Happy owner of Sorento Phev from Finland. Same comments from my lady after first drive. She just love this car. We have had premium cars like Audi A6 and she has that premium car love but Kia has surprised her. We have American akita dog with long legs and he is very happy in Sorento. We manage normal daily commuting with EV mode so mpg is very good. And very relaxed drive. This car is quiet. Living in cold country I bought Webasto to make the cabin warm on in winter. This car do not have heatpump.
Just bought a KIA NIRO hybrid at the start of the month for work as a driving instructor. The car has been a delight to drive and my pupils are loving it. Fuel bills are so low and the kit in the car is excellent. Definitely KIA is worth a consideration for people thinking of changing their car.
This was probably the most informational review of the Sorento I've seen. Really delves into the little hacks you need to know about the car if you're going to buy one and has really cemented it at the top of my list.
Owned my Stinger for 3 years, and from my experience you'll never need to use the 7 year warranty. Many of my friends are car badge snobs and sneered a bit when I bought a Kia, but have changed their opinions having driven mine!!
My KIA C'EED SW has just turned 8 years old. Noticed last week that the tubular gasket around the driver's door frame is starting to wear over a 6 inch length and the dash covering at the airvent at the bottom of the windscreen is starting to lift away. Outrageous! Do you think it's too late to claim? :o)
Kia’s nice for 7 years, we have a 9 year old Kia Cerato and it’s got a couple expensive problems 😬 Don’t know if kia’s made they’re cars last longer yet (it also has 150k km)
I've visited Korea many times in recent years for work and always been impressed by the quality of their products, phones, TV's, appliances etc. So when I was looking for a replacement for my Volvo XC90, I had a look at the usual competition, Outlander, Pug 5008, Kodiaq, etc but none came close to the solid build of the Volvo. Then I went to see the Sorrento expecting to be disappointed but I was pretty blown away by the build quality and the options that were included as standard. Just opening the car door and then shutting it, was so similar to the solidity of the Volvo I was looking for. I too was a badge snob but ended up buying a Kia. Like you said, take a hard look at Kia because they are great value for money. BTW, I heard they have hired someone senior who used to work for BMW and they have deliberately made their cars more European like so they can capture more of that market. The result is impressive.
Great to hear. I currently have a 2016 XC90 and love it but the mileage is getting high. I just put an order in for the 2024 Sorento GT after driving the 2023 model at the dealership. Can't believe I'm buying a Kia from a Volvo. But there just isn't anything better build, better looking or better equipped unless you're prepared to spend over (AU$)120,000.
@@ovechkinwannabe it is quite economical in that sence... i came from a 2.2 diesel 180 bhp outlander and its more or less the same... maybe slightly more economical 👍😉
shows how strong brand preference, brand loyalty / "badge" plays in the vehicles people choose to look at and go for. People will forgive all kinds of short comings by certain manufacturers and overlook some really great cars because of assumptions held about the manufacturer (good or bad) that could well be very old and quite irrelevant
Good review mate, I think you hit all the key points. I bought a Canadian spec, 2022 Sorento PHEV and I’ve been quite impressed. There is definitely a learning curve when it comes to maximizing the efficiency of the Hybrid system. I have however, been able to extract 65 KM of pure electric range out of the battery in EV mode. That brought the battery down to 15 percent and then automatically forced Hybrid mode. The type of driving has a huge effect on your potential efficiency. Short trips were the engine runs to heat up will net less efficiency, but longer trips where the engine runs to warm up the shuts off and it runs off the battery will net better efficiency. So far my average efficiency through 1000Km is 2.3L/100km. Which is over 100 MPG.
That sounds very nice! I'm in the market for a bigger family car which would ideally be a phev and the Sorento really caught my eye and the missus quite likes it as well. I'm concerned if I can fit 3 child seats in the second row bench and if the ev range is sufficient. I suppose depending on the seat models it should be possible to fit 3 child seats in the back and seeing your comment about the efficiency is uplifting as well. Most of our driving is withing a 20km radius so there and back is 40km. About once a week we drive a 100km round trip to a city near by (visiting my mother in-law) and sometimes a bout a 300km round trip to visit my mother. I was worried the longer round trips would efficiently degrade our L/KM figures but reading this it's not necessarily that bad. Do you still own your Sorento and how are you liking it?
This review was well worth the wait Sir Pete! One of the things I’m beginning to think is very cool about Kia is there ability to surprise people in such a positive way. There definitely doing something good for normal people by allowing them the chance to afford a car or suv that’s actually affordable and very well equipped! I’ve seen a lot of this Kia suv here in the states. Great living with review Sir Pete
I’ve been eagerly awaiting this review as this exact model is on the list as a replacement for my Discovery 3 HSE. I looked at the Hybrid before the PHEV was launched and was super impressed by the build quality and equipment levels of this. Yes it ain’t a sportscar, but as family transport with a big boot for my large dog and holidays etc it’s very impressive
@@PetrolPed in the end I didn’t go for the Sorento or RAV4 and instead found a mint, 5 month old Lexus NX450H+ F-Sport Takumi and waiting for delivery in a week! I can’t wait..
Ours is arriving tomorrow. Our 2017 diesel Sorento had been flawless. And since you mention Range Rovers; my father in law's three month old PHEV RR gearbox decided to give up yesterday. Fair play to it, as it's beaten the record of 6 months and 9 months for the previous two RRs (although, that wan't the gearbox and instead the exact same issue with the hybrid system). And this thing barely moved with the lockdowns. Needless to say, he'll buy another one next year. Madness.
Hi Peter, Well I have gone and done it, Kia Sorrento 4 PHEV ( Mineral Blue) ordered due to arrive sometime in November which is fine with me. Thanks for you full review it certainly helped me in the final decision making. I will let you know when it arrives and hope to see you in the village sometime.
Have owned the 2.2l turbo diesel AWD GT-Line (4) Sorento since 2018. First tried the same car in a petrol version in The Yukon, then bought it back in Australia (same country roads, fewer bears, more kangaroos). Brilliant car. Two kids, two dogs, 2 prams; it swallows the family and the miles with ease. Mechanics love and hate them (because they don't come into the shop). Sorento won car of the year here in Oz in 2021. Likely to trade in for the PHEV when it gets to Australia later this year. Best insight in the video is that it feels like a much smaller car. That was our immediate impression when we first tried a Jeep Grand Cherokee, then the Sorento. One felt like steering a super tanker, the other like a smart hatchback.
A super video full of little tips not found elsewhere. I've been considering the Sorento HEV and PHEV, but the 47 litre tank of the PHEV was making think deal-breaker (it's 67 litres on the HEV). My driving is shopping and short trips out 2-3 times a week, with child, with long occasional long journeys from Italy to UK through France a few times a year, as well as occasional long journeys to Sweden. Your tip to eke out 40+ MPG was useful using the EV/Smart mode combo, is something I've not seen in the many reviews I've looked - I suspect because those reviewers tend to review a car they keep for a day or two and not for 6 weeks, during which time its possible to really get to know a car. I still haven't decided on whether to go for the HEV or the PHEV, but as a result of this video, I'm reconsidering the merits of the PHEV.
To be honest i owned i20 hyundai and kia niro. Its never let me down. My i20 2009 still kicking. My niro hybrid 2016 first edition its gives me 85mpg on 30 miles every day going to work and never have any problem. My partner Vauxhall astra we end up selling it as gives us headache and spending hundres pounds every month . We planning to buy sorrento in the future. Definitely Korean car or Japanese car
I bought my 2021 KIA Sorento Hybrid EX in Texas about a month ago and I love it so much!! It is a fantastic SUV. The quality, performance, and price are so much better than Japanese SUVs. Perhaps, this one is better than any other vehicle available out there in a similar segment. You will be shocked and surprised by what this KIA and Sorento can offer. This is the best decision that I made ever!!
Great review of the Sorento PHEV and of what is a much underrated brand. Our Kia e-Niro has been a faultless star since March 2019 and 44,000 km. No doubt Kia will in time have a Sorento sized BEV with a big battery and super-fast charging on their new 800v system. Looking forward to the EV6 online launch tomorrow here in France.
Absolutely perfect family car, and with the hybrid for short journeys its even more perfect. When the time comes i will 100% look at one of them. My dad had a 200,000 miles first generation of this, a old red nail of a thing that just kept on going and going, went to Cornwall once a month from Birmingham and it finally died with 310,000 on it. Brilliant work horse.
Thanks for an excellent video, have one ordered for delivery in July and can't wait. Really enjoyed your review which I watched somewhat like a trailer before a new film hits the cinemas! Very much a brand snob here also but as you say, we need to open our eyes beyond the likes of say Audi Q7 and BMW X5... Incredible spec for the money!
Never really considered a Kia possibly pushed towards the Countryman Hybrid. But what a massive car this is with incredible tech even an intercom!! That’s crazy 😜
I seriously believe Kia is a hugely underrated brand - most of the lineup looks great and has done for a few years, add in 7 years warranty it seems a great buy. Would love to try a stinger out 👍🏻
Looking forward to the Genesis G70 hitting these shores, it's a Stinger but much better looking (for me at least). Cracking cars coming from that part of the world though - love the Kia Proceed and Hyundai i30 fastback.
