The subtly revised fourth-generation Sorento, now available locally, serves as a harbinger for a range of exciting new models from the South Korean manufacturer – including the Carens multi-purpose vehicle, the Syros compact SUV, and the Tasman one-tonne pick-up, as well as EV models – expected to be launched here within the next year or two.
At the launch of the revamped Sorento range in the Western Cape, Paul Turnbull, CEO of Kia South Africa, said the company plans to launch a total of nine models within this time frame to refresh and expand the local model line-up.
Preceding this model onslaught, the revisions to the updated Sorento are mostly cosmetic, with subtle exterior styling changes to the front and rear, but also include upgrades under the skin, such as improved driver assistance systems and enhancements to the drivetrain to enhance the seven-seat SUV’s ride quality.
The Sorento now has slightly more angular exterior lines (yet not as radical as the design of the new Santa Fe from sister company Hyundai). The redesign includes a new grille with a three-dimensional mesh pattern, unique vertical headlights and star map DRLs, a revised front lower bumper with a wide skid plate, fog lamps and a vertical intake.
The rear features a refreshed taillight design with diagonal LEDs. Vertical star map graphics, created by connecting the two distinct taillights, mirror the front design. The rear bumper and exhaust trim with a wide rear skid plate have been updated, and the Sorento now also features a slim LED high-mounted brake light. Even so, one must look closely to discern the differences.
Inside the spacious cabin (with two full-size third row seats), changes are limited to subtle ambient lighting along the dashboard, on the gear knob and front door trims, a redesigned gear lever for the shift-by-wire transmission, metal pedals, a black headliner and a panoramic sunroof.
Diesel Power and 20” Tyres
As before, the Sorento is available with three trim levels (EX+, SX and SXL), all with seven seats, but even the EX+ now comes with 20” rims and tyres (to make it less distinguishable from the top models), and the SX model now has all-wheel drive as standard.
The Sorento’s biggest attraction remains its proven 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine (more so as the Hyundai Santa Fe is now not available with it anymore) that does its work quietly and smoothly. Delivering 148 kW at 3,800 r/min and 440 Nm between 1,750 and 2,750 r/min, it has enough twisting force to overcome even the steepest mountain passes and to pass slower traffic with ease.
The eight-speed DCT with well-chosen ratios is now even smoother than before, and on a short route from Cape Town to the Overberg, the drivetrain combination proved frugal, with consumption figures as low as 6.8-litre/100 km… Also noticeable was the improved ride quality thanks to the revised shocks and suspension settings.
While the wide 20″ low-profile tyres worked well on tar surfaces, they did limit the Korean SUV’s off-road ability, and with its relatively low ground clearance, the Sorento is not happy on rougher dirt roads and in more extreme off-road conditions.
Inside the cabin, the panoramic screens of the 12.3” info system are nicely integrated into the dashboard, but the SX models we were driving did not have the luxury of the Supervision TFT LCD screen, the HUD system or the Bose sound system found in the top models.
Upgraded ADAS
However, the SX does have electric adjustment, as well as ventilation and heating, for the front seats, as well as a more basic version of the upgraded Advanced Driving Aid System (ADAS). We found the revised system to be overly aggressive and sensitive compared to the earlier version, and it took some time to locate and disable the lane-keeping assist function.
Besides the features mentioned above, the SX comes with a panoramic sunroof, automatic climate control, a rear-view camera, electrically controlled rear door with height adjustment, cordless phone charging and six USB-C charge points (two per row of seats).
Last Word
The new Sorento SX now retails for over a million Rand, with the entry-level two-wheel-drive EX+ available for R999,995 and the flagship SXL for nearly R1.3 million. While expensive, it compares favourably with the pricing of competitors such as the Ford Everest, Hyundai Santa Fe and Toyota Prado.
Also, in terms of performance, specification level and trim quality, the latest Sorento compares well with the others in this highly competitive market segment. Buyers wanting a spacious and fuss-free seven-seat mid-sized SUV with diesel power but limited off-road expectations should give the new Sorento some serious consideration…
Report by FERDI DE VOS | Images © KIA SOUTH AFRICA
