Kia Sorento Review Australia | Features, Specification, Price

• Car Reviews,
• Aug 09, 2021

 

 

Kia Sorento is a car that is made not only family-friendly but also a smooth cruiser. This is one big 7-seater SUV that comes in eye-catching style and brilliant finesse, making it a premium option to drive. It is an enjoyable car to drive with enough features for maximum comfort. The availability of petrol and diesel engines sounds fantastic as they are made responsive and potent. The real highlight is its “auto-braking” that ensures safety, too. Well, if you prefer price over quality, you would find its V6 petrol engine pretty fuel-thirsty.

 

With a more refined and powerful motor, it feels premium inside. A suite of active safety features takes Kia Sorento to the top of the list. The ride is kept engaging and thrilling regardless of the driving mode and trim. Manufactured to deliver decent handling, it gives what you will be expected for its price tag.

 

Engine:

The Kia Sorento with FWD and AWD moves with confidence giving an inspiring road performance. Depending on your choice, you can choose any. Well, its motor setup differs. All FWD Sorentos are equipped with the only petrol engine. Whereas all AWD Sorentos come equipped with a turbocharged diesel engine. In comparison, you would find the diesel engine more energetic and exhilarating. The installation of an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is equally responsive and lively.

 

No matter what trim you choose, you would be amazed at its composure and confidence on the road (city tracks and highways). It won’t even give the jumpy lag at slower accelerations. Its suspension is made to help you tackle even the deepest of the bumps and trickiest of the turns with ease. It bends around the corners smoothly. No more exaggerated body roll!

 

If we talk about the choice, you will find AWD diesel Kia Sorento a more desirable option. Where diesel engine adds up to the smoothness, it also maintains the touch of power. It maneuvers effortlessly, even at low speeds. With powerful traction on slick roads, it ensures a peaceful ride. As far as the gearshift is concerned, all petrol trims have 8-speed conventional automatic transmission. The diesel engines have an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic.

 

The best feature about the mechanics of 2021 is the hybrid and plug-in hybrids powertrains. And, yes, plug-in hybrid is made most fuel economical.  As a standard, you will get a 2.5L inline-4-cyl engine offering maximum power of 191-hp. There is an option of turbocharged 2.5L 4-cyl engine made to produce 281-hp. You can see a clear difference! Both are mated with 8-speed automatic transmission, but the hybrid model has an incredible superb 6-speed automatic. The company has made efforts to keep Sorento eco-friendly. That is why a hybrid turbo 1.6L 4-cyl gas engine is combined with a 44-kW electric motor. In terms of fuel consumption, a turbocharged 2.5L 4-Inline engine is cheaper, giving the value of 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.

 

If you are into luxury and money doesn’t matter, buy yourself a Kia Sorento GT-line. It also has two drive modes comfort and sport. Comfort stays on light foot, but the Sport grabs and takes the gear up or down drastically. To maximize the quality of drive, electric power steering is an excellent addition. It offers an ultimate direct response. Selecting Sport mode will add additional weight to make its cornering more precise. You will definitely admire the graceful oomph its motor delivers.

 

Designs:

Once you are seated behind the wheel, all you will experience is a good, premium feel. All thanks to its quality materials used in making the robust chassis and comfortable cabin inside. And, yes, Kia Sorento is made in cool styling. It is made spacious SUV with up marketed appearance. This intelligently designed car is a perfect blend of ease and style, practicality and comfort, feasibility. In the cabin, you will come across plenty of convenient equipment.

 

Whenever you see it on the road, you would not be able to stop yourself from admiring the crispy style, engaging controls, well-presented infotainment with high resolution, and cool graphics. The space and comfort are excellent even in the 2nd row, offering more legroom and knee room. Coming to the ventilation, it’s gotten hard to find any fault.

 

If you have driven the previous models, you already know how Kia has transformed the 2021 Sorento from minivan-Esque to brawny mid-size crossover. Coming in a squarer layout and more forceful exterior details, it differs from the older variants. The cabin design seems like a significant improvement. Slick and easy-to-access digital interfaces and louder styling throughout.

 

What features do all Sorentos have?

