Kosaku Maeda, historian and director of the Japan Institute for the Study of the Cultures of Afghanistan, poses at the Tokyo University of the Arts in Tokyo. AFP
There is no doubt Khmer consumers love SUVs, and their popularity has risen substantially in the last five years.
The 2019 Kia Sorento is the biggest SUV in Kia’s line-up, and with seven seats it’s a model that is often shortlisted by prospective buyers.
Its cabin quality feels and looks quite premium, with most of the door trim and console covered in hard rubber, but it can show dirt and finger marks easily. The dash layout is simple with all controls within easy reach, and is sprinkled with brushed aluminum-look plastics.
Sorento’s 7.0-inch infotainment system is a cinch to use and includes various functions, but if you prefer to stay connected to your phone at all times, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard.
The enclosed center console compartment is huge and hides a USB point, auxiliary, and two 12-volt outlets.
And the features continue in the second row. Although the doors are heavy to open and close, once inside the features begin to shine through, with sliding and reclining seats that make it more comfortable to get some shut-eye.
The seats have three top tethers and two ISOFIX points. Without a central floor hump, the leg room is ample and head room is perfectly fine, but toe room is tight. A fold-down armrest with cupholders, and USB and 12-volt connections round out a well-equipped second row.
If you think the third row won’t get much attention, you’re wrong. There is ventilation with fan speed adjustment, two cupholders, speakers, and storage bins. Even though leg room is okay, head room is tight and the seat base is low to the floor, so it is definitely a place reserved for children.
Under the floor is room for the cargo blind to be stored, while a full-size 19-inch spare wheel is found underneath the car.
The Sorento feels big and heavy on the road, which can be a positive for some, but for this reviewer it feels a little intimidating.
There is a bit of diesel rattle, but it’s easily looked over as the 2.2-litre is pretty punchy with its 147kW of power and 441Nm of torque. Maybe once the family have vacated the car, you can make use of the shift paddles with Kia’s new eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission, but really you wouldn’t think they would get much use in a large SUV.
There’s a sport driving mode available, and even though the throttle response is sharper, it doesn’t make the Sorento any sportier or any more fun to drive. We bettered the claimed fuel reading of 7.2L/100km with a combined 6.9L/100km. Impressive stuff for such a large car.
The quality of the rear-view camera is very good and is also clear at night. For longer family journeys, driver-attention alert is always welcome, and features like a digital speedometer and active lane assist are great for the daily commute.
The Sorento is a smart-looking SUV that is comfortable, spacious, and can fit seven people. If your budget can stretch further than the other competitors from Korea, Sorento can be a nice choice of you because it is the only full-sized SUV model directly manufactured and imported from Korea.
