2012 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.

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.

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.

Kia Sorento has a lot to offer, especially in the topline Platinum format. Sorento has seven seats, a slick six-speed automatic transmission and bling to burn, making the Sorento Platinum a great people mover with some off-road ability when needed. Oh, and it's also great to drive.This vehicle tips the scales at almost two tonnes, yet the 2.2-litre turbo-diesel used just 7.7 litres per hundred kilometres over our test that saw a lot of suburban running as well as our usual highway and motorway testing.This engine is a modern design and produces a strong 436 Nm of torque between 1800 and 2500 rpm. Acceleration, straight-line speed and highway passing ability are simply not an issue. Across the range, the Sorento has a towing rate of 2000 kg braked and 750 kg unbraked.The six-speed auto is a nice match for the engine and is smooth across the board. This little diesel really is a great package. It is barely intrusive and simply gets the job done with a minimum of fuss. Vision is good overall, but the A-pillar can cause a slight blind spot.Sorento AWD comes in three specification levels Si, SLi and Platinum. Splashes of chrome around the Platinum edition Sorento add a touch of exterior class. In particular we like the treatment around the headlamps, grille and fog lamps.It is subtle and not overdone, yet recognising that chrome is back in fashion. Sorento's profile is fairly standard with a nice shoulder line, but has individuality thanks to a switch-back at the A-pillar. The rear end is dominated by large stop light lenses.The Sorento is classified as a large SUV, but could easily be tagged as a people-mover for adventurous families. With the first two rows of seats up there is 1047 litres of usable cargo space – enough for a family of five to go on annual holidays. If you need more seats the 50/50 split third row rises up from the floor, although this reduces the cargo area to just 285 litres.This third row of seats has a foot well, but there’s limited leg or knee space, strictly the kids domain only. Access to the third row is made possible by folding either side of the 60/40 split second row seat back, with the seat base then tumbling forward. Both the second and third rows of seats have their own air conditioning vents.We love simplicity. You should not have to scratch around in a car to find the basics, as you do with some European brands. Kia Sorento excels in this area without compromising style but adding to practicality.The seats are comfortable in a lounge-room kind of way, the driving position can be tailored to most drivers thanks to power height adjustment on the seat and height and reach on the steering wheel and there are oodles of storage spaces throughout the vehicle.The key features we use - audio and air-conditioning - are user friendly and the steering wheel has remote audio as well as cruise control functions. What we would like to see is the computer functions button also located on the steering wheel instead of in the instrument binnacle.Kia’s Sorento has a five-star ANCAP rating. For those who venture off-road there's hill descent control and hill start. The headlights have an automatic function and there's six airbags including full-length curtain.In normal driving conditions Sorento is in front wheel drive mode and when slippage is detected torque is shared between the front and back wheels. When driving off-road or on slippery surfaces there's a push-button centre diff lock switch on the lower dash to ensure all four wheels are driven.With no dual-range transmission and a moderate ground clearance of 184 mm, Kia Sorento comes clearly into the realm of large soft-roader. The fact that it has an AWD centre diff lock button means some off-roading is on the menu as long as it does not include serious rock-hopping or deep, rutted tracks or the like. Still, it probably does everything the adventurous family is likely to demand of it.On road, the suspension is a little soft and there's a fair bit of body roll on sharp corners. As a family wagon these are minor issues that will not concern the majority of drivers. We are not fans of the parking brake being foot operated, particularly when it never seems to do the job at 100 per cent, no matter how hard you kick it.The Platinum is fitted with 18-inch wheels which we think gives excessive feedback over uneven roads. It would be interesting to put an SLi Sorento over the same roads, with the SLi having 17 inch rims. What we do like is all variants have full-size matching spare wheels.If you are looking for a vehicle in this segment Kia Sorento is a must try vehicle.

We turn the spotlight on the car world's newest and brightest stars as we ask the questions to which you want the answers. But there's only one question that really needs answering -- would you buy one?Kia's big SUV with seven seats, a petrol V6 but no four-wheel drive. Given that the vast majority of SUV buyers never go off road, who needs it? Removing four-wheel drive reduces the price and for many people - that's the main thing.The V6 replaces the previous 2.4-litre four cylinder petrol model. This one will set you back $36,990 before on-road costs - only $500 more than the four. The equivalent diesel model will cost you $3000 more, but you also get four-wheel drive for this price.Sorento and the Hyundai's Santa Fe share the same under carriage, so you'd have to look at Santa Fe before anything else. But the real enemy is Holden's Captiva which offers a diesel for around the same price. After that you could perhaps visit the Ssangyong Rexton which is an underrated vehicle.3.5-litre V6 delivers 204kW of power at 6300 revs and 335Nm of torque at 5000 revs. It's paired with Kia's beat new six-speed auto which allows you to change gears manually, but really there's no need.Like a scalded cat. We love the diesel version of this car, but the V6 is a force to be reckoned with. Punchy off the line and responsive to the throttle at all other times.With a 70-litre tank it is rated at 10.0 litres/100km. In practice however we were getting 11.9.Gets three stars from the Government's Green Vehicle Guide (Prius scores five). Produces 239g of CO2 per kilometre.You bet. Five stars from Australian NCAP. Comes with six airbags and a full complement of safety systems including electronic stability control.Doesn't get leather but we're not big fans of leather anyway. The cloth seats and upholstery are comfortable. Leather wrapped steering wheel and gear shift knob.Very easy to drive. Good vision all round. Responsive to the throttle. Instruments are big and easy to use. Bluetooth and an iPod connection are standard which makes life easy.Everything you need and nothing you don't. Dual zone temperature controlled airconditioning is standard with second and third row vents, but third row passengers miss out on fan controls.We'd be sorely tempted. Sorento was the fist of Kia's new look vehicles. It still looks good and goes extremely well. There's no real downside that we can see.

