Driving Torque

It's All About The Motors.

Driving Torque

This is the YouTube page for Driving Torque - Articles, reviews and opinions about cars and all things automotive.
Go to www.drivingtorque.com

Driving Torque
Review by Ben Harrington from Driving Torque of the Suzuki Jimny SZ5
Suzuki Jimny Review
YouTube Video UCOtVdrU-nsf_4BZwMKZ08NA_tBEwl0WmNRw
Watch as a Model X performs its Celebration Mode Easter egg in the snow
Tesla Model X Celebration Mode
YouTube Video UCOtVdrU-nsf_4BZwMKZ08NA_Z04UK1MRXjE
This is what the exhaust tail pipe of a Ford Focus RS sounds and looks like when you accelerate quickly.
2017 Ford Focus RS Exhaust
YouTube Video UCOtVdrU-nsf_4BZwMKZ08NA_QkKOE0J4baE
Another gratuitous exhaust video for you. This time it's the behemoth that is the Mercedes GL63 AMG.
Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG exhaust sounding immense
YouTube Video UCOtVdrU-nsf_4BZwMKZ08NA_S7TdJrBe8aw
This is a Porsche Cayman in Sport Plus mode with a Sports exhaust, showing the exhaust revving and moving as the car is put through its paces. Great footage of over-run and even the heat haze from the hot engine.
Porsche Cayman PDK Sport Plus
YouTube Video UCOtVdrU-nsf_4BZwMKZ08NA_8l_WTgJB0sk
Subscribe
  • Home
  • About
  • Ben’s Car CV
  • DTQ Partners
  • Contact

2019 KIA Sorento Review – A Few Tweaks For A More Premium Feel

April 23, 2019 by benharrington Leave a Comment

2019 kia sorento grey front side review roadtest

For 2019, Kia have given their flagship SUV, the Sorento something of a mid-life refresh to keep it relevant against the expanding competition. On the face of it, the changes really are minimal, but until an all-new Sorento comes along, if it ain’t broke, why fix it?

2019 kia sorento grey rear side review roadtest

2019 Kia Sorento

Right, the pertinent points first. The Sorento is still a large, and we mean large SUV. It’s longer and wider than a Skoda Kodiaq and its sister car, the Hyundai Santa Fe, but it’s the way the they’ve optimised interior space that’s important here, meaning all seven seats are properly useable for adults. There’s still a choice of one engine; the 2.2 litre, 197bhp unit that Kia and Hyundai have relied on for a while now. It’s still 4WD only and you can still go for a 6-speed manual ‘box on all but the highest spec. One upgrade is found with the automatic gearbox that’s now an 8-speed, replacing the old 6-speed for better economy and responsiveness.

2019 kia sorento side grey review roadtest

Some Very Subtle Changes

So, what else has changed, then? You’d have to really know your Sorentos to spot them but there have been some visual updates, you just have to know where to look. The front grille has been reshaped slightly, as have the fog-light housings. The front and rear running lights are now LED, with the option of full LED lighting on higher spec Sorentos, and if you look really closely, you’ll see that the layout of the headlights has been redesigned; not a lot, admittedly, but it all counts.

2019 kia sorento grille review roadtest

Apple CarPlay & Android Auto

Inside the Sorento is still the dark, reserved cabin we’ve become accustomed to. Quality is the right side of good but plastics don’t compare to the likes of Audi or Volvo. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard across the range, brought to you via either a 7 or 8 inch infotainment system dependent on spec. Standard equipment is generous, as we’ve come to expect from Kia, and if you venture higher up the range, luxuries such as wireless phone charging & heated and vented leather seat are included, as are safety features like lane-keep assist & blind spot detection.

2019 kia sorento interior cabin review roadtest

GT-Line & GT-Line S

Speaking of specs, that’s anther area where the Sorento’s been updated. It’s seen similar treatment to other Kias and the KX-4 model has disappeared, in its place are a GT-Line & GT-Line S. Nothing’s changed – engine & transmission wise, but both get 19 inch alloy wheels, twin exhausts, side-steps, red brake callipers and projection headlights, with the S getting LED headlights. What both of the new, sporty models also get is a set of Kia’s trademark ‘ice cube’ foglights, and they’re what’ll ultimately get the recognition on the road.

2019 kia sorento infotainment review roadtest

A Bit Spendy

There’s only one problem with the new ‘GT’ spec Sorentos, and it’s the same problem the old KX-4 models faced; they cost too much. At £37,450, the GT-Line is acceptable as it’s full of tech and it does come with the new 8-speed gearbox. Go for the full-fat GT-Line S model, though, and it’ll set you back a whopping £42,950, and that’s just too much for something that’s mechanically identical to its £35,650 KX-2 sibling.

