Kia Sorento is a front- or all-wheel drive "mid-size SUV", which, unlike its predecessor, is not a full-fledged "off-road conqueror", but still has the ability to move off the asphalt ... Among other things, this is a fairly large car, albeit with an "American" , but with almost light handling, rich equipment and a competitive price tag ...
The second-generation Sorento made its world debut in April 2009 at the Auto Industry Show in Seoul, and sales began shortly thereafter. Compared to the previous model, the “Korean” has changed dramatically, not only visually, but also constructively - from a full-fledged SUV, it has reincarnated into a crossover with a monocoque body and automatically started all-wheel drive.
In the fall of 2012, a restyled five-door premiered at the Paris Auto Show - it noticeably prettier in appearance due to new optics, bumpers and a radiator grille and received a lot of technical innovations: upgraded engines, a seriously redesigned suspension, improved handling, significantly increased body rigidity and so on. The car left most of the world markets in 2014 due to the birth of the successor, but remained in Russia (and with the Kaliningrad "registration") as a more affordable alternative to the new Sorento Prime.
The appearance of the car is nice, presentable and functional - from the outside it looks like a real SUV and commands respect. The “Korean” has a polished, but not devoid of aggression “face” with a proprietary radiator grille, continued with headlight wedges, and a powerful bumper. The profile of the crossover pleases with its harmony and solidity - a sloping roofline, muscular rounded-square wheel arches, expressive stampings on the sidewalls and an ascending "window sill". The monumental rear of the five-door demonstrates graceful lanterns, a large fifth door and a “fleshy” bumper.
The “second” Kia Sorento is a mid-size SUV with the corresponding external dimensions: 4685 mm in length (of which 2700 mm are allocated for the wheelbase), 1710 mm in height and 1885 mm in width. In the "marching" form, the car weighs from 1698 to 1997 kg, depending on the version, and its ground clearance is 185 mm.
Inside the Sorento of the second generation is a real “European”, not only visually, but also tactilely, and only a narrow band of the on-board computer at the top of the front panel hints at its Asian origin. The instrument cluster is made in a sporty motive - with analog dials, which are placed in deep "wells". The center console with an 8-inch multimedia system screen and a simple “microclimate” unit is beautiful and functional, and the four-spoke multi-steering wheel makes the final contribution to the construction of modern “apartments”. The interior of the crossover is made mainly of high-quality materials, and all panels are docked with high quality.
The main "trump card" of the car is the internal space. The front seats are made in the "American" way - with a flat cushion, poorly developed lateral support and a huge range of adjustments. Second-row passengers are offered a comfortable sofa with an adjustable back, air vents and armrests, and the “gallery”, although it does not have an excess of free space, can even accommodate adults on short trips.
With a seven-seater layout, the trunk of the second-generation Kia Sorento is small - only 258 liters. If the third row is leveled with the floor, then the volume of the “hold” increases to 500 liters (when loaded “under the ceiling” - up to 1047 liters), and if the middle sofa is folded down, then up to an impressive 2052 liters. The spare wheel "hides" under the body, and is unscrewed by means of a special screw.
Specifications. Officially, the Sorento is presented on the Russian market with two four-cylinder engines:
- The gasoline engine is a 2.4-liter aspirated aluminum Theta with variable intake manifold geometry (VIS), multiport injection, variable valve timing and timing with 16 valves, generating 175 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 225 Nm of limiting torque at 3750 rpm.
- An alternative to it is a 2.2-liter CRDi diesel unit equipped with a balance shaft, Common Rail “power” technology and variable turbine guide vane geometry, which develops 197 “horses” at 3800 rpm and 436 Nm of torque at 1800-2500 rpm .
Both motors are combined with a 6-speed "automatic" and all-wheel drive transmission, and petrol - even with a 6-speed "mechanics" and front axle drive wheels.
All-wheel drive on the crossover is implemented according to the standard scheme: by default, all power is directed to the front wheels, and when the grip decreases to 50%, the traction goes back through the Dynamax electro-hydraulic clutch.
Depending on the modification, from standstill to 100 km / h, the “second” Kia Sorento rushes in 9.7-11.5 seconds, and is capable of developing 190 km / h as much as possible. Gasoline versions “destroy” from 8.6 to 8.8 liters of fuel per “hundred” in the combined cycle, while diesel ones are content with 5.9-6.7 liters.
In addition, the off-road vehicle also “meets” with petrol V-shaped “sixes” with a volume of 3.3-3.5 liters, the potential of which is 276-300 “stallions” and 336-346 Nm of torque.
"Sorento" is based on the same platform as its "brother" Hyundai Santa Fe, and is distinguished by the solid use of high-strength steels in the "skeleton" of the body. The front axle of the crossover is equipped with an independent McPherson-type hoist with a transverse stabilizer, and the rear axle is equipped with a lever-spring architecture with hydraulic shock absorbers and an anti-roll bar.
The car uses a rack and pinion steering mechanism, which has a built-in electric power steering. Both front and rear, the five-door has disc brakes (only in the first case - with ventilation) with a diameter of 320 mm and 302 mm, respectively, supplemented by electronic "assistants" (ABS, EBD, etc.).
Options and prices. At the beginning of 2017, the 2nd generation Kia Sorento is offered on the Russian market only with a gasoline engine in the Classic, Comfort, Luxe and Prestige trim levels. For the most affordable option, they ask for 1,644,900 rubles, and its equipment includes: six airbags, ESC, ABS, ESS, VSM, ERA-GLONASS system, dual-zone climate control, rear parking sensors, cruise control, an audio system with six speakers , 17-inch wheels, heated front seats and more.
The “top modification” costs a minimum of 2,034,900 rubles, and among its privileges: light-alloy “rollers” with a diameter of 18 inches, LED taillights, bi-xenon headlights, leather trim, electrical adjustments and ventilation of the front seats, the “Supervision” dashboard, a multimedia complex, an automatic parking system, a rear-view camera and other "bells and whistles".