Kia Sorento Diesel AWD First Drive Review: New Benchmark in Premium SUVs?

The three-row, all-wheel-drive SUV segment has grown in popularity among family car buyers over the decade, but only a few players seem to dominate the space. After its success in the compact and mid-sized SUV segments, Kia India has finally entered the premium SUV space with the new Sorento. The Sorento looks upmarket, and it is available with diesel or petrol (strong hybrid) powertrains. During our first drive test of the Sorento Diesel AWD, we wanted to see if the SUV sets a new benchmark for its rivals, as the Seltos and Sonet did in their respective segments. Here's what we found out.

The Sorento is among the few cars where pictures don't do the design justice. It is a very handsome and elegant SUV. It may not look large in photos, but in real life it is a big SUV with a strong road presence.

The front design starts strong with an upright stance, enhanced by the vertically stacked LED headlamps and overlapping DRLs. The side profile reveals the Sorento's large size. The 19-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels get an aero-style pattern and fill up the wheel arches nicely. Length is a strong point at 4,815 mm, and the wheelbase is 2,815 mm long. The tapered rear quarter glass gives the Sorento an MPV vibe, but it is a signature design element. The chunky roof rails become more noticeable over time, and the rear spoiler adds to the Sorento's MPV-ish impression.

The tail-end design mimics the purposeful stance of the front end. The Starmap LED tail lamps look fresh and chunky. The tailgate gets sharp creases and a raised edge. These elements give it a well-rounded look. Overall, if you are a fan of long and sleek SUVs, the Sorento will appeal to you.

Well-built and thoughtfully designed were the words that came to mind from the driver's seat. More importantly, it does not follow the 'triple-screen' trend. Instead, it has a curved panoramic display. It includes the 12.3-inch touchscreen and the 12.3-inch driver information screen. The display is slightly tilted towards the driver, making it easier to operate while driving.

The new four-spoke steering wheel gets a dual-tone treatment, and the dashboard has a three-tone colour scheme. This includes soft-touch leatherette on the top, brushed silver elements in the middle, and brown hard plastic panels down below. The HTX trim level gets the black-and-olive-brown theme, and the lower variants feature a black-and-grey theme.

The dial-style shifter takes centre stage in the centre console. It is easy and intuitive to use and will not take long to get used to. The drive mode and terrain mode selector sits right below, for easy access while driving. With its AWD tech, the Sorento also gets Snow, Mud, and Sand terrain modes to fine-tune performance across different conditions. The centre armrest is chunky and has ample storage space underneath. Overall, the Sorento’s cabin feels premium, but it is also durable.

The HTX (A) variant that we drove had the six-seat layout (captain seats). The front seats were plush and roomy, and the driver's side also gets 12-way adjustability. However, the second-row captain seats have an equally comfortable and eventful experience.

For starters, the left-side passenger gets a dedicated 'Boss Mode' function. This lets them adjust or fully push the front passenger seat forward to open up acres of legroom. Additionally, the rear captain's seats can be adjusted for reach and recline to find the sweet spot for a long highway drive. Next, the Sorento also offers a ventilated function for the second row, which adds to the special feeling for backseat passengers, and headroom is decent too.

Coming to the third row, this is where the Sorento's limitations start to show. While it is technically a three-row SUV, space in the last row is limited. At 5'11', I was able to fit inside with my knees bent enough to almost touch my chest. It is a good thing the third row flushes down into the floor because it is fit for occasional use by adults or for small kids. Adults will surely avoid getting cramped inside the third row.

It is good to see the Kia Sorento feature the bigger Smartstream D2.2 diesel engine, from the much more expensive Carnival Limousine. It is a 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel engine that produces 196 PS of power and 442 Nm of torque. It is paired to an 8-speed (DCT) double-clutch automatic transmission, which felt effortless in its shifts. Even the low-speed behaviour of this transmission felt refined; any jerks in traffic were masked well.

The one thing that stood out about the Sorento diesel's driving experience was its confident and refined ride quality. Over potholes, highway rumble strips, even gravel roads, the SUV felt unstoppable. The vehicle feels very stable at highway speeds, while the surge of power from the turbo is lively but not overwhelming. The suspension setup feels nicely balanced over sudden speed bumps and while diving into corners. Overall, driving the Sorento felt very similar to other, more expensive road-biased luxury SUVs.

The Sorento's all-time AWD system keeps it capable across different driving conditions, both on-road and off-road. While serious off-roading is not part of its manifesto, it has enough tech and grunt to get you out of most real-world scenarios, effortlessly. The terrain modes make it even more user-friendly for drivers who do not have off-road driving experience. For experienced off-road drivers, this might also make occasional off-road driving feel uneventful, as the SUV will take care of the tricky parts on its own.

If you are looking for a 'big' family SUV that looks and feels premium, then the Sorento diesel deserves a place on your short list. It is loaded with high-end features, and long road trips will be enjoyable in this SUV. Compared to rivals, the refined ride quality and robust fit and finish of the Sorento stand out. However, at a starting price of Rs 27.99 lakh (ex-showroom), the Kia Sorento does demand a slight premium over other popular options in the segment.

Buy it for the ride quality and premium packaging. If you want something more capable off-road, look at other popular options in the segment.