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.
- Kia Sorento V6 review
- Kia Sorento V6 review
- Kia Sorento V6 review
- Kia Sorento V6 review
- Kia Sorento V6 review
- Kia Sorento V6 review
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










Liked your review of the V6, I recently purchased one and paid $33500.00 drive away (2012 model). I looked at the diesel but it was approx $7000.00 dearer as I could not get a deal on that model. The sums did not add up for me. I have found living in the country that highway driving is mostly in the mid 8′s per 100k’s travelled and I am quite happy with that. The motor has a lot of go as you said and is very smooth and quiet. I am impressed with the drivetrain. One thing that could do with improvement is the headlights, they definately need more penetration on high beam. The other factor re the diesel is the AWD you mentioned, from my understanding of this feature it only engages at low speeds and when slippage is detected. It is not engaged all the time, and as most of your driving would be undertaken in 2WD (FWD) it is not the advantage that it could be if it was engaged full time.
Overall very impressed with the KIA at this stage of ownership.
Nice post Peter. Glad you like the Sorento, yeah if you are doing big highway k’s you probably don’t need the diesel. I must admit I only did limited night driving in the city and didn’t notice any issues with the headlights, next time I get a Sorento I will be sure to get on a dark road. Thanks Joel
[...] Behind the Wheel’s Joel Helmes recently had a drive of the V6 – 2WD version and was most impressed, you can check out that review here. [...]