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By Andy Enright
Introduction
I was recently looking back at a review I wrote on the first generation Kia Sorento, a car that did big, cheap and rugged very well. “The Sorento was always a very smart buy but it's more than that now. Making it something you'll feel genuinely proud of owning is Kia's next assignment.” I'm not claiming some sort of insider knowledge or spooky prescience, but that's exactly what Kia did with the second generation Sorento, to an extent that few of us foretold.
Although some might bemoan the loss of a rough and ready bruiser that you wouldn't really think twice about beating across a ploughed field in, the MK2 model has a broader appeal and fits well with Kia's burgeoning reputation as a car manufacturer on the up. Here's how to shop for the early second-generation models.
Models
5dr family 4x4 (2.2 diesel [1, KX-1, KX-2, KX-3, KX-3 Sat Nav])
History
The original Kia Sorento first arrived in 2003 and was heavily revised in the autumn of 2006. Its replacement was always going to be a more polished product, but in fact it took a subtle but interesting change of tack. Instead of being marketed as a go-anywhere item like the first Sorento, the car that made its European debut on the show stand at the 2009 Frankfurt Show was cut from very different cloth. Billed somewhat curiously as a 'Highline Cruiser', most took that as Kia-speak for a crossover vehicle.
The thing is, although smaller crossovers like the Nissan Qashqai have sold well in the UK, bigger ones have tended to come a little bit unstuck. Nissan's Murano and Mazda's CX-7 are two conspicuous cases in point. The Sorento rolled into UK dealerships in early 2010 and sales have been generally encouraging without fear of any stampedes. An entry-level five-seat variant was offered at the foot of the range, but most models were based around seven-seats. The Sorento soon started picking up industry awards and won a EuroNCP five-star crash rating to boot.
In December 2010, a range-topping Sorento 'KX-3 Sat-Nav' was introduced, adding an integrated satellite navigation system, an uprated Hi-Fi and a colour reversing camera system. The Sorento was replaced by what looked like a facelifted car in the autumn of 2012, but which actually got a whole new chassis, as well as the usual efficiency and styling tweaks.
What You Get
This car is a genuine seven-seater with plenty of space for occupants seated in the third row where specified, making it, say Kia, 'best-in-class' for accommodating the sixth and seventh occupants. Access to the cabin is also improved as the 'hip-point' for the front and second row seats is lowered by 37 mm, the cabin floor is lowered by 32 mm and the second row near-side seats 'double-fold' to allow easier entry and exit for third row passengers.
For maximum versatility when accommodating people and cargo, the Sorento's second row seat is split 60/40 and the optional third row seat is split 50/50. These seats' backrests fold almost flat to extend available boot space. Luggage space is impressive, with cargo capacity increased by 15% over the original model, thanks to moving the tailgate back by 70mm. When using the vehicle as a five-seater, with the third row seats folded down (where fitted), total capacity is now 531 litres - 96 litres more than the previous model. Cargo capacity with all seats upright in the 7-seater is 111-litres, and a massive 1525-litres when both the third and second row seats are folded down.
Kia is known for its generosity when it comes to specifications and the Sorento is unlikely to disappoint. Standard equipment on all models runs to alloy wheels, electric-adjustable door mirrors, air-conditioning, Keyless Entry with central locking, an RDS Radio & CD player with MP3, ESC (Electronic Stability Control) with DBC (Downhill Brake Control), HAC (Hill-start Assist Control), driver and front passenger airbags, front row, side airbags, full-length curtain airbags and 'active' head restraints. Original customers got a choice of five or six speed manual gearboxes plus five or six-speed automatics depending on the engine choice. As an option, a two-part glass Panorama Roof was available. The rear section is fixed, while the front section is powered and can be tilted for ventilation or slide fully back to enjoy uninterrupted views. Inside, a multi-position roller blind allows the level of shade within the cabin to be finely adjusted.
What You Pay
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What to Look For
Despite its slicker image, the Sorento is still a relatively competent off-road performer and although it probably hasn't been subjected to too much in the way of mud-plugging, it's well worth having a look under the car to see if it's been damaged by over-zealous green laning. Check the exhaust, the suspension and the front and rear underbumper assemblies for signs of damage. The engines have proven very reliable, as have this Kia's electricals, although some dashboard and interior finishes are prone to looking quite tired quite quickly. Kia's brilliant seven-year warranty arrangement means that these vehicles very rarely fall into premature neglect.
Replacement Parts
(approx prices, based on a 2011 Sorento 2.2 KX-2) Kia spares prices have earned an enviable reputation for strong value for money, and replacement parts for the Sorento are no exception. A clutch assembly is around £220, whilst front brake pads weigh in at around £70. An alternator will cost around £170 and for a starter motor you'll be looking at £180.
On the Road
The crossover status assigned to the Sorento by Kia suggests a greater emphasis on road-going ability and that's how things pan out. The car uses the same MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension as the old model but it's 10mm lower and the one-piece bodyshell of this MK2 model produces a centre of gravity that's 54mm closer to terra firma. Engineers have worked to produce a more direct steering set-up with fewer turns lock to lock which should also help on the tarmac, but Kia still claims that a decent level of off-road ability has been retained.
If you plan on putting the Sorento to the test in the rough, you'll be wanting a 4x4 version. There are both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions offered but for off-road driving, towing or coping with slippery on-road conditions, the 4x4 will be the way to go. There are two four-cylinder diesel engine options, an entry-level 2.0-litre unit developing 147bhp and 282lb ft of torque (2WD only) and, for the rest of the range, a 2.2 with 194bhp and 311lb ft.
The Sorento lacks the low range gearbox that would mark it out as a serious off road tool. In the 4x4 models, 100 per cent of torque is directed to the front wheels under normal driving conditions with drive directed rearwards as slippage is detected by the computer. There is, however, a Lock Mode which will split power equally between the front and rear axles to help in slippery conditions at speeds of up to 40km/h. The vehicle also comes with DBC, Kia's version of hill descent control, which controls speed on steep descents and HAC hill start assist which prevents the Sorento rolling back when pulling away up hill.
Overall
When the second generation Kia Sorento arrived in 2010, it improved the line in so many ways. It was bigger, it drove far better on road, it was better looking, the quality seemed stacks better and it was a good deal more fuel efficient. There were some qualms about the fact that it no longer seemed quite such a sturdy utility vehicle, but put the old and the new car through a tough off-road section and there wouldn't be a lot in it. You'd just have blingier alloy wheels to worry about on the newer car. As a used buy it's about as good as it gets. We'd be looking for a low mileage KX-2 and be willing to negotiate hard. You'll come away never again bemoaning that £15,000 doesn't buy you much car.
