Kia Sorento Hybrid SX Tech Pack Facelift Review: Seven To Go

What we like:

Well-equipped

Frugal

Practical and well-built

What we dislike:

Its value proposition has eroded with more competition in the market

The Kia SUV range was far bigger some years ago than it is today. Besides the range-topping all-electric EV9 and the entry-level Niro, the Sorento is the only other high-riding Kia offered in Singapore. Previously, we had the Sportage which slotted below the Sorento, as well as the Seltos which rounded up the range.

Just as well, I suppose, as the current high COE prices mean that it would probably make more sense for Kia to bring in higher-end models too. Looking at it from another perspective, if you wanted a 7-seater SUV, the Sorento offers that versatility for some $170k less than the EV9. That’s a huge chunk of change you’d be saving.

The Sorento has been reasonably successful in Singapore for its space and three rows of seats, which is less common in its price range. Paired for many years with a turbo-diesel engine, it was relatively frugal yet torquey too.

Kia changes the game with this facelift by replacing the turbo-diesel with a turbo-hybrid. Displacement has shrunk and so have the outputs on paper, but at least the car is more road-tax friendly. You get 212 bhp and 366 Nm from the 1.6-litre turbo four, which is still very respectable. With a fuel tank size of 67 litres, claimed range is some 1,300 km.

Progress is now a tad more leisurely, but you wouldn’t feel the car is underpowered. With the turbo spooled up at higher revs, the car can still do overtakes quite easily. It can even chirrup the front wheels if you wanted to.

As before, the Sorento is very well-equipped, especially with the Tech Pack which includes snazzy sequential turn signals, a panoramic sunroof, a head-up display and a 12-speaker Bose sound system, among others. The standard SX is already very generously optioned; some more notable features include a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch infotainment system, ventilated front seats, rear sunshades and all the safety systems you could think of. One thing I would not opt for though are those stickers on the side of this particular test car.

Compared to its sister car the Hyundai Santa Fe, the execution of the Sorento comes across as more austere and serious. With the grandiose proportions of the Santa Fe and its more daring and flamboyant interior, it definitely garners more attention. That said, the Sorento does offer pretty much what you need for significantly less dosh. Also, between the two, the Sorento is slightly more wieldy on the road thanks to its smaller proportions.

The Sorento still offers a lot of car for the money and is now more relevant with a petrol engine, instead of a diesel which is quietly being shown the exit.

Photos by James Wong

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