Kia Sorento Si manual diesel 4WD 2014 review

Popular consensus suggests that the H-pattern manual transmission’s days are numbered. Even hardcore sports cars are dropping manuals from their options list in the name of performance, efficiency and customer demand, so they’re even rarer again in the realm of family SUVs.

The Kia Sorento is one of the few large SUVs to still offer a manual alternative, and paired with all-wheel drive and the turbodiesel drivetrain, it’s a whole lot of seven-seat SUV for its $39,990 list price.

Design

The Sorento competes with family favourites like the Ford Territory, Toyota Kluger, along with the Hyundai Santa Fe that shares much of the Sorento’s underpinnings.

Explore the 2014 Kia Sorento range

• Kia Sorento 2014 review
• Kia Sorento Si manual diesel 4WD 2014 review
• Kia Sorento Si V6 2014 review

The Territory and Kluger are auto-only, but Hyundai offers two manual options in the Santa Fe lineup.

Both 2.4-litre petrol and 2.2-litre turbodoesel versions of the base Santa Fe Active grade form the nearest alternatives to the Sorento Si tested here.

The manual Sorento Si also has a 2.5 tonne braked tow rating, which is 500kg more than all automatic models.

Beyond its ability to tow, the Sorento is a handy way to carry up to seven passengers.

The third row has enough room for two adults for short journeys, and folds away to form a flat floor with a full-size spare wheel mounted underneath the rear overhang.

Value

Despite being the base trim level, the Si comes with a few wishlist items like dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth audio and phone and front and rear parking sensors.

The Si does lack the reversing camera and multimedia touchscreen of the SLi and Platinum Sorentos, but it does come with Kia’s five year warranty and capped servicing plan.

Engine/transmission

The Sorento’s turbodiesel is the familiar 2.2 litre unit, and puts out an impressive 145kW and 421Nm in six-speed manual trim.

This is 15Nm short of the optional automatic version, but max torque is available over the same 1800-2500rpm band.

Like all diesel Sorento’s, the Si comes with on-demand all-wheel drive with a locking centre differential.

The optional six-speed auto is available for an extra $2000, but the manual’s 6.6L/100km combined fuel consumption rating trumps the auto by a significant 0.7L/100km. 

Safety

Like all diesel Sorentos, the Si carries a five star ANCAP rating, with dual front, side and curtain airbags for the first two rows, plus ABS, EBD and stability control and front seatbelt pretensioners.

Driving

The 2.2-litre does an excellent job of hauling the 1926kg Sorento at highway speeds and up hills, and the lockable centre differential is handy for slippery or sandy off-road work, even though it does without a low-range transfer case.

There’s plenty of unpainted plastic around the lower part of the body to avoid scratching, and the thick sidewalls of the 17 inch tyres are better prepared for rough terrain. 

The Sorento rides well over such bumps, and it feels nice and stable at speed.

There’s no arguing with the fact that the manual transmission does require more effort and attention from the driver though, despite having a light and definite action, with a similarly easy clutch.

Verdict

Some buyers still prefer to do their own shifting, and there are plenty of arguments either way. Manual devotees will be grateful for Kia offering the option, and for under $40,000 the manual Sorento Si diesel will suit plenty of automotive scenarios.