Kia Sorento V6 review

Joel Helmes has filed this Kia Sorento V6 review.

There are three different engine options in the Kia Sorento range; all three give you vastly different power and fuel consumption figures.

I recently checked out the 2.2 turbo diesel engine version, (you can read that review here) but essentially you get superb fuel economy (combined 6.7 litres per 100) and a respectable 145kW and a huge 422Nm.

There’s also a 2.4 litre petrol engine available which boasts 128kW and 226Nm and uses a combined 9.2 litres per 100.

The third engine, which is what I have had this week, is the 3.5 litre V6 petrol engine which boasts a massive 204kW and 335Nm and uses a combined 10 litres per 100 kilometres.

Interestingly the petrol engines are only available in front wheel drive configuration, if you want all wheel drive you have to buy the turbo diesel.

The V6 certainly gives the Sorento plenty of get up and go; in fact it’s kind of hard to get your head around the fact that it’s a seven seat Kia SUV when you put your foot down!

The acceleration is very, very impressive.

The power and acceleration comes at a cost however, I managed 12.6 litres per 100 in the city and that’s certainly not what you would call frugal.

The six speed auto transmission makes for a nice combo with the big petrol power plant.

The Sorento’s steering and ride are both exceptional.

Inside the cabin you wouldn’t pick the SI as being an “entry level” model.

There are nice dark “wood-grain” touches on the dash and door trims, a nicely laid out and functional dashboard and quite comfortable seats.

One small complaint, the instrument panel is automatically lit day and night, this helps to make the instruments nice and bright and clear but around dusk you can be fooled into thinking that the headlights are on when in fact they aren’t.

There’s a fair bit of hard plastic around the Sorento’s cabin but the finish is actually quite nice.

The steering wheel and arm rests are a little on the hard side.

One thing that does stand out inside the Sorento is just how quiet the cabin is, Kia have done a great job with sound proofing the big seven seater.

Visibility is good thanks to large wing mirrors but a much needed rear reversing camera isn’t yet available in the SI.

As we have come to expect from Kia there are plenty of standard features including BlueTooth, USB and Aux audio inputs, and a trip computer.

There’s also a very spacious centre console bin while the glove box and door storage areas are adequate.

The three rows of seats give you a seven seat capacity, leg room is adequate in the front and middle rows, the two fold out rear seats are really only for children (although you do get more room than you may expect).

Summing up the Sorento is easy – it’s a well-built vehicle that drives superbly and offers great value for money.

If you’re looking for a seven seat SUV I don’t think you could find better, personally however I would be spending the $3000 extra and going for the 2.2 turbo diesel.

NUTS & BOLTS

Engine: 3.5L V6 petrol delivering 205kW and 335Nm.

Transmission: 6 speed Auto.

Safety: 5 Star ANCAP Rated.

Economy: Urban – 13.9L, Extra urban – 7.8L, Combined 10.0L

Price: From $36,990