Confidence, comfort, and clever kit
There’s something deeply satisfying about a vehicle that just gets everything right – from its road manners to the way it treats its passengers. The new Kia Sorento, launched earlier this week in typically dramatic Western Cape weather, proved to be exactly that kind of SUV. While we lamented over the wind and wet conditions, the Sorento remained unfazed – calmly soaking up the kilometres and cementing its place as a serious contender in the premium family SUV market.
From the outside in, a big step forward
It’s not often that a facelift feels like an entirely new vehicle, but that’s precisely the vibe the new Sorento gives off. The exterior refresh brings it bang up to date with Kia’s so-called Opposites United design philosophy. The look is modern and muscular, with vertical star-map DRLs and a chiselled bonnet giving it real kerb presence. The redesigned front bumper, new 20-inch wheels and connected taillight design at the rear round off a package that oozes confidence and style. It’s a marked step up from its predecessor – and one that doesn’t try too hard to shout, yet turns heads anyway.
Comfort with a capital C
The Sorento is still a seven-seater, but now it’s a properly posh one. Inside, the layout is clean and contemporary, with a strong emphasis on comfort and tech. The panoramic curved display that combines both the 12.3-inch driver cluster and infotainment screen is a visual treat, while thoughtful touches like ambient lighting, a redesigned shift-by-wire gear knob, and USB-C ports in all three rows add a touch of everyday luxury.
Even in the miserable Cape weather, the Sorento impressed with its quiet, smooth ride. The cabin remains cocooned from road and wind noise, and the suspension is beautifully tuned to soak up everything from potholes to highway imperfections. It genuinely glides over the tarmac, and feels properly planted when the road gets slick.
Packing a punch under the bonnet
Powering all Sorento variants is a tried-and-tested 2.2-litre CRDi turbodiesel engine, which produces 148kW and a healthy 440Nm of torque. It’s matched to Kia’s slick new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (8DCT), which manages to be both responsive and refined. There’s enough muscle for easy overtakes and confident highway cruising, without drinking diesel at a frightening rate. In short, it does what it says on the tin – no fuss, just dependable performance.
Three trim levels, all thoroughly kitted out
The Sorento range is available in three trim levels – EX+, SX and the range-topping SXL – and Kia hasn’t skimped on features in any of them.
The EX+ kicks things off with a very healthy list of standard features, including smart entry with push-button start, wireless smartphone charging, automatic dual-zone air conditioning, a panoramic sunroof, LED lighting all-round, a 12.3-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a leather-clad steering wheel and gear shifter. Safety-wise, there are six airbags, rear cross-traffic alert, trailer stability assist, and parking sensors front and rear, plus a reverse camera. It’s also the only variant that comes in 2WD, for those who prefer their SUVs without the extra traction.
Move up to the SX, and things get even more indulgent. Apart from all the goodies found in the EX+, you gain power-adjustable front seats (with ventilation and heating), rear sun blinds, rain-sensing wipers, smart cruise control, and a smart power tailgate. The SX also steps up the safety game with advanced driver aids like lane following assist, blind-spot collision avoidance, and forward collision avoidance with junction turning and evasive steering.
Then there’s the top dog – the SXL. This is where Kia really throws everything in, including a head-up display, 12-speaker Bose surround sound system, digital rear-view mirror, 360-degree camera system, and additional safety features like parking collision avoidance assist and a blind spot monitor. It’s properly plush and feels every bit the flagship.
Safety in every direction
The new Sorento comes with up to seven airbags, including a front centre airbag – a nifty innovation designed to prevent head contact between front passengers during a crash. The ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) suite is robust and reassuring, especially for family buyers, and the new tech now includes lane change assist, evasive steering assist, and junction-turning crash prevention.
Spacious and flexible
One of the most useful aspects of the Sorento is its interior flexibility. The third row can be folded flat individually, which means you don’t have to sacrifice all your boot space just to bring along granny or a friend from school rugby. It’s genuinely spacious in all three rows, and the wide-opening doors make it easy to clamber in and out. As a proper family vehicle, it ticks all the boxes – comfort, safety, space and convenience.
Final thoughts
With the refreshed Sorento, Kia hasn’t just kept up with the Joneses – it’s taken a confident stride ahead. The level of refinement, comfort, space and tech on offer here would have been the preserve of much pricier nameplates not too long ago. Now, South Africans have a large SUV option that feels every bit premium, without breaking the bank. If this is the new benchmark for Kia, then the rest of the market needs to sit up and take notice.
Model line-up and pricing
- Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDi 7-Seater EX+ 2WD 8DCT: R999 995
- Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDi 7-Seater SX AWD 8DCT: R1 199 995
- Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDi 7-Seater SXL AWD 8DCT: R1 299 995
*All Sorento models are sold standard with Kia’s unlimited-kilometre/5-year warranty (inclusive of roadside assistance), along with a 6-year/90 000km maintenance plan.
