Catching up to the competition

MANILA, Philippines - It’s been two years since the second-generation Kia Sorento landed on our shores. It still looks good, owing to the clean lines penned by Kia’s German design chief, Peter Schreyer. It may not be as head-turning as the new Kia Sportage and Picanto (the Sorento still looks a lot like its predecessor), and I think it has to do with being among the first Kia models to mark the transition between the old and the new design languages.

Still, it’s easy to see the European design influences that give the Sorento an upmarket BMW X5-like feel, especially in silver. The Sorento’s chrome-framed black honeycomb grille and very Teutonic quad headlamps are strong design aspects. Another bold design element is the thick D-pillar, which gives the car visual and actual strength (the Sportage’s D-pillar is bolder still). The rear end has the strongest ties to the previous Sorento, but has been modernized with the now en vogue LED tail lamps.

Kia ditched the old body-on-frame structure and designed an all-new monocoque bodyshell, helping the new Sorento lose close to a quarter of a ton in curb weight and achieve a more car-like ride. The Sorento rides on a supple-riding fully independent suspension (struts in front, multilink at the rear) with coil springs all-around.

My P1.79 million test unit came with a 2.2-liter common-rail direct-injection (CRDi) diesel engine with a variable-geometry turbo (VGT) developing 190 ps at 3,800 rpm and a very stout 44.5 kg-m of torque. It’s a state-of-the-art motor that impressive in its refinement, fuel efficiency, and sheer amount of torque. The only thing that left me unimpressed was its high amount of torque steer – in 2-wheel-drive – when you apply anything more than a featherweight touch to the gas pedal. If you want to scoot into a hole in the next lane and stomp on the accelerator, prepare for a tug of war with the steering wheel. The 44.5 kg-m of torque will do a good job of yanking the wheels to the right. It’s not dangerous and will occur only when accelerating hard from a standstill or from a crawling speed. Still it detracts from the overall poise of an otherwise superb-performing vehicle.

The engine is mated to an equally smooth-shifting yet responsive 6-speed automatic with manumatic function. If there’s one thing that stood out with this gearbox, it’s the solid feel of the gearchange lever. Most gearshift levers have some amount of free play when in gear (or even in transition between gears), but the Sorento has none. It feels like the bolt action of a high-end shotgun. Heck it feels tighter and more solid than the shift lever of a BMW or a Benz.

Inside, there’s plenty of space for all seven passengers, although the legroom of the rearmost row is a bit tight. This Kia’s cabin, as well as its overall fit and finish, won’t look out of place in a German SUV.

It has an Engine Start/Stop button as well as the Smart Key that lets you lock and unlock the doors even with the key in your pocket or handbag. The new Sorento also boasts Aux, iPod, and USB connectivity for its 6-speaker single in-dash CD audio system.

Safety features include ABS and RPAS (Rear Parking Assist System), as well as anti-whiplash headrests and dual front airbags. It also uses lots of high-tensile strength steel for low NVH levels and crash protection. The new Sorento meets the highest ratings in NHTSA, IIHS, and EuroNCAP crash tests.

All things considered, the Sorento is – yet again – a perfect example of how the Korean carmakers have caught up with the best from Japan, Europe, and America.

The Good

• Stylish Euro-inspired sheet metal

• Impressively low NVH levels/high build quality

• 6-speed manumatic

• Strong, refined performance

• Spacious and handsome cabin

• Nice, big 18-inch wheels (with huge 235/65R-18 tires)

The Bad

• Lots of torque steer

• Could have more safety features (i.e. side/curtain airbags, stability control, etc.)

• A Nav/DVD system would be nice

• Pricey

The Verdict

• A Top 3 shoo-in in any 7-seat SUV shortlist