Kia Sorento – The perfect all-rounder for larger families gets a welcome upgrade

What is it and How much?

The latest Kia Sorento is a practical, stylish, and tech-packed family SUV that can handle the school run, a weekend trip to the Lake District, some semi-serious off-roading and virtually everything else in between.

It’s been around in this 4th generation guise since 2020 but 2024 saw some major updates with refreshed exterior and interior designs as well as expanded specs on all models. The Sorento sits above the Ceed family, Niro, and Sportage in the brand’s line-up, slotting just beneath the flagship all-electric EV9 at the top of the brand’s UK line-up.

The Sorento is not merely pretending to be capable either. All models come equipped with 7 seats, a DCT automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive – so you can drop off most of the footy team at the boggy, rain-soaked ground and still have full confidence in getting home again.

It’s available with a choice of hybrid, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or diesel powertrains with CO2 emissions as low as 37 g/km.

The base model comes with a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired with a mild-hybrid system which provides 212 bhp and 263Nm of torque which should be perfectly adequate for daily driving. It’s not going to thrill but it’s peppy enough for tackling the hilly roads of the Peak District.

If you want max torque, then the 2.2-litre diesel engine provides 191horsepower and 441Nm – plenty of punch for overtaking slower traffic or towing a caravan.

For the eco-conscious there’s also a plug-in hybrid option. It combines a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor for a total of 248 bhp and offers around 34 miles of all-electric range. That’s perfect for short commutes or running errands around town without using a drop of fuel.

Kia keep their trim-levels simple, and the Sorento is no exception with just the 3 to choose from – ‘2’, ‘3’ and (you guessed it) ‘4’. I have no idea what happened to ‘1’ though . . .

Prices start from £41,995 for a Sorento ‘1’ 2.2 Diesel and rise to £55,995 for the Sorento ‘4’ 1.6 turbo petrol Plug-in Hybrid. I suspect the middle ground with prove to be the most popular with the full, self-charging Hybrid ‘3’ coming in at £47,195.

The ‘3’ boasts larger, 19in alloys (17in on the lower spec models) as well as a 12-speaker Bose sound system, fancier LED headlights (low beam assist), black leather upholstery, heated rear seats, electric seat adjustment, ambient lighting and a 12.3-inch Driver Display instead of the 4.2-inch model of the ‘2’

There’s also a raft of active safety and driving systems included as standard on ‘3’ models, including front, side and rear parking sensors, Safe Exit Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance, Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance, Blind-Spot View Monitor and a 360-degree Surround View Monitor.

Miura or Minger?

The Sorento has always been a large, family-friendly SUV for those who want more space than the Kia Sportage offers, as well as the extra off-road ability and more premium feel.

The design refresh gives the Sorento a brutish look but without the squared-off geometry of its EV sibling, the EV9 – which I think looks terrific. The Sorento isn’t as striking but it’s still pleasing to look at.

It may not appear to be futuristic but still manages to look ultra-modern. And with SUVs being the norm these days, the Sorento is till instantly recognizable. It’s not as boxy as a Land Rover Discovery Sport, but it’s not as soft as, say, a Nissan Qashqai. It strikes a nice balance between rugged and refined, making it equally at home in the city or on a muddy country lane.

How Does It Drive?

The Kia Sorento is a pleasure to drive in all circumstances. The suspension is just about on the right side of “firm” which means on motorways and A-roads it feels very well planted and smooths out any imperfections easily.

It also means it corners quite well for such a large, heavy beast. You obviously won’t be driving it like a sportscar but you may be pleasantly surprised by just how well you can take on a twisty B-road.

The pay-off is that you will feel larger road imperfections through the chassis. A dull thud is about as bad as it gets though and overall, I can’t image anyone having a problem with the ride dynamics of this large SUV.

The driving position is good and with plenty of electrical adjustment for both seat and steering wheel, you won’t have a problem getting comfortable. On my Sorento ‘4’ PHEV, I also had massaging seats – which sounds a bit extreme but is very welcome when it kicks in automatically after 30 minutes of driving.

Visibility is very good. The A-pillars are a little on the thick side so you may need to bob your head forward at junctions, but it’s no biggie. The rear-view mirror can be switched to wide-angle camera mode so having a full load in the rear won’t impede your view.

The head-up display is clear and sharp as are the graphics and fonts in the main digital display.

The Drive/Terrain rotary dial in the centre console is easy to use with choices of ‘Eco’, ‘Sport’ and the lazy-man’s ‘Smart’ modes to choose from. The 4×4 Terrain options are ‘Snow’, ‘Mud’ and ‘Sand’ which are all pretty self-explanatory.

You’ll discover the flappy-paddles behind the steering wheel allow you to change gears when ‘Sport’ mode is selected and you’ll give them a try once and then forget about this feature and just go back to using them to adjust the regen braking. The Sorento isn’t a sporty vehicle, so who cares?

I thought city driving and parking may present a challenge but thanks to the Sorento’s 360-degree camera system, self-parking system and general “easy to see corners” it was a doddle. You even have the ability to be stood outside of the car and move it in and out of parking bays by using just the key. Cool the first time but actually less useful than you might think . . .

