Kia Sorento Reviews

We turn the spotlight on the Kia Sorento Si and answer all the questions, including the biggest -- would you buy one? What is it? Kia's 7-seat off road wagon (the Kia equivalent of the Hyundai Santa Fe). It will probably take you as far as you want to go off road, but bear in mind that it does not have low range four

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.

People must be recalling the ‘populate or perish’ warning of last century, judging by the boom is seven-seat vehicles. Gone are the minisbuses of old, though. Carmakers are now elevating such broods in high-riding SUVs, letting the driver at least pretend they’re on top of things. If that’s your lot in life, the updated Kia Sorento rates as one of the picks of the pack. The latest iteration is technically a facelift but the changes are comprehensive rather than cosmetic and make the already good seven-seat SUV even better.The Si model is the entry point for either the 3.5-litre V6 petrol or 2.2-litre turbodiesel. The petrol engine is reserved for front-wheel drive duties and costs $37,490, with the diesel lugging the extra 60kg that comes with the all-wheel drive system. The six-speed manual diesel is $38,990, the auto adds $2000. Standard gear includes LED daytime running lights, fog lamps, electric folding side mirrors, front and rear parking sensors, Bluetooth and cruise-control. It’s better on-road that Holden’s Colorado 7 and cheaper than the Ford Territory.Under the familiar sheet metal is a stronger body and improved noise suppression. Better insulation in the engine bay and transmission tunnel have notably reduced mechanical noise.The electric power steering has a three-mode operation that varies the steering weight, but not the number of turns needed to move the front wheels. It works to a degree: the effort may vary but the feedback doesn’t.The nose cops the expected makeover and now has vertical fog lights, the signature Schreyer grille and headlamps with LED daytime running lights. Down the back, the tailgate and tail-lights have been given a minor makeover and there are new alloy wheel designs across the three-model range.The Si misses out on some of the sexier fruit inside but remains a hugely versatile bus -- fold both sets of rear seats down and there’s a barn-like 2700 litres of cargo space. The plastics are rock-hard, but, given the smudge marks and food spatter they’re likely to cop, it probably makes sense.Improved handling, all-paw grip and bigger front brakes (320mm discs) are the first line of defence. A reinforced body and six airbags come into play when things get messy. ANCAP rates it a five-star car, with an overall score of 33.21/37.Ride and handling on the Sorento are better than a bus this big should be. Drive it like you stole it and there’s some body roll, but owners of the pre-facelift version would appreciate the 18 per cent lift in torsional rigidity.The biggest handicap is the lack of feedback from the steering. I’m not asking for sports car precision, just a degree of feel for what the 17-inch front wheels are doing. It is one of the few flaws in this package, even if it won’t bother the vast majority of Sorentos that will spend their life ambling around the urban jungle at legal speeds.In those situations, the diesel engine is a responsive occupant, aided and abetted by a six-speed auto that’s quick to shift cogs to keep the torque on tap. Adults won’t have any cause for complaints in the second row seats, while the third row is a kids-only affair. A word of warning -- if you’ve had quintuplets, look elsewhere: the child seat anchorages are only on the second row seats.The Sorento looks good and handles the bumps better than most in this class. It’s also $8000 cheaper than the comparable Ford Territory. The Ford’s better, but not by that much. That leaves its stablemate, the Hyundai Santa Fe, as its biggest rival. Or there’s Kia’s own Grand Carnival with the same engine … same space, less roll.

