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 practically easy handling, rich equipment and a competitive price tag ...
The second generation Sorento made its world debut in April 2009 at an 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 reincarnated into a crossover with a monocoque body and an automatically started all-wheel drive.
In the fall of 2012, at the Paris Auto Show, the premiere of the restyled five-door took place - it was noticeably prettier in appearance due to new optics, bumpers and a radiator grill and received a lot of technical innovations: modernized engines, seriously altered suspension, improved handling, significantly increased body rigidity, etc. The car left most of the world markets in 2014 in connection with the birth of a legal successor, but remained in Russia (and with a Kaliningrad "registration") as a more affordable alternative to the new Sorento Prime.
The appearance of the car is cute, 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 "physiognomy" with a branded radiator grille, continued by wedges of headlights, and a powerful bumper. The crossover profile pleases with its harmony and solidity - a falling roofline, muscular rounded-square wheel arches, expressive stamping on the sidewalls and an ascending "window sill". The monumental rear of the five-door showcases graceful lanterns, a large fifth door and a "fleshy" bumper.
The "second" Kia Sorento is a mid-size SUV with the corresponding outer 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 "stowed" 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 - a real "European", and not only visually, but also tactilely, and only a narrow strip of the on-board computer at the top of the front panel hints about its Asian origin. The instrument cluster is made on a sporty motive - with analog dials, which are placed in deep "wells". The center console with an 8-inch multimedia system screen and an unpretentious microclimate unit is beautiful and functional, and the four-spoke multi-steering wheel completes the construction of modern “apartments”. The interior of the crossover is made mainly of high-quality materials, and all panels are qualitatively docked.
The main "trump card" of the car is the interior space. The front seats are made in the "American" way - with a flat cushion, poorly developed lateral support and a huge range of adjustments. Passengers of the second row are offered a comfortable sofa with an adjustable backrest, air vents and armrests, and although the "gallery" does not differ in excess of free space, it can even accommodate adults on short trips.
With a seven-seat layout, the trunk of the second generation Kia Sorento is small - only 258 liters. If we equate the third row 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 on the Russian market "Sorento" is presented with two four-cylinder engines:
- The gasoline engine is a 2.4-liter aluminum "aspirated" Theta with variable intake manifold geometry (VIS), distributed injection, variable valve timing and timing with 16 valves, generating 175 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 225 Nm of torque at 3750 rpm.
- An alternative to it is a 2.2-liter CRDi diesel unit equipped with a balance shaft, Common Rail feed technology and variable geometry of the turbine guide vane, which develops 197 horses at 3800 rpm and 436 Nm of torque at 1800-2500 rpm ...
Both engines are combined with a 6-speed "automatic" and all-wheel drive transmission, and gasoline - with a 6-speed "mechanics" and drive wheels of the front axle.
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 traction is reduced to 50% of the traction, it goes back through the Dynamax electro-hydraulic clutch.
Depending on the modification, from a standstill to 100 km / h, the "second" Kia Sorento rushes in 9.7-11.5 seconds, and is capable of maximum development of 190 km / h. Gasoline versions “destroy” from 8.6 to 8.8 liters of fuel per “hundred” in the combined cycle, and diesel ones are content with 5.9-6.7 liters.
In addition, the SUV also “meets” with petrol V-shaped “sixes” with a volume of 3.3-3.5 liters, the potential of which has 276-300 “stallions” and 336-346 Nm of torque.
The Sorento is based on the same platform as its sibling Hyundai Santa Fe, and features a 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 lateral 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, in which an electric power steering is built. Both front and rear 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, on the Russian market, the 2nd generation Kia Sorento is offered 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", rear parking sensors, cruise control, audio system with six speakers , 17-inch wheels, heated front seats and more.
"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 interior trim, electronic settings and ventilation of the front seats, a "Supervision" dashboard, multimedia complex, automatic parking system, rear view camera and other "bells and whistles".
