2016 Kia Sorento SLi Diesel REVIEW | Kia Finds The G-Spot With This One
WITH THE SORENTO SLI DIESEL, KIA HAS FOUND A VERY HAPPY MEDIUM BETWEEN 'THE AFFORDABLE MAINSTREAM' AND PREMIUM SUVS.
From $49,490 (plus on-road costs) the mid-spec Sorento SLi diesel is not too basic, but not too lavish. It is a proper full-size seven-seater, yet, at the wheel, it shrinks, feeling neither too small nor too large.
The 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel tested here costs $3500 more than the 3.3-litre V6 petrol, but you also score all-wheel-drive instead of front-drive for that surcharge.
In essence, it trades a little bit of speed for greater fuel economy and slight offroad capability – yet another middle ground.
We’ve been impressed by other Kia Sorento versions before, but is this SLi diesel the sweetest spot in the range?
Vehicle Style: Large SUV
Price: $49,490 (plus on-roads)
Engine/trans: 147kW/441Nm 2.2 litre 4cyl turbo-diesel | 6sp automatic
Fuel Economy claimed: 7.8 l/100km | tested: 9.9 l/100km
OVERVIEW
Styled between Europe and the US, and built in South Korea, the Sorento competes against native-foe the Hyundai Santa Fe, the locally developed Ford Territory, and the US-made duo of Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota Kluger.
While both the Santa Fe and Territory share diesel availability – something that is crucial to providing economy in a large, heavy package – the Pathfinder and Kluger are petrol only (though the Nissan can provide hybrid EV power in cheaper 2WD form, or more expensive AWD).
And, in a tightly-fought segment where ‘cost of ownership’ is a key factor in purchasing decisions, only the Kia provides a seven-year warranty.