Kia Sorento Review, Specs & Performance

Kia Sorento in a nutshell

If you need a seven-seat SUV that is stylish and packed with kit - then the Kia Sorento is for you. There are worthy contenders, like the Peugeot 5008, Hyundai Santa Fe, Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace or Skoda Kodiaq, but the Sorrento stands out. Among the models in the impressive Sorento line-up is the self-charging hybrid. There’s also a plug-in hybrid variant and a tried-and-tested diesel engine

Kia Sorrento - Space, Equipment & Safety

Space

Front seating is exceptionally comfortable, with a decent amount of adjustment for those long motorway journeys. There’s a big driver’s display, and the infotainment system is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It helps too (for families especially!) that every seat has a USB port to charge those all-important phones and tablets.

To see FVL's Kia Sorrento Car Lease Deals click here.

There’s more space onboard because the new car is wider and longer. There’s space for adults in the middle seats – and, if they aren’t too tall, the third row of seats also offers comfort and space. As talking of which, the third row of seats is now more accessible too.

Folding the seats down is straightforward, and the boot space has a flat floor of 690 litres. It’s a lot less when all seven seats are being used.

Equipment

Standard equipment includes:

· LED headlights

· Head-up display

· 19-inch wheels

· 360-degree parking cameras

· Rear privacy glass

· Tilt/sliding panoramic sunroof

· Leather upholstery

· Powered tailgate

· Blind-spot cameras.

Saftey

Safety features for the Sorento include:

· Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist

· Highway Driving Assist

· Intelligent Speed Limit Assist

· Rear cross-traffic alert

· Blind-spot assist.

And, as should be expected for an SUV aimed at families, the Kia Sorento is a safe car and scored five stars when crash tested by Euro NCAP.

Kia Sorrento - Engines, Consumption & Drive

Engines & Consumption

Power comes from a choice of three engines. A 1.6-litre petrol unit produces 226hp in the petrol-electric hybrid or a 2.2-litre turbo diesel with 200hp. If you want to travel on battery power, there’s an energetic 265hp plug-in hybrid. All three come with the option of four-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox.

The fuel consumption for diesel is around 43mpg, with 176g/km emissions. The full hybrid will return around 42mpg with 158g/km of carbon dioxide. For a large SUV with a petrol engine, those are respectable figures.

If you want head-turning economy figures, however, then consider leasing the plug-in hybrid to enjoy economy of 176mpg and emissions of 38g/km. Those are cracking figures for company car drivers with low benefit-in-kind tax banding. However, it would be best if you kept the battery charged to achieve those low running costs.

Driving

Around town, we found the hybrid and plug-in hybrid comfortable to drive, with the extra torque from the electric motor delivering a nice push from a standing start. This SUV offers surprising grip and rewarding handling on a winding country road, given the size. Your passengers will be happy with the suspension; it’s not too soft to induce car sickness, which some big vehicles can do over rougher terrain.

Summary

A Kia Sorento lease from FVL stands tall as the champion of value seven-seat SUVs. Providing a haven of comfort and practicality for those needing generous passenger space. While other contenders may fall short, leaving you contorted and frustrated, the Sorento embraces its role with finesse. It’s sleek and sophisticated, with an impressive choice of powertrains and trim levels.