✓ A colorful infotainment touchscreen

✓ Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility

✓ Sliding and reclining 2nd-row seats

✓ AUX and USB inlets

✓ Bluetooth connectivity for phone calls and audio streaming

✓ An MP3-compatible sound system

✓ Digital radio (DAB+)

✓ AM/FM

✓ Digital gauges

✓ Rain-sensing windscreen wipers

✓ Lighter and robust aluminum alloy wheels

✓ Auto-folding door mirrors

✓ Full LED lighting (headlights, DRLs)

✓ Front and rear fog-lights

 

Sorento S specifications:

This is the least expensive variant of Kia Sorento that comes with soft felt and smooth cloth upholstery. Don’t worry about the quality. It is amazing! Equipped with an 8.0-inch touchscreen, it shows all information clearly. For ease of drivability, the seats are made adjustable but manually. Similarly, the AC is controlled manually. It lacks upper-cabin air vents/booster fan controls in the 3rd row but has a 12-volt outlet, cupholders, and a light. If you have a child, you would love to have its rearward-facing child seats.

 

The addition of 17-inch wheels makes Kia Sorento look robust. The automatic headlights are placed nicely to maintain the sharp yet subtle look. The absence of push-button start or keyless entry is the biggest drawback. The steering wheel comes in a nice finish. No matter how much you say, the fact is IT IS BASIC. No luxury! One cannot really knock the comfort or ergonomics.

 

Sorento Sport and Sport+ specifications:

It is a one-step higher variant that has made significant improvements and upgraded the interior as well as exterior. You would find its touchscreen size upgraded to 10.25 inches. Absolutely lavish to use! The alloy wheels are made to 19 inches. It has intelligent satellite navigation with all the desired traffic information and maps. The major extra is its dual-zone climate control that takes care of your comfort.

 

The addition of the auto-dimming rear-view mirror is not the only appealing feature. The shift of manual seat adjustment to the 10-way powered drivers' seat setting is marvelous.

 

Paying more again for Sport+ gives you:

✓ Leather-trimmed heated seats

✓ Heated steering wheel and door mirrors

✓ Smart keyless entry

✓ Push-button

✓ Remote-engine start

✓ Powered tailgate

✓ Privacy glass

✓ 2nd & 3rd row USB inputs

 

Sorento GT-Line specifications:

The range-topping GT-Line is to die for. Equipped with a plethora of wonderful specs, it will make your everyday driving easier. First of all, the 12.3-inch high-resolution digital instrument cluster – AMAZING! You can enjoy it as well as use it for getting updated maps and information. Another striking addition is the in-car intercom. The 14-way Electric driver’s seat coupled with a 10-way power-adjusted front passenger seat makes your driving position easy and increases visibility. All around is excellent, and the wing mirrors are suitably large for good rearward vision alongside the car. The new-look is given to Sorento Kia with 20-inch alloy wheels that are definitely not boring. It appears classy with a little bit of edginess. The vertically placed stylish rear lights and vents really tie this cruiser to the road visually.

 

Sorento GT-Line gives you:

✓ Dual-projection LED headlamps

✓ Panoramic sunroof

✓ Quilted Nappa leather-wrapped cabin

✓ Heated front and rear seats

✓ Wireless fast phone charging

✓ Manual steering wheel adjustment

✓ Alloy sports pedals

✓ BOSE premium audio setup

 

Safety features:

✓ Anti-lock brakes

✓ Stability control

✓ 8 airbags

✓ A reversing camera

✓ Seatbelts with seatbelt warnings

✓ Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)

✓ Detect and brake for pedestrians and cyclists

✓ Junction Detection

✓ Lane-keeping assistance

✓ Driver attention alert

✓ Front- and rear- cross-traffic alert

✓ Intelligent speed limit assistance

✓ Intelligent adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go function

✓ Traffic sign recognition

✓ Blindspot monitor (GT-line)

 

Cons:

✓ No airbags for 3rd-row passengers

✓ non-turbocharged engines feel comparatively weak

✓ Irritating lane-departure warning 

✓ Off-road driving skill is exaggerated

✓ The Cargo space is limited when seats are up

✓ Thirsty V6 engine

✓ Lacking certain features found in the Telluride

✓ Cramped 3rd row 

 

Final verdict:

The Kia Sorento 2020 and Kia Sorento 2020 are made sportier with powerful engine options. The economic aspect of Hybrid is impressive. Along with safety features, the cabin is made accommodating and stylish. You would love its drivetrain performance. You will be provided with satisfactory functional and practical interior storage with a punch of sportiness. Giving a good ride quality ensures full engagement.

 

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