Kia Sorento test drive since 2009 SUV

Kia Sorento - undercorn or re -reversed?

When KIA representatives talk about the Sorento model, they always use only the phrase new Sorento. So, and nothing else. Koreans are trying to convince us with all their might that this car is fundamentally different from the well -known second generation of well -known Sorento, which has been produced since 2009. But why then is a completely new Sorento so similar to the old model? How so?


The main topic for discussion during the Kia Sorento test drive was the nuances of terminology. New or updated? The difference in the sense of these words seems to be not so and big, but in fact it is fundamental. From a formal point of view, a new car is ... this is a new car. Where everything should be to others, starting from the suspension and ending with the body. Although we will be honest in recent years, the requirements for the new car have decreased significantly. Now, in order to be considered New, no one is asking for a fundamentally different body and chassis. It is enough to come up with another face, a little redo the salon, make the motors a little more economical, and put a couple of modern security systems. And many manufacturers follow the path. Look at the same Logan, which was presented a few days ago at a car dealership in Paris. From a distance it seems that the car has become completely different, but it’s worth a closer look, as you understand that we have only a seriously converted old man. Yes, and Volkswagen acts on the same principle to call the current Passat, which is built on the basis of the old model, only representatives of the folk car can completely new.


But so that the new model has an old body? Nevertheless, the Koreans do not lower their eyes assure Sorento a new, and not updated. And they have their own truth. Yes, they practically did not touch the exterior design (although slightly other bumpers, a new back door, other fog lights and rear lights appeared). But the car has changed inside, but, most importantly, there are a lot of technical innovations. Engines were modernized, the suspension was seriously redone, instead of a hydraulic power power steering, now the floor was lowered, the share of high -strength steels in the power structure of the body increased by 25%, the scrap appeared between the glasses of the front shock absorbers ... As a result, the hardness of the body for twisting compared to The previous model increased by 18% for such a large crossover as Sorento, this is very important.


Fundamentally, the Kia Sorento trolley has not changed. Here, as before, the well -familiar Mcpherson is in front, and the rear suspension is independent multi -link. But the Koreans did a good job on the chassis: the geometry was revised, the settings of springs and shock absorbers were changed, new silent blocks appeared. In addition, there are new front and rear subframes, an increase in rut by 3 mm in front and behind was increased

The salon became another beautiful screen, more soft plastic, the seats are a little more comfortable, and the leather finish on the steering wheel is more pleasant. But take a closer look. All the so -called control points of the interior of the old and the new Sorento coincide. Deflectors of the ventilation system, control of the climate system, the location of the gearbox lever, and so on are in the same places.


Compare the salon of the new Kia Sorento (upper photo) and old (lower). At first glance, they are seriously different from each other, but at the same time the insides of cars are so similar

It seems to be indicated that the salon is still updated here. But passengers of the second row will object to the car unambiguously new! After all, she became more spacious. And for many Sorento buyers, this fact will be perhaps the most significant. In the second row of seats in the knee area, there were more at once 30 mm (and this increase is immediately felt), and 9 mm was added on the third row. Although it will still be crowded there, in this case, these are normally such cars are not intended for work as a minibus, and the third row is not often used here (though most of the Sorento sold in Russia will still be five -seated seats in the most expensive trim levels ).


Folding the third row of seats is quite simple for this, just pull the rag handle, which sticks out of the back

There are real advantages for the driver. Thanks to the change in the power steering to the electric power, Kia Sorento can be equipped with several interesting bells and whistles. For example, this model has an automatic parking system. For those drivers who feel the dimensions of the car poorly, it will be simply indispensable. True, by modern standards, this parking worker already seems imperfect. After all, he can only put the car in place, and only parallel to the sidewalk. But at the same time, he cannot leave the parking lot, and the electronics is not trained in parallel parking. But competitors have systems that do all this, and not bad. The electric power made it possible to install the FlexSteer system, thanks to which the driver can independently change the force that is necessary to rotate the steering wheel. There are three positions (Normal, Sport and Comfort), but FlexSteer actually is always responsible for the lightness of the steering wheel, the gear ratio always remains unchanged.


