There aren't many options on the Irish market for families who want a car with the style and driving capabilities of an SUV, combined with the space and number of seats of a people carrier. Kia’s new Sorento is one of the few – it has seven seats, four wheel drive, and is able to tow a trailer if required.
 
The Sorento doesn't have a lot of the styling embellishments found on modern cars, like sloped windows and thick corners designed to make them look good enough to eat. The result is that it is not the prettiest car you will ever see, but mums will like the large, clear windows, which are all around the car and make it much easier to drive than you might think a car of this size would be.
 
We were seriously impressed with the quality of the Kia Carens when we drove it, and the Sorento is similar.  It feels like a car worthy of your €38,000 or thereabouts, with plush, soft touch plastics on most surfaces, although door plastics do feel cheaper.
 
Behind the wheel the controls are clearly laid out and simple to use, even if the dashboard is not particularly exciting or interesting looking. The driver’s seat and steering wheel have lots of adjustment so those of you who are five feet tall or less won’t struggle to get comfortable. The accelerator pedal is mounted on the floor, which is great for long journeys.
 
There are two seats in the third row that will generally be fine for people under 5 feet tall, and while clambering into the back is a little tricky for adults, flipping the seats into position is a piece of cake - ideal for a Mum on a school run. With all seven seats in use you will only have room for a few school bags in the boot, but both the middle and third rows have a 50/50 split allowing half of the seat to be folded flat, increasing storage options for families with six members. The middle row seats also recline which is brilliant if the kids need a nap.
 
The Sorento is a big car, and there can be a bit of body roll on twisty roads above typical city speeds, as well as some wind noise around the mirrors on the motorway. By and large though it is very quiet, with a powerful 2.2 litre diesel engine that will tow a double horse box. Buying a Sorento fitted with the standard wheels rather than larger optional ones will ensure that passengers are the most comfortable over uneven road surfaces. The Sorento is an all-wheel drive SUV, suitable for families living on higher land who need more grip during the winter, and it can also cope with light off-roading around the farm.
 
Prices start at €37,990 for the EX manual model, which is loaded with equipment including climate and cruise control. €41,790 will buy you a Platinum version fitted with leather heated seats, a panoramic sunroof and privacy glass. The Sorento costs €390 per year to tax, and will do around 350 miles on €50 diesel (€1.43 per litre), which is about 46 miles per gallon. The automatic version costs a bank busting €47,290 and road tax is €750 per year.
 
Is it good value for money?
This sector of the car market is quite competitive. Its competitor, the Mitsubishi Outlander, which is €280 a year to tax and is a similar size costs, about €1,000 less in entry level specification, while the equivalent Honda CRV and Hyundai Santa Fe both cost around €1,200 more. Buyers in this sector tend to buy with both Mum and Dad in mind as it is a big investment and generally, the main family car rather than the ‘second’ car.  
 
Is there loads of storage space?
There’s great boot space with the third row seats folded flat, and the boot entry is flat and high, meaning no bending and reaching is required. All five rear seats fold flat to create a load bay bigger than a Honda CRV and will easily fit a couple of armchairs or a desk. The centre console storage box, glove box, and door bins are all large, and there are cupholders dotted throughout the cabin. There’s no creative storage solutions like in many MPVs like under floor cubbies though.
 
Is it baby friendly?
The high roofline and raised seating position makes lifting a child into a baby seat a doddle. There's a lot of legroom so it’s easy to step past one baby seat to get to a second one without having to open the other door. Two ISOFIX baby seat mounts are fitted in the middle row, and the passenger airbag can be disabled in the front to accommodate a baby seat. Given the Sorento’s size, reaching the baby in the middle row will be more difficult than in a smaller hatchback.
 
Is parking easy?
Parallel parking, due to the long bonnet requires accuracy; although Kia has fitted parking sensors on all models as standard, which makes a mum’s typical route easier to navigate. Visibility is generally excellent from the driver’s seat though, with the flat rear window, large mirrors and narrow front pillars making tight manoeuvres easier to judge.
 
What about safety?
84% was the child safety rating that Euro NCAP awarded the Sorento alongside its five star overall score, so we are impressed. It is fitted with six airbags, including full length curtain (head) airbags, which are equipped with a roll over sensor. This protects passengers’ heads if the car flips over by keeping the airbags inflated for longer. Other accident preventing driver aids fitted include stability control and an emergency stop lamp.
 
Verdict:
Thumbs Up:
Spacious 7 seater
Excellent safety rating
Great visibility and standard parking sensors
Loads of space for lifting children in and out
 
Thumbs down:
Looks a bit plain from the back
The automatic model is very expensive
 
Mummypages Ratings:
Baby friendliness: 4.5/5
Safety: 4.5/5
Cool rating: 3/5
Passenger and storage space: 4/5
Car park friendliness: 3/5
Value for money: 3.5/5
Overall rating: 22.5/30
 
Statistics:
Price as tested: €37,990
Fuel Economy and tax: 46mpg / €390 per year
Warranty: 7 years
ISOFIX baby seat mounts: 2
Seats suitable for adults (excl driver): 4
Seats suitable for kids only: 2 (small adults should fit!)

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