Kia Sorento 2013 review: snapshot

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.

Santa Fe

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.

New look

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.

Power train

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.

The lineup

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.

Standard kit

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. 

The drive

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. 

Verdict

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.