2013 Kia Sorento Reviews

Kia refettled the Sorento for those who understood their city limits. New Kia diverted from the bush and went closer to the 'burbs with its all-new Sorento wagon in 2009. Gone were the low-range transmissions in its four-wheel drive models — in came economy-oriented four-cylinder and front-wheel drive models. These

Ewan Kennedy reviews the 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 as a used buy.

Kia Sorento is the larger of two SUVs from the ambitious Korean importer. The smaller Sportage is aimed more at the youth and small family market while the seven-seat Sorento is effectively a crossover people mover with some off-road ability in the AWD variants. The latest version of the Sorento was launched here in September 2012.The choice of two- or four-wheel-drive is rapidly becoming the norm in the latest breed of SUVs, something that makes lots of sense because the majority of buyers neither want nor need drive to all four wheels, a feature that not only adds to the vehicle’s purchase price but also, because of the extra weight, to its fuel consumption and emissions.While two of the models that Kia views as Sorento’s main competitors, Ford Territory and Toyota Kluger, do have 2WD variants, its Hyundai sibling – and so realistically its closest competitor – the Santa Fe, only comes with 4WD despite the two vehicles sharing the same platform.The 2.2-litre AWD Sorento Platinum we tested will set you back $50,390.Standard equipment in all models includes stability control and traction control, ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist and downhill brake control, hill-start assist and parking sensors at both front and rear. The mid-spec SLi adds a parking sensor dash display, reversing camera, leather trim seats and roof rails. Platinum models also gain satellite navigation, active high-intensity discharge Xenon headlights, push button ignition start and panoramic sunroof.Other features across the range include cruise control, mp3-compatible audio system, AUX/USB and iPod sockets and Bluetooth for both phone and audio streaming.Kia Sorento comes with a choice of two engines, 3.5-litre V6 petrol and 2.2-litre turbo-diesel. The standard transmission is a six-speed automatic transmission. A six-speed manual is available but only with the diesel engine and only in the entry level Sorento Si.The V6 petrol has maximum power of 204 kW at 6300 rpm and torque of 335 Nm at 5000 rpm with combined fuel consumption listed at 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres. The turbo-diesel engine peaks at 145 kW of power at 3800 rpm and 421 Nm of torque (manual) and 436 Nm (automatic) between 1800 and 2500 rpm.There are three equipment levels. Both the entry level Si and mid-spec SLi come with the choice of the two engines, while the flagship Platinum model, rather unusually, is only offered with the diesel engine.Although there were a number of external changes they didn’t change the overall look of the vehicle to any significant extent. There was a redesigned grille, new LED headlights and taillights with daytime running lights at the front as well new bumpers and wheels and a different tailgate.In people mover mode the management of Sorento’s interior space is critical and the Kia designers have managed to juggle the various passenger/luggage permutations nicely. As is invariably the case with mid-sized seven-seaters the third row is best left to pre-teen children even with a marginal improvement in legroom from the previous model.The third row of seats do fold flat to provide up to 1047 litres of luggage space with the centre seats in place but drops to 285 litres with all seats occupied. The back row seats are split 50/50 to allow some extra seating flexibility. Adding another dimension to the Sorento, folding both rows of rear seats opens the rear up to a van-like capacity of 2052 litres.Previous criticisms of the Sorento’s ride and handling have been addressed with the use of ultra high-tensile steel contributing to an 18 per cent increase in torsional rigidity improving ride comfort, handling and crash protection.Reduction of noise, vibration and harshness levels was another of the tasks allotted to Kia engineers for the 2013 Sorento and they’ve done an excellent job with the interior noticeable quieter in both the petrol and diesel powered models.The seats are comfortable and the ergonomics for the driver are very good. The steering has reach and height adjustment and the driver’s seat also has height adjust. The controls are large and easy to use and the steering wheel has remote controls for audio and cruise control.On the road both the petrol and diesel versions are surprisingly spirited vehicles and hills and rapid overtaking are dispatched with ease. Sorento’s handling and cornering isn’t as sharp as the smaller, sportier Sportage but that’s not unexpected given the differing requirements of the two vehicles.Kia Sorento is a neat and attractive SUV that offers plenty of options for a large family looking for a single vehicle that can handle a variety of tasks. Factor in Kia’s five year, unlimited kilometre warranty and it’s certainly worth adding to your shopping list.

