Skip advert
Advertisement

Kia Sorento

On paper the Sorento's a good proposition. On the road, though, the driving experience feels dated

Overall Auto Express rating

2.0

How we review cars
Avg. savings
£2,850 off RRP*
Find your Kia Sorento
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

On paper, the Kia Sorento looks like a decent proposition. It has upmarket styling, a practical cabin and is competitively priced. On the road, however, the driving experience feels extremely dated. We would recommend prospective buyers take a test drive in one before buying.

Having enjoyed major success with the Picanto city car and Carens compact MPV, Korean firm Kia is hoping its new oil-burning Sorento can continue its good run.

Advertisement - Article continues below

And it is making some big claims about the 2.5-litre machine. But if the company is being bullish about its latest SUV, it has every right – on paper, the full-sized 4x4 looks tempting. Claimed economy is a frugal 35.8mpg, which is better than virtually all its rivals.

There’s no escaping that it looks similar to the previous-generation Mercedes M-Class, and at first glance, the Sorento appears upmarket and well built. Priced from £19,995, it promises plenty of value for money, although flagship models are more expensive, at £26,095.

Inside, there’s bags of room, but the bland fabrics and brittle plastics fail to build on the quality exterior. There’s a commanding view of the road, though, and practicality is first-rate. So far, so good, but as you fire up the new 2.5-litre four-cylinder diesel, you can’t help but feel that Kia has made a mistake.

The new powerplant is being touted as one of the Sorento’s key improvements. The 168bhp unit has variable turbo geometry, plus 21 per cent more power and 25 per cent extra torque over the old diesel, with 392Nm on tap from 2,000rpm. But at idle the oil-burner is noisy and unresponsive. In-gear acceleration is disappointing, the long gearshifts spoil any sense of involvement, while the damping and steering feedback are poor. Granted, a large SUV is unlikely to handle like a sports car or ride like a limo, but the Sorento’s vague steering and crashy ride belong to another era. This is made more frustrating by the fact that sister firm Hyundai’s impressive Santa Fe shows just what’s possible from a Korean company.

But does this spell the end for the Sorento? Sales figures suggest not, with registrations climb­ing by 10 per cent in 2005. By sticking to its tried and tested value-for-money formula, Kia is sure to see this figure rise further.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

KIA Sorento

KIA Sorento

RRP £41,375Avg. savings £2,850 off RRP*Used from £26,388
Hyundai Santa FE

Hyundai Santa FE

RRP £47,890Avg. savings £5,751 off RRP*Used from £21,300
Peugeot 5008

Peugeot 5008

RRP £38,590Avg. savings £5,875 off RRP*Used from £16,357
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £13,895
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025