@@smwatson1512 Funny you say that, I saw my first Infiniti Q70 last night and it turned my head - the Genesis G70 should look much better and so turn more heads!
@@smwatson1512 The G70 is better than the Stinger in most ways except practicality. The Stinger can be a daily family car. The G70 is very squishy in the back seat and no tailgate.
Kia and Hyundai have PASSED Japanese Quality! Not only that, but their STYLING has Buried that Japanese car makers. The Honda Pilot looks like it was designed 10 years ago.
I cannot comment on Great Britain but in the States the two highest rated brands for quality and reliability are Lexus and Mazda (per Consumer Reports).
Great review, Peter, with the added depth of having the car for a longer period of usage. Looks a good car, not that I’m at all in the market for one. Kia as a brand has come such a long way and I would certainly consider one when I start to look for my next car, but thats years away yet! It will be interesting to see the long-range review for the car, but I doubt you will have converted the hardened badge snobs out there! Best wishes from the Wirral.
I have owned the previous version now for four and a half years, and cannot fault it at all. It has never put a foot wrong we live in a large property with land and the car is a workhorse. I have previously owned Mercedes and Land-rovers, but this is the first car that has not had anything go wrong with it at all. Picking up our daughter and family up from the airport we had four adults, two children (one a toddler) push chair and three large suitcases by putting up only one of the rearmost seats we all got in and had a comfortable journey. As Petrol Per stated forget brand snobbery a really well built comfortable car.
I'm interested in opinions as to say a 15/16 plate Sorento. Given I only change cars every 10 years or so I don't know very much. Any help you could give considering your experience would be useful. I'm also attracted to VW Tourareg or maybe a M/Benz ML but the Kia intrigues me.
@@bobbutcher7725 I still own our Kia Sorrento (2016 model), and happy to report it has still never let us down. We are still very happy with the car. It is the longest period by a good margin that I have owned a single vehicle. Ownership costs for us in five and a half years are service costs - 3 services (every two years) , set of new tyres, change of battery at five years (the battery hadn't failed but was getting a bit sluggish on very cold mornings. and replacement front brake pads, that is it. Everything works perfectly, ours has all the options. One fact I was surprised us with Kia is they will update the cars software including GPS mapping free of charge for the first seven years, you have to request it, but its free.It took my wife a lot of persuading to get me to consider a Kia but I have never regretted it for a minute.
@@richardallison5732 Thanks Richard for replying it's very appreciated. To have the opinion of an actual owner is great. The Sorrento is now very much on my list. perhaps I should look at the Santa-Fe too. Any thoughts on that. Did you consider it?
@@bobbutcher7725 At the time of purchase we looked at the Sorrento and Discovery Sport as we wanted an SUV with 7 seats, if my memory serves me correctly I don't think at that time the Sant Fe had seven seats? . The Sorrento had more space and the 7 year warranty. I also had too many bad memories of Land Rover reliability.
Great review. Definitely best bang for the buck! Mercedes GLE or GLB has less than a third of comfort and driving assist features/options that a Sorento has yet costs $20k-$60k more.
Great review esp as I have an R53 so that satisfies the pocket rocket bit in the garage. For our family workhorse, we moved from the previous generation Sorento which was a good car to a Discovery Sport and tbh, was disappointed with the number of times we had to take it back to the dealer for warranty work. Definitely will be looking at Sorento PHEV 4 now as a replacement for my disappointing Land Rover Experience. Thanks for a really informative review.
Hi I had a problem with my 12 year old Kia Sorento , the fuel tank was flaking causing loss of power , the tank was replaced under good Will . Great care from Kia so When I renewed my kia , Guess what I bought another Kia Sorento model before this one With a 2.2 engine 6 speed manual and my wife likes driving it !
Absolutely agree with you about brand snobbery. I have had many cars over the years from most of the manufacturers and those that I haven’t owned I’ve worked on. And my last 3 cars have all been Kia’s and I have been very pleased with them. My current car is the e Niro. Which I find relaxing to drive with some performance when overthinking with a range that surpasses most cars at that price point. I would recommend people when choosing a new car to give Kia a try. Great review thanks.
Im not married. I have no children. I live alone. Im more interested in an EV than a PHEV. I still watched the whole video. :) *EDIT: Very impressed with Kia and Hyundai generally over the last couple of years actually.
A good review as always.We have just ventured into Kia world as my wife recently got a Picanto.Very impressed by it.It's not all fantastic though.I had a test drive in a 1.6 petrol Sportage and was very disappointed I'm afraid.It was so underpowered I actually thought there was something wrong with it,but I wouldn't rule a different model out in the future.Looking forward to your long journey review.Very interesting as I think PHEV will most likely be my entry point into the world of electric motoring.
I have been driving now for about 1,5 month with such. I made one long trip, around 1000 km to bring it home. Started with full battery of course, but mainly by benzine of course. 6.3 l/100 km was my consumption on that trip. (I think I have always had relatively economical driving style). So far no much bad things to say about the car. Really nice, economical and currently getting close to 2-2.5 l/100 km consumption now at cold weathers with short drivings (with using preheating, that I installed separately), below 0 Celsius. In first bit warmer days, immediately bit less. The only bit annoying thing was during that long trip that the weather was close to 0 C, raining wet snow, lot of road salt used and the sensors in front was some amount of trip getting dirty and smart speed control stopped working fully as it couldn't measure the distance to cars front of me. It's bit stupid. It should be designed so that if that part is lost, I still could continue with constant speed, but I had to use pedal for some 100-150 km of that trip. Other bad things, are naturally the slow charging (no sense to charge in mid-way of any longer trip) and the lack of heat pump, or even heating resistor, so at cold temps, need to use some amount of benzine in even in short trips. But these of course are clear for all buyers beforehand. But like I said, generally I like this car a lot so far. Hopefully it is like that still in 10 y, I am bit scared with all this electronics. There is a lot to fix in those if they start to get broken.
After my 650+ mile trip to Portsmouth this week, this car would have been perfect rather than a low, stiff sport car. Already on my top SUV choice. A couple of questions: 1/ How was the steering feel? 2/ is there a lag if you accelerate from a junction?
This car is now on my radar to replace my X3 2.0D xDrive. I was going to look at the xDive30e but in Ireland it works out 10 grand more expensive than the K4 Sorento PHEV...a no brainer really. Thank you for this review!
What a great video Pedro. Having a car for such a period of time id definitely reflected in this video. You've had the time to really get under the covers which is what we all need. Same as having a demo for 48 hours, how much of an experience can one really get. Looking forward to seeing more in depth reviews like this. Keep them coming. :)
Hi Ped One thing I like about your reviews, you give us the info and experience that we want to hear, unlike some areas of the motoring press.No doubt have come a long way in a short period of time, just need to overcome the “ brand snobbery” of which I am guilty of, to reach that wider audience. 🤗
These cars are great. One of my gripes with Audi, Merc and BMW is that they make options so expensive that can be found on cars that are half the price. I keep pointing that out to the dealers!
I had a similar experience with my vauxhall crossland x auto. It's just a rental until I get my company car and not at all what I would normally choose. Yes it handles like a boat and the engine tends to lag when you put your foot down. BUT it does 47mpg and is surprisingly quick with it's 130bhp 1.2 engine. It has apple car play etc and is really roomy and relaxing on the motorway when using cruise control. In fact i used it to move house.
Another super review. Thanks. I’m totally sold on Korean cars, Kia and Hyundai are so well made and thought out. We love our Ioniq Hybrid but currently sitting on the fence regarding going to a full EV.
Great review there Pedro. In the first 10 seconds I thought “Big KIA SUV review” that’s not for me! However, I stuck with it right to the end as you cleverly teased us from the off, promising to show us options/characteristics on this car that even you’ve never seen before. That’s a very cute ploy and of course I’m now intrigued. Great car, and a fab review, but as it’s just me and the boss nowadays I’ll stick with the MINI.👍
Great review. Just got my new Sorento this week after waiting 10 months. I have the 2.2 Diesel as I tow a caravan at 1.8 ton. Not a fan of hybrid mainly due to towing my caravan cost 42.5K so fuel saving on long journeys is not much better than the diesel but acceleration is superb. Well finished and high specification. I agree not a prize so called badge but this is our 5th Kia and second Sorento and feel Kia have got it right. Great car.
Greetings from Greece! Loved your review, it was very well done! I have been looking through the market for a family suv and I really love this car! Still hasn't arrived here, so we are waiting for it!
Hi. I also have this spec but hybrid only. This is my 3rd Sorento and it’s absolutely brilliant. I’m averaging 40mpg I actually ordered it prior to its launch in the Uk, having ‘stalked it’ on RUclips. It arrived at the dealership with Their own display Sorento ‘s mid September and was actually on the road on the 17th September 2020. Love it You missed demonstrating the heads up display, awesome demo though.
