The Kia Sorento is sizzling property today.
Regardless of ongoing provide points, Kia’s flagship SUV (for now) set an all-time gross sales month-to-month document in November 2022 with 1063 items, with 7889 registrations recorded for the calendar 12 months – a rise of 53.9 per cent.
Kia has been reporting prolonged wait lists on high-spec variants for yonks, and the Sorento is changing into an more and more frequent sight on Australian roads.
It stays one of many benchmarks within the unibody giant SUV phase, combining area, luxurious and total driving refinement for an attainable value level, even on the high finish.
Right here on take a look at we now have the 2023 Kia Sorento GT-Line V6 FWD, which mixes the flagship inside trim with the much less fashionable front-driven V6 petrol drivetrain.
With the Sorento Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid unavailable at this level, and the Diesel AWD model commanding a hefty $3000 premium, the automotive you see right here is the most cost effective and solely petrol possibility model on sale with all of the trimmings.
The corporate just lately informed us provide had improved to the top of final 12 months, and with Sorento gross sales up 109.5 per cent 12 months to this point as of Might 31, it seems that’s nonetheless the case into 2023.
Nonetheless, with a tecchy facelifted mannequin due right here earlier than the top of the 12 months, must you place an order on the present automotive or must you maintain tight for the replace?
How a lot does the Kia Sorento GT-Line V6 FWD price?
The Sorento GT-Line V6 FWD on take a look at retails for $62,070 earlier than on-road prices, or $65,990 drive-away in line with the model’s on-line configurator, based mostly on a Melbourne postcode.
That’s a hefty $7220 greater than the Sport+ grade only one rung down, but in addition $3000 extra inexpensive than the Diesel AWD – which is the overwhelming favorite amongst Australian patrons.
Regardless of being the top-spec variant, the GT-Line is positioned towards mid-spec variations of big-name rivals, just like the Toyota Kluger GXL (from $60,640), Mazda CX-9 GT (from $64,700), and Hyundai Palisade Elite (from $65,900).
Should you use the third row often and are pleased with one thing a bit smaller, choices just like the associated Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander V6 FWD ($63,050), Skoda Kodiaq Sportline 4×4 ($59,990 D/A) and Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 162TSI R-Line ($60,290) are stable alternate options.
Even after a few minor value rises, you’ll be able to see why so many patrons love the top-spec Sorento – it’s glorious worth for cash.
2023 Kia Sorento pricing:
3.5 MPi V6 FWD
- Kia Sorento S V6 FWD: $47,650
- Kia Sorento Sport V6 FWD: $50,270 2022
- Kia Sorento Sport+ V6 FWD: $54,850
- Kia Sorento GT-Line V6 FWD: $62,070
2.2 CRDi AWD
- Kia Sorento S Diesel AWD: $50,650
- Kia Sorento Sport Diesel AWD: $53,270
- Kia Sorento Sport+ Diesel AWD: $57,850
- Kia Sorento GT-Line Diesel AWD: $65,070
1.6T T-GDi HEV / PHEV
- Kia Sorento GT-Line HEV FWD: $66,750
- Kia Sorento GT-Line HEV AWD: $69,750
- Kia Sorento GT-Line PHEV AWD: $80,330
Costs exclude on-road prices
What’s the Kia Sorento GT-Line V6 FWD like on the within?
Not a lot has modified since launch aside from the brand new Kia brand, but it surely’s nonetheless a fantastic place to sit down.
Crisp shows, quilted nappa leather-based, and metal-like trim accents make the Sorento GT-Line really feel like a dearer automobile than it’s.
The entrance seats provide full electrical adjustment in addition to heating and air flow, with the driving force’s pew additionally providing reminiscence.
Forward of the driving force is a easy leather-based steering wheel which feels nice within the arms, and behind it’s a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster – the GT-Line is the one grade with out analogue dials.
The cluster is clear and affords engaging graphics, if a bit missing in customisation.
You’ll be able to’t challenge maps into the cluster like Volkswagen Group alternate options, even when you can have turn-by-turn prompts present up when you use the embedded navigation routing.
It’s augmented by a color head-up show, and might let you know velocity signal data, velocity, or driver help data.
