Tow Test: Kia Sorento Si 4WD

Along with their rugged good looks, what makes large SUVs like the Kia Sorento increasingly appealing to many buyers is their refined on-road performance, coupled with ample interior space to accommodate a large family and their stuff.

Unlike traditional off-road wagons, they’re also nimble and compact enough so that negotiating heavy traffic or city parking doesn’t become a nightmare. Throw in fuel-efficient turbo-diesel performance, seven-seat capability and towing capacity up to 2500kg, in the case of the Sorento, and the term all-rounder comes to mind.

PRICE & EQUIPMENT

The latest version of the Sorento SUV (or CUV -- cross-over utility vehicle -- as the Korean manufacturer likes to call it) has been subject to a couple of minor makeovers since arriving here in late-2009.

The first, in 2011, added a number of tech upgrades including Bluetooth phone and audio streaming and a reversing camera. More recently, the Sorento received updates similar to the revised Hyundai Santa Fe (with which it shares mechanical components), including a stiffer, lighter body and restyled interior.

Priced from $37,490, the Sorento is now available in front- or all-wheel drive configurations, with three equipment grades: Si, SLi and Platinum. There’s also a choice of 3.5-litre V6 petrol or 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine, matched to either a six-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission (only available on the turbo-diesel Si).

The $38,990 Sorento Si manual tested here is the cheapest variant with the 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine, all of which have AWD. It’s also the one to pick if towing is a priority, as the sole manual Sorento has a braked towing capacity of 2500kg, versus the 2000kg maximum of the other auto variants.

The Sorento comes reasonably well-equipped for the money, even in base Si form. Trimmed in black cloth upholstery and featuring chrome door handles inside, standard features include 17-inch alloy wheels, projector-beam headlights, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, a leather-bound, multi-function steering wheel, electric mirrors/windows, trip computer, remote central locking and two auxiliary power outlets.

As well as a CD/MP3-compatible audio system with six speakers and Bluetooth and USB connectivity, the Sorento Si also gets front fog lights, LED daytime running lights and front and rear parking sensors.

If you desire more luxury, like a sunroof, sat nav and leather seats, you’ll have to dig deeper for an upper-spec version, right up to the $50,390 Sorento Platinum.

BEHIND THE WHEEL

Most impressive about the Sorento, apart from the stylish and user-friendly design, is the on-road experience. Many mid- to large-sized SUVs struggle in the bends, but compared to the wallowy ride of the Toyota Kluger, the Sorento remains composed in corners, aided by a taut, monocoque construction and self-leveling, multilink rear suspension.

The Sorento's lack of body roll and ability to soak up the bumps is more akin to the Ford Territory, as is the comfy, contoured seats and quiet, well insulated cabin.

Also confidence inspiring is the hydraulic steering, providing enough feel and weight to encourage some enthusiastic driving. And with 'on demand' four-wheel-drive, there’s no evidence of torque steer or wheelspin as can be experienced on front-drive models.

Although tipping the scales just less than two tonnes, the torquey engine is rarely stressed, even with a weighty trailer out back (see below). It's an impressive unit -- quiet and refined, even when revved hard, with little of the usual diesel clatter intruding into the cabin, unless you open a window.

With 145kW at 3800rpm and 421Nm available between 1800 and 2500rpm, the manual Sorento has plenty on tap for a range of situations. There’s some turbo lag off the line and it's certainly no rocket ship (just shy of 10 seconds for 0-100km/h), but it should be enough for most. A smooth-shifting auto is always a better option in busy traffic, but the manual ‘box in the Sorento had a nice light, easy action.

The internal dimensions aren’t class leading, with Kluger and Territory beating it in overall space and seating functionality, particularly in second and third row legroom. But then at 4685mm long and 1885mm wide, the Sorento is smaller than some of its rivals, making it less wieldy in traffic and slightly easier to park.

Like most seven seaters, the two, 50:50 split fold seats in the third row are really only suited to small children especially on longer trips, with restricted head and legroom.