That looks magic, debadge and wrap the nose and tail ones (and get rid of those horrible diamond cut alloys) and you have a car that would have people scratching their heads!! Spec is amazing.
Great video. I was looking at one of these to replace our 15 year old Sharan but new it was out of my budget by £15k on the base model so I bought a 4 year old XC90 T8 Inscription with zero tax instead and I love it 😊 I still need a 7 seater and didn't want another diesel that had to be
I'm sure someone else has mentioned this but the Skoda Kodiaq also had the intercom feature for rear-most passengers. I say had because the feature has since been dropped. The problem is the microphone doesn't just pick up your voice but all other noises too. So on occasion you hear noises coming from the rear of the car which you think is some rattle but in reality it's just the intercom working. It's just one of those great ideas on paper but it's pant's in practice - a solution to a problem we never had.
I haven't cleaned my white car for over a year now and it still looks OK. I had a Sorento in 2005. Lovely car. It was like driving in an armchair drove to Brittany from Maidstone and arrived fresh as a daisy. . Only wish I had the money to buy this one but never mind.😪
hey you can get the previous gen used if you don't need the gadgets it's a good car too and the 7 years warranty is transferable. I have the money to buy a new one but don't see the use for a new car. I like parking anywhere without worrying about someone scratching my car or my daughter eating her snacks in the back seat, or me putting my mountain bike in the trunk (i still put some old sheets to avoid grease)
Seems like a nice and well appointed SUV. As for the driver controlling the passenger seat, they need to see how Mercedes Benz and BMW do it. Press a button on those cars and the driver has FULL control of the passenger seats including heating and cooling 8-))...
The 7 seats are so easy. It such a pain in the A on the X5. No where to put the parcel shelf and it weighs a ton, you can't reach the seat without clambering in and they're tiny, almost unusable. Kia seem to have really thought about the usage. They all look isofix too which is a bonus. Top vid sir.
I had a 2012 Sorento ... it's still the wife's favourite car! However for me it was dull and uninspiring to drive ... but as a family car it would eat up the miles on long trips, did everything we asked it to do, had 7 seats for short trips, and never put a foot wrong in 3 years. Having owned a the Sorento and knowing Kia is why I brought a Stinger in 2018 - which was also a great car. I'm hoping by 2023-2025 I can replace my Polestar 2 with a Stinger EV!
Hi ped, another great review. Kia has shown some great innovation with some of the tech It is a big car but as a hybrid I would want a bit more than high 30's/ low 40's mpg, there are clearly sacrifices to be made carrying the extra weight, if I has 53 k burning a hole in my pocket would I buy one? Probably not.
Yes Kia have come on in leaps and bounds, excellent reliability, very well put together, the badge snobs are the ones missing out. For the plug in, you really need to have a compatible mileage profile, not too many long distance drives or the the extra weight will outweigh the EV element. But many want to avoid range anxiety and choose the hybrid, I think it is a stop gap, but also a gateway drug, once you drive an EV you do not go back. Thanks for the review.
Excellent review. I'm always interested in how Europeans view the SUVs available here in America. And contrary to characterization the Sorento as "massive," on this side of the pond at 189" long it's among the shortest of the SUVs in the "midsize" category and by the smallest midsize 3 row SUV by a significant margin. That difference stems from more than Americans' ingrained belief that bigger is synonymous with better. Our national obsession with fast food, our wide open spaces, cheap petrol, and the nearly complete absence of high speed rail travel all contribute to our obsession with vehicles that rival the size of small studio apartments. Happily, the Sorento is a "Goldilocks" size by American standards. We've owned a 2012 model and currently have a 2018 version. It's my wife's and daughter's daily driver, our family freeway slogger on long trips, and our big dog's second home. The new generation offers a number of significant improvements over our model. Unfortunately, it also comes with some less desirable traits. On the plus sice, three engine options are currently available in America: a naturally aspirated 4 cylinder gasoline engine, a 2.5L turbo version of that engine, and a conventional hybrid. (Diesel-gate largely eliminated any hope for diesels in American passenger vehicles.) We won't be seeing the PHEV Sorento until the fall of 2021. The NA base petrol engine is underpowered (by American standards) in such a heavy vehicle. The turbo version replaces the last generation V6 option with better fuel economy and performance and it comes with AWD optional or standard in higher trims. On the negative side, the hybrid Sorento is available in the US only in a FWD version. That may be fine for our "sunbelt" states but I live in the Pacific Northwest near the Canadian border and the Cascade mountains. AWD isn't mandatory but it's a major benefit in our messy winters and for ski trips. That limits our current option to the upper trim petrol versions with the turbo engine and a 7 speed wet clutch DSG transmission. That's OK since we like our current top trim Sorento with its bells and whistles and other amenities and I'm a fan of dual clutch transmissions. There's a problem, however. Second row bench seating is available only on the lowest trims of the new Sorento here in the US. Those trims don't inclue the turbo engine option and upper trims with the turbo engine couple it with captain chairs in the second row. The humans in our family would be fine with that but the fourth member, our 60 lb dog would strongly object. A captain chair seat doesn't fit his physique and he's accustomed to rides to the dog park and elsewhere sprawled on back seat and rides home from the park covered in mud in the rear cargo hold with the third row folded. All of this is a long winded way to note that the PHEV version of the Sorento in the video appears to combine upper trim features with a second row bench seat. I'm fervently hoping that will be the case for the US spec version. An AWD PHEV version with the features in the video and a second row bench would be perfect for us. Otherwise we might have to look elsewhere. Perhaps to the closely related Hyundai Santa Fe where we would have to sacrifice the occasional use of a third row of seats. A great convenience when we have 6 or more passengers and the only option is to take two vehicles on a local trip. Here's hoping.
A very interesting review of a car that I passed on the road recently and took a double take as it was unfamiliar. We had an early Sportage and loved it and would not be adverse to owning another Kia. I would ask the question what the consumption would be like on a 300 mile drive with such a heavy car with such a small engine.
@@PetrolPed That is very interesting as I thought it would be lower. The guys at Jaguar were trying to talk me out of Hybrid saying my long journeys would be un economic lugging around the extra weight with a small engine. The other cost no one speaks of is Insurance, our premium from a LR Disco sport doubles on an I-Pace, nearly wiping out the fuel savings. My dilemma is I am a huge fan of JLR and I know I would regret switching to a KIA even though it makes sense. Maybe I am trying to convince myself the new Defender is the way to go. Thanks for the info though.
Nice vehicle, and as always with the Kia/Hyundai range, well spec'ed. With this style of vehicle, the downside of the 3rd row of seats is that they are either on or behind the back wheels which gives the seat a little "sway" and therefore not ideal for a long trip (my children get car sick)
I have the Gt line s Sportage AWD with a similar spec heated/cooled front seats and rear heated inc steering wheel,lane assist blind spot mirrors,JBL sound system and loads more that I can’t think of drone camera is fantastic for parking 1.6 turbo engine 177bhp with sports mode plus as you say 7 year anything warranty plus came with 3 year free servicing and know I don’t work for them but this is my second one as the first was a bit more basic Gt line,
I chose the diesel version which is only available with the middle trim level. The only important things I miss out on that I would like are head-up display and cooled seats. It replaces a Volvo XC90 D5 Inscription and is a match in every way. What I don't like is that the lane following-steering wheel nudging function defaults to on after every cold start, requiring a long press on the steering wheel button to shut it down. I'm getting an amazing 40mpg average on hilly/twisty West Wales coast and country roads. Not driven on a motorway yet, after six months of running. I have this on a business contract hire and you wouldn't believe how much cheaper it is to run compared to my friend's Range Rover Sport. It is less than a third of the cost per month and costs me, even after averaging the deposit out over 36 months and adding it to my payments, £3 per day more than a packet of popular 20 cigarettes.
Interestingly how the vehicle compares with its cousin Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV with the same hybrid Powertrain, yet mechanically a different car with higher ground clearance and more robust AWD. Also it will be an interesting comparison with new generation of Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV with larger battery and faster charging speed: this vehicle uses a quite slow - just a meager 3.2 kW charger. Otherwise is a very good car. Those B roads in UK are even narrower than on European continent, frankly quite unnerving for a driver used to North American roads. Those cameras and features with blind spots monitoring are a must over there. Very detailed review!
Finally gave this a watch. My goodness, what an intelligent crossover! Is this what happens when the people designing the cars are the ones actually using them, as opposed to just pleasing the accountants? A great car overall. These are starting to appear more in the USA too, and the look is growing on me a bit.
I live in Australia and have had the Diesel Sport-Line variant for about 3months now. What an amazing SUV. Incredible fuel economy and comfort. Brought this vehicle after 6 months studying everthing on the market. As this is my wifes car and she is in the nursing game and does her fair share of night driving, I wanted something SAFE, ECONOMICAL, WITH POWER and 7 seats to carry around grandkids etc. Ticked all the boxes plus. Fuel is approx 6.9ltrs per 100klm. Thats the same as her last car a Kia Cerato. Thanks Kia.
