Kia Sorento MY2024 road test on Tuscan roads

There are four pillars on which Kia’s new Sorento, now in its fifth generation, rests firmly: safety, reliability, comfort and advanced technology. Four cornerstones that cannot be ignored if you want to include a car that you should pay more attention to during the purchase phase in the highly demanded car market.

Test drive Kia Sorento 2.2 Diesel from Viareggio to Carrara

And we found this absolute quality poker in our comprehensive national test drive of the new Sorento (Kia’s third best-selling model in the world in 2023), starting in Viareggio and arriving at one of Carrara’s most impressive marble quarries, in the Colonnata Area, where the famous and interesting lard is produced. A delicious sausage, which becomes like that because it is made to “rest” in vessels of precious marble produced there, which, without porosity, does not allow lard to pass, to keep all its gentle, delicious qualities. and delicacy intact.

Leaving aside the sins of gluttony for a while and returning to the new Korean D-SUV (in three years it went from 4.4 shares to 5.9), we were very impressed with the handling, especially uphill and on steep slopes leading to 850. meters above sea level of marble quarry of the Guadagno brothers. The climb is not very long, but impenetrable in the last part, made of pebbles and marble dust (the result of many cuts, made with synthetic diamond saws), mixed with cold water, flowing rapidly on the slope of the valley. But with the Mood driving mode on the Sorento, we climbed the hill very well without any problem, despite the steep slope of the road, even with the bumps that lead to the sky.

With a 2.2-liter diesel engine, which develops 154 HP and a torque of 450 Nm, and an automatic 8-speed gearbox, the fifth generation of Sorento (the fourth so far bought by 768,000 drivers) is even better and. more active than before. Not only that: the comfort has increased significantly enough to turn the Asian car into a real living room. On the highway it’s silky smooth with a surprisingly quiet ride, and when you put it in Sport mode to push the limits for a challenge, you realize that the big M engine is installed in front of you. On the climb to the quarry we were also happy to use the paddles behind the steering wheel to customize the speed and use the engine properly when entering corners and on the short stretches between turns. Everything was fine, thanks to the correct gear distribution, which allowed the engine to be kept in the correct rpm range, to maximize performance and utility.

From an aesthetic point of view, the comprehensively updated exterior design gives the new Sorento a strong presence both on and off the road, showing how nature and modernity can co-exist. It is characterized by stylish elements that reflect the boldness of the future aimed at the best appearance. At the front, the new bonnet lines, with a higher volume and a more open silhouette, create a high SUV design, with the Kia logo placed on the top of the bonnet. Unique vertical headlights and unique daytime running lights, with a “star map” design, emphasize the futuristic and high-quality image, as does the new radiator grille with a three-dimensional mesh design. The revised front bumper conveys durability and safety, thanks to a large skid plate; the fog lights have been redesigned and the vertical air intakes reflect the image of a powerful and technological SUV.

The side profile of the new Sorento shows a reinforced mudguard design and marked intakes, for a more emphasized three-dimensional appearance. The first market was held with three new models of alloy wheels, available in sizes 18, 19 and 20 inches. From the rear view, the diagonal LED lights stand out, now joined by a thin strip, very nice. A revised rear bumper and exhaust finisher highlight the tough look. Finally, the rear protective plate, together with the graphic elements of the black cover, complete the image of a solid SUV ready for any journey.

The color range of the new Sorento includes 10 body colors, three of which are new: Volcanic Sand (launch), Interstellar Gray (already on the EV6) and Cityscape Green (already seen on the Niro). Other colors available are Clear White, Snow White Pearl, Aurora Black Pearl, Silky Silver, Gravity Blue, Steel Gray and Mineral Blue.

Inside there is a feeling of unlimited ambience, thanks to the important dimensions of the Kia Sorento. A large space is indicated by a thin line of interior lights, which spread across the entire width, including the weather environment. Available in 64 colors, this ambient light shows the shape of the dashboard, the profile of the gear lever and the shape of the front door. The curved display and multi-mode touch display add to the premium appeal of the entire cabin. A redesigned gear selector, along with a black headliner, metal pedals and a sunroof give the new Sorento a technical, bold and modern character.

We also saw a lot of attention paid to the interior design of the new Sorento, with the introduction of new front reclining seats with memory and for the driver the Ergo Motion Driver seat, equipped with support equipment, including lumbar cell support , which can be converted to electricity. . The imitation leather steering is equipped with winter heating and, on request, can be ordered with a tilt function and electric telescopic adjustment, so that each driver can find the best position in depth and height. The electrically adjustable front seats are ventilated and heated, as are the second row seats, which are also heated, to ensure maximum comfort in the car. Finally, it should be noted that the new Sorento is equipped with a third row of seats (2) that disappear into the boot floor.

There is a range of electric and efficient engines, including diesel, full hybrid and plug-in hybrid. The latter has a 1.6 T-GDI engine and a 13.8 kWh battery, along with a 6-speed automatic transmission and 4WD as standard. The Hybrid version has a 1.6 T-GDI engine with a 1.49 kWh battery, with a 6-speed gearbox and both 2WD front and 4WD are available. The 2.2 diesel engined version (the one we used for the test) has an 8-speed manual gearbox and is available with both options.
The infotainment, connectivity and safety technology is very advanced and has been introduced to enhance and position the new Sorento at the highest level in terms of reliability, comfort and safety. Inside, two integrated panoramic screens are visible on the central dashboard, both with 12.3 inches: one dedicated to information navigation and navigation and the other reserved for the driver for more immediate reading of important information. The 10-inch head-up display further increases the level of safety, allowing the driver to view basic vehicle and traffic information without taking his eyes off the road. The device is completed with a digital rearview mirror, which can be used as a standard electric chromatic mirror and as a display on which the camera image is displayed, very useful if the rear view is hidden.

Fingerprint authentication functionality has also been introduced on the new Sorento, which allows the driver to connect a user profile and start the engine. A high-quality Bose sound system enhances the equipment of the new Sorento. There’s also a 2.0 digital key that lets you use your smartphone as a smart key, a very interesting feature that translates well into one small carry-on.

Finally, the ADAS and safety systems are updated to the latest technology available, while a new intelligent feature works, which automatically locks (so you don’t forget to open it and leave) after a few seconds that the driver leaves. rear area of ​​the car. Like all other Kia models, the new Sorento also comes with a 7-year or 150,000-mile warranty as standard. In conclusion, prices range from 47,350 euros for the Business version to 51,350 for the Style, to 56,350 for the Evolution and to conclude with the top of the range, Phev – also Evolution – for 68,350 euros. The new diesel Sorento can be ordered since yesterday, while the construction of hybrid versions has started in Korea and will arrive in Italy in a few months.