New from £41,315 / £442 p/m
Lease this vehicle
Diesel or hybrid options
Automatic
SUV
7 seats
5 doors
Is the Kia Sorento SUV a good car?
Read our expert review
Words by: Erin Baker
"Immensely likeable, seven-seat, diesel, hybrid and plug-in hybrid SUV that has been eclipsed the new electric version, the EV9. But Kia isn’t giving up on the Sorento, and has just launched a new version that offers unbelievable value for money, alongside new paint colours and upgraded safety systems."
5
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Read the review by category
Running costs for a Kia Sorento
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
4/5
The Sorento is a large SUV so it’s not a cheap car to buy or drive, but, compared with other seven-seaters (with the exception of the Dacia Jogger), the price tag on the new Sorento is great (it starts at £3,000 below the current Sorento). And if you’re willing to buy diesel when everyone else is turning against it, the base diesel version will cost you the same as an electric hatchback. The hybrid and plug-in hybrid models will cost you more, as will the higher trims, but you may not need the extra creature comforts (wireless smartphone connection is free, as are front and rear parking sensors and cruise control).Diesel costs more at the pumps, but if you’re doing an annual mileage of more than 20,000, you should find you recoup the higher spend, and the hybrid versions keep fuelling costs low. Watch out for the depreciation, which may prove painful as more people move away from diesel (it powers six per cent of cars bought currently), but on the other hand you’re getting a bargain when you buy it. You should find, given Kia’s great reliability and seven-year warranty, that you don’t have many unexpected servicing costs.
Reliability of a Kia Sorento
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
5/5
It’s the Kia Sorento or sister car, the Hyundai Santa Fe, if reliability is top of your wishlist for a seven-seat SUV. You’re looking at tried and tested technology, platforms and powertrains, and both brands are so confident in their ability to manufacture cars that last, that they offer long warranties - seven years in Kia’s case (versus Hyundai’s five years). Kia has updated some of the tech and software in this refreshed Sorento, but we don’t expect any issues (we’ve said it now…).
Safety for a Kia Sorento
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
5/5
Safety systems have been upgraded for the new Sorento. You can now choose from a menu including a 360-degree camera, seven airbags, lane-change assist, blind-spot warning, rear-traffic collision warning, evasive steering if an accident is imminent, a warning if you’re about to open your door into traffic, and a remote parking function which allows you to move the car forward and back in a tight space via the key. In other words, it’s got it all, if you have the money to spend. The base version, however, still gives you a good view of the road ahead and the surrounding traffic, and all the basic safety functions.
How comfortable is the Kia Sorento
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
5/5
We drove it through rush hour in Manhattan while judging World Car of the Year (which electric sister, the EV9, won). We thumped through potholes, over manhole covers and broken road surfaces, and it soaked up jolts and bumps admirably. This really does feel like a car twice its price, with a serene, calm space inside, and only a distant rumble from that diesel engine.There is a huge amount of space for passengers: with the third row of seats folded, the boot is spacious, and when they are up, there is still leg space for two adults, which often isn’t the case. (Head space may be slightly compromised if you’re six foot tall, but it’s the same in the competition, unless you go for a van design like the Dacia Jogger).There’s a lovely amount of light from the roof and windows, comfy seats which can be heated and ventilated, and a great amount of storage: the Sorento has the vibe of a commodious American SUV, built for big drinks bottles, big bags, big living.As for materials, you can choose luxurious, double-stitched, quilted leather, or go for a vegan interior (not necessary better for the environment, as leather in cars is a waste product of the beef industry, but it fits in with the healthy-living vibe) with artificial leather and recycled PET plastic bottles replacing new cloth on the seats.
Features of the Kia Sorento
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
5/5
The new Sorento has fingerprint recognition to start the car and link to your saved profile for seat settings, music and so on, or you can also link your smartphone to the car and use it as the key, to save carrying around a fob. There’s also wireless phone charging, six USB-C charging ports (two per row), which is really useful, and a Bose premium sound system.You can also choose a digital rear-view mirror, which turns the view from a reflection into a camera feed of what’s behind you, meaning you can load the car to the gills and not worry about seeing out. There are large display screens and a head-up display on the windscreen for extra convenience. In short, Kia offers a very premium experience with this car, at a lower price.
Power for a Kia Sorento
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
4/5
Drivers can choose from a 2.2-litre diesel engine on its own, or a 1.6-litre diesel engine in a hybrid system (you don’t plug it in: the battery charges from the engine and is there to boost acceleration and reduce fuel consumption) or in a plug-in hybrid system (more electric miles, and you can plug it in, meaning that, for many drivers, most of their mileage will be done on electric power). The 2.2-litre diesel comes with all-wheel drive; the two hybrids are available with all-wheel or front-wheel drive. We suggest the latter, to save money and fuel, unless you really do some genuine off-roading every year and need the extra traction.We aren’t huge fans of integrated hybrids, preferring a plug-in hybrid for some proper electric driving, but Kia’s hybrid system is very efficient, and smooth: you don’t feel the system switch between engine and battery, which it does automatically and frequently, lowering fuel consumption noticeably. All versions are satisfying to drive, with precise, delicate steering and very little road and wind noise or vibration entering the car. When you compare the premium driving experience with the price, Sorento owners should feel very smug indeed.
Lease deals
These deals are based on terms of 8,000 miles, for a 36 month lease with a 6 months initial payment.
