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Matt Brogan23 Dec 2018
REVIEW

Kia Sorento SLi 2019 Review

Sorento continues to provide solid value in the seven-seat SUV segment
Review Type
Quick Spin

What’s it all about?

The updated seven-seat Kia Sorento SUV joined the local line-up late last year, and despite a modest increase in price, has impressed pundits with its added safety and technology offerings, improved amenity and convenience features, and sharper steering and dynamic abilities.

Model grade changes see the four-variant Sorento range include Si, Sport, SLi and GT-Line, the latter subbing for the long-serving Platinum range-topper. Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) is now standard across the range, joining a new eight-speed automatic transmission and mildly revised styling both inside and out.

How much will it cost?

The Kia Sorento SLi AWD CRDi on test is priced from $50,490 (plus on-road costs), the Aurora Black pearlescent paint on our test example adding $595 to that sum.

Like all Kia passenger vehicles that price includes the South Korean manufacturer’s famed seven-year capped-price servicing, roadside assistance and warranty plan, the 2.2-litre turbo-diesel-powered model reviewed here costing $3319 to maintain over the first seven years or 105,000km. The 3.5-litre V6 petrol will cost $2920 over the same period.

Service intervals are set at 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.

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Why should/shouldn’t I buy it?

Kia’s carry-over 2.2-litre R-Series turbo-diesel (147kW/441Nm) pairs sensibly with the Sorento’s newly installed four-mode, eight-speed automatic transmission. Performance is fuss-free and real-world fuel consumption impressive (see below), the lack of overtaking urge at highway speeds the only real downfall in an otherwise strong performance.

Ride/handling seems to favour the ‘handling’ part of the equation, and though most surfaces seem to be well tamed by the Sorento’s locally tuned chassis, larger potholes and expansion gaps are felt inside the cabin, especially in the rear seats. Tyre rumble on coarse-chip asphalt is evident, but no worse than any other rival, while mechanical and wind noise is well attenuated overall.

If we did have one major bone of contention, however, it was with the Sorento’s adaptive cruise control. Despite being able to stop and start itself in city traffic, the system would occasionally decide to disengage under deceleration, leaving the unsuspecting driver forced to jump on the brakes to avoid contact with the car in front. It’s the first time we’ve noticed such a gremlin in a Kia product.

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Pricing and Features

When is it available in Australia?

As is the case with the rest of the updated third-generation Kia Sorento line-up, the Sorento SLi AWD CRDi is available nationally now.

Refreshed in October 2017, the Sorento range continues to place as one of Australia’s better-selling seven-seat SUVs. As of December 2018 Kia had sold 4138 examples of the Sorento year-to-date, or roughly 3000 units fewer than the Hyundai Santa Fe (7010) and Mazda CX-9 (7475).

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Who will it appeal to?

Family buyers are the obvious demographic for Sorento sales. The familiar 2-3-2 seating layout gives ample space for five adults and two children, the Sorento providing three top-tether and two ISOFIX child-seat anchorages and curtain airbags for the second row of seats (joining front and side airbags in the front row).

The cabin is spacious and easy to use. A new steering wheel and instrument cluster joins an LCD climate control array and increased soft-touch surfaces across Black or Stone leather upholstery at the SLi grade. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth telephony and audio streaming, and digital radio reception is included as part of the larger 8.0-inch infotainment array.

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Up back there’s an unchanged 142 litres of cargo space in seven-seat mode, growing to 605 litres in five-seat mode and 1662 litres with both back rows folded flat. For added versatility the third row of seats is split 50:50 and the second row 40:20:40.

All Sorento variants include a full-size matching 18-inch alloy spare wheel beneath the boot floor and a braked towing capacity of 2000kg.

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Where does it fit?

The Kia Sorento fits into the large, seven-seat SUV market alongside such rivals as the Holden Acadia, Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota Kluger. Unlike those rivals, however, the Sorento is available optionally with an economical turbo-diesel engine with all-wheel drive, bringing it closer in line with the Hyundai Santa Fe in terms of mechanical specification.

As tested, the Sorento SLi is a second-from-the-top model grade sitting below the top-shelf GT-Line AWD (from $58,990) and above the Sport AWD (from $48,490). The diesel-powered entry-grade Sorento Si is available from $45,490, $3000 more than the V6 petrol-powered base model.

More information on the current Kia Sorento range and pricing is available here.

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So, what do we think?

There are far more positive points than negative ones when it comes to the Kia Sorento. It’s a capable handler with equally capable performance, impressive fuel economy and a value for money proposition few in the segment can counter.

It’s also a better-looking SUV than it’s been in the past, and is spacious, safe, and well screwed together.

In fact, the only real downside to our time in the Sorento this week came from the questionable operation of the adaptive cruise control. Yes, it seems to be an isolated glitch but is one we’ll certainly keep an eye on moving forward.

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How much does the 2019 Kia Sorento SLi AWD CRDi cost?
Price: $50,490 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 147kW/441Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.2L/100km (ADR Combined); 8.9L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 190g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP (2017)

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Written byMatt Brogan
See all articles
Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalistsMeet the team
Expert rating
75/100
Engine, Drivetrain & Chassis
16/20
Price, Packaging & Practicality
17/20
Safety & Technology
17/20
Behind The Wheel
14/20
X-Factor
11/20
Pros
  • Decisive eight-speed automatic
  • Spaciousness and ease of use
  • Value for money and warranty
Cons
  • Ride can feel firm at times
  • Adaptive cruise control glitches
  • Some road and tyre noise
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