The Assured Evolution: The Kia Sorento

I have always held a particular regard for the Kia Sorento; it’s a jack of all trades, given its practical size, all-wheel-drive capability, and three rows of seating. It manages to balance family practicality with an agreeable driving position and modern style, making it a highly compelling offering in the mid-size SUV class.

The Sorento’s journey began in 2002. The first generation was a traditional, truck-based SUV built on a body-on-frame platform.

It was a rugged departure from the more car-like utility vehicles emerging at the time. The evolution has been considerable; the second generation (2010) shifted to a unibody construction, placing it squarely in the crossover SUV segment and greatly improving road manners.

The current model represents the fourth generation, which was introduced in 2020 and has now received a significant refresh for the 2025 model year. It maintains the five-door, mid-size SUV body type and has grown in sophistication with each iteration.

Exterior Design: A Bold Stance

The 2025 refresh is certainly notable, giving the Sorento a more authoritative presence. The design language of the front fascia is commanding, characterised by a redesigned ‘Tiger Nose’ grille that integrates seamlessly with the vertical LED headlights. These sleek headlights feature a distinctive daytime running light signature, giving the vehicle a memorable face.

Moving along the body panel, the design is defined by angular dimensions and sharp character lines that contribute to a muscular, yet refined, profile. The model I drove was fitted with side stepping rails, a practical addition that also adds to the vehicle’s rugged aesthetic. At the rear, the vertical taillights are particularly distinguishing and convey a sense of solidity, complemented by a robustly styled rear bumper.

In terms of dimensions, the Sorento, with a length of around 4,815 mm and a width of 1,900 mm, is generally considered a large mid-size SUV. This sizing puts it in direct competition with vehicles like the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Mazda CX-90.

Compared to a direct rival like the Honda Pilot, the Sorento feels more geometrically sculpted, offering a more contemporary design that often appeals to buyers looking for a less traditional-looking utility vehicle.

Interior Comfort and Technology

Stepping inside, the cabin of this top-specification model, with its perforated leather upholstery, exudes a premium feel. Chrome accents are used strategically to break up the surfaces, while sections of glossy piano black trim add a modern contrast, though they are prone to fingerprints.

The twin 12.3-inch LCD integrated displays – one for the instrument cluster and one for the infotainment system – create a seamless, sophisticated look across the dashboard. The central control panel is a particular innovation: it’s a touch-sensitive strip that can cleverly switch its function between climate controls and other vehicular options, such as media and navigation shortcuts. While it’s minimalist, I find that operating the rotary gear selector, which controls the transmission, becomes second nature quickly.

One of the most impressive comfort features is the driver’s seat lumbar support system, which cycles through phases of massage. This is a brilliant amenity for easing fatigue on longer drives.

The 12-speaker Bose audio system is excellent, providing crisp, clear sound throughout the cabin. Standard features such as the Head-Up Display, Front Ventilated Seats, and the 360-degree camera system further enhance the driving and parking experience. The trim level I was in also boasted a vast panoramic sunroof, which floods the cabin with natural light.

However, I do have a minor ergonomic critique: the two primary air conditioning vents at the centre of the dashboard are positioned rather low. They tend to direct air towards the stomach area, rather than the chest and face, which necessitates more careful adjustment for optimal airflow. Cargo space is competitive for the segment; with the third row in use, capacity is limited, but folding the rear seats via the remote buttons in the boot area (a smart power tailgate is also included) quickly opens up substantial room. The second-row seats also offer remote folding for ease of access.

Driving Experience and Performance

The Sorento I tested was equipped with the 2.2-litre TurboDiesel engine, producing a confident 191 horsepower and a healthy 325 lb-ft of torque. The engine genuinely shines when it comes to fuel consumption, achieving an impressive 12.8 km/l on the highway during my test, making it a very economical choice. The AWD transmission provides secure handling in various conditions.

The different driving modes are genuinely useful. In an environment like Jamaica, where road surfaces can change from smooth highway to rough, unpaved terrain quite suddenly, modes such as ‘Snow’, ‘Mud’, and ‘Sand’ (part of the intelligent AWD system) could prove invaluable. Normal and Eco modes are suitable for city driving, while Sport mode sharpens the throttle response and holds gears longer.

While the overall performance is confident and the torque from the diesel unit is easily accessible, there is a small, noticeable lag in the turbocharger’s response from a standstill. Once moving, however, the vehicle picks up speed smoothly and with purpose.

The auto-adjust high beams were particularly handy when navigating dark stretches of road, such as, the mountainous sections of the Junction road in St. Mary, which often lack streetlighting.

My one change to the vehicle would be to swap the low-profile tyres for those with a greater sidewall depth. This small alteration would likely yield an even smoother ride over poorer surfaces, further enhancing the comfort offered by the suspension set-up.

The Kia Sorento, particularly in this specification, offers a deeply competent and well-appointed package. It combines the space and security families require with a surprising level of luxury and up-to-the-minute technology. It stands as a powerful contender against its rivals, offering excellent value for a vehicle with, such a robust feature set.

Price of tested model: $11m

Price range/options: $8.9m - $11.9m

Engine: 2.2-litre TurboDiesel

Horsepower (hp): 191

Torque (lb-ft): 325

Transmission: AWD

Fuel tank: 67 L

Gas consumption: 12.8 km/ l (highway)

Body Type: mid-size SUV

Competition: Jetour T2, Hyundai Santa Fe, Honda Pilot, Mazda CX-90.

Vehicle provided by ATL Automotive Ltd, 1876-754-0013, email: sales@atlautomotive.com, atlautomotive.com.