£534.89
Monthly payment
£3,209.34
Initial payment
20
£552.92
Monthly payment
£3,317.52
Initial payment
20
£568.89
Monthly payment
£3,413.34
Initial payment
12
£590.90
Monthly payment
£3,545.40
Initial payment
20
Standard equipment
Expect the following equipment on your Kia Sorento SUV. This may vary between trim levels.
- 12.3in Touchscreen Navigation
- 12V Power Socket - Luggage Compartment
- 12V Power Socket - Rear
- 2 x USB-C Charge Port on 3rd Row
- 6-Speaker Audio System
- Bluetooth Connection
- ECall
- Free 7-year Kia Connect
- Front Passenger USB-C Charging Ports x 1
- Over-The-Air OTA - Software Update
- Rear Passenger USB-C Charging Ports x 2
- USB-C Port for Media Device Connection
- Wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto
- 17in Alloy Wheels
- Black Side Sill and Wheel Arch Body Mouldings
- Body Coloured Bumpers
- Body Coloured Door Mirrors
- Chrome Window Surrounds
- Electrically Folding-Adjustable and Heated Door Mirrors with Integrated LED Indicator Lights
- Front Electric Windows
- Glossy Black Radiator Grille
- Heated Rear Window
- Locking Wheel Nuts
- Rear Spoiler
- Roof Rails
- Temporary Spare Wheel - Space Saver
- 2nd Row Centre Armrest with Cupholder
- 2nd Row Sliding Seat - Auto Folding
- 4.2in Driver Display Screen
- 50-50 Split Folding 3rd Row Seats
- 60-40 Split Remote Folding Rear Seats
- 7 Seats - 2nd row with 3 Seats
- All-Round Height Adjustable Headrests
- Artificial Leather Steering Wheel
- Auto Dimming Rear-View Mirror
- Automatic Air Conditioning
- Automatic Defog System
- Customisable Automatic Door Unlocking
- Folding 3rd Row Seats
- Front Centre Console Storage Box
- Front and Rear Door Storage
- Glovebox
- Heated Front Seats
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Luggage Area Light - LED
- Luggage Area Load Cover
- Luggage Net Hooks
- Luggage Under Floor Storage
- Manual Seat Height Adjuster - Front
- Manual Steering Wheel Adjustment
- Overhead LED Lights - Front
- Paddle Shifter
- Rain Sensing Front Wipers
- Rear Air Conditioning
- Sunvisors with Vanity Mirrors Illumination - Driver and Front Passenger
- Airbags - Driver
- Airbags - Passenger
- All-Round 3-Point Seatbelts
- Anti-Lock Braking System with Emergency Stop Signalling
- Child Lock
- Customisable Automatic Door Locking
- Dynamic Brake Control - DBC
- ESC - Electronic Stability Control
- Electric Parking Brake with Auto Hold Function
- Engine Start-Stop Button with Smart Entry System
- Front Passenger Airbag Cut Off Switch
- Front Seatbelt Height Adjusters
- Front Side and Curtain Airbags
- Front and Rear Silver Skid Plates
- Highway Driving Assist
- Hill-Start Assist Control - HAC
- ISOFIX Child Seat Top Tethers and Anchor Fixings - 2nd and 3rd Row
- Intelligent Speed Limit Assist - ISLA
- Lane Follow Assist - LFA
- Lane Keep Assist - LKA
- Multi-Collision Braking System - MCB
- Rear Occupant Alert
- Seatbelt Reminder Warning
- Smart Key with Motion Sensor
- TSA - Trailer Stability Assist
- Thatcham Category 1 Security Alarm and Immobiliser with Interior Protection
- Visible Vehicle Identification Number - VIN
- Automatic Headlight Control
- Front Fog Lights - LED
- LED Daytime Running Lights
- LED Headlights
- LED High Mounted Brake Light
- LED Rear Fog Light
- LED Rear Lights
- Drive Mode Select
- Driver Attention Warning - DAW
- Forward Collision Avoidance Assist - FCA 1.5
- Front and Rear Parking Sensors
- Reversing Camera System
- Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go Functionality
- Terrain Mode Select - Mud - Snow - Sand
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System - TPMS
- Power Steering
- Speed Limiter
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Your questions answered
The Kia Sorento offers a top speed range between 113miles per hour and 124miles per hour, depending on the version. Kia Sorento on-the-road prices RRP from £41,995 and rises to around £55,995, depending on the version. The standard UK car tax rate is currently £180. You may also have to pay higher rates based on your car’s emission levels. Learn more about car tax bands. Yes, and you can even order online. Check out our Kia Sorento lease deals and find out more.
Monthly rentals ('payments') are not an offer of credit. Payments are based on offers available today which may be withdrawn or varied at any time in the future without notice.
Contract Hire ('Leasing') is subject to status and approval and is only available to UK residents aged 18 and over. Vehicle must be returned with no more than fair wear and tear to avoid further charges. You will not own the vehicle. Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply.
Auto Trader Limited (Firm Reference Number: 735711) is a credit broker and not a lender. Auto Trader Limited introduces you to Autorama UK Ltd (Trading as Auto Trader leasing), which acts as a credit broker in its own right. Autorama UK Ltd, Maylands Avenue, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 7DE (Firm Reference Number: 630748) may go on to introduce you to one of a limited number of funders. Autorama UK Ltd will typically receive a commission or other benefits from the funder as a result of this introduction.
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