Best parcel shelf stowage I've come across is the Lexus RX, there's a trough under the boot floor that it slots in so it's completely out the way, it's also big enough to fit a golf brolly in at same time, or 4 without the shelf (it's a rollershutter style).
Thanks very helpful review and pointer to a vehicle I might not have considered. You make the point that extended drive gives you better insight to the capabilities of the car. In my limited experience so far, Kia dealerships seem to have restrictions or at least seek permissions to provide extended drives. Maybe just a reflection of current circumstances but I would not be inclined to buy or hire one without that opportunity
After two wonderful Skoda kodiaqs which I’ve loved, I am going for one of these , hope I’m making the right decision, great reviews as usual, really honest driver reviews
@@amrashraf9559 very solid car & fabulous to drive considering it’s a big suv extremely comfortable, more of a drivers car than the Sorento, I had however issues with overheating which turned out to be a water pump problem which apparently is quite common with VW group engines the car had only 45k on it & was out of warranty the cost is €800 to replace it & the timing belt, a three year warranty on a car of this price is poor, kia seven year warranty is very appealing
@@amrashraf9559 well I’m still waiting for it, it was ordered last October & I’m told it will be March/ April before it arrives so I can’t give you an honest answer yet, I did enjoy the test drives but it’s hard to tell until I live with the new car, either way I’m making the semi electric (PHEV) move now & the Sorento ticks all the boxes, I’ll let you know in time.
If you lift up the floor by the handle close to the rear hatch door there should be a spot to hide your luggage cover next to the jack. The regular sorento has it.
For fun I went onto Kia's US website and did a pretty much maxed out build on one of these and it came out at a bit under $40k (although I would say I don't think we get the Nappa leather option over here). The petrol motor is the same 200HP 1.6l Turbo that is in my spouse's Hyundai Elantra GT N-Line (i30 to you guys).
Totally agree about the fact a lot of people are Brand Snobs as they think Kia and Hyundai are like the early 1990 cars. Kia Sorento so much nicer to drive than a Range Rover and it won't break down like a Range Rover (I know people who are swapping Range Rovers for Hyundai's and Kia's). We have a diesel Sorento and it is like a tank. I also swapped my Hyundai for an Audi and had a few issues with the Audi. Technology in my 2017 Hyundai was better than my current 2017 Audi S3 and easier to use. So far very disappointed with quality of an Approved Used Audi from Audi. Car going back to Audi for aircon fault after being "fixed" 3 weeks ago.
@@amrashraf9559 Its amazing and can pull / tow 2 tonnes. For the money nothing comes close and it has a lot of kit included without loads of expensive options. Hyundai Santa Fe good as well.
Remember when we used to laugh at Korean car manufacturers? The new Sorrento seems like a proper piece of kit - nice review. I’m in a 435d at the moment and, owing to family obligations, I’ve been considering switching to a lightly-used 400d Estate. However, speed cameras are popping up everywhere, the roads are falling to pieces and I’m very often sat in traffic so it may be time for a radical rethink… that Sorrento looks extremely comfy, could it be the comfiest car/SUV you’ve ever tested?
Shopping at Audi for this kind of spec would indeed set you back a 6 figure number! What a car. GR supra will be more fun but in the real world, this seems like a very smart choice. Makes me think of the 2009 Ford Galaxy we had when the kids were small. Cheers
you don't have to slide the second row before using the handle, inclining the second row will unlock it and make it slide in one single movement. this is already like that on my 2017 sorento. By the way I see people going nuts with the new Sorento but honestly it looks like a more square version of the previous one which was already a very good car. equipment sure isn't top notch 2021 or on my base trim version but it's a no non sense car that does the job. I have the 2017 AWD V6 and got it for $18k one year old with 16k miles. does around 30mph doing 85 mph on cruise control and with 3 rows and the amount of trunk you have with 3rd row down, I really don't see why I would need something bigger unless I had more than three kids. I would probably have got an hybrid or phew version if I had the choice though cause I have no use for the towing ability of the V6
Hi. Good review. I have been wondering about the range of this car before the battery goes flat on a long journey. You say it's possible to "force" it into hybrid eco mode.... what kind of long distance range do you think it has in this mode?
Really interesting vid this time. Re 7 seats, ok for occasional use, reason, if you have 3 kids that need child seats try and find a car with 3 ISO fixings in the normal rear seat! its a VERY rare thing (Disco 4, Q7) to find as most manufactures offer the 7 seat option which is useless if you need boot space for buggies etc too. 7 seaters are not the answer. Love the blind spot stuff but I don't want physical lane steering assist. Should engine be 2.0 to help a bit?
I think comparing it to a Range Rover is a bit of a stretch... £53k will get you a very high spec Discovery Sport with similar space and just as many toys. You swap your KIA trick camera modes for the camera on the rear view mirror and the clear sight ground view which is arguably more useful. It then comes down to whether you want proper 4WD with the Land Rover or the PHEV tech with the Kia. JLR are yet to manage to package a PHEV with 7 seats unfortunately. However, it's a more apples to apples comparison with a clear choice I think... Your friends at Hendy should be able to get you a high spec DS HSE R-Dynamic with all the toys to compare. Would be interesting to see what you think of the two.
I have always recommend the Asian market as the cars to go for. We are badge snobs without trying alternatives. 5 , 7 years warranty show the confidence of their build quality and confidence in their product. i don't see the legacy car makers offering that.
I've currently got a Volvo XC90 2017 D5, After having no end of issues for the last year I'm seriously considering buying the new PHEV Sorento, this video may have also put me at ease around the 1.6l engine which was my main concern.... I do however wonder how this will depreciate when compared to other brands...
Hi Pete I love it mate I think it’s a really nice car inside and out my wife used to have a Kia Sportage top speck and we both love it I often hear say we should’ve got a new Kia Great content mate great Video 👍👍👍👍
Happy owner of Sorento Phev from Finland. Same comments from my lady after first drive. She just love this car. We have had premium cars like Audi A6 and she has that premium car love but Kia has surprised her. We have American akita dog with long legs and he is very happy in Sorento. We manage normal daily commuting with EV mode so mpg is very good. And very relaxed drive. This car is quiet. Living in cold country I bought Webasto to make the cabin warm on in winter. This car do not have heatpump.
Just bought a KIA NIRO hybrid at the start of the month for work as a driving instructor. The car has been a delight to drive and my pupils are loving it. Fuel bills are so low and the kit in the car is excellent. Definitely KIA is worth a consideration for people thinking of changing their car.
Great the hear 👍
This was probably the most informational review of the Sorento I've seen. Really delves into the little hacks you need to know about the car if you're going to buy one and has really cemented it at the top of my list.
Thanks 👍
Owned my Stinger for 3 years, and from my experience you'll never need to use the 7 year warranty. Many of my friends are car badge snobs and sneered a bit when I bought a Kia, but have changed their opinions having driven mine!!
Exactly 👍
My KIA C'EED SW has just turned 8 years old. Noticed last week that the tubular gasket around the driver's door frame is starting to wear over a 6 inch length and the dash covering at the airvent at the bottom of the windscreen is starting to lift away. Outrageous! Do you think it's too late to claim? :o)
Have had five Kias. When I bought my first one 12 years ago, my parents asked “Is everything ok?”
Kia’s nice for 7 years, we have a 9 year old Kia Cerato and it’s got a couple expensive problems 😬 Don’t know if kia’s made they’re cars last longer yet (it also has 150k km)
The Korean car makers have moved ahead in leaps and bounds over the past few years to produce world class cars.
Yep 👍
I've visited Korea many times in recent years for work and always been impressed by the quality of their products, phones, TV's, appliances etc. So when I was looking for a replacement for my Volvo XC90, I had a look at the usual competition, Outlander, Pug 5008, Kodiaq, etc but none came close to the solid build of the Volvo. Then I went to see the Sorrento expecting to be disappointed but I was pretty blown away by the build quality and the options that were included as standard. Just opening the car door and then shutting it, was so similar to the solidity of the Volvo I was looking for. I too was a badge snob but ended up buying a Kia. Like you said, take a hard look at Kia because they are great value for money. BTW, I heard they have hired someone senior who used to work for BMW and they have deliberately made their cars more European like so they can capture more of that market. The result is impressive.
Yes Albert Beirmann the ex BMW "M" spec man has a big hand in Hyundai/Kia development now.
Funny that people still fall for the door trick :)))
You are totally right, the kia nowadays is very good and reliable
Great to hear. I currently have a 2016 XC90 and love it but the mileage is getting high. I just put an order in for the 2024 Sorento GT after driving the 2023 model at the dealership.
Can't believe I'm buying a Kia from a Volvo. But there just isn't anything better build, better looking or better equipped unless you're prepared to spend over (AU$)120,000.
