The SUV market is saturated with premium brands offering luxurious vehicles that showcase the best in new car technology and performance, such as the Volvo XC90, the Hyundai Santa Fe or the Jeep Cherokee. The success of these premium rivals has always left the Kia Sorento slightly dragging its heels. However, the 2015 Sorento shows Kia is ready to blow the competition out of the water.
Exterior styling
The all-new Sorento has simple shapes and a smooth sophistication previously unseen from the Kia brand.
The Sorento may look smoother and classier, but it certainly isn’t quiet about it. The chassis has grown in every way possible; the wheelbase is longer and the overall width and length have increased too. Not everything has been beefed up though – the chassis sits slightly lower than the previous version, giving a laid-back ‘what of it’ kind of attitude.
The grille boasts an eye-catching 3D honeycomb effect, which sits in-between Xenon blue LED lights.
At the rear, the spoiler has been updated too, and made – you guessed it – bigger.
Interior styling
Inside is where the real magic happens, though. Practicality has been made a priority, as legroom and headroom have been increased, passenger space improved and the cargo space is more than impressive.
With the third row of seats folded flat the boot space increases from 499 litres to 605. Seat split is 40:20:40 and the middle row can be adjusted using a lever in the boot.
Soft-touch fabrics have been used for comfort, and the combination of matt and gloss plastic finishes put the Sorento’s interior on a par with that of the Santa Fe or BMW X5.
The large central screen is housed in an aluminium plastic frame, and the setup is uncluttered and easy to use.
Reduced emissions and improved fuel economy
Making the Sorento bigger meant that Kia had to focus on refining the engine so it could lug the thing around without drinking too much fuel. The EU6 2.2-litre CRDi turbodiesel (present in all UK models) is more than fit for purpose.
Clever engineering has made the engine much lighter than its predecessor, with the use of plastics and thinner cylinder walls contributing to an overall 5kg weight loss.
For the first time in a Kia, both automatic and manual versions will feature an Intelligent Stop & Go (ISG) system to ensure that no fuel is wasted when the car is standing idle. This is particularly useful in urban areas where stopping at traffic lights can increase fuel consumption due to inefficiency.
Manual models on 17-inch wheels have a combined economy of 49.6mpg with CO2 emissions of only 149g/km, while for all automatics the respective figures are 42.2mpg and 177g/km.
Trims and technology
Lots of the new technology featured in the all-new Sorento is based around safety and convenience.
Kia wants to make driving easier for you. Standard technology features such as reversing sensors and cruise control help them do so. Upgraded trim levels feature some great new technologies as well, such as Adaptive Smart Cruise Control that keeps a distance between you and the car ahead, Around View Monitoring, Cross Traffic Alert to assist you when backing out of a parking space and a Smart Park Assist System which now includes reverse and parallel departure functions.
On the safety front, six airbags are standard, and new features such as Electronic Stability Control, Vehicle Stability Management, and ABS with Electronic Brake Force Distribution and Brake Assist are available on higher trims.
The four trim levels available are:
- KX-1 (available with 6-speed manual)
- KX-2 (available with 6-speed manual or automatic)
- KX-3 (available with 6-speed manual or automatic)
- KX-4 (available with 6-speed automatic)
It’s worth jumping up to the KX-2 for the leather interior details and heated front and outer rear seats. The reversing camera linked to the touchscreen is also a nice extra.
The KX-3’s most desirable addition is the panoramic sunroof, perfect for summer days.
The range-topping KX-4 boasts a 10-way adjustable driver’s seat and a 360-degree Around View Monitor and Smart Park Assist System.
Engine
The 2.2 diesel engine is punchy and responsive. With 197bhp the engine is able to shift the Sorento from 0–60 in nine seconds, or 9.6 for the automatic. It feels effortless though, and the mid-range power is impressive and makes for a pleasurable drive.
Engine noise is minimal and the top speed of 124mph keeps the Sorento cool as a cucumber at the UK speed limit.
Technical specifcations
Dimensions (mm):
- Overall length: 4780
- Overall width: 1890
- Overall height: 1685
- Wheelbase: 2780
- Minimum Ground Clearance: 185
- Approach Angle / Departure Angle: 16.9 / 21.0
- Headroom 1st / 2nd / 3rd: (6-speed manual) 1004 / 998 / 920, (6-speed automatic) 965 / 969 / 920
- Leg Room 1st / 2nd / 3rd: 1048 / 1000 / 805
Performance
| Model | Power (bhp) | Torque Nm | 0–60 sec | Top speed | Average mpg | CO2 g/km |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2 CRDi 6-speed manual KX-1 | 197 | 441 | 9.0 | 124 | 49.6 | 149 |
| 2.2 CRDi 6-speed manual KX-2 | 197 | 441 | 9.0 | 124 | 46.3 | 161 |
| 2.2 CRDi 6-speed auto KX-2 | 197 | 441 | 9.6 | 124 | 42.2 | 177 |
| 2.2 CRDi 6-speed manual KX-3 | 197 | 441 | 9.0 | 124 | 46.3 | 161 |
| 2.2 CRDi 6-speed auto KX-3 | 197 | 441 | 9.6 | 124 | 42.2 | 177 |
| 2.2 CRDi 6-speed auto KX-4 | 197 | 441 | 9.6 | 124 | 42.2 | 177 |
Available now
The all-new Kia Sorento is available to order now from £28,795.