When the original Kia Sorento was launched in 2003, it was ideal for anybody wanting a reliable SUV who put value and reliability ahead of hi-tech kit and a posh badge. It was a bit rough around the edges, and slightly awkwardly styled, but this off-roader attracted an enthusiastic following. By the time the second-generation Sorento arrived in 2010, Kia鈥檚 stature had grown markedly; it still wasn鈥檛 on par with Volkswagen or Land Rover, but the brand had proven it could build desirable cars. Designed more for road use, the Mk2 Sorento was a smart buy, especially for those keen to tow. Now that the SUV has been superseded, nothing has changed. The second-generation Sorento arrived at the start of 2010. Buyers could choose between 2.4-litre petrol and 194bhp 2.2-litre diesel engines, the latter coming with either a manual or auto gearbox and front or four-wheel drive. Trim choices comprised 1, KX-1, KX-2 and KX-3, with the KX prefix denoting the fitment of four-wheel drive. By spring 2011 there was a 147bhp 2.0 CRDi engine option with front-wheel drive. In August 2012 a revised Sorento arrived with four-wheel drive only.
More efficient engines, tweaked suspension, improved refinement, extra standard equipment and refreshed exterior styling featured. A range-topping KX-4 version was also added, bringing Park Assist, electrically adjustable front seats and 19-inch wheels. Which one should I buy? Kia has a tendency to keep things simple with its model ranges, and slow sales for the cheaper variants meant the line-up was quickly simplified even further. Entry-level Sorentos had alloy wheels (including a full-size spare), electrically adjustable heated door mirrors, air-con and a six-speaker hi-fi. KX-2 spec adds privacy glass, leather, Bluetooth, dual-zone climate control, folding door mirrors and cruise control, while the KX-3 features xenon headlights and a panoramic sunroof. Budget seven-seater road-biased SUVs aren鈥檛 all that common. If seven seats are key, you can consider the more agricultural Mitsubishi Shogun or Toyota Land Cruiser, while the pricier Land Rover Discovery is the most accomplished all-rounder, but doesn鈥檛 have the reliability of the Kia.
The VW Touareg is excellent with its six-cylinder diesel engine, especially if you鈥檙e towing, but can be costly to buy and run. You could also consider the Hyundai Santa Fe, which is related to the Kia and shares many of its attributes, including a very good reliability record, affordable purchase prices and relatively low running costs thanks to its sheer dependability. The spare wheel sits underneath the car, but it鈥檚 easily stolen, so ensure it鈥檚 there before buying. Anti-theft devices are available. Check the leading edge of the roof, which can suffer from corrosion - especially if a replacement windscreen has been fitted. Uneven tyre wear isn鈥檛 unusual with the Sorento, although many owners still find they can get around 30,000 miles from the original set of rubber. The third row of seats is fine for children and small adults, but it鈥檚 not much use for six-footers on long journeys. Fit and finish is good, but this Kia doesn鈥檛 have a premium feel.
2-seater, with the third row for children. You get a 60:40-split rear seat and adjustable height driver鈥檚 seat. Boot space stands at just 111 litres with all the seats in place, or 1,546 litres with row three folded. All facelifted (post-2012) Sorentos need to be serviced every 12 months or 20,000 miles, but earlier petrol cars cut this to every 10,000 miles; on diesels it鈥檚 12,500 miles. Checks alternate between minor and major, which are generally priced at around 拢259 and 拢319 respectively, but sometimes the bill will be higher if there鈥檚 something extra to replace. For example, the coolant needs to be renewed every five years or 62,500 miles and the brake fluid has to be replaced every other year, but the cost of doing this is built into the price of the service. All Sorento engines are chain-driven, so you don鈥檛 need to worry about replacing any cambelts.
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