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By
EWAN KENNEDY
7 July 2008
Kia's Sorento is a medium large 4WD that satisfies the needs of
many buyers in this class. Kia's a relative newcomer to the SUV
scene (Sorento was introduced here in 2003), so doesn’t have a
much heritage compared to the Toyotas and Nissans of the world.
But it has already gained a decent reputation among those looking
for a genuine vehicle.
Genuine
in that it’s a real 4WD not just a people mover dressed up to
look like one. While on the subject of people movers we should
point out that Sorento
is a five-seater whereas some others in this class offer two extra
seats. However, these seats are usually aimed at kids, but are
able to be used by adults for short trips.
Interior
space in the Sorento is good for four large adults or three
children up to their mid-teens with enough rear leg and headroom
for most rear seat passengers, even if they are of the grown-up
variety.
The
rear storage area is large and practical with a seat that folds
fully flat to give access to a handy luggage area. There are a
number of large stowage areas, including one hidden under the
floor. While this allows for items to be stored more securely it
means the full-size spare wheel is mounted underneath the vehicle,
making tyre changing an awkward, messy procedure. Then again, flat
tyres are pretty rare occurrences these days so owners are
generally happy to opt for extra luggage space.
Sorento's
styling is neat, compact and understated with none of the
fussiness which characterised some earlier SUVs from South Korea.
As such it appeals to the genuine buyer more interested in having
a vehicle for weekend exploring than in making a show in the cafe
districts.
Kia
recently added a turbo-diesel option to its Sorento 4WD and
that’s the subject of this week’s test. While diesel engines
have long been popular in large 4WD vehicles, they are only now
beginning to make serious inroads into the medium-sized SUV field,
not only because of their better fuel economy but also through
their high-torque performance.
The
diesel is a four-cylinder 2.5-litre common-rail direct-injection
unit that generates 125 kilowatts of power, and a strong 392
Newton metres of torque at 2000 rpm.
Fuel
consumption on our test Sorento wasn’t as low as we had
anticipated. Typically it was using nine to eleven litres per
hundred kilometres on country roads, slight less on easy
motorways, and about 11 to 13 litres per hundred in suburban
commuting.
Kia
Sorento, like all vehicles from the company, is very well priced.
Starting at just $33,990 for a Sorento LX with a petrol engine and
automatic transmission, the range extends up to a still moderate
$44,490 for the highly-specified EX-L with a turbo-diesel sitting
in front of an auto gearbox.
A
five-speed manual gearbox is offered only in the entry level
Sorento LX with the diesel engine. Five-speed automatic
transmission is optional in this wagon and standard in all others.
Many 4WD
purists still consider that a two-range transfer case is essential
in a true SUV. Kia has one. It’s operated by a dash-mounted knob
that’s simple to engage.
While
the Kia isn’t a full-on off-roader, it copes well with the type
of conditions that the adventurous weekend family is likely to
encounter. Gravel roads, dusty forest trails and trips to the
beach. It goes closer than many of its competitors to being a
serious off-roader in the way it handles those areas.
Of
course almost all driving is done on normal sealed roads, we found
the big Sorento smooth and relatively quiet, with good pulling
power from the diesel once it had passed its initial period of
lag. On the downside, the engine appears noisier than many of its
type, not outrageously so, but you are aware it has a diesel and
not a petrol.
Kia
also makes Sorento with rear-wheel drive for sales in other
countries. The stupidity of Australian import regulations (which
make it cheaper to import 4WDs than 2WDs) means there are no plans
to bring 2WD Sorentos, which have lower fuel consumption and
emissions, to Australia.
Kia's Sorento
comes in three equipment levels, LX, EX and EX-Limited. Standard
features in all models include air conditioning, ABS brakes with
electronic brakeforce distribution, dual front airbags,
MP3-compatible CD player, tilt-adjustable steering column, roof
rails, 16-inch alloy wheels and front and rear foglights.
In addition to
these features EX gets the added safety of stability and traction
control, 17-inch alloys, cruise control and leather-trimmed
steering wheel.
Sorento
EX-Limited adds a power sunroof, leather seats, climate-controlled
air conditioning and side curtain airbags.
As
we’ve come to expect from recent vehicles from South Korea, Kia
Sorento offers an attractive, competent vehicle at a very good
price. The addition of the diesel engine option seems sure to
further expand its appeal, indeed Kia predicts that up to 75 per
cent of sales will be of the new powerplant, however that was
before the recent upsurge in diesel fuel prices.
AT
A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
LX 3.3-litre petrol five-door wagon - $33,990
LX 2.5-litre turbo diesel five-door wagon - $34,990
EX 3.3-litre petrol five-door wagon - $36,490
EX 2.5-litre turbo diesel five-door wagon - $39,490
EX-L 3.3-litre petrol five-door wagon - $41,490
EX-L 2.5-litre turbo diesel five-door wagon - $44,490
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard in all models
Air Conditioning: Standard in all models
Automatic Transmission: $2000 option in LX diesel, standard in all
other models
CD Player: Standard in all models
Central Locking: Standard in all models
Cruise Control: Standard in all models
Dual Front Airbags: Standard in all models
Front Side Airbags: Standard in all models
Stability Control: Not offered in LX, standard in EX and EX-L
Traction Control: Not offered in LX, standard in EX and EX-L
SPECIFICATIONS (Kia Sorento LX
2.5-litre diesel five-door wagon)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 2.497 litres
Configuration: Four cylinders in line
Head Design: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 17.7:1
Bore/Stroke: 91.0 x 96.0 mm
Maximum Power: 125 kW @ 3800 rpm
Maximum Torque: 392 Nm @ 2000 rpm
DRIVELINE:
4WD Type: Part-time
Manual Transmission: Five-speed
Automatic Transmission: Five-speed
Final Drive Ratio: NA
DIMENSIONS,
WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4590 mm
Wheelbase: 2710 mm
Width: 1863 mm
Height: 1810 mm
Turning Circle: 11.0 metres
Kerb Mass: 2121 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 80 litres
Towing Ability: 750 kg (2800 kg with braked trailer)
SUSPENSION
AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: Double wishbones, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Rear Suspension: Rigid axle, five-link, coil springs, anti-roll
bar
Front brakes: Ventilated disc
Rear Brakes: Ventilated disc
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: Diesel
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 8.5 L/100 km
GREEN
VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 5.5/10
Air Pollution Rating: 3/10
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years/100,000 km
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Marque Publishing Company
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