STRIKE FOUR(some text hidden)

By Jonathan Crouch

Ten Second Review word count: 69

The Sorento is Kia's largest SUV and the improved version of this fourth generation model offers the kind of typically complete package we now expect from the brand. This enhanced design is embellished by electrified engine tech, smarter looks and more advanced media connectivity. And as before, it sells in the upper part of the SUV 'D' segment, offering more space and 4x4 prowess than cheaper class contenders provide.

Background word count: 131

Kia doesn't really adhere to the normal conventions of car manufacture. The South Korean company wants to get places fast, so its product planning is accelerated, compressed into Matrix-style bullet time. Cars are launched, facelifted and replaced in half the time of many manufacturers. Take the Sorento. It first appeared way back in 2002 in BL-series form with a crude old ladder-framed chassis. The 2010 MK2 XM-series replacement car got with the programme, slicker to look at and based on the more car-like monocoque chassis that 'D'-segment SUV buyers by then wanted. It's 2015-era MK3 UM-series replacement refined that recipe, before this fourth generation MQ4-series design launched in 2020 and really took it forward. Here, we're going to look at the updated version of that MK4 model, announced in early 2024.

Driving Experience word count: 574

There are no mechanical changes with any of the three Sorento powertrains as part of this mid-term update. The diesel still offers 190bhp and 440Nm torque transmitted to the tarmac through an 8-speed auto transmission. Rest to 62mph occupies 9.7s and there's a gutsy 440Nm of torque, so pulling power through the gears is pretty effortless on the way to 124mph. If you need to tow with your Sorento, you'll need the CRDi version as its capacity - rated at up to 2,500kgs - is vastly better than that of the Hybrids, which is presumably why it's been left in the range. As with all Sorentos, there are four driving modes - 'Normal', 'Eco', 'Sport' and 'Smart' (the latter an auto setting). You'll tend to ignore the gearshift paddles behind the steering wheel as they're quite slow to respond. The brand is hoping though, that a significant number of customers will consider the direct petrol alternative (shared with the Santa Fe), a 'Smartstream' HEV hybrid electrified powertrain, pairing a 1.6-litre T-GDi petrol engine with a 1.49kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack and a 59bhp electric motor. The total output produced by this combination is 212bhp with 367Nm torque and power is sent through a six-speed auto gearbox via a transmission-mounted electrical device, allowing the full power of the engine and motor to be transferred in parallel with minimal loss of energy. The result is immediacy in acceleration response at any speed, with direct access to available battery power at higher speeds. Rest to 62mph takes 9.7s en route to the Hybrid-limited top speed of 113mph. As before, the final alternative is the Plug-in Hybrid petrol variant, which mates the 1.6-litre T-GDi petrol engine with a 89bhp electric motor, generating a total system output of 249bhp, with the same torque figure as the HEV version. Rest to 62mph takes 8.8s. But the whole confection still uses a relatively small 13.8kWh battery pack, which is why the WLTP-rated 35 mile pure electric driving range figure now lags some way behind other contenders in this segment. A Skoda Kodiaq iV PHEV for instance, now goes over 60 miles on battery power, though that can't give you 4WD. Ah yes, 4WD; it's standard on all Sorentos these days, which is quite unusual in a segment where an all-wheel-driven powertrain tends only to be available on top engines as an expensive extra. Pressing the drive mode controller between the seats takes you into a 'Terrain' menu where you can choose between 'Snow', 'Mud' and 'Sand' settings. Don't get carried away though; there's are no locking differentials or low range gearboxes and the ground clearance isn't particularly high, so you'll need to leave the wilderness to Behr Grills. The 4WD system here is aimed more at muddy car parks or the snowy access road to your favourite ski resort. Of more interest to most likely customers will be this Kia's tarmac drive demeanour. It's quite softly-sprung, but fortunately doesn't roll about quite as much as you might fear at speed through tight bends, though you won't want to be pushing this car along to much on the secondary route back from the school run. Not least because the steering feel's touch vague. Merit points are regained though, by highway refinement that's really not bad at all for such a boxy SUV. Which makes it a great long distance companion, aided by the standard fitment of Kia's semi-autonomous Highway Drive Assist system.