The third generation 2016 Kia Sorento is one step closer to premium class, which specifically applies to a reviewed version with the 200 horsepower diesel engine, 4WD, automatic transmission and the highest level of equipment.

2016 Kia Sorento Highlights

Despite the SUV class belonging, 2016 Kia Sorento puts driving comfort in front of hard off-road abilities, although it can also handle poor road surface with ease. Terrain appetite is calmed down by less favorable approaching angle (16.9 degrees) and ground clearance of 185 millimeters, which is in the best case suitable for “semi-terrain”. With a total weight of over 1,900 kilograms Sorento is among the road giants, with each generation acquires ten centimeters, and now measures almost five meters in length.

Powerful diesel engine with massive torque can tow trailers up to a maximum weight of 2,500 kilograms.

For the complete comfort of four passenger front seats are heated and cooled, rear seats are heated, longitudinally adjustable together with adjustable backrest angle, rear seat passengers are able to control separate heating and ventilation.

Behind the five seats in 2016 Kia Sorentu there is a 605 liters of luggage volume, which in the case of the folded rear seats increases to more than 1,600 liters.

Is 55 thousand euro price tag too much? What about 200 hp, 4WD, automatic transmission, a long list of equipment, with only metallic paint for an extra charge, and finally seven-year warranty?

What Sorento promises, Sorento gives

At first sight Sorento radiates power, together with a comfortable, fully equipped interior of elegant appearance. We can notice the premium touch when the driver is greeted by the lights in the door handles, when the trunk opens automatically after approaching with your hands full of shopping bags.

The seats and door panels are upholstered in two colors with black leather borders and gray perforated surfaces of the seat and arm rests. The instrument panel is softly padded, leather door trim is further improved with piano black.

There is no winter in Sorento

When fighting with winter temperatures, 2016 Kia Sorento has many weapons. It has heated windshield, steering wheel and all seats. We appreciate the ergonomic setup and the size of the switches, which has proven more suitable than “tapping” screens in some of the premium SUVs.

An extensive longitudinal movement of the front seats is great for the bigger drivers and on the other hand, the seat for the smaller passenger can be set much higher than normal.

To make it easier to “survive” hot summer days the front seats are cooled. Rear seat passengers can also adjust the backrest angle, which comes in handy especially on longer trips.

Likeable practical solutions

The possibility of extending the two sunshades in the direction of the interior mirror is really simple, but used only by few vehicle equipment suppliers. Sorrento is an exception. We like the compass on the main screen, which shows the exact direction of travel and is not limited only with N, S, E, W and four intermediate stages.

Also the trunk (though without longitudinal rails, which would make it more premium) is worthy of compliments. Under the base plate are hidden spaces for storing larger things, specialty is the option to install the console with roller shutter for covering cargo space when not in use. And finally, despite diferential, Kia engineers were able to find the space for a spare wheel under the vehicle.

2016 Kia Sorento would be even more premium if…

… if an automatic gearbox would have one or two more gears, if an automatic parking system could master more than only parallel parking, if the steering wheel would be electrically adjustable and if the cruise control could show selected speeds and would learn how to brake when driving downhill.

It is not sporty, but also not clumsy

In addition to the electric parking brake and auto hold function, this car has a 360-degree camera for monitoring the vehicle surroundings and auto parking, differential lock, the Start & Stop system on/off option and a choice of selecting three driving modes (Eco, Normal, Sport).

2016 Kia Sorento has almost too many driving assist systems, therefore some of the switches are moved to the left side of the steering wheel (for example the blind spot system, lane assist and traction control system).

Already in second generation Sorento came closer to the ground and also with a test vehicle of the third generation, we more or less avoided rough terrain driving. Long front overhang together with a 185 mm ground clearance provides a 17-degree entry angle. This requires the driver to take special care in selecting the driving surface. It has the option of locking the differential, which is more likely to come in very handy in dealing with, for example, a pile of snow.

Automatic gearbox fits its purpose

Strong 200 horsepower motor would earn faster gearbox in a vehicle with sporting ambitions, but for Sorento it is entirely appropriate. Selecting the Sport driving mode revives the ride, even more if you change gears manually. But we must be aware that the 2016 Kia Sorento is a smooth vehicle with a weight of nearly two tons, which matches best with a smooth driver.

And yes, we have to commend what we usually criticize: in Sorento you don’t have to press the brake pedal before shifting from N to D and vice versa.

Eco helps, but do not expect miracles

When turning the drive mode switch on Sport, automatic gearbox immediately switches gears for at least one down during acceleration, changes at higher engine revs and shows its horses. When selecting manual gear shift in the Eco mode, gear shift indicator displays at 1,750 rpm, otherwise automatic transmission changes even sooner. Nevertheless, the “200-horsepower” Sorento is hard to drive with a reasonably low fuel consumption in mind.

