Kia Sorento - TopCarNews

Kia Sorento (2020 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]

Summary

The Kia Sorento is currently the Korean brand’s flagship model though shortly to be replaced in that role by the electric EV 6. The large SUV has been on sale since 2002 and is now in its fourth generation – the all-new latest model launched in 2021 with its first hybrid powertrains and the promise of a plug-in hybrid joining the range later.

Reviewers praise the Sorento’s combination of bold design and practicality – the car has great road presence, while also offering excellent interior space and the ability to perform well off-road. As of January 2022, it holds an Expert Rating of 71% based on 19 UK reviews.

The latest version has managed to incorporate the hybrid powertrain while still retaining mechanical all-wheel-drive, which Autocar states places it ahead of several rivals from European premium brands. The Sun says the “classy Sorento” is just like a Volvo but much cheaper.

Kia claims that the latest Sorento interior “represents a step-change in quality and design for Kia cabins” and reviewers tend to agree, many highlighting a definite step up in quality and a clear bid to challenge premium rivals in this area. Interior space also comes in for praise too, except for the third row of seats which are only suitable for children.

Engine choices range across a 1.6-litre petrol hybrid and a 2.2-litre diesel, with reviewers tending to recommend the diesel for its extra pulling ability. In fact, most seem to be waiting for the plug-in hybrid engine – our own review on The Car Expert concludes “the best engine isn’t available yet.” The petrol unit does get marked down for its intrusive audio presence at high revs.

Reviewers generally like the Sorento’s ride, although some consider it slightly too stiff and say it can be unsettled by poor road surfaces.

Sorento highlights

Plenty of ability on and off road
Plenty of interior space
Quality fit and finish
Mostly comfortable, refined ride on the road

Sorento lowlights

Very limited electric-only range
Some surfaces unsettle the ride
Hybrid petrol engine thrashy at high revs
Third row of seats strictly for youngsters

Key specifications

Body style: Large SUV/crossoverEngines: diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid
Price: From £39,360 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2020Last updated: N/A
Update due: TBA

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Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric hybrid ‘2’“The new Kia Sorento continues the brand’s drive upmarket. It’s big and practical, and feels like it’s made of top quality stuff.”
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Auto Express

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric hybrid automaticScore: 8 / 10“When it comes to image, technology and space, the Kia Sorento has really upped its game. The new hybrid powertrain is punchy and efficient and will certainly appeal to those who don’t want a diesel, while few customers will be left wanting for an SUV with a greater degree of practicality.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 9 / 10“Kia seems to do very little wrong these days. The latest Sorento remains the practical, comfortable and safe family SUV that it has always been, but it’s now packed with tech. It also looks better than ever and, although its price is creeping into genuine premium territory, it’s a difficult package to fault.”
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Auto Trader

Model reviewed: Plug-in hybridScore: 9 / 10“We were already impressed with the Kia Sorento’s combination of style, keen pricing, seven-seater practicality and technology, this new plug-in hybrid version offering tax-friendly running costs with improved efficiency from its ability to run for longer periods on electric power.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 9 / 10“Now on its fourth version, and with the option of a hybrid powertrain, the Kia Sorento offers handsome looks, good value for money, excellent towing capability and Kia’s famous seven-year warranty. The 2020 model introduces a new design, new cabin and all-new platform.”
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Autocar

Model reviewed: 2021Score: 7 / 10“What the Sorento still lacks in dynamic finesse, it makes up for in sheer usefulness. It is a spacious, well-made, well-equipped and impressively versatile seven-seat SUV that’s handsomely formed.”
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Model reviewed: 2.2-litre diesel ‘3’Score: 8 / 10“If you’re looking for a seven-seat SUV, or indeed just a large, practical car, you could do a hell of a lot worse than this. Such has been Kia’s progress in recent years that mention of it has become clichéd, but you could seriously consider the Sorento against the Land Rover Discovery Sport.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric hybrid automatic ‘2’Score: 8 / 10“The way it drives may not set your heart alight, but from design and practicality standpoints, there’s more to like about the Kia Sorento than ever before. And surely in the world of big, reasonably affordable SUVs, that should count for a fair bit.”
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Business Car

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric hybrid ‘2’Score: 8 / 10“The latest Kia Sorento is classier and more refined than ever and is now available as a petrol-electric hybrid.”
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Car

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol-electric hybrid automaticScore: 6 / 10“The Kia Sorento certainly ticks a lot of boxes and seems ideal for those who simply need a practical vehicle to accommodate their active lifestyle, rather than be a highly fashionable one that merely suggests what they could be doing.”
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Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8.6 / 10“The big Kia Sorento is a versatile SUV that’s nipping at the heels of premium rivals”
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Company Car Today

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid ‘2’“A sensible, tax-efficient seven-seat SUV that retains the space and practicality that has already netted the Kia Sorento a CCT100 Award, but with added efficiency.”
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Daily Mirror

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol automatic ‘2’Score: 6 / 10“The 2020 Kia Sorento is a no-nonsense, large practical vehicle that’s comfortable and will do the job just as well as its more flash and posher rivals.”
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Fleetworld

Score: 8 / 10“Comfortable, spacious, stylish and fitted with the latest tech, the new Sorento impresses. The hybrid, with its savings on running costs, should prove attractive to fleets.”
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The Sun

Model reviewed: Hybrid“Classy Kia Sorento hybrid is just like a Volvo – only much cheaper.”
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The Telegraph

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid ‘4’Score: 6 / 10“If you’re buying privately, the Kia Sorento PHEV is hard to recommend. It’s just a bit too lumpen to drive, and it’s difficult to see why you’d bother paying the extra for it. Which is a shame, because this really is a fantastically practical and, for the most part, comfortable car.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol-electric hybrid ‘2’Score: 8 / 10“The new Kia Sorento isn’t the most dynamic SUV out there. But that’s OK because it doesn’t really need to be. What it does need to get right, however, it gets very right indeed. It isn’t just big; it’s also rather clever – and if you’re after a seven-seat SUV, it should probably be on your shortlist.”
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What Car?

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 10 / 10“The Kia Sorento’s price tag overlaps premium-badged rivals, but it’s a top-notch large SUV.”
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Which?

Model reviewed: Range overview“The Kia Sorento has always been a ‘proper’ 4×4 in a world of crossover SUVs, and the fourth-generation model is perfectly capable of serious off-road driving and towing. Yet it’s also a great all-round family car: hugely spacious, packed with equipment and very safe.”
Read review

Safety rating

Overall rating: 5 stars
Date tested: December 2020

82%

ADULT OCCUPANT

85%

CHILD OCCUPANT

63%

VULNERABLE ROAD USERS

87%

SAFETY ASSIST

Read full Euro NCAP review

The Kia Sorento gained a top-level Five Star rating when tested by Euro NCAP in 2020. Testers highlighted its active safety systems, not only the standard-fit autonomous emergency braking that performed well in several different scenarios, but a driver-alert monitor, lane-support system and camera-based traffic sign recognition.

Eco rating

No eco rating

As of January 2022, the Kia Sorento has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

Awards

Trophies, prizes and awards that the Kia Sorento has received

2022

What Car? Awards – Best Tow Car

2021

Carbuyer Awards – Best Large Family Car
DieselCar & EcoCar Top 50 – Best Large SUV
iF Design Award
News UK Motoring Awards – Best Large SUV (PHEV)
Parkers New Car Awards – Best Large Family Car
Red Dot Design Award
Scottish Car of the Year Awards – Best Large SUV
What Car? Awards – Best Large SUV
Women’s World Car of the Year Awards – Best Large SUV

2020

Carbuyer Awards – Car of the Year

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