It must be a real worry for our three local manufacturers to look at or drive something like the new Kia Sorento because it's so... easy. Easy to drive, easy to live with, easy to look at and easy on your body thanks to high comfort levels.It's also easy on your pocket if you chose a vehicle like the one we just drove - the front wheel drive , 3.5-litre, V6, petrol Sorento SLi. It sells for $40,490 and offers plenty of value for the ask.The SLi model we drove is mid-spec and scores plenty of kit including leather upholstery, Kia's clever Flex-steer three mode steering system, 18-inch alloys with a full-size spare, a five star crash rating, reverse camera and parking sensors front and rear, auto headlights, and LED daytime running lights among an extensive list of goodies.The engine is a pearl, silky smooth, plenty of kick and relatively light on fuel if you're cruisin'. It's good for 204kW/335Nm output and boasts plenty of technology including dual variable valve timing and other trickery but no direct fuel injection - yet.Drive goes to the front wheels through a six-speed conventional auto with sequential shift mode. Sometimes the front wheels spin if you plant the right foot from the lights but the stability control nips that in the bud. That's about the only criticism with the Sorento's drive train.Fuel use can get up around the 12.0 mark but sub 10.0 is attainable without trying too hard. It must be remembered this is an 1831kg medium large SUV.It looks good from all angles particularly with the styling refresh from last year.But what's it like to drive? In short, impressive, especially given the price. Sorento is a good size for multiple uses including family wagon duties, commuting, long distance touring and is easy to park.The load space is large without folding the rear seats which doubles its size when down. It has a good ride somewhere between sporty and supple but the height is an issue if you push hard - just like most vehicles in this class.It's rated at up to 2.0-tonnes towing capacity braked but we reckon that's optimistic with a front wheel drive.Would we own one of these vehicles? Without hesitation, preferably in a diesel except for the fact that you can't get front wheel drive Sorento with the diesel. Bit of a bugger actually but that may change down the track.

Kia's Sorento has developed rapidly over the past five or six years from something good to something really impressive. The latest version is possibly the final evolution of this generation Sorento and is far and away the best. It's been locally fettled to deliver arguably one of the best ride compromises in the class.Next time around Sorento will be based around the new Hyundai Santa Fe sheetmetal. We got to drive the range topping Platinum diesel that sells for a not insignificant $50,390 but you get a whole lot of SUV for the money.Platinum scores 19-inch alloys with a full size alloy spare, rear view camera, front and back parking sensors, auto xenon headlights with see around corner function, auto wipers, hill start assist, front LED running lights, leather, Bluetooth audio and phone, climate control, climate control seats,  premium audio, Suna satnav with 7-inch screen, power eight way adjust driver's seat, four way power passenger's seat, seven seats, solar filtering glass, glass roof, cruise, wheel controls, push button start, trip computer, multiple storage compartments and more than we can list here.The vehicle is a medium size SUV in the "two box" style with a large passenger compartment complete with fold down third row seating (with footwell).With seven aboard, there's adequate room and the vehicle makes light work of carrying this load. There's even a decent space in the back for some luggage. The interior styling is modern and functional but fairly hard in most areas. Kia uses the stitched leather look on the dash favoured by premium European manufacturers but in this case it's hard underneath.But that's all there is to complain about inside, other than that, it's a good thing.Plenty of power comes from the 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine that's been around for a while now. It achieves 145kW/436Nm output and drives all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.Efficiency is boosted by the variable geometry turbocharger sufficient to give this medium size SUV the creditable fuel figures of 7.3L/100km.It's smooth and quiet making pretty much no noise on the highway cruising. And there's always willing acceleration available at will. The vehicle rides with competence in many environments. It has a sporty Euro feel on sealed roads and yet is comfortable and stable off road. A four wheel drive lock mode is provided for tricky situations.We like the look of it too - with the "Schreyer" bowtie grille and neat, stylish lines reminiscent of a BMW X5 at the rear.We could easily live with one of these vehicles permanently as a general duties hack. It covers plenty of bases, has great performance and economy, looks the business and is generously equipped. Kia also offers an incredible warranty and fixed price servicing. No downsides at all really.