While not quite the flagship of the Kia range - surely that's the more-expensive eight-seater Carnival peoplemover - the Sorento SUV is Kia's quiet achiever.The big seven-seater has some of the new look - without the full-blown style-house look - and quietly goes about its business, recording a few hundred sales a month and giving those with a larger brood another option beyond its peoplemover siblings.The recent addition of satellite navigation - something the Korean brand has lagged behind some of its competition with - has warranted some more time behind the wheel.VALUEThe top-spec Sorento will be $50,180 Platinum gets the aforementioned satnav, as well as remote central locking with keyless entry and push-button start, 18in alloy wheels (and a full-size spare), leather trim, a power-adjustable driver's seat, splitfold 2nd and 3rd row, exterior heated power-folding mirrors, LED taillights and HID headlights, a double sunroof, dual-zone climate control with rear air vents.There's also cruise control with audio, phone and cruise controls on the reach-and-rake adjustable leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear selector, a trip computer, sports pedals, two 12-volt outlets and an auto-dipping centre rearvision mirror, a 6-CD six-speaker sound system, USB and auxiliary input, Bluetooth phone and sound system link.TECHNOLOGYShop for the flagship and its a diesel-only model - a 2.2-litre turbocharged, intercooled and direct-injected 16-valve double-overhead cam four-cylinder. The little powerplant produces 145kW and 436Nm, worthwhile outputs when the Sorento was upgraded in 2009 and still numbers that warrant attention.This is the Korean brand's first satnav system is a 6.5in touchscreen unit sourced from LG that is standard on Platinum models. Navteq maps (which at the moment are updated at 12 and 24 months for free, says Kia) are displayed clearly and the unit uses the SUNA live traffic information system to help avoid delays.The touchscreen set-up is easy enough to use and informative, with real time traffic and road-weather warnings useful to avoid snarls. The satnav's display is also used for the reversing camera, which is a little easier to see than the in-mirror version seen on other Kias.DESIGNThe big SUV gets plenty of the Schreyer-snout but aside from that has less of the sculpted surfaces of its brethren - big, square and boxy dimensions abound when looking beyond the nose. It's not an unattractive beast but has less attitude than the newer Sportage.Inside, there's a useful amount of space - more than enough for four average adults and their gear stowed in the rear, which Kia says can swallow 1047 litres when configured as a five-seater.Pulling up the simple-to-use third row, which also gets vents from the climate control, reveals two seats and a half-decent footwell, but luggage spaced drops to 258 litres - the Carnival is cleverer in that respect, bringing the seats out of the floor and leaving more cargo space.SAFETYThe big Korean SUV has a five-star rating from its launch in 2009 and no shortage of safety features - anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control, hill start and descent control, rear parking sensors and reversing camera, automatic headlights (but no rain-sensing wipers), six airbags (dual front, front-side and full-length side-curtains) and front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters.DRIVINGIt's a peoplemover for those who want to look like explorers and not breeders - with 184mm of ground clearance and no low range any more, locking the centre diff is only going to get you so far off the bitumen, but it can cope with more than most will attempt.The little turbodiesel carries out its work without intrusive noise levels and once its taken a deep breath there's plenty of torque in the mid-range to keep the throttle pedal well clear of the firewall.The six-speed auto is slick and smooth, which is a good thing as its indecisiveness can get a little tiresome, as can the foot-operated parkbrake, which never feels like it's up to the task even at full stretch. Manual changes won't fix it either, as the transmission over-rules anyway, but if steer well clear of the redline or lugging it in a high gear you choice remains unaltered.The driver will also want to make sure the A-pillar isn't hiding any unseen vehicles or pedestrians - this is not a problem just for Kia either, many car makers have widened A-pillars for crash load paths and it's an on-going problem. Also something that needs attention is the headlights, or more specifically the high beam, which is lack-lustre at best.The ride is firm but what may put some off the Platinum is the top-spec wheel-tyre package - it relays smaller ruts and bumps in a way that's normally reserved for tyres lower in profile than the 60-series Nexen rubber on the Sorento. Aside from that the suspension does its job without too much wallow either, but it's no Ford Territory or BMW X5.Another annoyance - which Kia says is being resolved - is the lack of compatibility between an iPhone, it's USB cable and the USB port in the Sorento. It won't charge or connect for the music player, leaving Bluetooth as the only music option without the special Kia accessory cable.Kia Sorento PlatinumPrice: from $50,180Warranty: 5 years/ unlimited kmResale: 53 per cent (Source: Glass's Guide)Service interval: 15,000km/12 monthsSafety rating: five starSpare: Full-sizeEngine: 2.2-litre, 145kW/436NmTransmission: 6-speed auto, 4WDBody: 4.7m (L); 1.9m (w); 1.8m (h)Weight: 1959kgThirst: 5.51/100km, on test 10.1, tank 70 litres; 161g/km CO2 

