Last week I was loaned the new Kia Sorento – so in my usual haste I shot off for a quick dash to Caister-on-Sea in Norfolk
– the reason being that I just really fancied dipping my toes into that cold North Sea. Of course it’s only March and it would be terribly cold, but I had my Graghoppers coat and a very warm pair of shocks and some sensible shoes. So, off I went – but then there was immediately a problem.
To get to Caister-on-Sea I would need to navigate the dreaded A14 which meant for many hours I would be forced to drive along one of the most boring roads in the whole of the universe. I’m not joking either. Driving along the A14 is like sitting in Mr Beans underpants (nothing ever happens there) To be honest I just did my best and when I finally did get to Norfolk it was raining and the only prospect of me actually getting to the sea would be if the Coastguard had winched me down from a Royal Navy Sea King Helicopter.
Of course I was now at a loss and did not know what to do with myself – unless the Kamikaze in me decided I really did need a cold North Sea bath.
I did think about driving around the local towns to see what was occurring – but in the end I decided on visiting one of those sea front arcade emporiums to try my luck at winning a prize to take home to my children from my recent vacation by the sea.
I decided that I was best suited to taking on the ‘Grabber’ machine. For those of you who have no idea what they are – they are a machine that will take lots of your money and you will win nothing at all because this is a game of skill and I am rubbish at that. I would have been better equipped to try and hook a prize using a piece of cotton in a strong wind. I mean it is near on impossible to win anything on them things.
So, after much money spending and desperation – I decided to begin my return journey back home where all I will have to show for it was; two sticks of rock that I had managed to buy from a local shop – So much for my day out beside the sea. When I did finally get home my daughter said to me “daddy – where have you been today” I replied “I went to the seaside” My daughter responded with “wow! Did you win me a teddy”? Enough said I think.
Moving quickly on to the review of the car that actually did a great job of getting me to the seaside – The Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDi KX-3
Engine:
The Sorento is packing a decent 2.2 litre diesel engine that produces 197bhp @3,800rpm and a massive 311 Ib ft of torque from just 1,800rpm. The engine meets all the new Euro6 emission requirements and is Kia’s fourth generation common-rail fuel injection unit.
Performance is a peach and the Sorento will go from 0-62 in just 9.0 seconds which for me is brilliant for such a large vehicle. Fuel consumption is around 46.3mpg (combined) whilst I was driving all the way down to Norfolk – I got the chance to test out the Sorento’s MPG figures & torque response and I have to say that it was brilliant and I could not fault it one little bit.
On the road:
The new Sorento features the new all-wheel-drive system which I seen back in the Sportage some time ago. This is a very good system that continually monitors all the wheels and driving conditions which makes for a good sense of control on and off-road. Kia has also revised the front suspension which has given the Sorento a new lease of life. All this makes for a more comfortable ride and a much improved handling.
Inside:
All is good – the materials, fit and finish and technology are really rather good. I have said this time and time again; Kia know how to make a good interior and have given the Sorento lots of soft-touch surfaces along with a satin polished feel to the cabin which creates a premium finish
Equipment inside is also very high with the addition of a six-speaker stereo with DAB, tinted glass, 17” alloys, cruise control, all-round electric windows, cornering lights and LED daytime running light. This is just the tip of the iceberg – the standard equipment list is really quite staggering.
Safety:
The new Sorento has achieved a max five-star rating in the Euro-NCAP safety tests; this is good news all round and with a stronger bodyshell along with a comprehensive list of safety features like; EBD, brake assist (BAS), automatic vehicle hold(AVH), hill-start assist control (HAC) which prevents wheelspin or rollback and six airbags (twin-front and side curtains as standard)
To sum up:
Another excellent offering from Kia that is practical, spacious and well kitted out. Once again Kia has shown the way on how you make a car that was good before now even better.
Price: £35,845 RRP not including fitted options
Top speed: 124mph
0-62mph: 9.0sec
Economy: 46.3mpg (combined) emissions g/km (161)
Engine: 2199cc (16V)
Power: 197bhp at 3800rpm
Torque: 311 – Ib/ft at 1800 – 2500rpm
Gearbox: 6-speed manual By Anthony Yates