Consolation up entrance is great because of the supportive seats, which provide a variety of adjustment – as does the manually-adjustable steering column.
The upright dashboard and boxy physique lend an ethereal, spacious really feel up entrance. An excellent mixture of soft-touch and metallic-aping surfaces give of a luxurious vibe, as do the chunky switches and controls – although the metal-look trim bits are plastic.
Atop the dashboard is a ten.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system which nonetheless appears recent, and in typical Hyundai-Kia model has easy menus, engaging graphics and fairly snappy loading occasions.
Core options anticipated of recent automobiles like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB radio and satellite tv for pc navigation are all current and work nicely, although the Sorento at the moment lacks just a few bits more and more frequent in 2023.
Smartphone mirroring is wired – although the facelift will change that – and the Sorento doesn’t provide Kia Join on-line providers like another fashions within the vary, which looks like a loss given its flagship standing.
Once more, the facelift will carry this added performance, but it surely’s a disgrace Kia hasn’t been extra keen so as to add these kinds of issues as working adjustments.
Storage and practicality up entrance is fairly good too. There’s a lidded cubby on the base of the dashboard with a wi-fi cellphone charger in addition to three USB-A retailers – one for Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and two charging ports.
The cubby is so deep you’ll be able to cover away the cables when you’ve gotten your cellphone hardwired in for smartphone mirroring by closing the lid. Wi-fi performance with the facelift will nonetheless be a welcome improve.
A pair of enormous, toothed cup holders sit within the centre console, backed by one other slot for smaller gadgets like keys and cash.
Beneath the padded, leatherette-lined front-centre armrest there’s a well-sized bin that may carry bigger gadgets. My major gripe is the thin door bins, which might’t maintain bigger bottles.
The Sorento stays one of many phase benchmarks for second-row lodging, with loads of room for bigger adults in head, leg, knee, and toe room.
Having the panoramic roof creates an ethereal and spacious really feel, and permits heaps of sunshine. It doesn’t impede on the rear head room such as you would possibly discover in another autos.
Facilities like a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders, heated outboard seats, map pockets, ISOFIX and top-tether factors, in addition to a sliding bench all assist the Sorento meet your loved ones’s varied wants.
Even higher, the third row is accessed by way of a quick-release button on the outer seats, which remotely tumbles and slides the second-row pew out of the way in which – no must yank the backrest after which slide the factor ahead.
When you’re again there, the Sorento affords good area for the category, however gained’t be difficult a Palisade or Carnival anytime quickly. ISOFIX anchors and cupholders characteristic again there, which is useful, in addition to particular person fan controls for the wall-mounted air vents.
Boot area is unchanged relative to the Sorento Diesel. Kia quotes 187L with the third row in place, 616L in five-seater configuration, and 2011L with simply the primary row seats up.
The Sorento vary encompasses a full-size alloy spare wheel beneath the rear, one thing that’s not a given today.
What’s below the bonnet?
On take a look at we now have the 3.5-litre MPi naturally-aspirated V6 petrol engine, driving the entrance wheels solely by way of an eight-speed automated transmission.
Kia quotes outputs of 200kW (6300rpm) and 332Nm (5000rpm) from the naturally-aspirated six, which compares favourably to the diesel on energy (148kW) however not fairly on torque (440Nm).
Australian Sorentos (in addition to associated merchandise) don’t provide all-wheel drive with the six-cylinder powertrain, apparently resulting from packaging difficulties when changing from left- to right-hand drive.
The V6 FWD variants quote mixed gas consumption of 9.7 litres per 100km (6.1L/100km for the diesel), and CO2 emissions of 222g per kilometre. All non-hybrid Sorento fashions characteristic a 67-litre gas tank, with the V6 suitable with common 91 RON unleaded.
Each the V6 FWD and Diesel AWD variants quote a braked towing capability of 2000kg, with towball obtain of 200kg.
How does the Kia Sorento GT-Line V6 FWD drive?
If you are able to do with out all-wheel drive, the Sorento V6 is a easy operator.
The three.5-litre V6 affords linear efficiency and could be very glad to rev out to its candy spot if you want it, given peak torque doesn’t are available in till a lofty 5000rpm.