I got mine in January (hybrid). We totally love it.. its amazing the amount of kit it brings... highly recommend one 👍
👍
can you somehow compare it to 2.2 sorento diesel when it comes to long-distance drive? I'm thinking fuel consumption and acceleration above 120km/h
@@ovechkinwannabe it is quite economical in that sence... i came from a 2.2 diesel 180 bhp outlander and its more or less the same... maybe slightly more economical 👍😉
shows how strong brand preference, brand loyalty / "badge" plays in the vehicles people choose to look at and go for. People will forgive all kinds of short comings by certain manufacturers and overlook some really great cars because of assumptions held about the manufacturer (good or bad) that could well be very old and quite irrelevant
This why "posh" brands spend billions on marketing. *It works*
Good review mate, I think you hit all the key points. I bought a Canadian spec, 2022 Sorento PHEV and I’ve been quite impressed. There is definitely a learning curve when it comes to maximizing the efficiency of the Hybrid system. I have however, been able to extract 65 KM of pure electric range out of the battery in EV mode. That brought the battery down to 15 percent and then automatically forced Hybrid mode. The type of driving has a huge effect on your potential efficiency. Short trips were the engine runs to heat up will net less efficiency, but longer trips where the engine runs to warm up the shuts off and it runs off the battery will net better efficiency. So far my average efficiency through 1000Km is 2.3L/100km. Which is over 100 MPG.
Do canada have 7 seats?
That sounds very nice! I'm in the market for a bigger family car which would ideally be a phev and the Sorento really caught my eye and the missus quite likes it as well. I'm concerned if I can fit 3 child seats in the second row bench and if the ev range is sufficient. I suppose depending on the seat models it should be possible to fit 3 child seats in the back and seeing your comment about the efficiency is uplifting as well. Most of our driving is withing a 20km radius so there and back is 40km. About once a week we drive a 100km round trip to a city near by (visiting my mother in-law) and sometimes a bout a 300km round trip to visit my mother. I was worried the longer round trips would efficiently degrade our L/KM figures but reading this it's not necessarily that bad.
Do you still own your Sorento and how are you liking it?
This review was well worth the wait Sir Pete! One of the things I’m beginning to think is very cool about Kia is there ability to surprise people in such a positive way. There definitely doing something good for normal people by allowing them the chance to afford a car or suv that’s actually affordable and very well equipped! I’ve seen a lot of this Kia suv here in the states. Great living with review Sir Pete
Cheers bud 👍
I’ve been eagerly awaiting this review as this exact model is on the list as a replacement for my Discovery 3 HSE. I looked at the Hybrid before the PHEV was launched and was super impressed by the build quality and equipment levels of this. Yes it ain’t a sportscar, but as family transport with a big boot for my large dog and holidays etc it’s very impressive
It would be perfect for you by the sounds of it 👍
@@PetrolPed in the end I didn’t go for the Sorento or RAV4 and instead found a mint, 5 month old Lexus NX450H+ F-Sport Takumi and waiting for delivery in a week! I can’t wait..
Ours is arriving tomorrow. Our 2017 diesel Sorento had been flawless. And since you mention Range Rovers; my father in law's three month old PHEV RR gearbox decided to give up yesterday. Fair play to it, as it's beaten the record of 6 months and 9 months for the previous two RRs (although, that wan't the gearbox and instead the exact same issue with the hybrid system). And this thing barely moved with the lockdowns. Needless to say, he'll buy another one next year. Madness.
Hi Peter, Well I have gone and done it, Kia Sorrento 4 PHEV ( Mineral Blue) ordered due to arrive sometime in November which is fine with me. Thanks for you full review it certainly helped me in the final decision making. I will let you know when it arrives and hope to see you in the village sometime.
Congrats Chris. Great car 👍
Retired with 2017 Kia Cerato. Cheapest vehicle to run I have ever owned. No issues, no warrantee claims. Recommend Kia.
Have owned the 2.2l turbo diesel AWD GT-Line (4) Sorento since 2018. First tried the same car in a petrol version in The Yukon, then bought it back in Australia (same country roads, fewer bears, more kangaroos). Brilliant car. Two kids, two dogs, 2 prams; it swallows the family and the miles with ease. Mechanics love and hate them (because they don't come into the shop). Sorento won car of the year here in Oz in 2021. Likely to trade in for the PHEV when it gets to Australia later this year.
Best insight in the video is that it feels like a much smaller car. That was our immediate impression when we first tried a Jeep Grand Cherokee, then the Sorento. One felt like steering a super tanker, the other like a smart hatchback.
What a great car for the money and with a 7 year warranty you can't go far wrong, KIA have definitely upped their game big time.
They sure have 👍
Well warranty not so good as it sounds. Actually its good 3 years. Another 4 years just joke. Probably best warranty huyndai 5 years.
@@GameWinner85 Full 7 years should be good as that is what they sell with the car, shame. 👍👍
A super video full of little tips not found elsewhere. I've been considering the Sorento HEV and PHEV, but the 47 litre tank of the PHEV was making think deal-breaker (it's 67 litres on the HEV). My driving is shopping and short trips out 2-3 times a week, with child, with long occasional long journeys from Italy to UK through France a few times a year, as well as occasional long journeys to Sweden. Your tip to eke out 40+ MPG was useful using the EV/Smart mode combo, is something I've not seen in the many reviews I've looked - I suspect because those reviewers tend to review a car they keep for a day or two and not for 6 weeks, during which time its possible to really get to know a car. I still haven't decided on whether to go for the HEV or the PHEV, but as a result of this video, I'm reconsidering the merits of the PHEV.
To be honest i owned i20 hyundai and kia niro. Its never let me down. My i20 2009 still kicking. My niro hybrid 2016 first edition its gives me 85mpg on 30 miles every day going to work and never have any problem. My partner Vauxhall astra we end up selling it as gives us headache and spending hundres pounds every month . We planning to buy sorrento in the future. Definitely Korean car or Japanese car
Kia Niro is a brilliant car. Saves petrol like no other.
I bought my 2021 KIA Sorento Hybrid EX in Texas about a month ago and I love it so much!!
It is a fantastic SUV. The quality, performance, and price are so much better than Japanese SUVs. Perhaps, this one is better than any other vehicle available out there in a similar segment. You will be shocked and surprised by what this KIA and Sorento can offer. This is the best decision that I made ever!!
Great review of the Sorento PHEV and of what is a much underrated brand. Our Kia e-Niro has been a faultless star since March 2019 and 44,000 km. No doubt Kia will in time have a Sorento sized BEV with a big battery and super-fast charging on their new 800v system. Looking forward to the EV6 online launch tomorrow here in France.
Absolutely perfect family car, and with the hybrid for short journeys its even more perfect. When the time comes i will 100% look at one of them.
My dad had a 200,000 miles first generation of this, a old red nail of a thing that just kept on going and going, went to Cornwall once a month from Birmingham and it finally died with 310,000 on it. Brilliant work horse.
Wow 😯
A great and honest review. Thank you. Loved the comment about "This car is designed by someone who actually drive cars". Amen to that.
Cheers 👍
Thanks for an excellent video, have one ordered for delivery in July and can't wait. Really enjoyed your review which I watched somewhat like a trailer before a new film hits the cinemas! Very much a brand snob here also but as you say, we need to open our eyes beyond the likes of say Audi Q7 and BMW X5... Incredible spec for the money!
Never really considered a Kia possibly pushed towards the Countryman Hybrid. But what a massive car this is with incredible tech even an intercom!! That’s crazy 😜
I seriously believe Kia is a hugely underrated brand - most of the lineup looks great and has done for a few years, add in 7 years warranty it seems a great buy. Would love to try a stinger out 👍🏻
Stingers are mega things 👍
Looking forward to the Genesis G70 hitting these shores, it's a Stinger but much better looking (for me at least). Cracking cars coming from that part of the world though - love the Kia Proceed and Hyundai i30 fastback.
@@PetrolPed They sure are. Future purchase for sure, only the 3.3L though - not sure it would be "fun" enough otherwise.
@@smwatson1512 Funny you say that, I saw my first Infiniti Q70 last night and it turned my head - the Genesis G70 should look much better and so turn more heads!
@@smwatson1512 The G70 is better than the Stinger in most ways except practicality. The Stinger can be a daily family car. The G70 is very squishy in the back seat and no tailgate.
I’m so glad I found this video! My Range Rover Evoque had catastrophic engine failure and I’m considering the Sorento.
Go and have a test drive 👍
Kia and Hyundai have PASSED Japanese Quality! Not only that, but their STYLING has Buried that Japanese car makers. The Honda Pilot looks like it was designed 10 years ago.
I totally agree with you on that 100,000,000%
I cannot comment on Great Britain but in the States the two highest rated brands for quality and reliability are Lexus and Mazda (per Consumer Reports).
@@JackSmith-qi7dr Kia is well over Mazda and just below Lexus in terms of dependability according to JD Power.
True dat my boi
@@MrActionRadar lol at mazda
Great review, Peter, with the added depth of having the car for a longer period of usage.
Looks a good car, not that I’m at all in the market for one. Kia as a brand has come such a long way and I would certainly consider one when I start to look for my next car, but thats years away yet!
It will be interesting to see the long-range review for the car, but I doubt you will have converted the hardened badge snobs out there!
Best wishes from the Wirral.
