Kia shocked many when it unveiled the new-generation Sorento last yr and during our first drive of the SUV in the U.S., we had been left very impressed. Fast forward to the middle of 2021 and we’ve now had the prospect to spend per week with the 2021 Sorento, albeit this time in Australia.

Throughout the U.S., we examined the flagship Sorento XE Standing X-Line, outfitted with physique cladding to current it a further rugged look. The Sorento range is slightly bit utterly totally different in Australia the place we examined it in GT-Line Diesel sort, which is roughly the equal of the XE Standing nevertheless with out the ‘X-Line’ bundle. It is at current priced at AU$67,290 (US$50,587).

Conservative Kia is not any further

It isn’t attainable to talk regarding the new Sorento with out discussing its design. Prolonged gone are the occasions when Kia fashions had conservative days and in its place, the South Korean automotive producer churns out autos that look daring, every out and in. The very very first thing that strikes you with the model new Sorento is the doorway end, fitted as commonplace with a blacked-out tiger-nose grille, aggressive headlights, and shiny LED daytime working lights.

Whereas the sooner period had a flowing design and curvaceous traces, the model new Sorento is dominated by straight traces and sharp angles, truly making it stand out. That’s notably apparent on the rear the place there are vertical taillights, a roof spoiler, and a creased tailgate. As a method of setting up a press launch, that’s truly one resolution to do it.

A diesel that ticks the entire bins

In Australia, the 2021 Sorento might be purchased with each a 3.5-liter petrol V6 producing 268 hp (200 kW) and 245 lb-ft (332 Nm) of torque or a 2.2-liter CRDI turbodiesel with 198 hp (148 kW) at 3,800 rpm and 325 lb-ft (440 Nm) between 1,750 and a pair of,750 rpm. The latter is by far essentially the most well-liked selection Down Beneath. All diesel fashions come utterly with an eight-speed moist dual-clutch transmission driving all 4 wheels whereas the petrol fashions have an eight-speed computerized.

The very very first thing we have got to applaud Kia for is just how properly it has completed at holding this engine quiet. Whereas the basic 2.2-liter CRDI has been spherical for quite a few years, the automaker has progressively improved it to the aim the place it is now very refined and for most likely essentially the most half, doesn’t actually really feel or sound like a diesel. Optimistic, must you open up the hood with the engine working, there’s no doubting that it is a diesel nevertheless from behind the wheel, it’s far a lot much less obvious.

Fairly just a few modifications have been made to this engine for the 2021 Sorento. As an illustration, the block is now made out of alloy fairly than cast iron, saving 19.5 kg (43 lbs) of weight. Gasoline injector pressure has moreover been boosted and when coupled to the model new eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox, it truly feels slightly bit peppier than older Hyundai and Kia fashions with the an identical engine.

Moreover it is vitally atmosphere pleasant, with Kia quoting a claimed 6.1l/100 km (38.5 U.S. MPG) on the combined cycle. On a road journey all through a moist Saturday and alongside a mix of highways and open nation roads, we averaged 7.0l/100 km (33.6 U.S. MPG). That decide lastly rose to eight.2l/100 km (28.6 U.S. MPG) when combined with some metropolis, inner-city driving.

A comfortable and composed journey

We’re glad {{that a}} rising number of Kia and Hyundai fashions are using the model new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission as it is a marked enchancment over the earlier eight-speed torque converter. It’s not top-of-the-line dual-clutch within the market and does have some hesitancy at low speeds nevertheless when you’re up and working, it provides simple and fast shifts.

Underpinning the latest-generation Kia Sorento is the updated N3 platform and it gives a premium actually really feel that the earlier model merely couldn’t match. The journey is sweet as a result of it soaks up imperfections throughout the road very properly and when you want to drive in a barely sportier methodology, the Sorento GT-Line is joyful to oblige.

The new Sorento could very nicely be thought-about as a ‘tender off-roader’ and comes with some choices that mirror this, akin to Snow, Mud, and Sand modes, along with Hill Descent Administration. With this in ideas, we did take slightly bit detour away from certainly one of many foremost highways near Perth and headed by a simple off-road path throughout the Dwellingup State Forest. The trail was comparatively flat nevertheless did attribute quite a few water crossings that the Korean SUV handed by with ease.

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As I drove further into the forest, a brutal rain bathe hit, turning components of the gravel-lined path into mud inside just a few minutes. To not concern. I merely enabled the Mud mode and the Sorento breezed by, even if its Continental PremiumContact6 tires aren’t truly oriented to off-road driving.

A premium actually really feel

The within will be an unlimited enchancment over the earlier model. Just like the floor, it is dominated by straight traces, squares, and placing angles. Everyone knows some those who need the additional European-style inside the current Hyundai Santa Fe nevertheless we predict the cabin of the Sorento matches the SUV very properly.

Located straight in entrance of the steering wheel is a 12.0-inch digital gauge cluster with two distinguished gauges that generally present tempo and revs. Flick in your indicator, nonetheless, and the gauges will present a keep image of your blind spot. It’s a attribute found on totally different Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis fashions and it not at all will get earlier.

Elsewhere, the Sorento GT-Line comes commonplace with heated and ventilated entrance seats and heated outboard second-row seats. The driving place is nice and there’s a great deal of room in every the second- and third-row. One considerably good inclusion is the massive sunroof that stretches over the doorway two rows.

Many components found throughout the cabin are made out of aluminum, along with the knurled shifter and Drive Mode selector. These touches help in order so as to add a premium actually really feel to the SUV, as does the 64-color ambient lighting system that comes commonplace on the GT-Line.

Together with having enjoyable with a formidable amount of space, these sitting throughout the second- and third-row seats have entry to USB ports and air vents. The third-row moreover contains a knob to manage the fan tempo.

One considerably neat attribute of the 2021 Sorento GT-Line is the Distant Good Parking Assist. The system is operated by the essential factor fob and means which you can start the engine remotely sooner than pressing buttons to each switch the automotive forward or once more out of a great parking space or storage. Whereas we suspect most Sorento owners will not ever or not usually use the attribute, it is helpful and in the middle of the multitude of events we used it, it labored flawlessly.

Aggressive pricing for a aggressive SUV

As talked about, the Sorento GT-Line Diesel that we examined is at current accessible for AU$67,290 (US$50,587) along with on-road costs. Within the meantime, the entry-level S Petrol with the eight-speed auto begins at AU$49,290 (US$37,055) with prices rising to AU$52,290 (US$39,310) for the S Diesel DCT, AU$52,290 (US$39,310) for the Sport Petrol Computerized, AU$55,290 (US$41,565) for the Sport Diesel DCT, AU$56,690 (US$42,698) and AU$59,690 (US$44,873) for the Sport Plus Petrol Computerized and Sport Plus Diesel DCT respectively, and climbing to AU$64,290 (US$48,331) for the GT-Line Petrol Computerized.

Whereas some might initially be delay by the idea of spending just about AU$70,000 (US$52,624) on an SUV from Kia, we found the Sorento GT-Line Diesel to actually really feel every little little bit of its starting worth. It drives properly, seems to be like good, has a cosy inside, and is loaded with all the safety and luxury choices you could ever need.

Image credit score: Brad Anderson/CarScoops