To look at the new Kia Sorento isn't radically different, but it's under the skin that the big changes are to be found. The 7-seat SUV, sister to Hyundai's Santa Fe, sits on a new, stronger lighter platform that helps reduce fuel consumption as well as noise, vibration and harshness.There's also more legroom for rear seat passengers - 30mm for the second row of seats and 9mm for the third row. But this has not been at the expense of luggage space.Although the two wagons share the same platform, the recently launched Santa Fe is "all new" while Sorento has only been given a mid-life makeover.You'd think if Kia was moving Sorento to a new platform, it would take the opportunity to completely redesign the vehicle just as Hyundai has done - but not so. No one is saying it, but it looks like head office has pulled rank to give the Hyundai front running.Sitting 10mm lower than before subtle changes in design have produced a wider, more aggressive look, particularly through the use of vertical lighting elements. The re-design includes new head lights with LED daytime running lights, a new tailgate with LED rear combination lights, new bumpers front and back with vertical, rectangular shaped fog lights and less use of unpainted plastic trim around the lower part of the body as well as a greater range of wheels topping out with 19s on the Platinum.At this stage there's a 3.5-litre petrol V6 or 2.2-litre turbo diesel, both excellent engines and both carried over from the previous model. A 2.4-litre four cylinder petrol engine is under consideration, but Kia is keen to maintain a sporty flavour with this car and is not sure the four has enough punch.The petrol V6 pushes out 204kW of power and 335Nm of torque, while the turbo diesel delivers 145kW of power and 421 or 436Nm of torque depending on whether it's the manual or automatic. Petrol models are front-wheel drive, while the diesels are all-wheel drive.Transmissions are 6-speed auto or 6-speed manual, although the manual is available only with the entry level diesel model. SLi and Platinum models score adjustment for the amount of force required to turn the steering wheel, with three different settings.With a 64-litre tank a reduction in weight of about 100kg has seen fuel consumption pruned from 10.0 to 9.8 litres/100km for the petrol engine and from 6.7 to 6.6 and 7.4 to 7.3 litres/100km for the diesel manual and automatic.Sorento comes in four grades: Si, SLi, SLi Navigation and Platinum - all of them with seven seats. Prices start at $37,490 for the entry level Si petrol model, with a V6 engine and six-speed auto while the entry level Si diesel with a six-speed manual will set you back $38,990.That's a difference of $1500, but bear in mind that one is front-wheel drive and the other all-wheel drive. The addition of the better equipped petrol SLi at $40,490 is sure to attract more buyers. Satellite navigation, standard with the $53,390 Platinum, is paired with a new premium 10-speaker sound system.Six airbags and a full array of safety systems are standard across the range, giving Sorento a five-star safety rating. That is apart from a reversing camera which you only get with SLi and Platinum models - although front and rear parking sensors are also standard.Cruise and Bluetooth with audio streaming are standard, with more soft-touch surfaces plus a new LCD style speedo for SLi and Platinum, new centre stack with 7-inch display screen (SLi and Platinum), and new console featuring a straight-gate selector with a leather-booted lever on automatic transmission models. We had a crack at all of them. Kia has once again put considerable time and effort into tuning the suspension for Australian roads. It is money well spent with Sorento remaining composed and controlled in a variety of conditions, soaking up the bumps and potholes whether it's on the dirt or bitumen.The entry level manual diesel is surprisingly fun to drive and even comes with dual zone climate air. The manual change is easy to use and will appeal to those wanting to tow a van or boat as it has a higher tow rating of 2.5 tonnes.The petrol V6 feels like a completely different car and has some real attitude. It is the quickest of the bunch, responds quickly and positively to the throttle, accelerating loudly and aggressively, with the dash from 0-100km/h taking 8.2 seconds.Top of the line Platinum diesel (Platinum comes as diesel only) is the consummate performer, smooth and powerful with large reserves of torque that help it power up hills as though they are not there. Bigger brakes pull the car up faster. The old Sorento was good and this one is better again. The styling is sharper and it sits better on the road, with more equipment in most cases. Whether buyers baulk at the prospect of paying more than $50K for the top of the line Platinum remains to be seen, though they're unlikely to be disappointed.