2015 Kia Sorento Review

2015 kia sorento front quarter

It is hard not to be impressed with Korean products these days; from smartphones to smart looking Korean cars, they look, feel and work a treat.

However, it was only in relatively recent memory the Koreans were peddling rough and basic models such as the Kia Mentor and Hyundai Excel.

Not anymore. They are now as good as, if not better than, their Japanese and European counterparts. And thanks to wise investments made in the area of design and engineering, they are stylish, well built and engineered.

One such vehicle is the latest, seven-seat 2015 Kia Sorento.

Launched mid last year in Australia, Kia’s latest full size SUV is available in three variants (Si, SLi and Platinum) and two powerplants (a 3.3-litre petrol V6 or a 2.2-litre R Series turbodiesel).

The third-generation Sorento opens its doors from $40,990 plus on road costs for the entry-level Si petrol and tops out at a hefty $55,990 for the Platinum Diesel $55,990.

Our Si Diesel tested here is priced from $44,490. Besides getting the frugal turbodiesel engine, it also gains all-wheel drive – a diesel-only proposition. A six-speed automatic is standard on all variants.

Design and Comfort

2015 kia sorento front

The Kia Sorento was first introduced back in 2002 as the brand’s first full-size SUV. The current model is bigger and better than ever before, continuing Kia’s tradition of generous equipment and a spacious and practical interior.

Built on Hyundai-Kia’s ‘N’ platform shared with the new Carnival people mover, the latest Sorento brings an evolutionary styling that subtly bring the car up to date, while retaining its predecessor’s long bonnet and characteristic wide D-pillar.

The bold front styling incorporates long, wrap-around headlamps and more prominent foglamps, as well as a larger, more upright ‘tiger-nose’ grille.

2015 kia sorento rear quarter

In profile, the new Sorento appears lower thanks to a lower roofline to give the car a more dynamic look.

At the back, the resemblance with the Carnival is striking, with nearly identical taillights and number plate applique.

What impresses most though, is the Sorento’s classy new interior. Styled by the brand’s Frankfurt-based European design team, the stylishly crafted cabin features significantly higher quality materials, with most touch points generously covered in soft-touch materials that wouldn’t look out of place in an Audi.

The layout of the instruments, major controls and secondary systems are all intuitive and easy to use.

2015 kia sorento interior

It’s comfortable, too, thanks to the tubby front seats, plentiful knee room and well-placed pedals, although the lack of lumbar support is a mystery. It’s a similar story further back, with generous second row seats that slide fore and aft and back rests that tilt for added comfort.

The third row of seats is relatively easy to put up, clicking into place at the tug of a belt tie, while the luggage cover stows conveniently in its own recess below the boot floor.

Access to the third row can be tricky for some however, as the second row seats do not tumble forward. But once in, it is surprisingly spacious back there. They also get their own air conditioning vents and controls to play with.

Thanks to the new Sorento’s 80mm extra wheelbase, luggage space has increased from 515 to 605 litres with the third row seats folded flat.

Score: 8.5/10

Performance and Handling

2015 kia sorento diesel engine

The new Sorento is powered by either a 3.3-litre MPI V6 petrol from the Lambda II family with 199kW of power and 318Nm of torque, or a 2.2-litre turbodiesel generating 147kW and 441Nm of torque.

While the V6 is largely carried over, the R Series turbodiesel has received a number of component upgrades to improve smoothness and efficiency. It may not be the most powerful diesel amongst its peers, but it has good urge and matches well with the smooth six-speed automatic. It’s quick to step-off and has strong mid-range punch.

2015 kia sorento side

It is also a big comfortable cruiser with impressive refinement, thanks to its locally tuned suspension and extra insulation in the engine bay, wheelarches and dashboard. Wind noise does become more apparent at higher speeds, but that’s likely due to the wing mirrors.

Around the corners, the Sorento suffers from minor body roll but the body is rarely troubled by bumps or broken tarmac. Its steering is well weighted and relatively precise, while the all-wheel drive system delivers a high level of confidence and grip.

