Kia Sorento 2007 review

Despite all the misgivings some may have about Korean-made cars, this vehicle was hard to fault for the entire 1300km of combined highway, city and bush bashing that we did over three days.

The only glitch was the cruise control, which decided to have a break for about an hour on our way home. It did come back on, so no real hassle, but that could prove irritating on long trips.

Otherwise, and sorry to use that word again, but a big solid pass mark for all aspects of this vehicle. Despite trying very hard, my loyal sidekick and I failed to find deficiencies or faults. Everything did the job as required and it provided a comfortable and adequate performance.

In the looks department the Sorento, currently part of carsguide's long-term garage, is hardly a standout, but it is far from offensive.

The interior was functional and well laid out. The dash and centre console is on the clunky side, with some hard plastics used. But with most of the bells and whistles standard on our EX-L model, including leather trim, cruise control, six-speaker MP3 CD player, dual climate control, eight-way adjustable driver's seat, power everything and trip computer, it was certainly a lot of metal for money at a nudge under $45,000.

More importantly, the Sorento CRDi doesn't skimp on safety and security, with ABS, traction control, stability control, dual front and side curtain airbags and immobiliser as standard.

The Sorento's standout feature is its wonderful 125kW 2.5L, four-cylinder turbodiesel engine.

This is one very refined motor.

With a big 392Nm of torque from as low as 2000rpm, the Sorento powered through all conditions, both city streets and off-road.

And with a stated fuel consumption of 9.4 litres per 100km (we averaged about 10), it isn't too harsh on the wallet for such a big vehicle.

It effortlessly provided extra grunt when required for overtaking on the highway, and negotiating a few steep and rocky inclines deep in the Snowy River National Park. On the downside, the transmission can be a little slow in gear changes, but there's always the option of manually deciding the gears for yourself.

From the moment I took off from the inner city and headed south on the M5 to collect my partner in road grime, I found it easy to get myself in a comfortable driving position, with all controls within simple, clear reach. The added bonus of finding an MP3 jack to plug into my iPod to provide the road tunes was a pleasant surprise.

The sound system was of an above average quality, but steering wheel audio controls would have been a welcome addition.

A sunroof is a surprising addition to the Kia.

Although park entrance fees to the Snowies are more than most national parks, you can see where your money goes, with the $5 million raised each year from visitor fees being spent exclusively on the park.

As many as 25 camping sites complete with toilet and picnic amenities cover the length and breadth of this natural playground. Most are on pristine creeks, rivers and lakes, making the 4WD and camping enthusiast spoilt for choice.

As far as summer activities go, the Snowies provide as much or as little as you'd like. From trekking up Mount Kosciusko, as we did, to simply resting by a babbling river somewhere and reading a book. But beware, bring your insect repellent because flies love it here.

Back to the Sorento. On the downside, it is slightly let down by vague handling and wobbly road manners. It isn't meant to be a sports car, but it was noticeable on all road types.

Even around the city, its unsteady nature is was evident at fast and slower speeds.

There's too much movement in corners and bends and the light steering lacks efficient feedback to make the car feel stronger.

However, the fact that the Sorento is a “real” 4WD is a bonus in my eyes.

Although we could have done the same trip without the low-range gearings, the added confidence they give on trips like this is a crucial ingredient to having a safe and enjoyable time.

And when you saddle the Sorento CRDi up against its competitors, it gives it a distinct advantage over most when it comes to off-road ability at this price and equipment level.