Canny motorists are facing a shopping bonanza as car makers start slashing prices to make way for new models. But it's not only outgoing models going cheap - look out for end-of-year sales as well.Any time a carmaker trumpets a new model, these shoppers are there ready to make a financial killing by buying up the old model. Look for sales at particular times of the year. June is traditionally a strong month for squeezing extra savings out of a dealer though, with a buoyant car market and fierce competition, anytime towards the end of any month can deliver a bonus.End of year sales are popular. Dealers always want to sell but the months of November and December provide a chance to discount cars built in the current year. Fighting this are car buyers who want a car built in the new year to preserve resale value. Here's some deals but be prepared for more as the calendar year draws to a close.HOLDENDeep Purple is no longer a rock band - it's Holden's new colour that is available on a range of cut-price “Z-Series” Commodore sedans, utes and wagons. The new colour is the same as Holden's iconic show car, the Efijy. Different models in the Z-Series line-up get different equipment levels but, as an example, the base Omega automatic is $41,990 but the Z-Series edition costs $39,990.The bonus is that the Z includes a heap of extras within that price, including leather upholstery, 18-inch wheels, rear camera and sensors, leather steering wheel and chrome door frames. The SV6 ute adds 19-inch alloys, carpet mats and leather seats for $38,490, down $1000 on the plane-Jane SV6.The discounts on the VE Holden Commodore range precede the launch early next year of the VF Commodore models. Holden is also running out the Barina five-door manual hatch at $16,490, a saving of $500.TOYOTAYou'll have to do some legwork here. The new Corolla is on sale and some dealers still have stocks of the old model. Officially, there's no discount on the outgoing model though some dealers - predominantly NSW and Victoria - have extra stock and have advertised a $18,990 price, $1000 off the list price. Note that the cheapest 2013 Corolla is also $19,990. Toyota WA says customers should discuss pricing direct with their dealer.It's not only the Corolla that may offer savings. The RAV4 gets updated early next year and though there's no official price, dealers will consider offers. On top of that, Toyota has zero per cent finance on Camry, Camry Hybrid and Aurion until the end of the year.HYUNDAIThere's a lot of previous-model stock available from Hyundai and buyers can make big savings if they're not chasing the latest car. These include old-stock i30 hatchbacks with $2000 off the normal price and previous Santa Fe SUVs for up to $3000 off.But there are also current models. The big one is the $13,990 drive-away price on the i20 three door which saves $2500. A similar discount is on the five-door i20. The i40 wagon is now from $29,990 driveaway, a saving of about $3000, and the sedan model with automatic transmission is also from $29,990, saving about $2500.Hyundai's popular baby SUV, the ix35, is now from $27,990 driveaway for the Active version, a saving of $1120, while other ix35 variants have been reduced by $500.MITSUBISHIThe new Outlander SUV arrives November 18 so Mitsubishi is sweeping out current stock. The "Enhancement Pack" model is an LS version with leather seats, heated front seats and an electric-adjust driver's seat. It has Bluetooth, 18-inch alloys with a full-size alloy spare, six airbags for the front-wheel drive version (up from two) and a cabin styling pack with bright trim to the door handles, console panel and rear door trim.Prices start at $28,990 drive away for the LS front-wheel drive model with five-speed manual transmission. The normal price is $29,340 plus on-road costs so the saving is about $4500. But for buyers who want the new model, register on Mitsubishi's website and there's the chance to win a $1000 Westfield shopping voucher and 15 per cent off accessories for the new Outlander. If that's not tempting, Mitsubishi also has 0.9 per cent finance until the end of this month.SUBARUThe 2012 run out has just started for Subaru which has chopped up to $5000 off three models. It replaces its Liberty and Outback in early 2013 as a mid-life makeover that includes upgrades to trim specifications. There is an all-new Forester also due about February. So the deals are now on the table.The Outback 2.5i manual is usually $37,490 plus on-road costs (say, $5000) but is being rolled out the showroom door for $35,990 including all on-road costs. The same axe has lobbed on the Forester X which is now $32,990 drive-away including leather-faced seats, alloy wheels and fog lights.The normal retail price is $30,990 without the extras and without on-road costs. Subaru is selling the Liberty 2.5i sedan manual for $31,990 drive away with leather seats, electric driver's seat and reverse camera. The car normally sells for $32,990 plus on-road costs.FORDKuga Trend $35,490 drive away (normally $38,990 plus on-road costs) and the upmarket Titanium is now $41,490 drive away, previously $44,990 plus all on the road charges. The Kuga is to be replaced with a new model in early 2013.Focus Ambiente hatch now $19,990 drive away (normally $20,290 plus costs). The Mondeo Zetec hatch is $33,990 with all costs (usually $37,740 plus on-road fees) and Falcon's XR6 Turbo is down from $46,235 plus costs, to $43,490 drive away.KIAThere's a new Sorento SUV so the outgoing model has a $2000 gift voucher attached to its normal retail price.VOLKSWAGENIs running out stocks of the current Golf VI to make way for the Golf VII due early next year. Volkswagen Australia has set the price of the current Golf 77TSI manual at $20,990 including metallic paint and all drive-away costs. This is a saving of about $5000.The Golf Wagon 90TSI with DSG auto, metallic paint and all drive-away costs is now $29,990, saving about $3500. Note that for small-car wagon buyers, Volkswagen has not confirmed a wagon version of the new Golf. If you want this shape, this could be your last chance.VOLVOThe Swede is clearing out its 2012 stock by adding value rather than chopping the price tag. The S60 and V60 entry-level models now come with the upmarket Teknik pack valued at about $4500. But if you specify the Teknik model, Volvo will automatically give you the R-Design pack (valued at $3000) for free.The same deal applies to the XC60 SUV. There's also a deal on S60 or V60 from the dealer's existing stock. Volvo will include free scheduled servicing for three years or 100,000km.

