Test drive of the Sorento 2.2 CRDI 200 CV 4x2, German character

Diego G. Moreira 13 June 2016 9 min.

Test drive of the Sorento 2.2 CRDI 200 CV 4x2, German character

No, I haven’t made a mistake and the South Korean firm is not German now either, but the Kia Sorento we were able to test has German essence from every angle (from the design, to the quality of the finishes or the interior comfort). As a calling card, the Sorento offers 200 CV as standard in a single diesel engine and also seven seats, to which we can add comprehensive equipment from the base trim. All of this starts at an attractive 27,843 euros, which leaves the Sorento with practically no rivals.

Exterior design

When I say the Kia Sorento is a large car, its dimensions back this up: it measures 4.78 metres in length, 1.89 metres in width and 1.69 metres in height (good height for accessing most car parks without complications). The exterior design was completely renewed with this new generation that hit the market at the beginning of last year, 2015. It now follows the brand’s design language, highlighting the large grille and a front end that conveys robustness (personally, it reminds me of the typical American SUV). The front headlights on our unit were xenon with adequate lighting, and also featured LED daytime running lights.

From the side, the large wheel arches stand out, which can accommodate rims of up to 19 inches, although those on our unit were a more than sufficient 17 inches with road tyres (not M+S). At the rear, the straight, simple lines stand out, the lights use LED technology for some lighting functions, and there are also nods to off-road use such as the bumpers with guards and black plastic trim.

Interior design: space for seven occupants as standard

Inside, the Kia Sorento has nothing to envy from a German SUV; in fact, personally, the dashboard design reminds me a lot of German cars. Simple lines, few buttons, good quality, a central screen that controls the multimedia system, and seven seats of seven: that is the interior of the Sorento. The instrument cluster is complete, with navigation and parking sensor indications, simple but with all the information. In the centre we find a 7-inch touchscreen and, just below it, the climate controls (dual-zone). The materials used are pleasant to the touch and soft, even on the doors the finishes are more than correct.

The feeling as soon as you sit down is one of space and openness; it is a very comfortable car for travelling. The driving position is elevated with good visibility; it takes a little while to find the right position, but afterwards it is very comfortable. The driver’s seat on our unit had electric adjustment and held the body correctly. The rear seats are also very spacious; the seatbacks can be adjusted and they can also be moved longitudinally to gain more legroom or more boot space. Passengers in the second row also have two 12V sockets (essential nowadays for charging our smartphones) and air vents.

The third row of seats is very easy to set up, simply by folding them down, although access is not very easy. As for legroom, it is above what other seven-seat SUVs offer, although it remains suitable only for occasional use. It is worth noting that occupants of this third row have their own control for adjusting the climate intensity, armrests and several storage spaces at the sides—a practical detail.

As for the boot, the first thing we need to distinguish is between having all seven seats or only five available, since the backrests of the two additional seats form the base of the boot. With five seats it offers a capacity of 605 litres—a more than sufficient figure and within the range of large SUVs—while with seven seats in use the volume drops to 142 litres.

Looking at the storage spaces, the Kia Sorento resembles an MPV, as it has numerous storage spaces spread throughout the cabin for leaving different objects. The door pockets are large, as is the main glovebox. In the centre console there is a large compartment that can hold everything from a phone to keys and other items, plus the central storage box.

Engine and performance

The only diesel engine in the Sorento range is a new 2.2 CRDI that produces 200 CV (an evolution of the previous 197 CV unit). It is a twin-turbo powertrain with a strong response from low revs, which moves this large SUV weighing 1,763 kg with total ease. Proof of the engine’s strength is the torque figure it delivers: 441 Nm. From just over 1,200 rpm the engine already starts pushing up to 4,000 rpm, with particularly strong pull in the range of 2,500–3,500 rpm.

Another detail we liked is the refinement of the engine, both in terms of noise and how smoothly it revs up. Paired with the engine is a six-speed manual gearbox with a correct feel. It features a start-stop system and complies with Euro 6 regulations without needing AdBlue.

Handling

Its height, dimensions and weight make it understandable that the Korean firm has opted for a rather firm suspension setup, somewhat harsh even on uneven asphalt, but ideal for maintaining good line through a demanding road without feeling too much that we are behind the wheel of an SUV. On the road it is a comfortable car, with a high level of ride comfort, and even in town it is pleasant to drive thanks to the elevated driving position and the various assistance systems that make parking or manoeuvring in cities easier.

We tested the 4×2 version, although in this type of SUV it makes no sense to equip the full-traction version. On the Sorento, it is a factor to consider depending on where we drive or the driving conditions. On tracks and in the countryside—in our 4×2 version—we noticed that the engine has a lot of torque that quickly passes to the front axle, and in some situations with low grip it struggled to put power down (combined with the use of 100% road tyres). However, if the use will be predominantly on tarmac roads with the occasional trip onto tracks, the Sorento 4×2 is more than sufficient.

The steering is specific to the European market, although it still lacks precision; it has two firmness modes: one sportier and one more comfortable. The braking system performs its function correctly, regardless of the weight or size of this SUV.

Consumption

On our usual motorway route, the average consumption between Madrid > Vigo > Madrid was 7.2 litres per 100 km, a pretty good figure for its 200 CV. On country roads the average consumption is around 7.5–8 litres, depending on how careful we are with the accelerator pedal. In town, average consumption is around 9 litres per 100 km on our usual urban route.

Equipment

In this section we always start by reviewing the safety equipment fitted as standard on every Kia Sorento, highlighting six airbags, tyre pressure monitoring, ABS with emergency braking assistance, stability control, among other features. In the EuroNCAP crash tests carried out in 2014, it achieved five stars with a score of 90% for adult occupant protection and 86% for child occupant protection. These figures were measured under the old scoring system but are genuinely good.

The Sorento’s equipment is structured into the following trim levels: Concept, Drive and Emotion. Even the base trim already includes 17-inch alloy wheels, seven seats, LED daytime running lights, fog lights, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, light and rain sensors, front and rear parking sensors, a 7-inch touchscreen navigation system, and a rear-view camera, among other features.

Our unit had the Drive trim, which adds 18-inch alloy wheels and xenon headlights (not bixenon). We particularly liked how the multimedia system works, which is simple and intuitive to operate. Depending on the trim, it can include all kinds of driver assistance features, such as assisted parking, blind-spot warning in the mirrors, or even a 4-camera system offering a 360º view, and a premium Infinity sound system with 10 speakers. In other words, nothing to envy from the equipment of a premium SUV.

Assessment and personal opinion

The Kia Sorento has reinvented itself over time: what was once an off-roader has become an SUV—part of the current trend—though it has gained qualities it previously lacked, such as seven seats. Currently, if we take the starting price of 27,800 euros, its seven standard seats, its size and its 200 CV as reference, it has no rival on the market.

Its interior has nothing to envy from a European model; the quality of the finishes is up to the standard of the segment, and the design has become more German-like, with space as its best interior feature. As for the mechanics, it is a longtime acquaintance of the brand, although power has now been raised to 200 CV. It is a very performance-oriented engine, although I would only recommend 4×4 traction if you regularly drive on low-grip surfaces or with the car fully loaded. Otherwise, even with traction, we must not forget that it is an SUV not designed for extreme off-road use.

In short, not only for its price and space, but if you are looking for a large car, you like SUVs, and you want a car that responds well and is comfortable on the road, you should add this Kia Sorento as an alternative to the typical German models.

Prices of the Kia Sorento

The Kia Sorento with current discounts starts at 27,843 euros. As campaigns change month to month, we always recommend consulting an official dealership for more information and to confirm these prices.