Kia Sorento 2,2 CRDi - a victim of a younger brother?
The Kia Sorento is not an ugly or bad car, I have had a very good ride in it. However, he may lose the fight for the market with his younger brother. Sportage is not much smaller, but much more attractive.
The previous generation Sorento was heavy and massive. The current one is 10 cm longer, but changes in the proportions of the body definitely benefited it. The big SUV came before the new Sportage, and I really liked it.
After the smaller Kia crossover hit the market, the term very pleasant has passed to it, and the Sorento is simply cute. Compared to the previous generation, the car is more attractive and dynamic, but next to it, the Sportage looks very conservative. The silhouette of the car has become more dynamic. With a length of 468,5 cm, it has a width of 188,5 cm and a height of 1755 cm. The front apron, with a “module” tapering towards the rear, behind a radiator grill made of predatory headlights, looks no worse than that of a smaller SUV. The bumper is less interesting, however, and the tailgate is more subdued. Maybe because the Sorento is basically positioned higher in a segment where drivers with more traditional tastes are more likely to meet.
The interior is also more discreet and traditional, and thanks to the 270 cm wheelbase, it is also spacious. It has a functional layout and many practical solutions. The most interesting thing is the bunk shelf under the center console. The first level is visible immediately. In the walls of this shelf we find, traditionally for Kia, a USB input and an electrical system socket. The second, lower level is accessed through openings on the sides of the tunnel, which is a more practical level for the passenger and is easier to reach than the driver. Shelves hidden behind the bottom of the console can be found in several models from other brands, but this solution convinces me much more. The automatic transmission test car also has two cup holders next to the gearshift lever and a large, deep storage compartment in the armrest. It has a small removable shelf that can hold, for example, several CDs. The door has fairly large pockets that can accommodate larger bottles, as well as a slot a few centimeters deep that serves to close the door, but it can also be used as a tiny shelf.
The rear seat is separate and folds down. Its backrest can be locked at different angles, which also makes it easier to find a comfortable seat in the back. There is plenty of room even for tall passengers. If only two people are sitting there, they can use the folding armrest on the center seat. Rear driving comfort is also enhanced by additional air intakes for the rear seat in the B-pillars.
The current generation Sorento is designed for seven passengers. However, this is an equipment option, not a standard. However, adapting the luggage compartment for the installation of two additional seats required finding the right size for it. Thanks to this, in the five-seater version we have a large boot with a raised floor, under which there are two storage compartments. Just outside the door there is a separate narrow compartment where I found a fire extinguisher, a jack, a warning triangle, a tow rope and a few other small items. The second stowage compartment occupies almost the entire surface of the trunk and has a depth of 20 cm, which ensures reliable packing. The raised floor panel can be removed, thereby increasing the depth of the trunk. The trunk size in the basic configuration is 528 liters. After folding the rear seat, it grows to 1582 liters. I put a standard drum set in the trunk without folding the seats and folding the luggage compartment curtain - a stool, metal sheets and floor racks, and drums on them.
I got a very good sample to try. The equipment included, among other things, dual-zone air conditioning, a keyless entry and start system, and a rear-view camera that, as usual for Kia, projected the image onto a screen mounted behind the glass of the rear-view mirror. Given the limitations of a not too big rear window and thick C-pillars, this is a very useful option, and I use the screen in the mirror much better than the screen on the center console - I use them when reversing. The suspension, though firm enough, does not detract from comfort, at least in the understanding of those who prefer cars guarding winding roads instead of rocking boats. I was more concerned about the sound of the wind, which in my opinion should be quieter when driving fast on the track.
The most powerful version of the engine possible is a 2,2-liter CRDi turbodiesel with a capacity of 197 hp. and a maximum torque of 421 Nm. Thanks to the automatic transmission, this power can be used stably and dynamically, but a slight delay must be taken into account before the transmission realizes that we now want to go fast. The maximum speed is not impressive, because it is “only” 180 km / h, but acceleration in 9,7 seconds to “hundreds” makes it quite pleasant to drive. According to the factory, fuel consumption is 7,2 l / 100 km. I tried to drive economically, but without much savings on dynamics and my average consumption was 7,6 l / 100 km.
However, it seems to me that Sorento will not belong to the tigers of the market. In size, it is not much inferior to the new generation Sportage. It is about 10 cm shorter in length and height, the same width, and the wheelbase is only 6 cm shorter. It looks less attractive and costs more. The result of the comparison seems obvious.
