Back in 2003, the Kia Sorento was a great off-roader that came in at a knock-down price. The next iteration saw the 4x4 move up the pecking order slightly. Today, it’s a real social climber, with a package that rivals anything from Land Rover, Volvo or the heavyweight Germans.
Prices are a little more upmarket, but that’s not to say that the Kia Sorento doesn’t still offer excellent value for money. In fact, you get even more bang for your buck, even in a sector where the competition is white-hot. With that in mind, entry-level options start at just £28,795 – cheaper than the Discovery Sport or Jeep Grand Cherokee.
In fact, while you could seriously bust your budget and spend over £40,000 on the top-of-the-range Sorento, the best bet might just be the KX-2 model. This gives you everything you could every want from a vehicle at the highly affordable price of just £31,995.
The new 2.2-litre diesel kicks out an improved 197bhp, with plenty of grunt just where you need it. Acceleration is handy enough, with the manual reaching 60 in just nine seconds and the automatic 9.6. Top speed on the autobahn is 124mph. More importantly, this is a smooth ride that deals with Britain’s potholed, pockmarked roads with aplomb.
The Kia Sorento has always been a big hit among the caravanning fraternity and the new version doesn’t disappoint. Stick a tow bar on the back and you’ll be able to lug around up to 2,500kg.
The automatic might be the slickest choice, but it’s not available on the entry model and fuel economy drops to 42.2mpg and emissions rise to 177g/km against 49.6mpg and 149g/km on the manual. In the end, your selection will be about you and your priorities.
Let’s talk about refinement. The new Kia Sorento will have you purring like the Queen. But let’s get one thing straight: this isn’t a sporty proposition. It’s just very, very comfortable. So comfy, you could live in it. It’s also very quiet.
Even on the motorway, noise is minimal and you have to make the engine scream before you start to hear it in the cabin. But don’t do that. It’d be rude.
So what do you get for your money? On the KX-2, you’ll enjoy air-con, alloys, cruise control, electric windows, parking sensors, front wiper de-icer, ESP and six airbags. Safe towing comes care of Trailer Assist, also available on the entry-level KX-1.
Even better, the KX-2 gets automatic lights and wipers, heated leather front and rear seats, a reversing camera and satnav. What more do you want? A fridge-freezer?
To reinforce the value for money idea, Kia Sorentos all offer a seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty, a whopping 605-litre boot and seven seats as standard.
Test drive the Kia Sorento at our Kia Weston-super-Mare Howards retailer today!