The New Kia Sorento – A stunning facelift with impressive performance

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Car Reviewed: Kia Sorento PHEV ‘4’

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We liked the look of the previous Sorento, but this car’s even sharper, more futuristic and catches more eyes. The front end follows Kia’s current design language well, which started with the EV9. Like the EV9, LED headlights give it spaceship vibes.

Entry-level ‘2’ cars start at £41,995, which gets you the 190bhp 2.2-litre diesel with a decent amount of standard kit such as a 12.3” touchscreen, intelligent speed assist and 17” alloy wheels. Spec the range-topping ‘4’, and you’ll get more tech, but it’ll cost you an extra £8,700. Next is the Sorento Hybrid, which starts at £42,995 and then the PHEV at £47,295. All cars get seven seats.

The car we drove was the range-topping ‘4’ PHEV, which gets 19” alloys, a panoramic roof, HUD, remote smart park assist, fingerprint recognition and ventilated seats; the latter being welcome during the toasty English summertime.

The interior of the new Kia Sorento is truly impressive. The luxury and attention to detail are evident throughout the cabin, with high-quality materials and a modern, premium design. The large 12.3” touchscreen infotainment system is intuitive and provides seamless access to various vehicle functions while adding a touch of futuristic flair to the interior. The touchscreen not only looks great but also responds quickly to inputs, making it a pleasure to interact with while on the road and enhancing the overall driving experience.

The PHEV gets a 1.6-litre turbo mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox and an electric motor, totalling 248bhp. On the road, the Sorento picks up speed well. If you have ‘EV’ mode selected when pottering around and need a burst of acceleration, the engine will pop in to assist. The Sorento feels quiet and refined in EV mode and at higher speeds.

Hustling it along a backroad is tiresome because it doesn’t have masses of grip, and the steering feels slightly vague. Show it a motorway or smooth tarmac section, and it’ll deliver a relaxing ride. Paddle shifters behind the steering wheel serve different purposes depending on which mode is engaged. In ‘Normal’, you can set the level of regen, while ‘Sport’ allows the driver to shift gears.

The 13.8kWh battery gives around 34 miles of EV range, which qualifies it for 12% company car tax. With the battery fully charged, a 25.6-mile trip, which consisted of backroads, motorways and town driving, returned a mighty 286mpg. The Sorento Hybrid returned 45.8mpg on the same journey, but this is fitted with a 1.5kWh battery.

If you plan on towing a caravan, remember that the PHEV is restricted to 1,010kg, while the Sorento Hybrid is 1,110kg. The diesel wins the prize here with its 2,500kg towing capacity.

Its versatility is evident in every aspect, from the sliding second-row seats to the electric switches in the boot that make folding the entire row a breeze. The third row even has its own air vents with electric fan control, making it the ideal family SUV, ensuring everyone’s comfort and convenience. 

The 2024 Kia Sorento is a versatile and luxurious family SUV with impressive diesel, hybrid and PHEV options. It offers a stunning design, advanced tech and a comfortable driving experience and with the Kia warranty is a worthy contended in the large SUV space.