Yay. Thanks ped, been waiting for this review and I wasn't disappointed. A fair balanced review as always. 👍
Great that you enjoyed it 👍
I have owned the previous version now for four and a half years, and cannot fault it at all. It has never put a foot wrong we live in a large property with land and the car is a workhorse. I have previously owned Mercedes and Land-rovers, but this is the first car that has not had anything go wrong with it at all. Picking up our daughter and family up from the airport we had four adults, two children (one a toddler) push chair and three large suitcases by putting up only one of the rearmost seats we all got in and had a comfortable journey. As Petrol Per stated forget brand snobbery a really well built comfortable car.
I'm interested in opinions as to say a 15/16 plate Sorento. Given I only change cars every 10 years or so I don't know very much. Any help you could give considering your experience would be useful. I'm also attracted to VW Tourareg or maybe a M/Benz ML but the Kia intrigues me.
@@bobbutcher7725 I still own our Kia Sorrento (2016 model), and happy to report it has still never let us down. We are still very happy with the car. It is the longest period by a good margin that I have owned a single vehicle. Ownership costs for us in five and a half years are service costs - 3 services (every two years) , set of new tyres, change of battery at five years (the battery hadn't failed but was getting a bit sluggish on very cold mornings. and replacement front brake pads, that is it. Everything works perfectly, ours has all the options. One fact I was surprised us with Kia is they will update the cars software including GPS mapping free of charge for the first seven years, you have to request it, but its free.It took my wife a lot of persuading to get me to consider a Kia but I have never regretted it for a minute.
@@richardallison5732 Thanks Richard for replying it's very appreciated. To have the opinion of an actual owner is great. The Sorrento is now very much on my list. perhaps I should look at the Santa-Fe too. Any thoughts on that. Did you consider it?
@@bobbutcher7725 At the time of purchase we looked at the Sorrento and Discovery Sport as we wanted an SUV with 7 seats, if my memory serves me correctly I don't think at that time the Sant Fe had seven seats? . The Sorrento had more space and the 7 year warranty. I also had too many bad memories of Land Rover reliability.
Bought the PHEV version, what a great car do drive, so smooth and great looking design, love it so far!
Great review. Definitely best bang for the buck! Mercedes GLE or GLB has less than a third of comfort and driving assist features/options that a Sorento has yet costs $20k-$60k more.
Great review esp as I have an R53 so that satisfies the pocket rocket bit in the garage. For our family workhorse, we moved from the previous generation Sorento which was a good car to a Discovery Sport and tbh, was disappointed with the number of times we had to take it back to the dealer for warranty work. Definitely will be looking at Sorento PHEV 4 now as a replacement for my disappointing Land Rover Experience. Thanks for a really informative review.
Hi I had a problem with my 12 year old Kia Sorento , the fuel tank was flaking causing loss of power , the tank was replaced under good Will . Great care from Kia so When I renewed my kia , Guess what I bought another Kia Sorento model before this one With a 2.2 engine 6 speed manual and my wife likes driving it !
Having driven a 3 row vehicle when my kids were small, I wouldn't want to have a speaker in the back, rather have noise cancellation for the driver!
LOL 😂
The speaker only goes one way…mummy to kids 👍
My Sorento PHEV has done about 3.500 km. With some effort it wil do about 64 km (39 Miles) in pure EV mode. Awsome car!
Wow 👏👏👏
Absolutely agree with you about brand snobbery. I have had many cars over the years from most of the manufacturers and those that I haven’t owned I’ve worked on. And my last 3 cars have all been Kia’s and I have been very pleased with them. My current car is the e Niro. Which I find relaxing to drive with some performance when overthinking with a range that surpasses most cars at that price point. I would recommend people when choosing a new car to give Kia a try. Great review thanks.
Im not married. I have no children. I live alone. Im more interested in an EV than a PHEV. I still watched the whole video. :)
*EDIT: Very impressed with Kia and Hyundai generally over the last couple of years actually.
A good review as always.We have just ventured into Kia world as my wife recently got a Picanto.Very impressed by it.It's not all fantastic though.I had a test drive in a 1.6 petrol Sportage and was very disappointed I'm afraid.It was so underpowered I actually thought there was something wrong with it,but I wouldn't rule a different model out in the future.Looking forward to your long journey review.Very interesting as I think PHEV will most likely be my entry point into the world of electric motoring.
That is a problem sometimes going budget on a car. You still need some oomff 👍
I have been driving now for about 1,5 month with such. I made one long trip, around 1000 km to bring it home. Started with full battery of course, but mainly by benzine of course. 6.3 l/100 km was my consumption on that trip. (I think I have always had relatively economical driving style).
So far no much bad things to say about the car. Really nice, economical and currently getting close to 2-2.5 l/100 km consumption now at cold weathers with short drivings (with using preheating, that I installed separately), below 0 Celsius. In first bit warmer days, immediately bit less.
The only bit annoying thing was during that long trip that the weather was close to 0 C, raining wet snow, lot of road salt used and the sensors in front was some amount of trip getting dirty and smart speed control stopped working fully as it couldn't measure the distance to cars front of me. It's bit stupid. It should be designed so that if that part is lost, I still could continue with constant speed, but I had to use pedal for some 100-150 km of that trip.
Other bad things, are naturally the slow charging (no sense to charge in mid-way of any longer trip) and the lack of heat pump, or even heating resistor, so at cold temps, need to use some amount of benzine in even in short trips. But these of course are clear for all buyers beforehand.
But like I said, generally I like this car a lot so far. Hopefully it is like that still in 10 y, I am bit scared with all this electronics. There is a lot to fix in those if they start to get broken.
After my 650+ mile trip to Portsmouth this week, this car would have been perfect rather than a low, stiff sport car. Already on my top SUV choice. A couple of questions: 1/ How was the steering feel? 2/ is there a lag if you accelerate from a junction?
This car is now on my radar to replace my X3 2.0D xDrive. I was going to look at the xDive30e but in Ireland it works out 10 grand more expensive than the K4 Sorento PHEV...a no brainer really. Thank you for this review!
Evening all, Kia have some interesting cars in there range. They clearly have the right people when it comes innovative designs. Great review Pete 👍👌
Thanks Mark. They are right on top of their game 👍
@@PetrolPed They certainly are..
What a great video Pedro. Having a car for such a period of time id definitely reflected in this video. You've had the time to really get under the covers which is what we all need. Same as having a demo for 48 hours, how much of an experience can one really get. Looking forward to seeing more in depth reviews like this. Keep them coming. :)
Thanks Dan 👍
Your such a good reviewer pete. Keep up the good work my friend
Thanks my friend 🙏🏻
Hi Ped
One thing I like about your reviews, you give us the info and experience that we want to hear, unlike some areas of the motoring press.No doubt have come a long way in a short period of time, just need to overcome the “ brand snobbery” of which I am guilty of, to reach that wider audience. 🤗
Thanks Philip. This car even won over Mrs PP 😂😂😂
These cars are great. One of my gripes with Audi, Merc and BMW is that they make options so expensive that can be found on cars that are half the price. I keep pointing that out to the dealers!
Everything is included on the car 👏👏👏
Been watching a lot of reviews while looking for a new car and I love your style!!!
Thanks 👍
I had a similar experience with my vauxhall crossland x auto. It's just a rental until I get my company car and not at all what I would normally choose. Yes it handles like a boat and the engine tends to lag when you put your foot down. BUT it does 47mpg and is surprisingly quick with it's 130bhp 1.2 engine. It has apple car play etc and is really roomy and relaxing on the motorway when using cruise control. In fact i used it to move house.
Nice 👍
Another super review. Thanks.
I’m totally sold on Korean cars, Kia and Hyundai are so well made and thought out. We love our Ioniq Hybrid but currently sitting on the fence regarding going to a full EV.
The natural choice for you would be the Ioniq5 😜👍
Great review there Pedro. In the first 10 seconds I thought “Big KIA SUV review” that’s not for me! However, I stuck with it right to the end as you cleverly teased us from the off, promising to show us options/characteristics on this car that even you’ve never seen before. That’s a very cute ploy and of course I’m now intrigued. Great car, and a fab review, but as it’s just me and the boss nowadays I’ll stick with the MINI.👍
Gotta keep your attention somehow Graham 😜👍
Great review. Just got my new Sorento this week after waiting 10 months. I have the 2.2 Diesel as I tow a caravan at 1.8 ton. Not a fan of hybrid mainly due to towing my caravan cost 42.5K so fuel saving on long journeys is not much better than the diesel but acceleration is superb. Well finished and high specification. I agree not a prize so called badge but this is our 5th Kia and second Sorento and feel Kia have got it right. Great car.
Nice 👌
Greetings from Greece! Loved your review, it was very well done! I have been looking through the market for a family suv and I really love this car! Still hasn't arrived here, so we are waiting for it!
Hi. I also have this spec but hybrid only. This is my 3rd Sorento and it’s absolutely brilliant. I’m averaging 40mpg
I actually ordered it prior to its launch in the Uk, having ‘stalked it’ on RUclips. It arrived at the dealership with
Their own display Sorento ‘s mid September and was actually on the road on the 17th September 2020. Love it
You missed demonstrating the heads up display, awesome demo though.