In addition to improved sound insulation, it is worth noting that the level of vibrations inside the cabin is reduced by 5%, and on the steering wheel by 4%

Another advantage of Sorento 2012 noise insulation has become better! And noticeable. Of course, the Korean crossover has not yet grown to the level of premium cars, but do not forget that Kia Sorento is worth it ... Alas, there are no prices yet Koreans promise to declare them at the end of this month. In the meantime, only the next car is known to rise in price, but exclusively on the cost of new options. We are talking about such things as ventilation of the front seats, heating the rear seats and the steering wheel, the already mentioned automatic parking worker, xenon intellectual headlights. But there is no doubt in one after the appearance of a new Sorento from the price lists will disappear the concept of a special offer or a discount of 120 thousand rubles. And without it, the current Sorento costs 1,049,900 rubles. In the basic configuration. A car with diesel, automatic, navigation, xenon, hatch, rear view camera and three rows of seats is generally 1,719,900 rubles. (We just tested a similar car).


In Russia, Kia Sorento will be sold only with a 2.4 liter gasoline unit and a 2.2-liter diesel engine. But the Koreans also have the latest gasoline engine with a volume of 2.4 liters and a capacity of 192 hp, as well as a small 2.0-liter diesel, which produces 150 hp. In addition, a 3.5 liter engine (280 hp) is intended for the US market (280 hp)

Our engines will be the same as before, although they have undergone modernization and became more economical. A 2.4 liter gasoline has retained its technical characteristics (176 hp and 226 N ∙ m.), And the 2.2-liter diesel still gives out 197 hp. (The maximum torque is 421 N ∙ m for a machine with a mechanical box and 430 N ∙ m for a machine gun). True, the diesel began to throw 14% less harmful substances into the atmosphere.

But Sorento rides better than his predecessor. Moreover, it is now not only about handling for machines such as Sorento, it is secondary. Nevertheless, the car obeys the steering wheel well even on a winding highway. Moreover, it feels that the car could go even faster, but on the serpentine Korean Kumho tires surrender too early and begin to squeak anxiously, as if to tell you, hey easier, this is still a large family crossover. In general, if you like to ride quickly, it is better to buy other tires.


The segment of medium -sized crossovers in Russia is slowly but steadily growing. In 2010, these models occupied 5%of the market, in 2011 already 5.4%, and now we are talking about 5.5%. At the same time, the vast majority of machines are bought with an automatic gearbox on them accounts for as many as 80% of sales. Another trend in recent years, the gradual growth of the share of crossovers with a drive for only one axis

But comfort is now the strength of this car (by the way, do not forget that noise insulation on the 2012 Sorento has become better, this makes a huge contribution to the subjective perception of comfort from driving). Sorento copes with irregularities perfectly, without annoying excessive buildup. Moreover, this is with 19-inch wheels, which are laid in the upper sorento trim levels, more than a 17-inch wheels with thicker tires, which, for sure, will make the smoothness even higher (this will probably suffer controllability, but there is no place for anywhere) .

A 2.2-liter diesel brings a certain dissonance in a comfortable mood. His diesel rumbling is well audible in the cabin, although the sound does not press on his ears. Nevertheless, the modern auto industry has already accustomed us to the fact that with closed windows, the diesel engine is perceived by the driver as silent. But then 197 horses and 430 N ∙ m are perfectly pulling the car. True, in order for the dynamics to be tangible, the driver will have to more hard to press the gas pedal, this diesel does not go poorly at low speeds. But the 6-speed automatic machine does not work for the gearbox quickly and clearly, so you just don’t notice it.