The Sorento is very quiet at motorway speeds and I suppose this is where the vehicle excels. Just like most other large vehicles with automatic gearboxes, it cruises along nicely, holds its line well and doesn’t need constant inputs through the steering wheel.

The push of a button on the wheel provides automatic steering, which is an aide rather than a replacement, while the adaptive cruise is intelligent enough to not have you rocking back and forth in your seat every time someone changes lane in front of you.

Of course, the all-wheel-drive system provides some extra stability and confidence but most of the time your unaware of it – The Sorento feels grippy and well-balanced anyway. However, throw it around corners at silly speeds and physics will remind you of some of its laws.

The braking and steering characteristics are fine with no surprises and exactly what you need. No fuzzy, regen-braking shenanigans here. The Sorento also aced its Euro NCAP crash tests, earning a five-star rating. So, whether you’re hauling kids, pets, or just yourself, you can feel confident that you’re in good hands.

Fuel efficiency varies depending on the engine you choose. The mild-hybrid petrol engine gets around 38 mpg combined, while the diesel manages around 42 mpg. Both figures are pretty good for a 7-seat SUV of this size.

The plug-in hybrid figures are the usual fairy-tale with an impressive 176 mpg if you only drive in a laboratory. Realistically, expect figures matching the diesel variant – but you do get those 34 miles of pure EV range to play around with.

What’s the Inside Story?

Step inside, and you’ll notice two things straight away: space and screens. The Sorento’s cabin is roomy, with three rows of seating that can fit seven people – Well, five full persons and a couple of half-persons in the very rear.

The interior upgrade is a huge improvement on the previous model and makes the new Sorento a real-contender for those looking for a well-specced, modern family SUV.

The top-spec ‘4’ trim feels every inch luxury-level, with soft-touch surfaces, Nappa leather upholstery, and tasteful accents. You’ll find some hard plastics lower down but it’s all put together very well. Plus, Kia’s attention to detail is impressive—everything from the knobs to the stitching feels solid and looks classy.

Both front seats are ventilated as well as heated, while the outer seats of the second row are also heated. The multi-function steering wheel is also heated and is satisfyingly chunky in the hands.

The Sorento ‘3’ and ‘4’ both come with 12.3-inch dual-screens, which are made to look like one, sweeping screen, curving slightly in at the far edge to favour the driver.

The infotainment screen is intuitive, responsive, and packed with features like wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and control over a 12-speaker Bose sound system if you opt for the higher trims.

Kia have stuck to the idea of having physical buttons for the climate controls, which I roundly applaude. There is strip of touch-sensitive buttons just below the infotainment screen that is book-ended by a couple of rotary dials. Very easy to use on the move and much less distracting than some other systems.

Cleverly, this bank of buttons can be switched from climate to media controls at the touch of a button, so you don’t need to go poking around the screen to bring up the sat nav, skip a track or change volume.

There’s also a handy wireless charging pad as well as USB-C charging ports for both front and rear passengers. The third row also get their own charging ports too, as well as dedicated air-con controls.

One of the Sorento’s biggest selling points is its versatility. With all three rows up, you’ve got about 175 litres of cargo space—enough for a few shopping bags or a couple of backpacks. Fold the third row down, and that jumps to 809 litres. Fold the second row, and you’ve got a whopping 1,988 litres to play with. That’s enough for a trip to IKEA, or even to help with a house move.

Both rows can be folded automatically, but you’ll need muscle power to lift them again. Which is a pity.

That second row of seats provides plenty of space for 2 adults and enough space for 3. Head and leg room isn’t a problem even for 6-footers. The 2nd row seats can also be reclined slightly as well as slid back and forth a few inches to provide even more room, if needed. Window blinds are also provided for the 2nd row passengers if they fancy a bit of nap or the sun is reflecting onto their gaming tablet . . .

I also liked the intercom function that allows the driver to address the rear passengers clearly, through the sound system. “Tarquin, stop puncing your brother!” was never more satisfying than when the little angels think you’re too far away to either see or take action.

To be honest, the third row is only suitable for children. Headroom isn’t too bad but leg room is very limited and adults will find their knees are headed for their chin – unless the middle row passengers are happy to slide their seats as far forward as possible. Entry and exit is also a bit of a faff and only the supplest of us won’t complain. Sure, you can get a couple of adults back there in a pinch. But they won’t want to travel very far.

Conclusion

The latest Kia Sorento may not be the most exciting SUV on the market, but it’s practical, stylish, and packed with features that you’ll pay through the nose for if you went for a German equivalent.

It makes a great argument for itself with that airy cabin and passenger-friendly features that should keep the whole family happy on even the longest of journeys.

That said, it’s not perfect. The third row is a bit cramped, and the Hyundai Santa Fe may impress you more at this price point for it’s more radical look and polished interior. But overall, the Sorento is a sensible choice in the large SUV segment – especially when you take into account Kia’s unbeatable seven-year/100,000-mile warranty.