Kia Sorento (2024 - )

The fourth-generation Kia Sorento is a very well-equipped family vehicle that can accommodate seven occupants, but without looking like a bus in the process.

Initially customers could select from a range of trims, but this was recently changed to a single model called the Sorento Edition. That said; Kia has announced it will be reverting to the 2, 3 and 4 format again this year.

One thing that has been a constant though is the wide choice of powertrains with the option of hybrid, plug-in hybrid or diesel units to select from.

We opted for the Kia Sorento Edition powered by the self-charging hybrid unit for our test drive.

The Kia Sorento is a five-door, seven-seat family SUV that offers vast amounts of flexibility without being restricted to van-like looks. It boasts a bold, upright design with a glossy black radiator grille, sweeping light clusters with distinctive daytime running lights, privacy glass, a panoramic sunroof that allows light to flood into the cabin, a high mounted brake light, chrome door handles, silver front and rear skid plates and 19-inch alloy wheels.

Moving inside, the interior is very high-end with black leather upholstered seats and door panels with an elegant diamond pattern. The seats are powered and can be heated or cooled. In addition, the steering wheel and outer rear seats can also be heated against the chill.

On-board technology is plentiful with the main focal point being the easy-to-operate 10.25-inch touchscreen navigation system. This is the access point to features including the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone set-up, Bose premium sound system with 12 speakers, reversing camera with dynamic guidelines, 360-degree around view monitor and lots more besides. There is a neat digital cluster where all the main driving data is clearly shown, along with a head-up display.

Physical controls can be used to quickly adjust any climate settings along with dials to select the gears and alter the drive modes. 

It’s a very driver-oriented cockpit with all buttons, dials and readouts very easy to access and operate on the fly.

Our Sorento was driven by Kia’s Smartstream electrified powertrain which pairs a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a 1.49kWh lithium-ion battery. 

It can produce 226bhp along with 350Nm of torque which helps propel the Sorento from 0-62mph in just 9.0 seconds and onto a top speed of 120mph. That’s not too shabby for a vehicle weighing in at just shy of two tonnes.

Despite its large-ish dimensions, the Sorento is actually quite nimble and nicely responsive when faced with the open road. It’s very content cruising at 70mph on motorways and the grip is also impressive thanks to the all-wheel drive set-up.

The excellent driver visibility is impressive and this is a ‘must have’ on any family vehicle that will likely be ever present on the dreaded school run with children, cyclists and mainly parents darting out from all angles. 

The acceleration through the six-speed automatic transmission is nicely timed with paddles for added driver engagement, along with drive modes to alter the dynamics and characteristics of the car. These are called Eco, Sport and Smart with a setting for Snow, Mud and Sand.

Occupants are generally well protected from engine and tyre rumble noise, but the huge door mirrors result in little wind sound. But that aside, the refinement levels impress and the suspension does a worthy job of smoothing out any uneven surfaces.

Practicality is a major plus-point and strength of the seven-seat Kia Sorento. Stretching 4,810mm in length, 1,900mm across and 1,695mm in height it’s easy to see why the vehicle has such a strong road presence. 

And with its wheelbase of 2,815mm, the cabin and storage space is vast. It’s a vehicle that can easily accommodate five adults and then an additional couple of youngsters in the pair of rear seats. These two seats can be folded flat to the boot floor when not needed.

The boot is accessed via a powered tailgate and it can swallow 608 litres of luggage with the seats in row three folded down. Drop the second row of seats too and that limit increases to a whopping 1,996 litres. The capacity is slightly larger at 616 and 2,011 litres on the non-hybrid models. A boot light is a handy feature as are the net hooks to help prevent items rolling around.

Throughout the cabin there are a number of practical storage options and a wealth of USB ports for occupants in all rows so they can keep devices connected on longer journeys. There is an illuminated and lockable glovebox, cup holders for each seat, a charging pad, door pockets with space to store a bottle, a central cubby bin and some handy trays.

Thanks to its elevated seating and wide opening rear doors, the Sorento offers easy access for anyone with mobility issues and there are Isofix anchors to secure child seats in the outer second row seats.

The Kia Sorento line-up was simplified with just a single Edition specification available across a range of powertrains. However Kia has recently announced that it will be reverting to the grading structure of 2, 3 and 4 this year.

Our test model, in Edition specification, was priced at £51,055 and, as is the Kia way, there were no additional costs to factor in. That’s because the Sorento Edition comes equipped with every creature comfort imaginable already built into the asking price.

According to official WLTP figures, the Kia Sorento Edition, powered by the self-charging hybrid technology could deliver a combined 38.2mpg with carbon emissions of 168g/km. That quite hefty CO2 output would result in a pricey first-year road tax bill of £670 dropping to the standard annual fee for hybrids of £180 after the first 12 months.

However, there are additional costs to bump up the day-to-day bills. Because the vehicle has a price-tag exceeding £40k, it is subject to a government premium car levy which adds a further £390 for five years starting from year two.

But on the positive side, Kia models do have a very good reputation for reliability so any repair costs should be few and far between. And for added reassurance, the vehicle comes with a seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty package too.

With the introduction of each new incarnation of the Sorento, the quality has increased, along with the technology and also Kia’s reputation which is now at an all-time high. They are no longer viewed as the bargain basement, cheap as chips car company of yesteryear. These days, you are guaranteed high-end models that are generously equipped as standard and can often compete alongside premium rivals but at a less premium price.

Admittedly, at £50k-plus, the new Sorento is not exactly cheap, but then again, nothing about this car is either.