At a steady speed of 90 kilometers per hour consumption amounts to six liters (1,600 rpm in fourth gear) at 130 on the highway as much as nine liters. According to the 2,300 rpm at this speed, we believe that it would not harm to have an overdrive “saving” gear. The average fuel consumption stands at 9.5 liters per hundred kilometers, which is even more than in the second-generation Sorento.

How is that possible? Well, the new generation 2016 Kia Sorento is now bigger, longer and heavier than its predecessor, and if we take into the account the automatic transmission, which adds up another liter per 100 km, then the result is somehow expected.

2016 Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDi 4WD tehnical specification

Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDi 4WD Automatic

Vehicle Class

SUV, 5 doors, 5 seats

Engine

diesel, liquid cooled, 4-cylinder, supercharged, 16V; capacity: 2199 cm3; maximum power: 200 hp at 3800 rpm; maximum torque: 436 Nm at 1800-2500 rpm
Power Transmission
four-wheel drive with the possibility of central lock; 6-speed automatic transmission; tires: 235/55 R19

Dimensions, weight

Length: 4780 mm, Width: 1890 mm, Height: 1,685 mm, Wheelbase: 2780 mm, Turning circle: 11.08 m; Ground clearance: 185 mm; entry angle: 16.9 degrees, departure angle: 21 degrees; curb weight: 1918 kg, the maximum permissible weight: 2510 kg; the maximum permissible weight of the trailer: 750 kg, the maximum permissible weight of the trailer with brakes: 2500 kg; Luggage compartment capacity: 605 – 1662 l

Performance and consumption

Maximum speed: 200 km/h; Acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h: 9.6 s; Fuel consumption: urban driving: 7.7 liters/100 km, on the open road: 6.1 l/100 km, combined: 6,7 l / 100 km; Average autonomy: 1059 km; fuel tank capacity: 71 liters; emissions: 177 g CO2 / km; Euro 6

Safety

Front and side airbags, curtain airbags; 2x Isofix; VSM system to maintain directional stability, ESP, TCS, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist; tire pressure monitoring; NCAP rating: 5 stars

Equipment

19-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, panoramic electric sliding roof with sunshade, bi-xenon headlights, automatic lights, daytime LED lights, LED rear lights hook at the approach to the vehicle, fog lights, additional lights to illuminate the corners, extra tinted rear glass, alarm with coded starting the engine, the smart key unlock, automatic and remote opening of the tailgate with electric closing, electrically operated, heated foldable mirrors with LED turn indicators, engine start button, adjustable multifunction leather steering wheel, leather gear lever, electric parking brake, sport aluminum pedals, automatic setting of the chassis, the choice of driving modes Eco, Normal and Sport, auto hold function, Start-Stop function, gear shift indicator in the manual selection, supervision sport gauges with 7-inch color display, trip computer, auto parking system, 360 degree camera for control of the surrounding vehicles, cruise control with speed limiter, rain sensor, speed limit from traffic signs recognition, navigation with 8-inch touch screen, radio CD MP3 with six speakers, USB AUX front and second row, Bluetooth, automatic Dual-zone air conditioning, separate heating and ventilation in the front row, front and rear windscreen heating, sun visor with illuminated mirrors with the possibility of extension to the rear-view mirror, electric security opening windows, sun visor in a glass sliding door, leather seat upholstery, door panels and instrument panel, front seats heated and cooled, electrically adjustable, drivers in the lumbar region, second row seats longitudinally movable with adjustable backrest angle, armrest and the middle backrest with bottle storage, refrigerated drawer with a lock on the front passenger side, armrest with storage compartment between the front seats, tray for glasses in the roof, 4 slots for bottles in the door, two storages for a drink under the roller shutter between the front seats, space for phone in front of shifting arm, 12-volt power outlet front 2x, 1x in the second row, two options for installation bracket with roller shutter in the trunk, a double bottom is covered by two plates, larger troughs for storing luggage in the double bottom tray for tools, jack, optional equipment and installation of roller blinds (when not in use), the spare wheel under the vehicle

Warranty

7-year general warranty or 150,000 km

Price

55,000 euros
*please note that price and equipment may differ between different countries and continents

2016 Kia Sorento competitors

1. Ford Edge
2. Honda Pilot
3. Hyundai Santa Fe
4. Jeep Grand Cherokee
5. Renault Koleos
6. Nissan Pathfinder
7. Toyota Highlander
8. Volvo XC90

Image credit: Kia