This is the latest version of the Kia Sorento seven-seater SUV. It features revised styling, updated tech and a choice of diesel or hybrid power. Most significantly, the price of entry has dropped by £3,030. That means the base model now costs £41,995, which comfortably undercuts many similarly-specced rivals.
The current fourth generation Sorento was launched in 2020. The name dates back to 2003 and this facelifted version has been launched to coincide with the car’s 21st anniversary.
EV9-inspired styling
Styling changes are concentrated at the Sorento’s front end, aping themes seen on the big Kia EV9 electric SUV. The headlights are arranged vertically – rather than horizontally – the daytime running lights have a ‘star map’ pattern, the grille is much bigger, the bonnet is flatter and ends more abruptly, there are new alloy wheel designs, a reprofiled front bumper and black body mouldings.
Inside, the redesigned dashboard has a simplified layout for the climate controls and two 12.3-inch displays are laid out in a gentle curve. One screen is for the driver, the other for the infotainment system. Top-spec models also get new tech including fingerprint recognition for each driver’s personal profile and a customisable head-up display.
The Sorento still comes with seven seats as standard. Kia claims it’s more sustainable than before as artificial leather and cloth made from recycled PET plastic is used throughout the interior.
One diesel, two hybrid engines
There’s a choice of three engines available: self-charging hybrid, plug-in hybrid and diesel. All three come with all-wheel-drive and an automatic gearbox as standard.
The big 2.2 CRDI diesel engine has 193hp and 440Nm of torque – ample for dealing with the 2,500kg towing capacity that makes the Sorento a favourite of caravanners. Kia hasn’t released any efficiency figures for the updated Sorento but, for reference, the previous diesel model returned WLTP fuel economy of 42.8mpg and CO2 emissions of 173g/km.
A 1.6 T-GDi petrol engine powers both hybrid versions of the Sorento. The self-charging hybrid has 215hp, while the plug-in hybrid has 252hp – both are less powerful than previous hybrids. Again, Kia hasn’t released any efficiency numbers for them; we’ll update you when they’re published.
Trim levels packed with features
Kia has lately applied names to the Sorento trim levels but reverts back to its old-school numbering system for this new version: Sorento 2, Sorento 3 and Sorento 4. Even the base model Sorento 2 comes with an immensely long list of standard features including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, sat nav, dual-zone air conditioning, heated front seats and steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera and no less than six USB-C charging ports.
Safety isn’t neglected, either, with driver assistance features including lane keep and lane follow assist, multi-collision braking system and speed limit assist.
3 spec adds electrically adjustable front seats, heated second-row seats, leather upholstery, wireless phone charging, a Bose stereo, 360-degree camera system and rear self-levelling suspension. Top-of-the-range 4 spec includes an opening panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats with lumbar support, driver’s seat memory, electrically adjustable steering column, head-up display and remote parking assist.
Prices start at £41,995 for the Sorento 2 diesel and top out at £55,995 for the plug-in hybrid Sorento 4. All models are covered by Kia’s seven-year/100,000-mile warranty.
What it means for you
The fourth-generation Kia Sorento is one of the highest-rated seven-seat SUVs that Parkers has reviewed, putting in a strong performance across every area of our assessment. This facelifted version hasn’t changed fundamentally, but what changes there are bring it in line with Kia’s latest styling trends and add fresh tech. That should ensure it holds onto its position at the top of the class.
Some buyers will be happy to see that Kia hasn’t abandoned diesel models, and the reintroduction of a plug-in hybrid option opens the Sorento to company car drivers. But the biggest news is the £3,000 drop in price for the base model, which is very welcome at a time when most other cars are getting more expensive.