Compared to the closely related Hyundai Santa Fe, the Kia comes across as sharper and more refined.

2015 kia sorento drive mode select

There’s also a new Drive Mode Select system, which is activated via a switch on the centre console. ‘Normal’ mode is best suited for day-to-day driving, ‘Eco’ mode reprograms the shift points of the automatic transmission to achieve optimum fuel economy, while ‘Sport’ mode allows the gearbox to delay shifting and reduces the level of steering assistance without bring better feel.

Score: 8.5/10

Quality

2015 kia sorento dashboard

The 2015 Kia Sorento is a real step up in terms of quality and materials. All panels are well aligned with gaps so small an insect will find it hard to squeeze through.

Inside, the dash, doors and centre console are all generously covered in soft-touch plastics.

There’s also LED mood lighting to add a bit of dazzle at night.

Score: 8.5/10

Economy

Our weeklong test over a mix of urban and freeway driving saw the Sorento’s trip computer returned 9.8L/100km of diesel – exactly 2 litres per 100km more than Kia’s official figure.

Score: 8.0/10

Features and Equipment

2015 kia sorento 7-inch touchscreen

The new Sorento debuts a number of advanced technology for the model, including the Smart Power Tailgate (SLi and Platinum) automatically opens when the key is ‘sensed’ in the vicinity of the boot.

Other standard features are a 6 speakers sound system complete with 7-inch touchscreen, sat-nav, MP3 and Bluetooth, multimedia ports for USB, dual-zone climate control, rear air conditioning, alarm, 17-inch wheels and automatic headlamps.

On the safety front, there’s 6 airbags, ABS, electronic stability control (ESC), brake assist (BA), vehicle stability management (VSM), hill start assist, rear view camera, front and rear parking sensors and tyre pressure monitor.

The range-topping Platinum adds Lane Departure Warning, Smart Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

Score: 8.0/10

Verdict

Our Score: 4.0/5

The 2015 Kia Sorento serves up great practicality in a well-built and comfortable package.

It is much more refined and easier to drive compared to some ute-based seven-seat SUVs and Kia’s huge leap in interior quality is commendable.

A Kia or Hyundai badge is no longer inferior.

Pros

  • Premium interior even on the entry-level models
  • Great refinement
  • Big boot
  • Generous equipment
  • Easy to drive and comfortable to ride in

Cons

  • All-wheel drive only on diesels
  • Expensive range-topper

2015 Kia Sorento pricing and specification

Price (excluding on-roads):From $40,990 to $55,990

As tested: Si Diesel $45,085*

*includes: Premium Paint – $595.00

Warranty:7 years/unlimited kilmetre
Warranty Customer Assistance:1 year roadside
Service Intervals:12 months/15,000km
Engine:3.3-litre MPI V6 petrol:

199kW @ 6,400rpm, 318Nm @ 5,300rpm, front-wheel drive

2.2-litre in-line 4-cylinder common rail direct injection diesel:

147kW @ 3,800rpm, 441Nm @ 1,750 – 2,750rpm, all-wheel drive (part-time with lock mode)

Transmission:6-speed automatic
Combined Fuel Consumption (L/100km):PetrolDiesel
Claimed: 9.9Claimed: 7.8

Tested: 9.8

Body:5-door SUV, 7 seats
Safety:5-star ANCAP, 6 airbags, ABS, BA, ESC, VSM, rear view camera, hill start assist, full-size spare, tyre pressure monitor

Platinum: Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Assist, smart cruise control, rear cross traffic alert

Dimensions (L/W/H/W-B) mm:4,780/1,890/1,690/2,780
Boot Space (L):Max: 1,662/Min: 142
Tare Weight (kg):PetrolDiesel
1,8751,985
Towing Capacity (kg):Braked: 2,000

Unbraked: 750

Braked: 2,000

Unbraked: 750

Entertainment:7-inch colour touchscreen, 6-speakers, Bluetooth, USB and Satellite Navigation

Competitors: Ford Everest, Holden Captiva 7, Hyundai Santa Fe, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota Fortuner

 

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