Second row legroom is quite ample unless a six-foot-plus adult sits behind a similarly proportioned front seat occupant. The second row doesn’t slide forward or back to assist with legroom, but the backrests can be reclined to a 45-degree angle. The second row centre passenger is also treated to a proper seat, unlike the token, rock-hard pew in the Kluger.

The dual-zone climate control air-con is highly effective on hot (or cold) days, and there are plenty of drink holders and storage spots for odds and ends, including a deep centre console bin with removable tray.

Rear load space is about standard for this class of vehicle; meaning enough for a family beach outing including boogie boards, umbrella, bags, towels, and the rest. Flipping up the third row seats eats into most of the load space, leaving enough room for a few supermarket bags.

While the Sorento is undoubtedly tarmac focused, its 185mm ground clearance, 'bush bash' underbody protection, and off-road aids like Hill Descent Control and 4WD 'lock' for low-speed crawling, endow it with reasonable off-road ability.

Also reassuring is a good combination of active and passive safety measures including six airbags, stability control, HID headlights, and strong disc brakes (with good pedal feel).

TOWING

For the tow test component we hooked up a Jayco pop-top caravan with a Tare weight of 1680kg, or about 65 per cent of the vehicle’s towing limit. The Jayco’s 112kg tow ball mass was just within the pretty pathetic 120kg limit specified on Sorento’s factory tow hitch.

Fortunately, Kia now offers an optional, heavy-duty tow kit, for an additional $977 plus fitting, which boosts the ball weight to a more usable 150kg.

Like the Hyundai Santa Fe we tested a while back fitted with the same 2.2-litre diesel engine, the Sorento performs impressively as a tow tug.

With caravan in tow it had little problem getting up to speed on the freeway, cruising effortlessly up to 100km/h. It also maintained cruising speed on gentle inclines without the need to change gears, thanks to the engine’s adequate reserves of low-down torque.

Only when trying to maintain speed up steeper hills -- or accelerating on the flat -- was a drop down in gears required to keep revs within the peak torque band of 1800-2500rpm. But even under these heavier throttle situations it never laboured or over-revved, while remaining reasonably refined. In fact, I had to check the mirrors occasionally to remind myself what was behind!

While we’ve no doubt it could have handled a heavier trailer, the Sorento felt comfortable with this amount of weight behind, also keeping in mind the combined bulk of the rig was around 3500kg.

The noticeable sag in the Sorento’s rear suspension didn’t seem to detract from the on-road ride, with only minimal fore-aft pitching detected.

Given its size and amount of grunt the Sorento was commendably frugal. Fuel consumption ranged from an impressive 7.0L/100km solo, rising to an equally impressive 10.5L/100km while towing, ensuring good range from the 70-litre tank.

Unfortunately the reversing camera is not a standard feature on the manual Sorento, so you’ll need a helper when backing up the tow vehicle to the caravan hitch.

VERDICT

As alluded to earlier, the Sorento is a competent all-rounder equally at home on the daily commute, family day trip or light off-road sojourn.

It’s also a very handy tow vehicle, performing strongly with a good-sized caravan behind while delivering below-average fuel economy. The only catch for owners of two tonne-plus vans, is you’ll need to opt for the slightly less user-friendly manual transmission and fork out extra for the heavy-duty tow kit.

* Thanks to Page Bros RV in Seaford, Victoria, for loan of the Jayco pop-top caravan for this test.

KIA SORENTO SI 4WD

Engine: 2.2-litre, four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Max. power: 145kW at 3800rpm
Max. torque: 421Nm at 1800-2500rpm
Transmission: six-speed manual
Length: 4685mm
Width: 1885mm
Height: 1700mm
Wheelbase: 2700mm
Ground clearance: 185mm
Kerb mass: 1926kg
Fuel: 70 litres
Towing cap. unbraked/braked: 750kg/2500kg
Tow ball mass maximum: 120kg (150kg with heavy-duty tow kit)
Fuel economy (claimed): 6.6L/100km
Price: from $38,990 (MRRP)