Kia Sorento SLi and Si 2012 review

Call it a facelift with new underwear and nicer shoes - Kia's Sorento SUV has had a mild exterior makeover (to the skin that arrived here in 2009). But the underpinnings have been also been upgraded, and the bodyshell is now stronger and stiffer.

The new Kia SUV flagship sits on a new platform shared with stablemate Hyundai’s Santa Fe as part of platform reduction and production streamlining strategies for the Korean carmaking group. On sale in Australia this month, the range has been expanded with additional front-wheel drive models, and all-wheel drive models.

Value

The new seven-seater Sorento range starts from $37,490 for the Si petrol V6 front-wheel drive (up $500 over the outgoing car), with the newly-added SLi upping the price by $3000; the SLi with satnav is $41,990. 

Explore the 2012 Kia Sorento range

• Kia Sorento Si auto 2012 review
• Kia Sorento V6 2012 review: snapshot
• Kia Sorento 2012 review
• Kia Sorento SLi and Si 2012 review
• Kia Sorento Si AWD 2012 review

The diesel line-up is all 4WD (which is about 60kg heavier than the equivalent 2WD) and kicks off at $38,990 (a drop of $1000) for the Si six-speed manual (add $2000 for the six-speed auto). The SLi is down by $2200 to $43,990 (or $45,490 the nav-equipped model).The flagship Platinum is up by $1200 and creeps over the $50,000 (by $390) and is diesel/auto only. 

Standard fare range wide includes alloy wheels plus full-size spare, front and rear parking sensors (the SLi and PLatinum add a reversing camera), cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio, phone and cruise controls, a USB/AUX compatible six-speaker audio system with Bluetooth, and dual zone climate control with vents for the second row.

What Kia calls a "SuperVision" cluster is fitted to the SLi and Platinum, which has an LCD screen displaying a conventional-looking speedometer and an information display, while the standard Si gets conventional instruments. The SLi sits on 18in wheels and adds a fan control and vents for the third row of seats, automatic headlights and an auto-dimming centre rearvision mirror.

Buyers of the Platinum flagship have 19in alloy wheels, power-adjustable, heated and ventilated front seats, active and automatic xenon headlights, additional speakers, satellite navigation with real-time traffic info, keyless entry and ignition and a panoramic glass sunroof.

Technology

Kia says the chassis and body have been re-engineered to increase strength and rigidity, but have shed about 100kg overall – an aid for fuel economy. The Sorento benefits from damped subframe (which are a new design) mounts for the front MacPherson struts and a multi-link rear end. Mid and top-spec models also get the "FlexSteer" variable-weight power steering system, which has comfort, normal and sport settings; the Si sticks with the conventional electric power steering system.

The drivetrains are largely unchanged - the 204kW/335Nm 3.5-litre petrol V6 and 145kW 2.2-litre turbocharged intercooled common-rail diesel engine, with 421Nm of torque with the six-speed manual or 436Nm (a 14Nm increase) when the six-speed auto is selected. Also under consideration for the Australian market is the 141kW/242Nm 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine.

Design

The familiar look is refreshed by new fog lights, front grille, headlights and LED daytime running lamps, as well as a new tailgate and LED rear lights. Overall size hasn’t changed, but a dropped suspension has lowered the height by 10mm.The cabin has been given an updated layout, with a new centre screen and climate controls, while the nav-equipped models get a larger (and clear) centre screen and a new LCD instrument screen.

Safety

No local crash test yet, but the new-generation Sorento earns a 5-star EuroNCAP safety rating. Kia says the body structure has been upgraded for better crash performance, backed by a features list that includes stability and traction control, anti-lock brakes, parking sensors and rear camera, dual front airbags, front-side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. Front brake disc sizes have also increased, with 320mm ventilated front discs teamed with the existing and 302mm discs at the rear.

Driving

The SLi front-wheel drive V6 was the first new Sorento sampled and it immediately impressed with a refined and quiet drive.The absence of any drive at the rear was rarely felt, with a firm ride and better body control in the bends. Large road imperfections were dealt with well, but there was some jitteriness over small bumps.

The V6 has ample grunt and makes a nice noise when generating it - it teams well with the six-speed automatic and returned just under 12l/100km during a country road drive that was not driven with economy in mind. The front seats were comfortable and more supportive than appearances would suggest, but the digital instruments didn't impress - the artificial speedometer needle was difficult to see.

The flex-steer system didn't endear itself either - the different modes may need more distinct characteristics to make an impact, but the base model's normal steering setup felt more than adequate. The second row has enough leg and headroom for easy adult occupation but the flip-up third row is head and legroom restricted to make them a rugrat domain only.

Switching to the 4WD diesel Si manual, the all-wheel drive set-up feels a little more balanced; the gearbox had a clean shift action but a dead clutch pedal. The little diesel was sitting in the mid-8s during most of the day, despite some demanding driving.

The road-biased tyres were also not fond of loose-gravel surfaced dirt roads and could wander at the front and rear, but aside from that acquitted itself well. The diesel engine had enough torque for effortless progress, the engine noise rarely intruded into the cabin and wind noise was not intrusive either.

Verdict

The Kia SUV flagship certainly looks reasonably familiar but has been given plenty of tweaks under the skin and to good effect. There are still those who would ignore Korean built product but they do so at their loss - the updated Sorento is a value for money proposition that is quieter and more refined. While there are some SUVs with more off-road ability the Sorento has taken the more-worn on-road path and is worthy of making a family-carter shopping list.