Is The Kia Sorento The Best Value For Money 7 Seater SUV?

Thanks to its spacious interior and excellent safety credentials, it's no surprise that the Kia Sorento is a firm favourite with Australian families. And with a sticker price of only $65,070, the 2023 Kia Sorento GT-Line 7 Seat (Diesel) is a very attractive option when compared with its European 7-seat rivals indeed.

In this review, we'll put the Kia Sorento through its paces to see how it measures up on safety, comfort, performance and value. So, if you are in the market for a new Kia for the family, read on to find out more.

Safety is a key priority for any family car and the Sorento GT-Line 7 Seat certainly ticks all the boxes. It's packed with a full suite of driver aids, including an automatic emergency braking system, blind spot monitoring, tyre pressure monitoring system, and multi-collision braking system. So, you can rest assured that you and your family are in safe hands when out on the road. And with the GT-Line's remote smart park assist, you should have no problems getting this large family SUV into even the tightest of parking spaces.

When it comes to exterior styling, the Kia Sorento does not disappoint. The updated grille, LED rear combination lights, and body-coloured exterior door handles and mirrors give the vehicle a sleek and sophisticated look. And let's not forget about those 20-inch alloys!

With 7 Kia Sorento colours to choose from, you should have no problem finding the perfect colour for your family. Whether it's robed in sophisticated Snow White Pearl or bold Mineral Blue, this SUV is sure to turn heads on the road. You can check out more of the Kia's specifications and colour options here.

Comfort

The GT-Line boasts a sleek, modern interior with some extra luxurious details to justify its higher price point. For starters, the seats are fitted out in premium Nappa leather, and if that's not enough, the front seats are also heated and ventilated. Combined with the car’s dual-zone climate control, you and your family can enjoy the perfect temperature no matter what the outside conditions are. Smart temperature comfort control systems aside, no luxury car is complete without a glass panoramic sunroof to let in plenty of natural light, completing the elegant atmosphere inside the cabin.

With the Kia Sorento, interior space is also on the generous side, with plenty of head and legroom throughout the cabin. The Sorento's boot space varies depending on the seat configuration. With all three rows of seats in use, it provides 187L of cargo space. In its five-seat layout, it offers 616L, and if you fold down both the second and third rows, you'll get a huge 2011L! Which should be plenty of room to fit in whatever you need, from groceries and luggage to camping equipment.

Infotainment

Unique to the GT-Line trim is a 12.3-inch digital supervision instrument cluster that gives drivers an array of information on the vehicle’s performance. Also included is a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, plus Bluetooth streaming to complement the premium sound system and voice recognition. And let's not forget wireless phone fast charging and the advanced sound system which is sure to delight even the most fastidious audiophiles!

The Sorento's 2.2L turbo diesel 4-cylinder engine boasts 148 kW/440 Nm of power and torque. This is coupled with an 8-speed auto dual-clutch transmission to provide smooth, responsive acceleration. Its fuel consumption is officially listed at just 6.1L/100km in the combined city and highway cycle which is quite impressive considering its size.

Navigating tight city streets in a large SUV can feel daunting, but the Kia Sorento makes it a breeze. Despite its sizeable footprint, the Sorento's steering is light at low speeds. Plus, the tall windows provide an excellent view of your surroundings, and its high-resolution cameras and parking sensors are a godsend. As you pick up speed, the car automatically switches into a refined and confident cruiser.

So, whether you're navigating the busy city streets or enjoying the open road, the Sorento is a reliable and easy-to-drive choice.

Kia Sorento Towing Capacity and Offroad

Towing capacity is another area where the Sorento shines. Although it's no pick-up truck, the Sorento can handle up to 2000kg braked and 750kg unbraked which is plenty enough to tow a camper trailer, caravan, or boat. The 176mm ground clearance and traction control system also make the Sorento capable of light off-roading.

Interested in the hybrid options? Have a look at the Kia Sorento GT-Line HEV and other hybrid SUVs in Australia.

Choosing the right family SUV can be a challenging task, but the Kia Sorento is definitely one of the best options in its price range. It's important to note that as you move up the range, you'll find a growing list of features that come standard. With a $18,000 price difference between the top-spec diesel GT-Line and the entry-spec S, it's essential to consider what features are most important to your family, such as safety, technology, and comfort. 

• Engine: 2.2L turbo diesel
• Performance power: 147kW and 440Nm of torque
• Transmission: 8-speed automatic
• Fuel Consumption: 6.1L/100kms T
• Towing Capacity: 2000kg braked and 750kg unbraked
• Kia Sorento Dimensions: Length 4810mm / Width 1900mm / Height 1700mm

Let’s look at some of the features that come standard on the different trim levels of the Kia Sorento: 

Kia Sorento S:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• 7 seats 
• 8.0-inch touchscreen
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Six-speaker audio 

Kia Sorento Sport gains:

• 18-inch wheels
• Tyre-pressure monitor
• 10.25-inch touchscreen
• Satellite-navigation
• Dual-zone climate control 

Kia Sorento Sport+ gains:

• 19-inch machine finish wheels
• LED combination rear lights 
• Remote engine start function
• Leather-appointed seats
• Heated front seats
• Heated steering wheel

Kia Sorento GT-Line models gain:

• 20-inch chrome alloy wheels
• Smart key with remote-control parking
• Panoramic sunroof
• Quilted Nappa leather seats
• Ventilated front seats
• 12.3-inch digital instruments
• Wireless phone charging
• 12-speaker sound system

It's no wonder why the lineup of Kia Sorento models, with their spirited and efficient engines, are quickly becoming the pick of the bunch when it comes to family SUVs. This is mainly due to its great balance between value, safety, technology, and performance. With generous interior space, plenty of power, an impressive towing capacity, and nimble handling, it is the perfect choice for any family looking for a safe and reliable ride. 

With prices starting as low as $47,650, the Kia Sorento is a great value-for-money option and one that should definitely be considered when shopping around for an SUV. So if you're looking for a reliable and affordable family SUV, be sure to take a good look at the Kia Sorento. It's sure to be the perfect fit for your family's needs.

Ready to get on the road?

When you do decide to step up to a new Kia Sorento, it's important to make sure you can fit those new car repayments into your budget. That's where a car finance calculator can help. They'll help you work out whether the monthly repayments of a Kia Sorento are within your budget, so you can feel confident of your choice.

Another way to get a confidence boost before visiting your local Kia dealer is to get your car finance pre-approved. Pre-approval takes a lot of the hassle out of car finance, and gives you better bargaining power when negotiating a great deal. It also shows the dealer you're serious about buying a car.

At Driva, we understand that buying a car can be daunting. That's why we have our online car finance calculator and pre-approval process to make it easier. We can help you find the right car finance to suit your budget, so you can drive away happy and confident with a great deal. So why wait? Get pre-approved now and start shopping for your dream car with confidence.

Is the Sorento bigger than the Sportage?

Yes, the Sorento is slightly bigger than the Sportage. The Sorento measures in at 4,850 mm long compared to the Kia Sportage which is 4,660 mm long.

Is The Kia Sorento a reliable car?

Yes, the Kia Sorento is a reliable car. It has consistently received good reliability scores from independent reviewers and owners alike.

How much is a Kia Sorento in Australia?

The Kia Sorento is available in Australia for a starting price of $47,650. The price can vary depending on the trim level and options chosen.

Are they discontinuing the Sorento?

No, Kia has not discontinued the Sorento. Kia has committed to selling the Sorento in Australia beyond 2025.