Test Drive Kia Sorento since 2009 SUV

Kia Sorento. Inflatable hippo

Kia Sorento. Price: not defined. On sale: since the autumn of 2009
Improverable dimensions, ice in the eyes and suddenly amazing airiness! With its off-road sizes, the new Kia Sorento weighs, as some D-class sedan: a little more than one and a half tons. The refusal of the frame turned to the crossover loss of two vest centurners! Such a serious diet in the root changed the former valication life of the model

Test pilot
Dmitry Tyatyuchenko, 33 years old, car journalist, driving experience 14 years old, personal car - Jeep Wrangler
As experience shows, conspiracies often arose, but they were rarely successful. The story regularly confirms the words of Niccolo Makiavelli, a famous Italian diplomat and not the last statesman. Most often, as a result of secret collusion, only monsters have appeared to happiness, and exceptions. For example, crossovers whose birth also contributed to a kind of conspiracy. Extremely successful conspiracy of manufacturers against real SUVs, whose population today is invariably reduced against the background of steadily growing pre-crisis sales of SUV cars. And the second generation Kia Sorento is the last proof. Despite the fact that it is CUV
Yes, time did not spare him. How does not spare many of his tribesmen: you will not know on the street. But I will definitely not pass by: with the age of Sorento, I pulled up, cheered up and acquired the unprecedented gloss, charm and dynamism. After the pregnant, pretty ordinary facade of the ancestor, the appearance of the novelty seems to be riding a playful modernity: Schreerovsky youth-aggressive style is clearly traced in each design element. But after the entry into force of the new marketing policy of Kia, it was impossible to expect: like the other fresh creations of the brand, this Crossover Utility Vehicle is simply obliged to cause emotions, attract a younger, progressive audience and brightly demonstrate its belonging to the model row Kia. And all of the above model is fully fully!
However, appearance is not important. Sorento now have to handle differently. The car has been settled: in the dirt is impassible, it does not stop. The developers changed the concept of the model, resolutely crossing its off-road past. Frame? Forget the car carrying the car. Demultiplier? Oh, leave! Well, who in the age of neatly trimmed lawns and asphalt roads are interesting, how is the reduced gear turn on? So, a small group of hopeless suffering from chronic off-road enthusiasts permanent four-wheel drive? Dudes! By default, the car uses only the front wheels, only sometimes connecting the rear. And when electronics will be allowed. But if necessary, you can enable forced blocking, operating at a speed of up to 40 km / h and the distribution torque in the proportion of 50:50 between the front and rear axles. Or even use the help system while starting on the lift and control of brakes on the descent. In general, Sorento accents were dismissed in favor of the city.
Uncertain on off-road, Sorento II is well oriented in a metropolis. Small radius small. Dimensions on the contrary, rather big. But the visibility is excellent. At the height and smoothness of the progress: the front suspension on the double transverse levers of the previous model gave way to lighter and compact McPherson suspension stands, and the continuous rear axle was changed to a completely new independent multi-dimensional suspension. Fun swaying on Ugabach, the car leaves the irregularities of all kinds outside the body. And improves emotional attitude to good handling.
Adequate steering requires 3.02 turns from the stop until it stops. Without excessive sharpness, the steering wheel is characterized by good informativeness and indentible feedback. Updated 2.4-liter gasoline engine with a capacity of 174 liters. With. Together with the 6-speed automatic CP, provide a car with a worthy overclocking, according to the manufacturer, occupying 11.6 s to one hundred. They also provide mediocre acceleration. The machine switches the transmission on time, without delay, easily passing down. But the power of the motor is not enough to, for example, shoot from 60 km / h with the full press of the accelerator.
The crossover was created on a single Hyundai IX55 platform. Compared to the predecessor, the new Sorento became 95 mm longer and 15 mm below, and the wheelbase of the car decreased by 10 mm (up to 2700 mm). In the cabin added free space: neither the front, nor from behind to the shortage of the place can not be complain. The third row of seats appeared, an increase in capacity to seven people. However, on some abundance of space does not apply. Especially since its presence, two from the gallery reduces quite a decent trunk volume four times (from 1047 to 258 liters).
The interior pleases the eye not only with high-quality materials, but also equipped. Starting the engine with a button, cruise and two-zone climate control, multifunctional steering wheel, a rear view camera with a 3.5-inch screen in the salon mirror, the system of electronic control of stability This is not a complete list of pleasant and useful features. Alas, most of them will be available only in rich versions.

Comprehensively protected
The new Sorento carries on board a lot of modern systems and equipment responsible for active and passive safety. In particular, this is ABS, EBD brake force distribution systems, braking BAS braking, electronic ESC stability control, help with HAC lifting, dynamic braking control on DBC descent. Thanks to significant body improvements, the crossover has a lot of advantages over the predecessor and in the field of passive safety that attach increased impact resistance. Thanks to the use of more durable steel, the new Sorento has become much less vulnerable when colliding. When developing a car, special attention was paid to the central base of the body with a steel protective arc embedded in it. Additional lateral passenger protection is provided at the expense of side panels that allow you to minimize the likelihood of injuries of bones of the pelvis at an accident. The basic package of Sorento includes front airbags, optionally the car is equipped with side airbags and security curtains. Both front seats can be equipped with active head restraints, thanks to which when hit, the likelihood of the neck injury is reduced.

Love not love
The volume of the trunk varies from a modest 258l in a 7-seater version to an enviable 2052 liter. Emko
Despite the complete crossoverness, off-road deposit colors still have. Not bad
The functionality on the central console does not force her head over the key assignment. clear

Driving
The car was pleased with adequate behavior on the road, but the dynamics seemed only sufficient.
Salon
Even with the very rear seats, complaints about grindiness or discomfort will not follow. Naturally, from passengers of middle growth and below.
Comfort
Model soft suspension is not tiring unnecessary adhesion to irregularities and rings. The abundance of useful functions in the cabin pleases a variety.
Safety
There are many systems, but not all of them will fall into the base in the Russian market.
Price
Unspecified.

Advantages and disadvantages
+ Spacious interior, interesting appearance, thoughtful interior, good obedience to the steering wheel.
- Only sufficient dynamics.

Specifications
Brand and Model - Kia Sorento 2.4 AT
Dimensions - 4685x1885x1710 mm
Engine - gasoline, 2349 cm3, 174 hp / 6000 min-1
Transmission - automatic, 6-speed KP
Dynamics - MAX 186 km / h; 11.6 s to 100 km / h
Competitors - Mitsubishi Outlander XL, Hyundai Santa Fe

Our opinion
Such a radical fracture in the intention of the model theoretically might scare away those off-road lovers who used to relate to the Sorento SUV for its affordable price and passability. But those in principle becomes less and less at the horse more utilitarian SUV. Yes, and modern appearance and quality clearly open in front of the model new purchasing horizons.
Posted by: Dmitry Tyatyuchenko
 
 

A source: Magazine 5 Wheel [August 2009]