2010 Kia Sorento Review
Price
from: RM135,168
to: RM145,616
Installment
from: RM1,289/mth
to: RM1,389/mth
2010 Kia Sorento at a glance
Despite the civilised looks, the 2010 Kia Sorento belongs off-road. It is one of the rare few SUVs in Malaysia that can actually go off-roading. Although tough and spacious, the 2010 Kia Sorento sorely lacks the on-road manners rivals have.
2010 Kia Sorento quick specs
| Body Style | SUV |
| Class | Large Utility |
| Assembled | - |
| Engine Range | - |
| Fuel Options | - |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
2010 Kia Sorento ratings (overall rating : 3.5/5.0)
| Styling | |
| Handling | |
| Comfort | |
| Quality + Reliability | |
| Performance |
| Roominess | |
| Running Costs | |
| Value for Money | |
| Equipment | |
| Environment |
Styling
The 2010 Kia Sorento looks much like a modern rendition of the previous-generation Honda CR-V or Lexus RX (also the Toyota Harrier). We are not sure how Kia arrived at the Sorento's design, but more importantly, it is one of the best (along with the Rio's) from Kia thus far. The interior styling does less well, with an old-fashioned feel to the dashboard design. Overall though, the Kia Sorento is a commendable effort in terms of styling.
Handling
The Kia Sorento may seem at home on tarmac from the exterior, but underneath, it is one of the rare few in Malaysia built for off-roading. On the roads, the 2010 Kia Sorento feels out of depth relative to road-biased rivals. Poor body control is the order of the day as the Kia Sorento rolls heavily through bends, and pitches over bumpy surfaces. The low grip levels and over-light, dull steering do little to improve the on-road handling. Off-road is where the 2010 Kia Sorento truly belongs, where the capable 4WD system can show its worth.
Comfort
The 2010 Kia Sorento's suspension struggles to soak up the impact of rough surfaces. Refinement is higher on the list with well-contained engine and wind noise, but the large tyres generate noticeable road noise. Drivers sit high and enjoy good visibility thanks to the SUV seating position. Seating adjustments and the tilt-adjustable steering column allow for greater fine-tuning. The dashboard is clearly about function than design. Controls are easy to read, and simple to use.
Quality + Reliability
The 2010 Kia Sorento's off-roader credentials can be seen in the substantial cabin construction. The materials used exhibit similar toughness, but are not the nicest to touch or look at however. According to recent JD Power customer satisfaction surveys, the Kia Sorento has led the class for two years in a row.
Performance
The only diesel engine option, the 2.5-litre CRDi (Common Rail Direct Injection), is mated to a five-speed automatic gearbox. With 343 Nm from just 2000 rpm, the on-road performance feels strong even if the 138 bhp is only average. Work the engine too hard though, and be prepared for a strained, unpleasant soundtrack. As mentioned at the start, the engine noise is minimal at highway speeds.
Roominess
Interior roominess is definitely the 2010 Kia Sorento's strongest point. Five front and rear occupants get to sit with generous amounts of head- and leg-room. The huge boot provides plenty of loading capacity, which can be increased by split-folding or folding flat the rear seats, up to a maximum of 1849 litres.
Running Costs
The diesel engine has a respectable fuel economy of 11.6 km/litre. Maintenance and repairs should be affordable. Depreciation will be the main concern as the Kia (Naza) badge inspires less confidence on the second-hand market compared to more established brands. Buyers should expect to see more depreciation for the Kia Sorento than for highly regarded rivals like the Honda CR-V.
Value for Money
Relative to the Kia Sportage or Hyundai Tucson, the 2010 Kia Sorento is more of an off-roader despite the civilised looks. That means the 2010 Kia Sorento lacks in refinement against the Honda CR-V or Chevrolet Captiva on the roads, but offers much more off it. Perhaps a closer rival would be the Nissan X-trail, which also possesses credible off-roading ability. Between the two, the Kia Sorento offers better space and off-road ability, though once again it lags the X-trail in on-road manners.
Equipment
The 2010 Kia Sorento gets Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), dual airbags, seatbelt pretensioner, Radio/Cassette/CD/MP3 player with eight speakers, trip computer, steering wheel mounted audio control, dual zone air-conditioning, roof rack, cruise control, leather interior, power driver seat, power sliding roof and 16-inch alloy wheels. The NOVUS package adds side mirror indicator light, reverse sensors, window tint, bumper guards, GPS/GSM tracking system, remote alarm system and turbo timer.
Environment
The 2010 Kia Sorento is not the worst-polluting SUV out there. The respectable fuel economy and decent carbon dioxide emission level put the 2010 Kia Sorento ahead of many other SUVs. To be sure though, “green” folks should still stick to smaller-capacity sedans and hatchbacks.
Live Life Drive Verdict
Tough-feeling cabin
Spacious interior
Off-roading ability
Below-average handling
Lacking ride quality
Interior dash styling
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