They are super difficult to get on camera 😬
That looks magic, debadge and wrap the nose and tail ones (and get rid of those horrible diamond cut alloys) and you have a car that would have people scratching their heads!! Spec is amazing.
Yep 👍
Great video.
I was looking at one of these to replace our 15 year old Sharan but new it was out of my budget by £15k on the base model so I bought a 4 year old XC90 T8 Inscription with zero tax instead and I love it 😊
I still need a 7 seater and didn't want another diesel that had to be
Nice 👍
You have a very excellent review, I'm glad you spent some time with the car, usually you don't get this from a reviewer.
I'm sure someone else has mentioned this but the Skoda Kodiaq also had the intercom feature for rear-most passengers. I say had because the feature has since been dropped. The problem is the microphone doesn't just pick up your voice but all other noises too. So on occasion you hear noises coming from the rear of the car which you think is some rattle but in reality it's just the intercom working. It's just one of those great ideas on paper but it's pant's in practice - a solution to a problem we never had.
I haven't cleaned my white car for over a year now and it still looks OK. I had a Sorento in 2005. Lovely car. It was like driving in an armchair drove to Brittany from Maidstone and arrived fresh as a daisy. . Only wish I had the money to buy this one but never mind.😪
hey you can get the previous gen used if you don't need the gadgets it's a good car too and the 7 years warranty is transferable. I have the money to buy a new one but don't see the use for a new car. I like parking anywhere without worrying about someone scratching my car or my daughter eating her snacks in the back seat, or me putting my mountain bike in the trunk (i still put some old sheets to avoid grease)
Seems like a nice and well appointed SUV. As for the driver controlling the passenger seat, they need to see how Mercedes Benz and BMW do it. Press a button on those cars and the driver has FULL control of the passenger seats including heating and cooling 8-))...
The 7 seats are so easy. It such a pain in the A on the X5. No where to put the parcel shelf and it weighs a ton, you can't reach the seat without clambering in and they're tiny, almost unusable. Kia seem to have really thought about the usage. They all look isofix too which is a bonus. Top vid sir.
Blind spot display in the cluster has been available in the US Kia Stinger and maybe others, as seen in Doug DeMuro's review.
I had a 2012 Sorento ... it's still the wife's favourite car! However for me it was dull and uninspiring to drive ... but as a family car it would eat up the miles on long trips, did everything we asked it to do, had 7 seats for short trips, and never put a foot wrong in 3 years. Having owned a the Sorento and knowing Kia is why I brought a Stinger in 2018 - which was also a great car.
I'm hoping by 2023-2025 I can replace my Polestar 2 with a Stinger EV!
Just does it’s job well 👍
Hi ped, another great review. Kia has shown some great innovation with some of the tech It is a big car but as a hybrid I would want a bit more than high 30's/ low 40's mpg, there are clearly sacrifices to be made carrying the extra weight, if I has 53 k burning a hole in my pocket would I buy one? Probably not.
Live all the feature, tech and the seats look awesome. Overall design is great.
Cheers Jeff 👍
Yes Kia have come on in leaps and bounds, excellent reliability, very well put together, the badge snobs are the ones missing out.
For the plug in, you really need to have a compatible mileage profile, not too many long distance drives or the the extra weight will outweigh the EV element. But many want to avoid range anxiety and choose the hybrid, I think it is a stop gap, but also a gateway drug, once you drive an EV you do not go back.
Thanks for the review.
I love the use of the phrase ‘gateway drug’. So accurate 👍
Excellent review. I'm always interested in how Europeans view the SUVs available here in America. And contrary to characterization the Sorento as "massive," on this side of the pond at 189" long it's among the shortest of the SUVs in the "midsize" category and by the smallest midsize 3 row SUV by a significant margin. That difference stems from more than Americans' ingrained belief that bigger is synonymous with better. Our national obsession with fast food, our wide open spaces, cheap petrol, and the nearly complete absence of high speed rail travel all contribute to our obsession with vehicles that rival the size of small studio apartments. Happily, the Sorento is a "Goldilocks" size by American standards. We've owned a 2012 model and currently have a 2018 version. It's my wife's and daughter's daily driver, our family freeway slogger on long trips, and our big dog's second home.
The new generation offers a number of significant improvements over our model. Unfortunately, it also comes with some less desirable traits. On the plus sice, three engine options are currently available in America: a naturally aspirated 4 cylinder gasoline engine, a 2.5L turbo version of that engine, and a conventional hybrid. (Diesel-gate largely eliminated any hope for diesels in American passenger vehicles.) We won't be seeing the PHEV Sorento until the fall of 2021. The NA base petrol engine is underpowered (by American standards) in such a heavy vehicle. The turbo version replaces the last generation V6 option with better fuel economy and performance and it comes with AWD optional or standard in higher trims.
On the negative side, the hybrid Sorento is available in the US only in a FWD version. That may be fine for our "sunbelt" states but I live in the Pacific Northwest near the Canadian border and the Cascade mountains. AWD isn't mandatory but it's a major benefit in our messy winters and for ski trips. That limits our current option to the upper trim petrol versions with the turbo engine and a 7 speed wet clutch DSG transmission. That's OK since we like our current top trim Sorento with its bells and whistles and other amenities and I'm a fan of dual clutch transmissions.
There's a problem, however. Second row bench seating is available only on the lowest trims of the new Sorento here in the US. Those trims don't inclue the turbo engine option and upper trims with the turbo engine couple it with captain chairs in the second row. The humans in our family would be fine with that but the fourth member, our 60 lb dog would strongly object. A captain chair seat doesn't fit his physique and he's accustomed to rides to the dog park and elsewhere sprawled on back seat and rides home from the park covered in mud in the rear cargo hold with the third row folded.
All of this is a long winded way to note that the PHEV version of the Sorento in the video appears to combine upper trim features with a second row bench seat. I'm fervently hoping that will be the case for the US spec version. An AWD PHEV version with the features in the video and a second row bench would be perfect for us. Otherwise we might have to look elsewhere. Perhaps to the closely related Hyundai Santa Fe where we would have to sacrifice the occasional use of a third row of seats. A great convenience when we have 6 or more passengers and the only option is to take two vehicles on a local trip. Here's hoping.
A very interesting review of a car that I passed on the road recently and took a double take as it was unfamiliar. We had an early Sportage and loved it and would not be adverse to owning another Kia. I would ask the question what the consumption would be like on a 300 mile drive with such a heavy car with such a small engine.
Hi John. I’m running very high 30s 👍
@@PetrolPed That is very interesting as I thought it would be lower. The guys at Jaguar were trying to talk me out of Hybrid saying my long journeys would be un economic lugging around the extra weight with a small engine. The other cost no one speaks of is Insurance, our premium from a LR Disco sport doubles on an I-Pace, nearly wiping out the fuel savings. My dilemma is I am a huge fan of JLR and I know I would regret switching to a KIA even though it makes sense. Maybe I am trying to convince myself the new Defender is the way to go. Thanks for the info though.
@@johnbrown3951 Just tell any brand snobs/'poor' farmers you ain't buying Indian again!
Nice vehicle, and as always with the Kia/Hyundai range, well spec'ed. With this style of vehicle, the downside of the 3rd row of seats is that they are either on or behind the back wheels which gives the seat a little "sway" and therefore not ideal for a long trip (my children get car sick)
Good point 👍
I currently have a Sorento GT Line. A great car. I tow a caravan and wonder how the PHEV would cope with that. Really liked this review.
Should be good a towing from a weight perspective. Not sure about the power though 🤔
I have the Gt line s Sportage AWD with a similar spec heated/cooled front seats and rear heated inc steering wheel,lane assist blind spot mirrors,JBL sound system and loads more that I can’t think of drone camera is fantastic for parking 1.6 turbo engine 177bhp with sports mode plus as you say 7 year anything warranty plus came with 3 year free servicing and know I don’t work for them but this is my second one as the first was a bit more basic Gt line,
Good review Pete love the blind spot camera display. Mrs F has a Hyundai Santa Fe so she was really interested 👍
👍
I chose the diesel version which is only available with the middle trim level. The only important things I miss out on that I would like are head-up display and cooled seats. It replaces a Volvo XC90 D5 Inscription and is a match in every way.
What I don't like is that the lane following-steering wheel nudging function defaults to on after every cold start, requiring a long press on the steering wheel button to shut it down. I'm getting an amazing 40mpg average on hilly/twisty West Wales coast and country roads. Not driven on a motorway yet, after six months of running.
I have this on a business contract hire and you wouldn't believe how much cheaper it is to run compared to my friend's Range Rover Sport. It is less than a third of the cost per month and costs me, even after averaging the deposit out over 36 months and adding it to my payments, £3 per day more than a packet of popular 20 cigarettes.
Thanks for this 👍
Interestingly how the vehicle compares with its cousin Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV with the same hybrid Powertrain, yet mechanically a different car with higher ground clearance and more robust AWD. Also it will be an interesting comparison with new generation of Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV with larger battery and faster charging speed: this vehicle uses a quite slow - just a meager 3.2 kW charger. Otherwise is a very good car.
