Top 3 things you need to know about the Kia Sorento

By Martin Pretorius

 

After a range re-alignment at the end of 2018, the current Kia Sorento is well-placed to grab a decent share of SUV-Crossover sales. But the nameplate has been around for quite a while, and has established a good reputation for being practical, versatile, and durable. Today’s Sorento is very different from the first vehicle to carry this badge, however – and it’s all the better for it.

 

1. It’s not really an off-roader

In spite of its raised ride height, available all-wheel drive and butch styling, the Sorento hasn’t been a real off-roader since the first-generation model was discontinued. While the first Sorento used a traditional body-on-frame construction method, complete with selectable four-wheel drive and a low range transfer case, this design was superseded by a car-like unitary construction when the second generation Sorento arrived in 2010. 

As a result, much of the first Sorento’s off-road credibility was sacrificed on the altar of improved on-road manners, better fuel efficiency, and more efficient space utilisation. This still holds true for the current (third) generation Sorento, which, in spite of its available all-wheel drive, isn’t equipped with the low range transfer case and stout separate chassis expected in a proper off-roader. While this may seem a retrograde step, the reality is that the Sorento is now better-suited to its likely usage: ferrying kids to school, going to the shops, long-distance touring, and the occasional foray up the nursery’s gravel road. 

 

2. You can have any engine you like, as long as it’s a diesel

For its first generation, the Sorento could be ordered with either a 4-cylinder turbodiesel or a V6 petrol engine. The second- and third generation Sorento offered similar drivetrain choices at launch, while the third-generation even featured an entry-level 2.4-litre 4-cylinder derivative for a while. However, the petrol variants were never really popular, leading Kia to rationalise the range during the Sorento’s facelifts to only offer the diesel engine, in both the second- and third-generation models.

The later diesel engine is a gem, though: it’s a 2.2-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel with common-rail fuel injection, and its outputs are more than adequate. 147 kW and 440 Nm are definitely not to be sneezed at, especially when mated to the smooth-shifting 6-speed (Sorento Mk II and pre-facelift Mk III) or 8-speed (Sorento Mk III facelift) automatic gearboxes. In the current range, all Sorentos are powered by this diesel/8-speed combination, with the option of either front- or all-wheel drive. 

 

3. They’re all 7-seaters now, but still very practical

Earlier Sorentos offered buyers the choice between 5- and 7-seater variants, with the lower-trim derivatives generally having fewer seats and the high-trim ones adding the third seating row. However, with the 2018 facelift, the 5-seater option was dropped from the range, leaving all new Sorentos with 7 seats. Two trim levels are on offer, but value-conscious buyers will be more than satisfied with the “entry-level” FWD LX variant, as it offers most of the nice toys for only R 584 995.

At least the rearmost row can fold down to increase the load volume, which can swallow only 142 litres with all 7 seats in use. Fold down the third seating row, and that volume grows to a far more useable 605 litres. Drop the middle seating row as well, and you get access to a cavernous 1662 litres. This is the kind of versatility demanded by buyers in this market segment, and the Kia Sorento certainly delivers in this regard.

 

*Prices were accurate at the time of writing, but may change without prior notice.