Kia Sorento EX-L CRDi

Sorento extra tow

Kia has been selling 4WDs in Australia for 11 years. Ever since it introduced the bulletproof Sportage in 1997, the company has earned a name for rugged value-for-money vehicles.

The company added to its 4WD range with the medium-size Sorento in 2002. The Sorento, with exterior styling following closely the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, was a step-up in size and quality over the Sportage but was still an independent front/live rear suspension part-time 4WD with a separate chassis. It was lined up against the Nissan Pathfinder and Jeep Cherokee in the market.

In 2007, the Sorento was updated, and the petrol V6 was joined by a new turbo-diesel engine, called the CRDi. The Sorento also got revised rear suspension, new trim levels and a mild cosmetic makeover, including new wheels and changed body cladding and detail design changes inside.

EXTRA TOW
Towing capacity was uprated for the this facelift model, from the previous Sorento's maximum of 2300kg to 2800kg and tow ball download was increased from 230kg to 280kg.

We tested the top-of-the-range diesel Sorento, the EX Limited (EX-L) CRDi, which costs $44,990. The EX-L has plenty of standard equipment, such as  climate control with pollen and dust filter, power windows, door mirrors and door locks, ABS brakes with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution), driver and front passenger airbags, active front headrests, trip computer with compass and outside temperature monitor, AM/FM radio with MP3-compatible CD player, 17in alloy wheels (including full-size spare), tilt-adjustable steering column, roof rails, retractable cargo blind, cargo net, and front and rear foglights, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with traction control, side curtain SRS airbags, leather trim, electric tilt/slide sunroof, rear spoiler and black woodgrain finish.

The EX-L's leather interior, at first glance, is pretty impressive, with black perforated seats that feature red stitching, and plenty of chrome highlights that actually look pretty good. Look a bit closer and some of the plastic mouldings are not quite as good as they could be (the cargo blind runners, for example) and the key (with a separate key fob remote) is more like what cars came with 10 years ago. Despite not looking like the most expensive 4WD wagon inside, it at least seems well screwed together, with no hint of rattles or squeaks.

The Sorento is a mixed bag for interior storage. Its centre console features two useful cupholders and a couple of trays, plus a two-stage lidded bin. But the door pockets are thin and the glovebox is quite small. A sunglasses holder in the ceiling is a useful feature.

In the back, with either the seats up or folded, there's a reasonable amount of storage space and there are four tie-down loops. Kia sells an optional accessory cargo mat and that would be a good protective investment. The tailgate has a separate opening window which is useful for topping up the load area or when you are parked up against a wall and can't open the tailgate.

A full-size spare is fitted under the rear of the vehicle, so you don't have to unload cargo to change a flat tyre.

GOOD OUTLOOK
The interior is easy to see out of with no blind spots and the Sorento is not high as some 4WD wagons so it doesn't require such a climb up to get aboard. The seats are a little flat and unsupportive but having said that, they do appear reasonably comfortable for long stints behind the wheel.

The one-third/two-thirds split rear seat is also a little flat and unsupportive, yet this gives a good compromise when three are sitting across the bench and the flat footwell ample foot room for the centre seat occupant.

The 2.5lt turbocharged diesel performs well from around 1800rpm. Typically, for a small displacement turbo-diesel, there is some turbo lag under 1800rpm, but it's not bad and while not the smoothest or quietest diesel in the business, performance is pretty good.

The transmission provides crisp, smooth gearshifts and appears to offer a good spread of ratios well matched to the engine.

The Sorento has a part-time, electronic activation transfer case, which means that it is a simple 4WD system that cannot be used in 4WD on dry surfaces such as paved roads without causing damage to the transfer case.

The suspension is about the only real sore point with the Sorento. The damper and spring rates don't seem quite right. On less than perfect road surfaces, the Sorento has a skittish rear axle on corrugations and wallows over the more progressive bumps. It just feels like the dampers are working against the springs, not with them. Having already tried a modified set-up, this is certainly one vehicle that improves out of sight with an aftermarket suspension kit such as the ARB Old Man Emu kit.

Mind you, there are vehicles with worse standard suspension tune and the Sorento's is not that bad. It's just that it is simply not as good as the better competition.

The Sorento's steering is a little vague on-centre, but point it at a corner and it turns in with an acceptable amount of body roll and with reasonable grip for a 4WD wagon.

FUEL SIPPER
The Sorento is quite fuel-efficient, with a best easy highway cruising figure of 8.3lt/100km solo, up to 11lt/100km when city driving.
 
When towing, you can expect around 12.5lt/100km to 14.5lt/100km, depending on your driving style, the terrain and how heavy the boat/trailer combo is.

The 2.5lt copes well when towing up to about 2000kg, but any more than that and you will want to have plenty of patience when hill-climbing. While the vehicle will handle heavier weights, its performance in the hills is blunted noticeably. It is really hardly surprising given it has only a 2.5lt engine.

While Kia recommends a maximum speed of 100kmh, some trailer combinations can make the Kia sway slightly, and in such cases 90kmh feels like more of a sweet spot for the Kia.

There is plenty on the subject of towing in the Kia owner's manual. It devotes a whole paragraph to "driving on grades", in which it nominates a reduction in speed to 70kmh and shifting down to "reduce the possibility of engine and transmission overheating" when climbing a long uphill grade.

The owner's manual warns that towing with the diesel on steep grades (more than 10 per cent gradient) at speeds of more than 30kmh with a fully loaded Sorento towing its maximum permitted weight can cause the engine or transmission to overheat.

Kia also says that the automatic transmission model should be driven in 'D' to prevent heat build-up.

Kia also recommends for towing that you should "drive your vehicle at a moderate speed (less than 100kmh)", that a trailer should not be towed for the first 800km and that owners consider using some kind of sway control device.

Kia also advises owners that when towing with the diesel model that it should not be run lower than 10lt of fuel in the tank (identified by the low fuel warning light coming on) as fuel overheating and power loss may occur, as may fuel injection damage.

There are not too many vehicles like the Sorento left in the 4WD market. It is a rugged, relatively simple vehicle that has an entirely modern engine. When compared with the likes of Cherokee or Pathfinder, the Sorento is very good value and it is a nimble size for city canyons while being a relatively tough off-roader out of the box. What's more, the Sorento can be loaded up with family or friends and a boat behind for a holiday ? and provided you don't expect stellar hill-climbing performance right up the last kilogram of its tow capacity, or top notch ride quality, it is an able performer.

More information about the Kia Sorento can be found by visiting www.kia.com.au

» Click here for the Carsales Network's launch review on the Kia Sorento

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