While you’re giving it the beans, the six-cylinder motor has a beautiful, brassy notice that’s nicely insulated to keep up refinement, however can also be good to listen to in comparison with a few of the buzzy or rattly sounds you hear on this class.
I additionally commend Kia’s calibration of the eight-speed automated, which is responsive and intuitive on the identical time. Typically I discover the eight-speed DCT within the diesel generally is a little elastic off the road and at low speeds; this has no such points.
Kia additionally has a knack for nailing experience and dealing with tunes with its native staff, and for essentially the most half the Sorento GT-Line affords a experience that would problem rather more costly metallic in balancing consolation and dynamics.
Whereas the 20-inch wheels on the GT-Line V6 and Diesel can get a contact jittery over sharper and high-frequency imperfections across the metropolis, the Sorento could be very composed with an nearly European tautness that not often if ever crashes or jars.
Even higher, when you hit the open highway it settles properly, feeling fantastically planted and safe at 110km/h on undulating nation highways.
The steering strikes a stability and is gentle sufficient to simply manoeuvre this household bus in tight city areas, whereas additionally having sufficient weight and suggestions to confidently hold you on the straight and slim or nook confidently.
With that stated, the dearth of all-wheel drive means you’re greatest to drive the Sorento in a extra relaxed and measured method to keep away from lighting up the entrance wheels, particularly in adversarial climate.
If you need a petroleum Sorento with all-wheel drive, you’ll should put an expression of curiosity down for the Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid, that are considerably dearer.
General refinement at velocity is fairly good for the category, although there’s a bit extra tyre roar off the GT-Line’s 20-inch rims than could be anticipated of a premium automobile, one thing that separates this Kia from the likes of the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90 – although it’s removed from unrefined towards some rivals.
Wind noise is fairly nicely suppressed regardless of the bigger wing mirrors, however you may get some whistle over the sunroof. Shut the shade although and it’s a pleasant place to spend time on household highway journeys.
Kia’s driver help techniques are fairly nicely sorted, with user-friendly and intuitive adaptive cruise management and lane-keep help options, and having Lane Following Help activated primarily semi-autonomous driving – although some could not just like the over-assisted really feel of the automobile maintaining itself centred within the lane.
The Blind Spot View Monitor cameras unique to the GT-Line provide you with an additional diploma of visibility, notably when negotiating tight gaps in site visitors, complemented by the standard blind-spot and rear cross-traffic assists that can apply corrective steering or brake respectively to maintain you out of hurt’s approach.
Simply as useful is the encompass digicam system with 3D View, which makes parking this 4810mm lengthy and 1900mm broad SUV a lot simpler if you’re squeezing into tight automotive parks.
What do you get?
Sorento S highlights:
- 17-inch alloys with full-size spare
- 8.0-inch touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay, Android Auto (wi-fi)
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Pedestrian, Bike owner detection
- Junction Help
- Blind-spot help
- Rear cross-traffic help
- Multi Collision Brake
- LED headlights (reflector-type)
- LED fog lights
- Entrance-centre airbag
Sorento Sport provides:
- 18-inch machine-finish alloy wheels with full-size spare
- 10.25-inch touchscreen
- Satellite tv for pc navigation incl. 10 years map updates
- Twin-zone local weather management
- Auto defogger
- Tyre stress monitoring
- 10-way energy adjustable driver’s seat incl. 2-way lumbar
Sorento Sport+ provides:
- 19-inch alloys with full-size spare
- Good key with push-button begin
- Distant engine begin
- Electrical tailgate with top adjustment
- Leather-based-appointed seats (black)
- Heated entrance seats
- Heated steering wheel
- 2 x USB charging ports (rear seat)
- LED tail lights
Sorento GT-Line provides:
- 20-inch darkish chrome alloys with full-size spare (V6, Diesel)
- 19-inch alloys with full-size spare (HEV + PHEV)
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- Blind Spot View Monitor
- 8.0-inch head-up show
- 12-speaker Bose premium sound system
- Wi-fi cellphone charger
- Panoramic sunroof
- Inside ambient lighting
- Rear occupant alert
- Quilted Nappa leather-appointed seats (Black)
- 14-way energy driver’s seat adjustment
- 10-way energy entrance passenger’s seat adjustment
- Heated/ventilated entrance seats
- Heated rear seats
- Sunshade blinds (2nd row)
- Distant Good Parking Help (V6, Diesel)
- Parking Collision Avoidance Help
- 360-degree cameras
Is the Kia Sorento GT-Line V6 FWD secure?
