Kia Sorento review

Driving position

The interior of the Kia Sorento is a very nice place to be. There’s that high-up driving position for starters.

And you’ll be more comfortable than in most cars with a large range of adjustability for both the driver's seat and steering wheel.

Tech and features

All boast impressive levels of standard kit, with the entry-level version featuring a large infotainment screen with a DAB radio and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, as well as a reversing camera.

That’s a pretty decent kit for starters.

The mid-spec variants add leather upholstery, heated seats, dual-zone air-conditioning and an upgraded eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with built-in sat-nav.

Go higher to the range toppers and and you’ll be wowed with eight-way power-adjustable seats with ventilation, a panoramic sunroof with blinds, a power-operated tailgate, wireless phone charging and a 360-degree camera system, along with a host of other high-tech goodies.

The Sorento’s cabin, which is markedly better than that of previous models, is trimmed with an array of soft-touch plastics and high-quality materials that wouldn’t seem out of place in pricier premium German SUVs.

Kia has worked hard to get in line with the European competition - and it shows.

Handling and ride comfort

Thanks to the Sorento's elevated driving position there’s a great view out the front, which inspires confidence from the off.

When it comes to handling, the Kia’s big tyres offer plenty of grip, meaning the Sorento can take quick corners with minimal amounts of body roll – something of a surprise considering it’s such a big beast.

The steering and brakes lack a bit of feel. It’s worth remembering that this is a large SUV and not a sports car.

Ride quality is good, with the Sorento making light work of rough, rutted surfaces. In-town manoeuvrability is easier on top-spec models, thanks to an all-around camera display and an automatic parking system that takes the stress out of squeezing this beast into tight spaces.

Engines and power

The Sorento’s 2.2-litre diesel has plenty of power for safe and speedy A-road overtaking, while it can handle quiet, refined motorway cruising with similar confidence.

Thanks to extra sound insulation, the cabin is also largely free of wind and noise while you’re on the go, making the Sorento ideal for long-distance road trips.

Newer versions use the same 1.6-litre petrol hybrid options you'll find in other Kia cars. There's a regular hybrid and a plug-in hybrid

Rear seats

Space is generous in the Kia Sorento. The latest model is even bigger than its predecessor, offering plenty of front and rear head- and leg-room for all occupants, although the third row of seats is probably best reserved for small children.

Storage solutions

There‘s a host of storage areas dotted around the cabin, including a decent-sized glovebox, a couple of large compartments, cup-holders in the front and fairly big door pockets in the rear.

Boot space

With the third row of seats in place, the Sorento’s boot space is reasonably large.

Folding them down flat into the floor gets enough room to comfortably swallow enough luggage for a family holiday.

With the second row of seats folded away, the Sorento can rival some commercial vans for load capacity.

Fuel economy

Considering its size, the Kia Sorento is fairly efficient when it comes to fuel economy.

The 2.2-litre diesel will do around 40mpg on a long run, but for town driving, you may want to consider the 1.6-litre hybrid.

If you have access to a home charging point, the plug-in hybrid offers potentially lower running costs, but it'll only do 20-30 miles before it reverts to petrol power.

Some newer PHEVs will do up to 50 miles (or more) on electric power alone.