Safety
The Sorento is an upmarket, 7-seater SUV and therefore it has all the necessary safety systems for new drivers in place, such as ABS, EBD, brake assist, hill-start assist, traction control and stability control. It has a total of six airbags, including curtain airbags stretching all the way to the rear.
The least expensive new Sorento in the lineup is the 2.2CRDi LX variant which costs just under R600 000 (currently, R596 995, to be exact). But of course, you don't have to buy a brand new Sorento - there are some fantastic deals on previous-generation Sorentos (2018 models) with low mileage for under R350 000 on our sales site. (Read Top 3 safety features on a Kia Sorento.)
Engines
The latest Sorentos all have KIA's frugal 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine under the bonnet. It offers the best of both worlds: It's powerful enough should you need it to be, but it's not gluttonous when it comes to consumption. Average usage is around 8 litres per 100 km (even though Kia reckons it's closer to 6.3), and yet the 0-100 km sprint is still done in a swift(ish) 9.4 seconds. The new eight-speed automatic gearbox is a good match to the engine which has a towing-friendly 147kW and 440Nm. (Read Top 3 things you need to know about the Kia Sorento.)
Infotainment, convenience features, and space
The lovely large touchscreen, also seen in my favourite seven-seater of the moment, the Kia Grand Sedona, features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as satnav. There are satellite buttons on the steering wheel and ergonomics are excellent, and the centre armrest cubby boasts a fast-charging port for devices.There's another USB port up front in order to utilise the above-mentioned smartphone mirroring. Voice control is standard too, and there's a rearview camera for easy parking. For the full list of mod cons, you can visit the Kia Sorento microsite here.
All Sorentos now have leather seats and a leather-covered steering wheel (of which the latter is rake and reach adjustable) which the previous-gen LX-models did not have.
The Sorento offers sufficient space in the very rear row, if the passengers aren't tall. Boot space leaves much to be desired with all seven seats up, but with the third row flat you can load in those surfboards and diving gear to your heart's content. When all the seats are folded you can possibly move the contents of a small studio apartment!
Drivability
The softly-sprung Sorento is equally happy on both good dirt roads and tar. On a 1200 km road trip from Bloemfontein to Cape Town in 2017, we sought out the most desolate gravel roads of the Karoo for the best possible photo opportunities. While we were merrily driving along at about 90 km/hour, we encountered three unexpected high bumps in the road which sent us flying. The Sorento didn't bat an eyelid as it landed neatly, and continued on its way as if it was all in a day's work.
Verdict
The Sorento, used or new, is an excellent car for new drivers despite being rather large. As a new driver who probably got your license driving a compact city hatch, you may initially feel like you're piloting a yacht, but thanks to the rearview camera, park assist, and good ergonomics, you'll quickly get used to the Sorento and enjoy driving it. Another option is a used Hyundai Santa Fé or even the aforementioned people mover, the Kia Grand Sedona, which feels a bit like a celebrity tour bus (and that's a good thing). If you need something a little more serious for going off-road, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is an excellent choice.
Read some comparative articles here...
1. Hyundai Santa Fé vs. Haval h9 vs. Kia Sorento: Which is the best value for money?
2. Kia Sorento vs. Hyundai Sante Fé vs. Mitsubishi Pajero Sport: Which is the best value for money?
