Does a new chassis bring added ability to this already
likeable SUV?
Whatever the polar opposite of the emperor’s new clothes is,
you’re looking at its automotive equivalent. The second-generation Kia Sorento
made its debut barely three years ago and has just been given its mid-life
facelift. There’s nothing particularly odd about that. But what makes this
facelift so unusual is that the skin is barely altered and the interior is left
largely alone, yet beneath it lies an entirely new platform.
Confusing? We’ll say. The reasons, says Kia, are
straightforward and center around two things. One is the arrival of the smaller
Kia Sportage, a fine car that, we suspect, began to tread on the Sorento’s
toes. The other is the arrival of the latest Hyundai Santa Fe, which, as of
now, donates its platform to the Sorento, because it makes sense to have one
set of shared components rather than two similar sets within the Hyundai-Kia
group.
So that’s that: the Sorento obtains new underpinnings, with
so little new above them that most will think it’s business as usual: good
morning, emperor, you went for the usual togs today? Suits you, sir. Question
is, will we notice the change in substance?
Design and engineering
Since its inception, the Sorento has, over its two
generations, become less serious about off-roading. When replaced in 2009, the
first-gen model lost its ladder chassis, and things have taken a turn for the
soft again.
Not that you’d notice it easily, even if you placed this
facelift next to its predecessor. Just 10mm has been lost from both the ride
height and the roof height and with it a slight drop in some of its headline
off-roading angles.
If it’s hard to see the ride height drop, it’s not much
easier to spot the styling differences. There is a new front bumper, above
which sits a new design of headlights, while at the rear a new bumper is framed
by an entirely new tailgate panel, with sleeker rear light units that better
fit into Kia’s current design themes. Most observers we came across liked the
Sorento’s looks but couldn’t spot a great deal of difference between old and
new variants. Clearly, though, the detailing has had a significant aerodynamic
effect, with the drag coefficient falling from 0.38 to 0.34.
Improved aerodynamics is one of the reasons that the new
Sorento is much cleaner than before, but a revised engine makes a significant
contribution, too. Economy and emissions of the 2.2-litre 194bhp turbo diesel
are improved by 14 per cent all round to 47.9mpg on a manual like our test car.
The six-speed unit drives through all four wheels only there’s no longer a
two-wheel0druve variant because sales were so slow and to better differentiate
the Sorento from the Sportage, there is no longer a five-seat version, so all
Sorentos are seven-seaters. Although it’s a touch less rugged than it used to
be, the Sorento remains on one the more burly SUVs – it’s able to tow 2,500kg
and is fitted with a lockable center differential.
Interior
Kia talks of the interior being significantly improved, but
unless you hop from the previous version into this face lifted model, it
wouldn’t necessarily strike you that this was a new cabin. The center console
shows the biggest change, and an increase in oddments storage is as noticeable
as a minor upgrade in materials. Our test car was a mid-spec KX-2 (there are 1,
2 and 3 variants) in optional Sat Nav trim. The $1650 premium you pay for it is
increasingly unpalatable given how simple and cheap (or free) it now is to get
sat-nav on a phone, although the larger screen it brings gives a welcome lift
to the ambience.
The big front
seats are comfortable and offer a good range of adjustment
The Sorento’s driving position is good, with large (heated)
seats that adjust plentifully, and simple, clear dials and controls. It’s a car
that does the basics well: its pedals are well spaced, the gearlever has a
light and positive if lengthy throw, and the steering, now electrically rather
than hydraulically assisted, operates with smoothness and accuracy.
Spaciousness is ample in the front, too, which all suggests that the Sorento
should be a relaxing car to drive over long distances. It gives its occupants
room to stretch out, and not just in the front seats. The center row, which has
a reclining backrest as a result of needing to fold to allow access to the
third row, possesses good legroom and headroom, and the outer two seats are
heated, too.
The rearmost pair of seats, which fold into the boot floor,
are understandably the least generous of them all but are likely to be used
only occasionally. They nibble away at the boot volume, too, leaving just 116
liters of load space with both in place although that rises to 1530 liters with
those and the middle row folded.
