Kia Sorento KX-2 2.2 CRDi 5dr Pre-Model Car Review - February 2012

The 2.2 litre diesel delivers 194 bhp at 3800rpm and 311lb-ft of torque. This means that the Sorento can get from 0-62 mph in 9.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 118 mph.

Completely independent suspension makes the drive relaxing and any bumps and imperfections on the road are soaked up. Tyre noise is low and grip and composure on the road are impressive. The engine is a little unrefined, however.

The speed sensitive steering is nicely weighted and the 4x4 handles rough terrain fairly well. Light controls and good road handling makes the driving experience pleasant, even if the off-roading abilities leave a little room for improvement.

The Sorento’s new design has given it an up-to-date feel and it feels quite classy. The chrome-edged Kia grille has angular lines with smooth edges and black plastic mouldings can be found at the bottom of the front and rear bumpers and along the sills.

This is Kia's premium off-roader so, as you would expect, there is plenty to enjoy inside the cabin. The dash looks great and the black interior is finished to a high standard and look very expensive. The dials are surrounded by metal and glow red when the car is started.

Equipment wise you get air conditioning, a six-speaker stereo with MP3 input, leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear lever, metallic dash and door trim, climate and cruise control, heated front seats and reversing sensors all as standard fittings.

This Sorento has a fairly limited boot capacity when all the seats are in place, offering just 111 litres. That being said, 1,525 litres are available with all rear seats folded down but those who need the seven seat capacity might want to invest in a roof box or trailer for additional storage.

The Sorento is a fairly new model, so only time will tell if this is going to be a reliable car, although it is expected to fare well. The seven year/100,000 mile warranty is reassuring.

All new Sorentos achieved a five star rating in the NCAP crash tests and come with six airbags, active front headrests, seatbelt pre-tensioners, stability control, downhill brake control, descent control and hill-start assist as standard features.

Considering this is a seven seater 4x4, Kia has rather impressively managed to keep the running costs down. That said, this model is the least economical of the range with carbon emissions of 177g/km and fuel efficiency of 42.2 mpg. A price tag of £27,295 is fairly impressive and the strong reputation for reliability associated with the brand means that this model should be a wise investment for buyers.