BIGGER, longer, lower and possibly the smartest new vehicle in the ever-growing SUV world is Kia’s next-generation Sorento, a sleek Schreyer-styled seven-seater with class-leading performance, power, economy and emission control.
In massive change from the first-generation Sorento, a landmark vehicle when introduced in 2002 the new one uses monocoque construction, rather than body-on-chassis, and has dropped its low range transmission in favour of a super-sophisticated six-speed auto.
It has also made a radical under-the-bonnet change, using smaller, but more powerful and efficient engines and is focusing primarily on diesel, rather than petrol power.
Also available for the first time is a 2WD model.
A 128kW/225Nm Theta II 2.4litre four-cylinder replaces the earlier V6, but the big news is the 2.2litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, which replaces the 2.5litre.
The result of a $250 million 42-month project, it is a cracker of a motor that produces 145kW and a mammoth 436Nm, the latter at a lazy 1800rpm, with small car economy and minimal emissions.
Those stats put it way ahead of all its segment rivals, including Prado, Captiva, X-Trail, X3 and Q5.
It is the first of Kia’s acclaimed R-series engines, widely regarded as leaders in diesel technology.
The Sorento range now comprises five models in three levels of trim.
The base Si comes in a petrol 2WD automatic at $36,490, a 4WD diesel manual shift at $39,990 and an auto at $2000 extra.
The up-spec SLi is an auto-only diesel at $45,990 and there’s a new luxury version, the Platinum, also diesel-powered, at $48,990.
New suspension, which includes an independently-sprung rear end, and a sharper steering help give it good dynamics, as proved on a 200km run on varied surfaces in Queensland’s hilly Mt Coolum and Maleny regions.
Acceleration was quick and smooth – zero to 100km/h in 10 seconds – and the vast torque provided instant surge for rapid overtaking.
Although the suspension has been dropped 10mm and the centre of gravity by 54mm, the agile vehicle has no trouble in most off-road conditions. It has a 25 degrees approach and 23 degrees departure angle.
However, there is a diff lock for extra traction in extreme conditions.
Braked towing capacity is 2500kg for the manual, 2000kg for the auto.
The combined fuel consumption of the new Sorento CRDi with manual transmission has dropped 21per cent over the previous model, from 8.5 l/100km to 6.7 l/100km. That’s huge. The automatic version gets 7.4litres/100km.
The fuel tank is now 70litres, 10litres smaller, but the economy improvement is such that the manual Sorento can now top 1000km on a single tank.
The 2.4litre petrol version is 16 per cent more fuel-efficient than the V6 at 9.2litres/100km.
Emissions are also down sharply: 21 per cent in the diesel and 15 per cent for the petrol motor.
Comforts, equipment and finish all earn high marks.
The new, longer and wider bodyshell makes for much more room and allows every model to feature seating for seven. Visibility is good, too.
Cargo space is among the best-in-class with capacity increased 15 per cent.
Used as a five-seater, total capacity is now 531 litres – 96 litres more than the previous model.
As a seven-seater it is 111 litres, but it expands to a massive 1525 litres when the third and second row seats are folded down.
The Sorento has six airbags as standard: dual front, dual front side and full-length side curtain. It has a five-star Euro Ncap rating.
Also standard on all is ESP with Hillstart Assist and DBC (downhill braking control).
Kia is one of just three car makers worldwide to make their own transmissions and the six-speed auto in the Sorento is simply superb.
It has 62 fewer parts than the five-speed unit, is smaller, weighs 12kg less and boosts fuel economy by up to 12per cent.
It even has a ‘Neutral Control’ feature which automatically shifts from ‘D’ to ‘N’ whenever the car is stopped for more than a few seconds, reducing engine load.
It’s super-smooth in operation and one of the quickest – and it’s maintenance-free: sealed for life. All models get a completely revised interior with a dash dominated by a trio of integrated clear round dials which also house a six-function trip computer.
Fit and finish of the sweeping dash are top drawer and make some of the rivals look quite plasticky.
The Si gets cloth trim and 17-inch alloy wheels while the SLi and Platinum have leather, power-adjustable seats and 18-inch wheels.
The audio system has MP3, USB and iPod connectivity, plus a built-in amplifier and six speakers, plus Kia’s ‘Powerbass’ technology for optimum sound.
Controls are mounted on the four-spoke, fat-rimmed steering wheel.
SLi and Platinum have rear parking sensors and a wide-angle camera which displays the picture in part of thee rear view mirror. Tres neat.
Among other niceties, Platinum also scores extra speakers, a two-part glass panorama roof, key-less entry with push button start and HID headlights.
So how good is it?
Well, none of Australia and New Zealand’s notoriously picky motoring writers could find anything to gripe about.
On sale now, and definitely worth a look.