Kia Sorento review

Natural selection doesn’t just apply to the animal kingdom; it affects SUVs, too. Whereas the trusty diesel engine was once the go-to choice for big seven-seaters, these days anything that sups solely from the black pump looks like a bit of a dinosaur. So, like all the most successful species, the Kia Sorento has evolved.

But instead of simply slinging a petrol engine under the Sorento’s bonnet, Kia has used its expertise in the field of electrification to create a hybrid. Indeed, the cheapest model you can buy combines a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a small battery pack and electric motor to drive down emissions and fuel consumption. A full plug-in hybrid version is also on the horizon.

Those expecting to haul particularly heavy loads will be pleased to hear that the diesel Sorento hasn't become extinct, but it's now on the fringes of the pack – the hybrid is considered the alpha option. Whichever you pick, four-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox come as standard, pushing the Sorento's starting price up towards those of the top-spec versions of other seven-seaters, such the Peugeot 5008 and Skoda Kodiaq, and very close to the premium competition, including the Land Rover Discovery Sport, Mercedes GLB and, for those who don’t need to carry more than five people, the five-seat-only Audi Q5.

To find out how the Kia Sorento stacks up against its rivals, including what it’s like on the road, how practical it is, how classy it is inside and whether it’s a sound investment, stay with us over the next few pages. And don’t forget to check out our New Car Buying service for great discounts on all manner of new cars, including savings on the Kia Sorento.