2019 kia sorento rear seats review roadtest

Should I Buy A Kia Sorento?

The Sorento is still a rugged, genuinely capable 7-seat SUV that comes packed with gear. It’s comfortable and refined enough, plus that ever-present Kia 7-year warranty is still a big, reassuring pull. You still have to be careful you don’t spend too much on one, though, because at well over £42,000, there’s some serious competition.
2019 kia sorento third row seats review roadtest

By Ben Harrington

Kia Sorento KX-3 Auto Specifications

Engine – 2.2l 4-Cylinder turbo-diesel, Transmission – 8-speed automatic, Layout – Front engine, 4WD, Power – 197bhp, Torque – 441Nm, Emissions – 161g/km CO2, Economy – 46.3mpg combined, Maximum Speed – 127mph, Acceleration – 9.1-s 0-60 mph, Price – £39,650 OTR

The Kia Sorento is available now, priced from £30,250. For full details go to: www.kia.com

2019 kia sorento headlights review roadtest

Filed Under: Driven, Review, Road Test, SUV Tagged With: 4WD, 4x4, 7 seats, Diesel, discovery, KIA, KIA sorento, Review, roadtest, Santa Fe, sorento, SUV

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

About Driving Torque

I'm Ben Harrington and I'm a car lover, freelance motoring journalist and family-man (I'll let you decide the order!) I started Driving Torque in 2010 to share my love of all things motoring with the wider world. Since then, … continue reading

Driving Torque’s Instagram Posts

driving_torque

Another highlight from this week’s SMMT Test Day Another highlight from this week’s SMMT Test Day was this; the unashamedly macho Ford Mustang Mach 1. A full review will follow later this year, hopefully. #ford #fordmustang #forduk #carsofinstagram
What do you do when you own two VW vans? Why, you What do you do when you own two VW vans? Why, you go and drive the latest VW Multivan, of course! The Multivan is not, I repeat, is not based on a van, though. Got it? Good. #vw #volkswagen #notavan #carsofinstagram
Managed to get a first drive of the Hyundai i20N a Managed to get a first drive of the Hyundai i20N at Millbrook yesterday. I wasn’t sure anything could get close to the Fiesta ST in real hot-hatch terms, but then, this…… #hyundai #i20n #carsofinstagram
We’ve spent the last week in the company of the We’ve spent the last week in the company of the @bmw X5 M50i. Hugely powerful yet surprisingly economical 😲 #bmw #x5 #mpower #carsofinstagram
I’ve had worse weeks……. #porsche #boxster #b I’ve had worse weeks……. #porsche #boxster #boxster25years #carsofinstagram
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Driving Torque’s Twitter Feed

Ben HarringtonFollow

Freelance motoring writer and Editor of Driving Torque. @NGMWcars member. Classic VW owner. Husband and father to a wonderful wife and two amazing young ladies.

Ben Harrington
DrivingTorqueBen Harrington@DrivingTorque·
18 May

https://buff.ly/3MgBS7H #kia #ceed #sportswagon #review #roadtest #wagon

Reply on Twitter 1526997309602537472Retweet on Twitter 1526997309602537472Like on Twitter 1526997309602537472Twitter 1526997309602537472
Retweet on TwitterBen Harrington Retweeted
steveberry62Steve Berry@steveberry62·
15 May

Visited Glamis Castle today in the @mazdaukpr CX30. A lovely drive North that was made even better by the Mazda’s comfort and ride. 50+ MPG, too. A perfect day.

3
Reply on Twitter 1525887958045302785Retweet on Twitter 15258879580453027852Like on Twitter 152588795804530278511Twitter 1525887958045302785
Retweet on TwitterBen Harrington Retweeted
YTimesMotoringAndy Harris@YTimesMotoring·
12 May

The new Range Rover Sport has been unveiled.

All you need to know:

https://yorkshiretimes.co.uk/article/New-Range-Rover-Sport-Revealed

@LandRover_UK @LandRoverUKPR

Reply on Twitter 1524707382131105795Retweet on Twitter 15247073821311057955Like on Twitter 15247073821311057956Twitter 1524707382131105795
DrivingTorqueBen Harrington@DrivingTorque·
12 May

https://buff.ly/3KGDRkx #bmw #x5 #msport #review

Reply on Twitter 1524708718167969793Retweet on Twitter 15247087181679697931Like on Twitter 1524708718167969793Twitter 1524708718167969793
DrivingTorqueBen Harrington@DrivingTorque·
9 May

https://buff.ly/38IdKMY #porsche #boxster #718 #25years #review #roadtest

Reply on Twitter 1523742352338264064Retweet on Twitter 1523742352338264064Like on Twitter 15237423523382640641Twitter 1523742352338264064
Load More...

© 2022 · DrivingTorque.com · Site designed and built by Kobestarr.com