Kia Sorento Platinum and Toyota Kluger Grande go head-to-head in this comparative review.

A month after the release of its Hyundai seven-seat Santa Fe SUV cousin, Kia’s 2013 Sorento has arrived in Australian dealerships.Kia says that Ford and Toyota have found that more than 50 per cent of their Territory and Kluger sales are 2WD models – a clear demonstration that there is a significant market – especially in urban areas – for large family SUVs.The 2013 Sorento range starts from $37,490 for the automatic Si 3.5-litre petrol two wheel drive and climbs up to $50,390 for the Platinum 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four wheel drive. Alloy wheels ranging from 17-inch versions on the Si to 19s on the top-spec Platinum are fitted and each has a full-size alloy spare.Other across-the-range standard features include cruise control, a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel and shift knob, a six-function trip computer, remote central locking with keyless entry and tailgate release, power windows and exterior mirrors, nice big sun visors with pull-out extenders, dual-zone climate-control air and tinted glass.All models come with an MP3-compatible, six-speaker CD/AM/FM audio system, AUX/USB input and iPod compatibility, Bluetooth functionality for phone and media streaming. The list goes on and on and for the top-spec Platinum there is a huge panoramic sunroof, satellite navigation and climate-controlled front seats.All three versions have front-and-rear parking sensors and both SLi and Platinum models add a reversing safety camera with a 130 degree wide-angle lens. The Platinum also gains active high intensity discharge Xenon headlights.While at first glance exterior styling changes appear minimal, under the skin there’s a raft of upgrades that have improved the big Korean no end. That said, so far as its persona is concerned, there are new headlights and LED daytime running lights and new-look LED taillights as well as a redesigned grille and tailgate and new bumpers and wheels.One of the good-news stories for the new Sorento’s passengers is that Kia’s clever designers have been able to give second-row seat occupants another 30 mm of leg room and those in the third-row pews can stretch out another 9 mm.Family buyers will welcome not only the seven-seat capacity but a raft of storage cubby holes and a cargo space that, depending on the second- and third-row seats are occupied or folded flat, ranges from 258 litres to a whopping 2700 litres. Split-folding second- and third-row seats add greatly to the Sorento’s cargo flexibility. In summary, it’s surprising how much better the new face lifted Sorento is than its look-alike predecessor.Unlike its Santa Fe cousin which is a 4WD-only vehicle, the buyers of the new Sorento can opt for a 2WD petrol version. At launch, the new Sorento is available with two engine choices – one petrol and one turbo-charged and inter-cooled diesel. A 141 Kw/242Nm 2.4-litre direct-injected four-cylinder petrol engine could be added down the track.The 2.2-litre turbo-diesel is good for 145 kW of maximum power at 3800 rpm and 421 Nm of peak torque (manual) and 436 Nm (automatic) that is on tap between a lazy 1800 and 2500 rpm. A new exhaust-gas recirculating system has cut CO2 emissions from 177 g/km to 153 g/km and Kia claims a combined fuel-consumption figure of 6.6 litres/100 km for the manual version and 7.3 litres for the automatic.The 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine delivers 9.8 L/100km and its power and torque figures are 204 kW at 6300 rpm and 335 Nm at 5000 rpm respectively. The transmission for all models bar one is the Hyundai/Kia group’s excellent sequential-sports-shifting automatic. The exception is the 2.2-litre diesel Si six-speed manual 4WD.Kia says an 18 per cent boost in torsional rigidity has refined the ride comfort and improved its handling. Adding to the handling improvements are various design and engineering tweaks to the