Kia Sorento 2.5 CRDi A / T EX Prestige

It may sound strange, but the Kia Sorento with a 2.5 CRDi engine, automatic transmission and pretty much all the equipment we can imagine in such a car today, despite the unusually high price tag for this Korean brand, is not too expensive a car. The question, however, is whether the purchase will pay off for you.

This was the main question we tried to answer in our test. You won't find such a cheap and, above all, such an astoundingly large SUV around every corner. Let's just give an example: the Sorento with LX Extreme hardware, manual transmission and 2-liter CRDi diesel has everything on average, well, maybe even slightly above average, that a spoiled Slovenian driver needs at around six million tolar.

It has dual airbags, ABS with brake power distribution, ESP, traction control, alloy wheels, air conditioning, power windows, central locking and body-colored bumpers, just to name a few. What else do you want? We wouldn't, we are happy with the price and the package. Why is this so important, you ask? So, we are writing this just to present to you what an increase of 2.674.200 tolar (there is such a price difference) means in such a machine.

For the money, you also get an automatic transmission, leather-covered seats, upmarket plastic wood, some chrome trim, and a car that doesn't look bad on the outside or inside. Does this convince you? !!

If you have nothing to think about, the luxury of the Sorento is real. If in doubt and not entirely sure if you really want a prestigiously equipped Kio, we recommend the cheaper version.

For a simple reason - the leather is not of the highest quality, it is rather plastic, slippery, otherwise it is beautifully sewn. Imitation wood is like any other imitation, so it doesn't look convincingly like real wood in any way. The biggest reason you would prefer a cheaper version of the Sorento is the automatic transmission.

But let's clarify one more thing: let what we just listed do not sound like criticism. By no means does this equipment represent an absolutely solid average among cars from the Far East, and on the other hand, we are not sure that the much more expensive European cars are also much better. All we want to say is to consider (if you are interested in buying this car) whether you really need the luxury on offer that makes the car so expensive.

In driving, the Sorento quickly reveals its American roots. Individual suspension at the front and rigid axle at the rear that do not work miracles. The Kia drives well, especially in a straight line, while offering quite a bit of comfort, perhaps only slightly disturbed by poorly muted vibrations in the back seat as the car passes a sharp obstacle. Even an automatic (five-speed) transmission will do best on an airplane, especially on a highway, where you don't have to deal with engine rpm and gear selection.

Yes, we've already used brighter, faster and more responsive automatic transmissions. We have to praise the option for manual shifting, which comes to the fore in moderate driving, while on sharper driving, choosing manual shifting meant only automatic shifting at slightly higher engine speeds.

On winding roads, we found the Sorento not the most convincing in its road position and precise handling. Faster cornering creates a lot of hesitation and roll, and the dampers have a hard time following just a quick succession of different corners. Therefore, the most beautiful pace of driving is a calm, by no means sporty rhythm. Here we would also like to note that the car accelerates confidently with the accelerator pedal pressed hard, and also stops pretty decently. This is not a record holder, but it convinces most drivers in the SUV class.

Of course, its features are not only spaciousness, beautiful appearance and a huge phenomenon wherever it is taken. It also performs well in less demanding terrain. Permanent four-wheel drive (front and rear pair of wheels are connected by a viscous coupling) has the ability to turn on the gearbox. All you have to do is turn the knob located within arm's reach to the left of the steering wheel. Thus, Sorento rides confidently even on slippery roads. So for everyone who lives in places with frequent snowdrifts, the gearbox is there and therefore you can also use it. It is commendable, as this is also a good advantage over competitors.

Leaving aside a small trunk that sacrifices space at the expense of practicality and looks because the fifth wheel is located at the bottom of the trunk, the Sorento is a handsome sport utility vehicle that boasts quality and refined finishes. interior with fittings and all the drawers, and on top of that, it rides well off-road. Due to the automatic transmission, fuel consumption is a little high, as the average test was 13 liters of diesel fuel per 100 km, but at a slightly higher price than we are used to for Kia cars, this can be understood as part of the prestige that this car certainly offers . Luxury, of course, has never been cheap.

Petr Kavchich

Photo by Alyosha Pavletich.

Kia Sorento 2.5 CRDi A / T EX Prestige

Basic data

Technical information

engine:	4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - direct injection diesel - displacement 2497 cm3 - maximum power 103 kW (140 hp) at 3800 rpm - maximum torque 350 Nm at 2000 rpm.
Energy transfer:	permanent four-wheel drive - 5-speed automatic transmission - tires 245/70 R 16 (Kumho Radial 798).
Capacity:	top speed 171 km / h - acceleration 0-100 km / h in 15,5 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 8,5 l / 100 km.
Transportation and suspension:	off-road van - 5 doors, 5 seats - body on the chassis - front individual suspension, spring legs, two triangular cross beams, stabilizer - rear rigid axle, longitudinal guides, Panhard rod, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, stabilizer - front brake disc (forced cooling), rear disc (forced cooling) - driving radius 12,0 m - fuel tank 80 l.
Mass:	empty vehicle 2146 kg - permissible gross weight 2610 kg.
Box:	Trunk volume measured with AM standard set of 5 Samsonite suitcases (total volume 278,5L): 1 × backpack (20 l); 1 × aviation suitcase (36 l); 2 × suitcase (68,5 l); 1 × suitcase (85,5 l)

Our measurements

T = 27 ° C / p = 1030 mbar / rel. vl. = 39% / Odometer Condition: 12690 km
Acceleration 0-100km:	15,4s
402m from the city:	20,2 years ( 113 km / h)
1000m from the city:	36,8 years ( 143 km / h)
Maximum speed:	170km / h (D)
Minimum consumption:	12,0l / 100km
Maximum consumption:	14,0l / 100km
test consumption:	13,4 l / 100km
Braking distance at 100 km / h:	40,6m
AM table:	43m
Noise at 50 km / h in 3rd gear	56dB
Noise at 50 km / h in 4rd gear	55dB
Noise at 50 km / h in 5rd gear	55dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 3rd gear	65dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 4rd gear	63dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 5rd gear	60dB
Noise at 130 km / h in 4rd gear	65dB
Noise at 130 km / h in 5rd gear	62dB
Test errors:	unmistakable

Overall rating (302/420)

• The Kia Sorento 2.5 CRDi EX A/T Prestige offers a lot of luxury, but that too comes at a price. But almost 8,7 million tolars is still not too much for what the car offers. It excels in design, but it lacks the ride quality, fuel economy, and performance of an automatic transmission.

• Exterior (14/15)

  Sorrento is amazing and consistent.

• Interior (107/140)

  Plenty of space, the seats are comfortable, only the trunk is small.

• Engine, transmission (37
  
  
  / 40)

  The engine is good, the gearbox could be better.

• Driving performance (66
  
  
  / 95)

  Driving performance is good, but only at road level.

• Performance (26/35)

  The 2,5-liter engine is about the size of a large car.

• Security (32/45)

  ABS, ESP, traction control, four-wheel drive ... all this speaks in favor of safety.

• Economy

  Fuel consumption is quite high.

We praise and reproach

appearance

luxury equipment

boxes

reducer

moderate driving comfort

slow inaccurate automatic transmission

soft chassis

sloppy handling and poor grip during heavy driving

warning signal of unfastened seat belt, even if the driver is already wearing

small trunk