Kia Sorento 2.0 CRDi 2WD

The revised Kia Sorento has won many plaudits since it traded some of its mud-plugging 
ability for improved luxury and refinement – but how does the line-up’s cheapest model fare?

The Sorento 1 is the only car to get a 2.0-litre diesel engine and five seats – rather than 
the usual 2.2-litre powerplant and seven-seat layout found elsewhere in the range. 

On the road, the oil-burner 
provides plenty of go. It propels the Kia from 0-60mph in 10.5 seconds – that’s 1.3 seconds down on the 2.2, although the gap doesn’t feel noticeable. 

The two-wheel-drive set-up won’t be a problem for most drivers, either. We drove on wet and greasy roads, and the front tyres occasionally scrabbled for grip under hard acceleration, but otherwise it’s difficult 
to distinguish this car from four-wheel-drive versions. Owners may see a difference 
at the pumps, though, as this model is the most frugal in the line-up. It returns 44.1mpg 
and emits only 169g/km.

Refinement is impressive, too, with only a little vibration through the controls at low revs. Through tight corners, 
the Sorento shows it size, 
with a hint of body roll, but 
it always feels sure-footed. 

As you’d expect for an entry-level model, there isn’t a huge amount of equipment, but all the essentials feature, such 
as alloys, USB and air-con. 

Without seven seats, there’s a large 531-litre boot, with a false floor for storing valuable items out of sight. Fold the 
rear seats, and the luggage capacity rises to 1,546 litres. 

You’d expect this Sorento’s biggest draw to be its price – 
in this specification, it costs £22,990. Trouble is, buyers 
can get the more powerful 
diesel and seven seats for 
a mere £765 more. So this model may become a niche choice in the Kia range.

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