MacPherson-strut front and multi-link rear suspension set-ups and upgraded cross-members.Over the years both Kia and Hyundai received their share of criticism about poor handling. To their credit, both companies have taken the negative reviews on board and these days they put a great deal of time, money and effort into local testing and tuning their underpinnings for Australian conditions.In Kia’s case, suspension engineering wiz Graham Gambold has worked closely with Australian and Korean engineers and product-planning people on setting up vehicles for this market. Stronger sub-frames, beefier anti-roll bars and dual-low dampers have been fitted and like the new Santa Fe, the motor-driven power-steering has three settings – normal, sport and comfort modes.The new Sorento rides on Kia’s interpretation of the new Santa Fe’s platform and engineers have used new ultra-high-tensile steel to endow the car with greater rigidity and enhanced crash protection for its occupants. As well as boasting a stronger body shell that means better front, side and rear impact protection, all models come with dual front airbags, front side airbags and side-curtain airbags for front- and second-row occupants).Standard too is Kia’s vehicle-stability management system that bundles stability control, traction control, ABS anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, hill-start assist and downhill brake control. Also standard are front-and-rear parking sensors while the SLi and Platinum variants add a reversing safety camera with a 130-degree wide-angle lens.Platinum models also gain active HID (high-intensity discharge) Xenon headlights. Bigger (320 mm) ventilated front discs and the carried-over 302 mm rear discs have improved the Sorento’s stopping power and Kia claims that if the driver jumps on the brakes at 100 km/h, the big SUV will stop in an impressive 36.3 metres.A maximum safety rating helped along by driver- and front-passenger airbags, front side airbags, curtain airbags active front head restraints and other safety goodies combine to make the new Sorento an extremely safe family chariot. Like virtually everything from Korea these days, the Sorento – even the entry-level Si version – comes with an impressive standard-kit inventory. Active driver aids include Kia’s vehicle stability management system with electronic stability control, traction control, ABS brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist, hill start assist and downhill brake control. While on the subject of brakes, the Sorento has one of those horrible foot-operated parking brakes.Out on the road both the petrol and diesel versions are surprisingly spirited vehicles and hills and rapid overtaking are dispatched with ease. Irrespective of which engine is under the bonnet, one of the first things you notice is how quiet the Sorento’s cabin is. This is the result of a great deal of work by Kia engineers to cut noise, vibration and harshness levels. While the front seats are comfortable enough, a bit more thigh bolstering would be handy – especially for the leather-trimmed Sli and Platinum versions during enthusiastic cornering on winding roads.Speaking of cornering, the newly tweaked suspension settings delivers flat, confident cornering and precise turn-in and while the motor-driven power-steering system’s ‘Sport’ mode is great during highway cruising, we found ‘Normal’ to be a better bet on the twisty bits.It’s a quieter, more comfortable, more handsome, roomier and better-handling vehicle that offers value-for-money family motoring.

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.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. 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.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.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.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.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.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.