The EU is cracking down on emissions, and for good reason. As soon as we were told to hide inside and only drive for essential travel, the air quality across the continent changed dramatically.
At the end of the year, if manufacturers don’t clean up their act they could be liable for huge fines. And in business money matters. With this in mind, Kia has taken note and created the cleanest and most powerful Seven-Seat SUV in it’s history in the UK.
This is the all-new Kia Sorento and it’s a serious looker.
Looks
“All-new” isn’t just loquacious pandering. The previous Kia Sorento dominates the road. Its full body, extended wheel arches, and chunky front grill were hints in the design that it is a capable off-road SUV. The new Kia Sorento is totally new from the ground up and looks like it has had a strict diet plan. Although the footprint is practically the same size, this angular seven-seater looks a lot leaner and more athletic. The iconic ‘Tiger nose’ grill that appears on all of Kia’s SUV’s has transformed and merges with the futuristic LED Headlights.
Other manufacturers could be blamed for their tame designs in the large-SUV category, and you could easily confuse Peugeot’s offering for the Skoda. But the design of the new Sorento has paid off, as it now sets itself apart to being one of the most attractive large SUV’s in the UK market. It comes with a choice of ten paint finishes, and alloy wheels that range from 17” to 20” – the largest reserved for the highest specification ‘GT Line’ models.
New to the Sorento is a Tesla-inspired self-park function, which operates from the remote key, moving the car in and out of bays without anybody in the car. Not new to the Sorento is the continuation of Kia’s industry-leading seven-year warranty – which has earned Kia a cult following.
Interior
Just like the out-going model, the all-new Sorento is made up of three rows. The rear row is the most comfortable back row we have ever sat in. There is more space for little passengers to climb in and out, and on high specification models even the rear row comes with individual heated seats and their own climate controls.
The middle row is now even more spacious. The car has only grown a fraction, and yet Kia’s clever engineers have discovered an extra 9cm more leg room, compared to the previous model. There are USB sockets galore so keeping your passenger’s devices charged on long journeys is a cinch.
The front seat is where the biggest changes have been made. Kia’s flagship SUV has been covered in swathes of quality soft-touch materials and reassuring quilted leather. Also, this is the safest Cabin Kia have ever built. The blind-spot detection works with cameras on the wing mirrors to display an image on the digital dashboard – if there is another car or cyclist in your blindspot, instead of turning to look over your shoulder to check if it’s safe, a live feed will appear on the dashboard. Keeping the driver’s eyes on the road for longer.
Adaptive Cruise Control can now just as easily be used on short journeys, not just motorway cruises. The Sorento doesn’t simply sense what the vehicle in front is doing, but also takes into consideration telematic information from the Sat-Nav to adjust the gears and suspension. Making hill climbs significantly more relaxed and refined.
Reassuringly, not everything is digital. Other manufacturers build Climate Control functions into the display, as it makes the dashboard look less cluttered, but we’re pleased to see the Sorento still offers the manual approach to regularly used features – not everything should be buried behind a touch screen.
There is a constant theme, and the vertical vents match various touches like the rear brake lights. It goes to show a lot of thought has been put into Kia’s flagship luxury model.
Engine
The future is eclectic and never more so than the all-new Sorento. Kia’s customers have a choice; an efficient 2.2 Diesel assisted by Mild-Hybrid technology, a 1.6 Petrol-Hybrid, and at a later date a 1.6 Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV). And on top of that, you then have to choose whether you need it in two-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
The 2.2 Diesel is going to the tower’s choice. Those with a horsebox, caravan, or boat will want the pulling power that comes naturally to the Sorento’s largest engine. However, most buyers will opt for the turbo-petrol hybrid. The 1.6 turbo-petrol is already found in most of Kia’s range, but this will be its most powerful iteration, and the first time it will be paired with electric power. The powerful Turbo-Petrol is supported by electric motors with a self-charging battery – producing 230hp, but running mostly on silent electric power. Making it the most convenient Sorento in the range to own, as the battery charges as you drive.
The Plug-In Hybrid is only available in all-wheel drive, and will be the most powerful Sorento ever. Producing a combined 260hp – more than a Golf GTi.
Competition
The choice of seven-seat SUV’s in the UK has been growing in the last few years. There are Premium offerings from German stables in the form of BMW’s X7 and Audi’s Q7. Though neither will leave you with much change from £60k. There is also an award-winning option from Skoda, but it has yet to offer the refinement and economy of a hybrid drive train. This will undoubtedly change in the future, as other manufacturers catch up, but for now only the Lexus RXL can offer seven seats and a convenient self-charging hybrid engine.
Both the Lexus and the Kia are going to divide people on their design, but that’s where the similarity ends. Under the bonnet Kia’s 1.6T Hybrid is half the size of the Lexus’ 3.5 Hybrid. This will show in the way each drive, but also in your bank balance. The Kia offers affordable luxury for less that £400 a month, however Lexus customers will need £650 each month on a similar lease plan.
Honda’s new CRV is now available with seven seats, but sadly loses the optional third row of seats to fit the hybrid’s batteries. Though, if you’re just looking for cavernous space, you could do a lot worse than a five-seat hybrid Honda. In price and quality, the Honda puts up a realistic fight. But Kia’s trump card is the touchscreen display. The software is intuitive, flows with ease, and simply works first time.
Business User
Company Directors that want luxury levels of comfort will be at home here. And will most likely opt for the Turbo-Hybrid, or wait for the Plug-In Hybrid that is due shortly, to keep company car tax to a minimum.
Once they do, they will be surrounded by the luxury features that you would expect in this level of vehicle; Panoramic Sliding Glass roofs and a quilted Full Leather interior. However, Kia now offer class-leading safety by adding innovations to its range of active safety features.
Island User
The Sorento’s sheer pulling power, and cavernous boot space, create the ultimate combination for the Island’s sailors, horse riders, and campers alike. The optional All-Wheel Drive gives the Sorento bags of grip for hills with heavy trailers, and hill decent and sway controls make sure it is done safely.
Adventurous families will welcome the flat boot space, when the third row is folded down, and little ones will benefit from the three rows of heated seats on cold days. No longer are these features simply reserved for Mum & Dad in the front.
The new chassis and suspension will tackle bumpy farm lanes with ease, but the new Sorento will most likely remain on the road to be used to transport large families in comfort. It is one of the largest vehicles on sale in the UK, but thanks to the 360 cameras, parking sensors, and range of safety features, it should be easy to live with on the Island’s roads.
Verdict
Kia won customers by building reliable products and proving it with an industry-leading seven-year warranty. No longer happy with being just the value option, the Korean brand have started winning customers from their more expensive European rivals. Badge-snobs no longer look down their nose at this emerging electrified-car specialist.
The range of hybrid engine options means there is practically something for everyone. Kia has created the most refined and comfortable premium Kia yet, while also reducing emissions, increasing economy, and employing an innovative range of safety features.
If you need a large SUV there are more options that ever in the UK. For seven-years of hassle-free, tow-ready, family cruising miles then there are going to be some fantastic ‘run out’ offers on the out-going Sorento model. However, if you want to transport family and friends in a new level of luxury, you’ll want to wait for the new angular Kia Sorento.