Those B roads in UK are even narrower than on European continent, frankly quite unnerving for a driver used to North American roads. Those cameras and features with blind spots monitoring are a must over there.
Very detailed review!
11:43 that's for the back passenger to get more leggroom... And the mic front speak back is normaal on mpvs in the us
I went for the MG HS PHEV - which has pretty much all the kit and features on this car but for £32k
Finally gave this a watch. My goodness, what an intelligent crossover! Is this what happens when the people designing the cars are the ones actually using them, as opposed to just pleasing the accountants? A great car overall. These are starting to appear more in the USA too, and the look is growing on me a bit.
Definitely a case of having been designed by someone with a car brain 👍
I live in Australia and have had the Diesel Sport-Line variant for about 3months now. What an amazing SUV.
Incredible fuel economy and comfort. Brought this vehicle after 6 months studying everthing on the market. As this is my wifes car and she is in the nursing game and does her fair share of night driving, I wanted something SAFE, ECONOMICAL, WITH POWER and 7 seats to carry around grandkids etc. Ticked all the boxes plus. Fuel is approx 6.9ltrs per 100klm. Thats the same as her last car a Kia Cerato. Thanks Kia.
Drone view and fancy reversing camera technology - but - I notice you just use your wing mirrors to back into the parking slot. Nice review, nice car.
Old and good habits die hard 😂
Best parcel shelf stowage I've come across is the Lexus RX, there's a trough under the boot floor that it slots in so it's completely out the way, it's also big enough to fit a golf brolly in at same time, or 4 without the shelf (it's a rollershutter style).
I’ve got similar in my Mini Clubman. Most car just annoy me when they have nowhere to put it 🤷♂️
Hi Ped, I quite like the Kia Stinger 3.3L V6. Any chance you can get your hands on one of those for a review?
I reviewed one 3 years ago. Very good car 👍
ruclips.net/video/gyfzojA6eys/видео.html
Great. I’ll take a look at that. Thanks. 😀
Both Kia and its sibling Hyundai are selling very well here in Central Scotland for good reason.
Hyundai owns about 34% of Kia
"Full set of parking cameras. Little drone thing." Then backs up using the side mirrors... 🤣🤣
Can’t help myself 😂
Thanks very helpful review and pointer to a vehicle I might not have considered. You make the point that extended drive gives you better insight to the capabilities of the car. In my limited experience so far, Kia dealerships seem to have restrictions or at least seek permissions to provide extended drives. Maybe just a reflection of current circumstances but I would not be inclined to buy or hire one without that opportunity
After two wonderful Skoda kodiaqs which I’ve loved, I am going for one of these , hope I’m making the right decision, great reviews as usual, really honest driver reviews
Don’t worry…you are 👍
How was your experience with the kodiaqs ? Are they solid and reliable ?
@@amrashraf9559 very solid car & fabulous to drive considering it’s a big suv extremely comfortable, more of a drivers car than the Sorento, I had however issues with overheating which turned out to be a water pump problem which apparently is quite common with VW group engines the car had only 45k on it & was out of warranty the cost is €800 to replace it & the timing belt, a three year warranty on a car of this price is poor, kia seven year warranty is very appealing
@Paul Mccabe comparing the kodiaq to your new sorento, which one is more solid and more quality while driving?
@@amrashraf9559 well I’m still waiting for it, it was ordered last October & I’m told it will be March/ April before it arrives so I can’t give you an honest answer yet, I did enjoy the test drives but it’s hard to tell until I live with the new car, either way I’m making the semi electric (PHEV) move now & the Sorento ticks all the boxes, I’ll let you know in time.
If you lift up the floor by the handle close to the rear hatch door there should be a spot to hide your luggage cover next to the jack. The regular sorento has it.
For fun I went onto Kia's US website and did a pretty much maxed out build on one of these and it came out at a bit under $40k (although I would say I don't think we get the Nappa leather option over here). The petrol motor is the same 200HP 1.6l Turbo that is in my spouse's Hyundai Elantra GT N-Line (i30 to you guys).
Nice 👍
£52K for a Kia?! Haven't they come a long way. Like the dash/front cabin - lots of thought gone in there (and no stuck-on iPad!).
Probably better fit and finish than a Merc C-Class too lol
Indeed 👍
Totally agree about the fact a lot of people are Brand Snobs as they think Kia and Hyundai are like the early 1990 cars. Kia Sorento so much nicer to drive than a Range Rover and it won't break down like a Range Rover (I know people who are swapping Range Rovers for Hyundai's and Kia's). We have a diesel Sorento and it is like a tank. I also swapped my Hyundai for an Audi and had a few issues with the Audi. Technology in my 2017 Hyundai was better than my current 2017 Audi S3 and easier to use. So far very disappointed with quality of an Approved Used Audi from Audi. Car going back to Audi for aircon fault after being "fixed" 3 weeks ago.
Korean cars nowadays are very reliable
@@amrashraf9559 Yep and owned several and won't buy anything else as you get so much included instead of paying for options like German cars.
@@RB-lt8kt but how about the durability of the sorento ? Is it a rigid and solid car ?
@@amrashraf9559 Its amazing and can pull / tow 2 tonnes. For the money nothing comes close and it has a lot of kit included without loads of expensive options. Hyundai Santa Fe good as well.
Remember when we used to laugh at Korean car manufacturers? The new Sorrento seems like a proper piece of kit - nice review. I’m in a 435d at the moment and, owing to family obligations, I’ve been considering switching to a lightly-used 400d Estate. However, speed cameras are popping up everywhere, the roads are falling to pieces and I’m very often sat in traffic so it may be time for a radical rethink… that Sorrento looks extremely comfy, could it be the comfiest car/SUV you’ve ever tested?
It’s certainly up there. Not a car you feel you need to drive fast. It’s just relaxing 👍
What a stunning car. I'd love to own this. Awesome! Fantastic review.
Shopping at Audi for this kind of spec would indeed set you back a 6 figure number! What a car. GR supra will be more fun but in the real world, this seems like a very smart choice. Makes me think of the 2009 Ford Galaxy we had when the kids were small. Cheers
Thanks Guy 👍
Here in US we also get the Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid, which appears to be effectively a 5-seat SUV version, with the same basic powertrain.
Brilliant car the Niro 👍
you don't have to slide the second row before using the handle, inclining the second row will unlock it and make it slide in one single movement. this is already like that on my 2017 sorento.
By the way I see people going nuts with the new Sorento but honestly it looks like a more square version of the previous one which was already a very good car. equipment sure isn't top notch 2021 or on my base trim version but it's a no non sense car that does the job. I have the 2017 AWD V6 and got it for $18k one year old with 16k miles. does around 30mph doing 85 mph on cruise control and with 3 rows and the amount of trunk you have with 3rd row down, I really don't see why I would need something bigger unless I had more than three kids.
I would probably have got an hybrid or phew version if I had the choice though cause I have no use for the towing ability of the V6
LOVE the Miniature Schnauzers! Fabulous grooming on them too 😍🐾
Thanks Tracey 🙏🏻
Hi. Good review. I have been wondering about the range of this car before the battery goes flat on a long journey. You say it's possible to "force" it into hybrid eco mode.... what kind of long distance range do you think it has in this mode?
I did 200 miles and it still had a full pack 👍
Really interesting vid this time. Re 7 seats, ok for occasional use, reason, if you have 3 kids that need child seats try and find a car with 3 ISO fixings in the normal rear seat! its a VERY rare thing (Disco 4, Q7) to find as most manufactures offer the 7 seat option which is useless if you need boot space for buggies etc too. 7 seaters are not the answer.
Love the blind spot stuff but I don't want physical lane steering assist. Should engine be 2.0 to help a bit?
I think comparing it to a Range Rover is a bit of a stretch... £53k will get you a very high spec Discovery Sport with similar space and just as many toys. You swap your KIA trick camera modes for the camera on the rear view mirror and the clear sight ground view which is arguably more useful.
It then comes down to whether you want proper 4WD with the Land Rover or the PHEV tech with the Kia. JLR are yet to manage to package a PHEV with 7 seats unfortunately.
However, it's a more apples to apples comparison with a clear choice I think... Your friends at Hendy should be able to get you a high spec DS HSE R-Dynamic with all the toys to compare. Would be interesting to see what you think of the two.
I have always recommend the Asian market as the cars to go for. We are badge snobs without trying alternatives. 5 , 7 years warranty show the confidence of their build quality and confidence in their product. i don't see the legacy car makers offering that.
I've currently got a Volvo XC90 2017 D5, After having no end of issues for the last year I'm seriously considering buying the new PHEV Sorento, this video may have also put me at ease around the 1.6l engine which was my main concern.... I do however wonder how this will depreciate when compared to other brands...
Wait 6 months and buy one used 👍
Hi Pete I love it mate I think it’s a really nice car inside and out my wife used to have a Kia Sportage top speck and we both love it
I often hear say we should’ve got a new Kia
Great content mate great Video
👍👍👍👍
Thanks Carl 👍