces thanks to its ground clearance (17 cm), its approach and departure angles and, above all, the front end, without bumpers and more made up. If the competition is going down that road and it works for them, Kia must have thought it might be time to do the same.

If in the past the interior showed mediocre materials, cramped seating and finishes from the last century, in this new Sorento we find quite the opposite. At first glance its centre console looks more elegant, far more modern, and this is evident in the feel of the steering wheel, as well as the comfort of the seats.

4×4 vs. 4×2 traction

We must differentiate between 2WD traction and all-wheel drive or 4×4 (both available on the Kia Sorento), which allows drive to pass to the rear wheels whenever the front wheels lose traction. We observed this very clearly in the roller test. Three wheels are placed on rollers, simulating loss of traction, and only one remains on the ground. The drive system is responsible for supplying traction to the one that still has grip.

Although the price difference between the two is more than 5,000 euros, whenever possible it is advisable to opt for all-wheel drive, since even on slippery surfaces such as ice, snow or mud, it will be much safer and more efficient.

General conclusions

The Kia Sorento has in general undergone many improvements, though its use is oriented more towards the SUV/crossover than towards off-road driving as such, but if it is not asked to do too much and it sticks to tracks and paths, the result is excellent. On slippery surfaces (mud in this case) more of the same if it has all-wheel drive, although if we opt for the cheaper front-wheel drive we will struggle on some slippery surfaces. The equipment is good as standard, with some worthwhile extras, and a price in line with what is offered, especially with some campaign that could reduce the price by 3,000 or 4,000 euros depending on the model.

Although we also had the chance to try the new Kia MPV, the Venga in its 1.6 CRDi Emotion 128 CV with the ecoDynamics pack, as well as the Kia Cee’d in slalom, asymmetric braking and karting circuit tests, the mere 10 minutes behind the wheel of each (organisation’s doing) prevent me from giving a fuller assessment beyond their exterior and interior looks, so a proper test is left pending for later.

Photos | Javi Vicente