The Kia Sorento wears a five-star ANCAP security score based mostly on checks carried out by Euro NCAP in 2020. All variants at the moment are coated by this score, together with petrol, diesel, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid variations.
Class scores embrace 82 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 85 per cent for baby occupant safety, 63 per cent for susceptible highway customers safety and 89 per cent for security help.
A key motive for the decrease grownup occupant rating was safety of the driving force’s chest and higher legs within the 50km/h frontal offset take a look at, which was rated Weak. In the meantime, lower-leg safety was deemed Marginal for the driving force, as was safety of the entrance passenger’s higher legs.
Commonplace security tools consists of:
- 7 airbags incl. front-centre
- Adaptive cruise management incl. cease/go
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Pedestrian, Bike owner detection
- Junction Help
- Blind-spot help
- Driver consideration alert
- Lane Following Help (centring)
- Lane hold help
- Multi Collision Brake
- Parking sensors entrance, rear
- Rear cross-traffic help
- Reversing digicam
- Protected exit warning
Sorento GT-Line provides:
- Blind Spot View Monitor
- Parking Collision Avoidance Help
- Encompass cameras incl. 3D View
How a lot does the Kia Sorento GT-Line V6 FWD price to run?
Kia affords a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee throughout its vary. Homeowners who service their automobiles throughout the supplier community additionally get eight years of free roadside help.
Upkeep is required each 12 months or 15,000 kilometres – whichever comes first.
The primary seven years of servicing will set you again $345, $540, $419, $733, $388, $665 and $412 for a complete of $3502 for the primary seven years or 105,000 kilometres.
Maybe a extra related determine is the primary 5 years of possession (or 75,000km), which is available in at $2425. It’s not the priciest automobile to keep up within the phase, however when Toyota fees $265 per service of a Kluger 2.4T 2WD for a similar interval ($1325), the Kia instantly appears a bit costly.
As for real-world gas consumption, we noticed an indicated common of 9.5L/100km, which is definitely higher than the official declare. With that stated, whereas I did just a few days of peak-hour commuting and concrete errands, I did a good stint on the Hume as nicely.
For reference, the city cycle gas declare is 7.5L/100km for the V6.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Kia Sorento GT-Line V6 FWD
Three years on, it’s nonetheless plain to see why the Sorento – notably the GT-Line – has confirmed so fashionable with Australian households.
It has a troublesome design language harking back to Land Rovers and large American SUVs, blended with smooth proportions and an upmarket inside that gives options and expertise often reserved for the posh class – all for related cash to what you’ll be paying in a mid-spec Toyota Kluger or Mazda CX-9.
The V6 petrol engine wouldn’t be my choose, but it surely’s a easy unit that gives respectable economic system in combined driving. For me, the Hybrid FWD makes essentially the most sense when you’re doing largely city duties, but it surely’s at the moment not obtainable to order and likewise will impose a $4700 premium.
All informed the top-spec Sorento affords extra space than the associated Hyundai Santa Fe for much less cash, and a nicer inside than even a top-spec Toyota Kluger which is considerably dearer. The Mazda CX-9 shapes as a worthy adversary, however even the GT FWD model is dearer than this Kia, and it feels extra dated (a posher CX-90 is on the way in which).
Should you’re wanting proper now, the Sorento is a high choose on this very aggressive phase. The in-demand Diesel AWD is the higher drivetrain selection, particularly within the wake of the HEV and PHEV being taken off sale quickly.
Arguably or take a look at automobile’s largest subject is its successor, which is because of be revealed imminently forward of an Australian market launch throughout the fourth quarter of 2023.
The facelifted Sorento will provide a refreshed design in and out harking back to the upcoming EV9 all-electric flagship, and sure carry new, bigger shows with related providers and wi-fi smartphone mirroring to go along with the next-generation interface.
Should you can’t wait for much longer, the present mannequin is a tremendous household chariot. Must you be capable to maintain off for just a few extra months, the up to date one ought to reassert itself because the phase benchmark.
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