Test: Kia Sorento HEV

Families right now are not considering buying a minivan, but a seven-seater SUV. And as you change cars, why not bet on new forms of propulsion and benefit from the DGT ECO label. This Kia Sorento HEV can be a great option.

I’ll tell you what I liked and also what I didn’t. Undoubtedly, the first thing that stands out is the enormous presence that this car has. It has nothing to do with the first Sorento that were seen on our roads.

Now it is a model that is not premium, but that does transmit a lot of prestige to those who drive it, both for its robust design and for its size, since it measures 4.8 meters long.

Kia Sorrento HEV, 230 PS, 0–100 km/h 8.6 s and 6.7 l/100 km

The next thing that I highlight, how can it be otherwise, is its mechanical assembly, which is made up of a four-cylinder gasoline turbo, which delivers 179 CV, to which is added a 60 CV electric motor, to achieve joint power of 230 hp.

And the best thing is that its torque figure is 350 Nm and it delivers it to you from the first stomp, so the feeling of power is really forceful. In addition, it is reflected in its performance, since this big guy weighing 1,858 kilos in this test was able to go from 0 to 100 km/h in just 8.3 seconds, even bettering the figure declared by the manufacturer (8, 6s).

But let me tell you about consumption, which is surely what interests you the most in a hybrid. He declares an average consumption of 6.7 liters and in this test he has consumed a tad more, 6.9 liters, which seems to me a figure that is quite good for his size and weight.

Also, keep in mind that if you are going to use it in the city on a day-to-day basis, that is where it will get the most out of its qualities and make a difference with a conventional combustion engine.

What I did not like is how little it rotates. You need 11.6 meters to make a complete turn, which is quite a lot (there are cars that do it in just 10 meters). And that forces you to do more maneuvers than necessary, which is not always easy with such a large model.

A great car in all respects

Nor can I stop talking about its interior, since it is one of its great arguments. It offers great amplitude both in front and behind, thanks to its wheelbase of 2.8 meters.

The seats are authentic armchairs worthy of the business class of an airplane and the second row can be adjusted both longitudinally and inclination, in case you want to save space for the third row or recline to take a nap.

The third row of seats is not bad, the two additional seats are as big as all the others, although the space left for the legs is not so wide and you go with very bent knees, so it is better that they be used by minors.

The trunk is really wide and depending on the rows that are in use, it can fit 179, 608 or 1,996 liters. Of course, this Sorento has almost everything. A great car in all respects. By size, of course, by interior space and trunk. But also for its improvement in design, technology and quality. Without forgetting its efficient mechanical set. Its price is 47,613 euros.