In the city dusk, seven friends gathered beside three vehicles. They admired the stylish SUV, but shoulders dropped as they compared it with their cramped cars. About to depart for their favorite Italian noshery, one posed the crucial question, ‘Should we take two cars ... or the Sorento?’The leviathan Kia seven-seater SUV may seem overkill on city streets, but if you have kids -- or friends that dodge being the designated driver -- the confident Sorento will zip you around in comfort and little concern about its girth.Get it out of town onto the weekend warrior trails, and it finds plenty of fans out there too. On a ferry river-crossing, we gloated at the jealous glances of the minivan-caged family beside us.Hearing another family grumbling about the rough dirt road they'd just bumped over, we headed back on that route.  After tackling kilometres of dirt, gravel, and plenty of potholes in the smooth Sorento, we couldn't see what they were complaining about.The Kia Sorento Si is priced from $36,990, which gets you Bluetooth, dual airconditioning, central locking, power windows and mirrors, 17-in alloy wheels, fog lamps, cruise control, traction and stability control, eight airbags, hill start and downhill assist.The 3.5-litre petrol, six-speed automatic transmission Si runs confidently on its 204kW of power and 335Nm of torque. However the vehicle’s size comes at a price, the official fuel figure is 10L/100km, but our treks through the city and out on to hilly back roads and some dirt roads found us at 10.4L/100km.On rougher tracks you may wish you had the diesel version’s Active AWD, but the 3.5L petrol, front 2WD Si still has the McPherson strut front suspension, giving it a steadier ride over dirt and gravel, and the 17 inch alloy wheels give you a firm grip on the road.Clean lines give it a surprisingly slick look. Advertised as a rugged SUV, the stylised design reminds us a bit of someone putting on makeup to work out at the gym.Internally, with three child restraint anchorage points it’s well suited to transport a family,  and in much better style than your average people mover. That said, this isn’t just a kid-friendly SUV.You can fit five adults in the comfortable, spacious seats, then flip up the third row and shove two more (preferably short) adults in back. The two additional seats are handy in terms of capacity, if not comfort.  The lack of leg room and the difficult access make the third row impractical for long trips with adults, though two small children may like its secluded feel from the rest of the vehicle.While the dashboard’s looks are more mass-market than upmarket, the layout is convenient. Wheel mounted Bluetooth, cruise, and volume controls make driving the Sorento a breeze, and if you’re traveling with a hot or cold-blooded sidekick, dual-zone climate control will stop the battle for control.You got it. With ANCAP’s highest rating of five stars, the passenger, front side, and curtain SRS airbags, not to mention the anti-lock braking system, electronic stability control, and downhill break control will make you feel safe as houses in this SUV that seems big enough to be one.There’s enough power going up hills, and if you’re stuck in traffic on steep inclines, the Si comes with hill-start assist control, giving you a steady start when traffic clears. A bit of body roll keeps you slower on sharp turns, and there’s a slight grab on the brakes, but for the size of the SUV, it seems inevitable.You’d think you’d prefer to rein in the Si with manual control, but the automatic responds well and gear changes are fairly smooth. Steering is light and responsive.Comfort is key in the Si. Spacious legroom (as long as you’re not in the third row) and plenty of clever storage options, makes for a pleasurable ride. An aluminum casing on the engine helps cut down cabin noise, and as long as you don’t have the fan on full blast (prepare for takeoff), the Si is surprisingly quiet in traffic and at full speed.While the height of the vehicle gives you a good view above traffic, the bevel of the hood makes the front feel longer than it actually is (think of a 1980’s sedan). Not too much of a problem, but oddly, it’s the sides that are hardest to judge while parking. Unfortunately, once you get a sense of the vehicle boundaries, parking’s still a pain. The width of the cabin makes you feel like you’re never fully off the road, and backing into a tight spot makes you wish a reversing camera came standard. If you want to feel safe and stylish with plenty of bulk to clear a path in the city or on the trail then this is the SUV for you.