According to the leadership of the Russian representative office of KIA, in the future the supply of the most modern engines with direct fuel injection may begin to Russia. However, they refuse to call the exact date of the exit of these units to our market in Kia. Koreans of Russian fuel are afraid, because not at all gas stations on the territory of our vast, pure gasoline is sold. And start the sale of a fashionable engine, and then collide with a wave of complaints, they do not want to

KIA says that Sorento is a full -fledged SUV. At the same time, the following numbers are given: the entry angle is 19.7 degrees, the angle of the exit is 22.4 degrees, the angle of longitudinal patency of 17.1 degrees. But here you have the indicators of the correct SUV named Mercedes-Benz G-class: 36 degrees, 27 degrees and 24 degrees. But Sorento still does not have a frame, and the all -wheel drive is, on demand, only when the front wheel is slipping, the rear axis receives up to 50% of the moment. Of course, there is a manually included Lock Mode mode, which divides the moment in a ratio of 50:50, but it only works at a speed of up to 40 km/h. So we will not believe the Kia Sorento advertising brochures are still a crossover.


Kia assures that Sorento received a completely new platform. However, when you compare the numbers in the table of technical characteristics, then doubts arise in this. So, the wheelbase here is the same 2700 mm, and the dimensions of the car itself were almost unchanged. At least the length of the old and new model is identical to 4685 mm

So, new or updated? Like it or not, the concept of the new Sorento 2012 still does not pull. To do this, it would be necessary to all numerous changes that are made to the model, to redo the appearance. Although we will be fair of the Sorento sample of 2012, as you do not call it, surpasses its predecessor. The car began to be better controlled, its character became more balanced, noise insulation improved, the salon became more spacious, new bells and whistles were added. And all this is good. But the fact that the owner of Sorento will have to tell his friends every time why he has a new car is bad. In general, such a car turned out. Either short -size, or re -re -re -re -re -conducted.


What is how much?
As we have already said, the prices for the new Sorento have not yet been declared. But, most likely, they will remain at the level of its predecessor (only cars should be upset in maximum trim levels that will receive new options like heating the steering wheel and rear seats, ventilation of the front seats and automatic parking systems). Therefore, the base model with a gasoline engine 2.4, the front -wheel drive and mechanics should cost about 1,050,000 rubles. But the correct car with a diesel engine and automaton will cost at least 1,479,900 rubles. (Changes in the price list are possible, but so far we offer to focus on these prices). What do competitors offer? According to KIA representatives, the main rivals of Sorento, they see the following models: Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan X-Trail and Hyundai Santa Fe. The last model is an actually close relative of Sorento, while Santa Fe can be called that this is a really new car with another body. True, the Hyundai Santa Fe costs at least 1.3 million rubles for a version with a 2.4-liter gasoline engine. And the price of a diesel Santa Fe with an automaton and all -wheel drive 1,490,000 rubles.

The easiest front-wheel drive Mitsubishi Outlander with a 2.0-liter engine costs 969 thousand rubles. But a machine with a 2.4 liter engine, all -wheel drive and a variator is estimated already at 1,329,990 rubles. (40 thousand rubles more expensive than Kia Sorento with a similar set). At the same time, diesel engines do not put on outs.

Nissan X-Trail with a gasoline engine with a volume of 2.4 liters (169 hp) and the variator is sold for 1,261,500 rubles. (There are versions with a 2.0-liter engine for 1,042,000 rubles). Diesel X-Trail with a machine can be taken for 1,336,000 rubles. These are 144 thousand cheaper than the automatic diesel Kia Sorento, but remember the Japanese engine produces 150 hp, and not 197 hp, in addition, Sorento for 1,479,900 rubles. It has a leather salon and a number of other bells and whistles.

And here you have another interesting alternative to Chevrolet Captiva with a 2.2-liter diesel engine (184 hp), all-wheel drive and automatic can be bought for 1.2 million rubles, and a seven-seater with a leather salon is sold for 1,311,000 rubles . And if you need exactly a seven -seater crossover, then this is an excellent offer for comparison, the old diesel Sorento with three rows of seats, although in a noticeably better equipment, is now without taking into account the discount of 1,719,900 rubles.

Denis Smolyanov
Photo by the author and Kia
 

Source: Auto.mail.ru