Automotif Engine, Kia Sorento Specifications 2015

Kia Sorento Specifications 2015

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Kia Sorento Platinum 2.2 L Diesel

The best Kia on sale just got better.

Kia's Sorento is something of a favourite in the Drive office, remaining unbeaten against highly regarded competition to be crowned Best SUV over $40,000 category in the Drive Car of the Year awards three times since 2012.

The big SUV's value packed appeal is easy to understand, with seating for seven, strong engines and a solid safety package combining to create a car that has plenty of on-paper appeal.

But that hasn't resonated as well with buyers, who have flocked to alternatives such as the Ford Territory, Hyundai Santa Fe, Toyota Kluger and Jeep Grand Cherokee that prove far more popular than the South Korean upstart.

That's something Kia has sought to change with the new model. While the basic ingredients are the same, Kia has pushed hard to make the new model a more attractive proposition in the showroom.

The SUV is sleeker than before, with a longer, more car-like silhouette confirmed by a 45 millimetre reduction in height that accompanies an extra 5mm of width and 95mm in length.

New "streetwolf" styling is sharper yet unmistakably Kia thanks to bold detailing and the butch "tiger nose" front end wrought by design doyen Peter Schreyer.

Most of that increase in length comes from an 80 millimetre wheelbase extension intended to bring increased legroom to a cabin with more soft touch materials and increased use of leather in the two model grades that feature it.

The cabin benefits from a new wrap around dash extending into door trims that form part of a strategy to reduce noise, vibration and harshness with extra sound deadening material behind the scenes and new under-bonnet cladding for the optional diesel engine.

It's no surprise, then, that this new model is more expensive than its predecessor, which is currently in run-out for $37,990 drive-away, but has been available for a few months from $39,990 drive-away with $3400 in free extras.

Priced from $40,990 plus on-road costs in Si petrol trim, the new Sorento brings standard features such as satellite navigation, a reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors and a five-star crash safety rating anchored by six airbags with curtain coverage for all three passenger rows.

The entry-level Sorento features a 4.2 inch information screen in the instrument cluster along with a 7-inch central infotainment screen with radio, Bluetooth and USB input for its six-speaker stereo.

Alloy wheels are standard across the range, coming in 17-inch form for the Si, 18 inches for the mid-spec SLi and 19 inches for the range topping Platinum model.

Stepping up to the $45,990 SLi brings an impressive instrument cluster with a 7.0-inch colour TFT display that looks as though it belongs in a top-end luxury car along with extras such as leather trim, electric adjustment for the driver's seat and a powered tailgate with proximity keys.

The two higher-grade models also feature a thumping 10-speaker Infinity audio system that includes an external amplifier and subwoofer.

Black cloth trim is standard fare in the entry-level Si, while higher-spec SLi and Platinum models feature black leather. Classy two-tone stone and black leather trim is a no-cost option in the full-fat Platinum.

Available only in diesel form from $55,990 plus on-road costs, the Platinum is the only model to offer lane departure warning, active cruise control, blind spot detection and rear cross traffic alert systems to the standard model's suite of electronic stability control, vehicle stability management and tyre pressure monitoring systems.

The Sorento is available with a choice of petrol or diesel power. A new 3.3-litre petrol V6 is the cheapest of the pair, with Kia's revised 2.2-litre diesel fetching a $3500 premium in Si and SLi trim.

The V6 is a thirsty unit, officially using 9.9L/100km - a touch more than its larger and more powerful 3.5-litre predecessor.

Similarly, refinements to the diesel motor that eked a further 2kW and 5Nm from the four-cylinder unit have seen fuel use rise from 7.5L/100km to 7.8L/100km, a fact that can be attributed to stringent emissions laws and a significantly bigger body that weighs in around 80 kilograms heavier than its predecessor.

A recalibrated six-speed automatic transmission is fitted as standard to both engines, with the Sorento joining the ranks of new cars that no longer offer a manual transmission option.

The diesel's front-biased all-wheel-drive system responds to slippage by transferring torque to the axle with more grip, while drivers keen on heading off-road can lock it into a 50-50 front and rear split for slippery conditions.

While undoubtedly road-biased, the Sorento retains the 185mm ground clearance of its predecessor that will prove handy away from tarmac.

It's a practical beast with seven seats fitted as standard, including a three-way split fold seat boosted by boot-mounted levers that can drop second-row seats at the touch of a button.

Digital devices are kept on the go with three 12-Volt power outlets as well as USB chargers for front and rear occupants.

There are six cup holders and four bottle holders that join plenty of cubby holes tucked throughout the cabin.

Boot storage is up from 515 to 605 litres, an impressive number given that the SUV carries a full-size alloy spare as standard.

As with all new Kia products, the Sorento benefits from a comprehensive ownership package with seven years of unlimited-kilometre warranty, capped price servicing and roadside assistance.

Kia Sorento pricing
Si (petrol) $40,990

Si (diesel) $44,490

SLi (petrol) $45,990

SLi (diesel) $49,490

Platinum (diesel) $55,990

(Plus on-road costs)

Kia Sorento specifications:

Price: From $40,990 to $55,990 plus on-road costs

On sale: June 7, 2015

Engine: 3.3-litre petrol V6 or 2.2-litre 4cyl turbo diesel

Power: 199kW at 6400rpm (V6) or 147kW at 3800rpm (diesel)

Torque: 318Nm at 5300rpm (V6) or 441Nm at 1750-2750rpm (diesel)

Transmission: Six-speed auto, front wheel drive (V6) or all wheel drive (diesel).

Fuel use: 9.9L/100km (V6), 7.8L/100km (diesel)